Los Angeles Criminal Lawyer Blog

According to KTLA, two Long Beach residents have been arrested on a suspicion of committing burglaries on the campuses of UCLA, UC Irvine and several other University of California campuses.

If you have been charged with burglary it is important to contact an aggressive Los Angeles burglary defense lawyer as soon as possible to protect your rights and begin preparing your defense.

Under California law, burglary is considered a type of theft crime. Burglary is defined as entering into a building with the intent to commit a crime - typically grand theft or petty theft. Grand theft applies to cases where the value of the item stolen is in excess of $400. In burglary cases, the prosecution need not prove that the accused actually committed a crime, just that the intent to do so existed. Burglary may be classified as first-degree or second-degree. First-degree burglary involves entering into a person's home with the intent to commit a crime, whereas second-degree burglary usually involves entering a persons business or a commercial building. First-degree burglary is always considered a strike under California's Three Strikes law. Second-degree burglary may be charged as a felony or misdemeanor.

UC Irvine police arrested Karim Patrice Davis and Angie Latoya Gray after obtaining search warrants based on information obtained by tracking credit cards. If convicted, they face potential prison time, restitution, steep fines and potential restrictions on their ability to work.

Davis and Gray are also suspected of committing burglaries at Cal State Long Beach, Cal Poly Pomona and Cal State Fullerton.

Two other men - Jacob Amir Qureshi and Jason Walker - who were with Davis and Grey were arrested on outstanding misdemeanor warrants. Outstanding warrants are serious matters that need to be taken seriously. Many people believe that outstanding warrants may disappear with time. This is not the case. Outstanding warrants need to be taken care of - otherwise law enforcement has permission to arrest you immediately. Incidents that might not typically land you in jail may result in incarceration if the warrant is not resolved.

Continue reading "Long Beach Residents Arrested In Connection With UCLA And UC Irvine Burglaries" »

The Contra Costa Times reports that overall Los Angeles crime is on the decline. In fact, due to a drop in both violent crime and property crimes the Los Angeles crime rate is on track to be lower than in 2010, which set a four-decade low.

If you have been arrested or charged with any crime in the Los Angeles area such as assault, robbery or murder, it is important to speak with a Los Angeles criminal defense lawyer immediately to begin preparing your defense.

According to statistics, the Los Angeles murder rate is down 8% in the first half of the year, with 147 murders compared to last year's 160. If this pattern stays true, the numbers will fall below last year's 297 which was the lowest since 1966. Similarly, violent crimes and property crimes have reported lower numbers than in 2010.

Violent crimes include such actions as robbery, homicide and gang violence.

How the decrease in crime has affected those charged with Los Angeles criminal activity is unknown. Ensuring your rights are protected in the event you face an arrest for any type of crime remains of utmost importance.

Continue reading "Los Angeles Violent Crime Decreasing" »

A recent California Supreme Court case - People v. Skiles - evaluated whether faxed evidence of a prior out-of-state conviction could be used to show a "strike" under California's Three Strikes law. In Skiles, a California man was convicted or residential burglary and receiving stolen property.

Under California law, residential burglary is considered "first-degree burglary" and requires the prosecution prove that you had the intent to commit a felony or theft before you enter someone's home. First-degree burglary is charged as a felony and constitutes a "strike" under California's "Three Strikes" law.

California's "Three Strikes" law is one of the harshest laws of its kind in the country. Not only will someone with two or more prior strikes be convicted to 25 years to life for any felony conviction, but also those convicted of a second "strike" must be sentenced to double the prison term of the current conviction.

Here, Skiles was convicted of residential burglary after a couple returned to their motel room and noticed that it had been burglarized. Witnesses stated that they had seen Skiles in the area and police found his fingerprints in the hotel room.

During the sentencing phase, the prosecutor introduced a single page of an indictment from Alabama for vehicular homicide. However, the document introduced did not contain a factual description of the charges. In order to gather more evidence that Skiles committed a serious felony, the prosecutor had the Alabama court fax a certified copy of the first page of the indictment, which described the charges in detail. Based on the faxed copy, Skiles' robbery conviction was considered a second strike and he was sentenced to 9 years for robbery.

Continue reading "People v. Skiles Holds That Faxed Copy Of Prior Out-of-State Felony Conviction Qualifies As Evidence Of A Serious Or Violent Felony Under California's Three Strikes Law" »

According to news reports, Los Angeles deputies were called to respond to an El Monte burglary in progress. When they arrived at the scene, they encountered four men and a boy. Upon investigation, it turned out that the group was trying to break into a warehouse that contained over 5,000 marijuana plants - making it one of the biggest marijuana grow houses in the city's history. The men were arrested on a suspicion of burglary. Investigation into the drug warehouse continues.

This episode presents several interesting legal questions, involving theft, drug manufacturing and possibly even conspiracy - contacting an experienced Los Angeles criminal defense attorney is important to protect your rights.

First - for the men involved, they may be charged with second-degree burglary, which usually involves the entering of a business or other commercial structure. It may charges as a misdemeanor of felony, typically based on the value of the property taken. Here - reports indicate that the men had a u-haul truck and were planning to steal marijuana. Additionally, one of the men indicated that "he broke into the warehouse his family owned because he wasn't getting his share of the proceeds." Whether this statement is admissible is questionable.

It is also likely that drug charges will follow - although who will be charged is yet to be determined. Drug charges may be misdemeanors or felonies, however because of the quantity of marijuana involved, felony charges will likely result.

Continue reading "El Monte Burglary Investigation Leads To $1 Million Pot Bust " »

A Los Angeles Transportation Security Administration officer was arrested on a suspicion of theft at LAX for allegedly stealing items from a traveler's suitcase. The 31-year-old TSA agent faces charges of felony grand theft.

If you have been arrested on theft charges, it is important to contact an experienced Los Angeles theft defense lawyer immediately to begin investigating the charges and preparing your defense.

Los Angeles theft crimes cover a broad range of activities, but include those criminal acts of taking another person's property or money without his or her permission. The crimes can be charged as felonies or misdemeanors based on the value of things stolen. Where the value of an object is less than $400, the crime will generally be considered a misdemeanor.

"Theft crimes" include various actions such as:
• taking property by false pretenses
• embezzlement
• larceny
• identity theft

Continue reading "Security Officer Arrested For LAX Theft" »

A Los Angeles city union leader has been arrested on a suspicion of theft. Josif Kahraman, along with his wife Ani, are accused of stealing a laptop computer from his architecture and engineering union. The couple was arrested on a suspicion of felony grand theft and were released after posting bail.

If you have been arrested on charges of theft, it is important to contact an experienced Los Angeles criminal defense lawyer immediately to begin a thorough investigation into the facts and circumstances surrounding the case.

California has two categories of theft crimes - felony grand theft and misdemeanor petty theft. In order to prove felony grand theft, prosecutors generally most show that the value of the things stolen is $400 or greater.

Continue reading "Los Angeles Union Leader Arrested On A Suspicion Of Theft" »

The Pasadena Star-News reports that two Los Angeles men have been arrested on a suspicion of committing armed robbery. Four robberies allegedly occurred in the span of an hour. The men were reported to be driving around Pasadena, looking for victims. After spotting a target, the car would pull over and the passenger who was supposedly armed with a handgun would hop out and rob the person of money or a cell phone.

If you have been arrested on a suspicion of armed robbery, it is important to contact an experienced Los Angeles criminal defense lawyer immediately to begin preparing your defense. Often, by challenging the evidence against you, charges may be reduced or even eliminated.

In California, the crime of robbery is "theft through the use of force or fear." Because of the element of force, robbery is considered a "violent crime" and a "strike" under California's "Three Strikes" Law. Use of a deadly weapon during the course of a robbery may subject a defendant to a mandatory minimum prison sentence.

Continue reading "Los Angeles Men Arrested For Pasadena Robberies" »

Former baseball player Lenny Dykstra was arrested this Friday in his Encino home on a suspicion of grand theft for allegedly trying to buy a stolen car. On Thursday, he was charged for allegedly trying to embezzle funds from his bankruptcy estate.

If convicted of these white-collar crimes, Dykstra faces up to 5 years in jail, as well as other potential penalties including fines and probation.

If you are facing any federal or state white-collar crimes, contact an experienced white-collar crimes defense lawyer immediately.

White Collar crimes typically refer to economic and non-violent criminal offense and including a variety of types of fraud including embezzlement, grand theft and identity theft. As has been alleged here, these types of crimes are typically committed to obtain money or property.

Continue reading "Dykstra Arrested For Grand Theft And Federal Bankruptcy Crime" »

Los Angeles violent crime and Los Angeles property crime have seriously declined since this time last year.

According to the Mercury News, Los Angeles Police Department 2011 crime statistics reveal a 12.5% decline in the rate of violent crime and a 12% decrease in the property crime rate.

If you are under investigation for or have been charged with a violent crime or a property crime, it is critical to contact an experienced Los Angeles criminal defense attorney immediately to begin investigating the allegations and preparing your defense.

4,579 serious violent crimes were reported as of the end of March for Los Angeles, including aggravated assault.

Violent crimes such as aggravated assault and robbery may be charged as felony as may count as a "strike" under California's "Three Strikes Law." Potential penalties include jail or prison time, fines, community service and probation or parole.

63 property crimes have been reported thus far for 2011, down from 72 at this time last year. Property crimes include such offenses as theft and vandalism, with charges depending on the value of the items taken or destroyed. Potential penalties include jail or prison time and fines.

Continue reading "Los Angeles Property Crime Declines" »

Police chased five people suspected of armed robbery through downtown Los Angeles, Pasadena and the San Gabriel Valley, ending up in Boyle Heights.

A woman and her son told police they were robbed at gunpoint by three men and gave a description of the men and the getaway vehicle. The officers found the car they believed was driven the attackers and followed it.

If you have been charged with any California crime, contact an experienced Los Angeles criminal defense lawyer to begin preparing your defense.

The police officers followed the vehicle throughout the Los Angeles area at increased
speed - through Montebello, East Los Angeles, South Pasadena, Pasadena, Temple City and Rosemead. When the car came to a stop on Soto Street, three men and two women exited the car.

Continue reading "Los Angeles Armed Robbery Suspects Arrested" »

According to L.A. News, two suspects are wanted in connection with a downtown Los Angeles jewelry heist. The burglary occurred after the two men tunneled into a Broadway jewelry store and stole more than $3 million worth of merchandise.

If you have been arrested on the suspicion of any California crime, contact an experienced Los Angeles criminal defense lawyer at once to begin investigating the matter and preparing your defense.

Here, the two masked men allegedly burglarized the store - systematically emptying the display cases of high-quality jewelry.

In cases such as these, it is possible video-taped surveillance evidence may unfortunately lead to the arrest of the wrong men. Where images are unclear - or the men are in disguise - and the stakes are high, police and prosecutors may arrest the wrong people in their zeal to put solve a crime. The consequences for the accused can be serious, and in a burglary case include fines, jail time and damage to one's reputation in the community.

Continue reading "Los Angeles Jewelry Theft Of $3 Million In Merchandise" »

The Los Angeles Times reports that crime is up significantly in Reseda, Mar Vista, and Northridge. According to the L.A. Times crimes database, which maps and reports neighborhood crime throughout the Los Angeles area, several L.A. communities have seen increased instances of violent crime and property crime.

If you have been charged with criminal activity in the greater Los Angeles area, contact an aggressive Los Angeles criminal defense lawyer to protect your rights and begin preparing your defense.

Reseda tops the list with a significant increase in violent crimes such as aggravated assault, gang violence, and homicide.

Increases in property crimes such as theft, robbery, car jacking, and shoplifting were seen in the communities Mar Vista and the Hollywood Hills.

Continue reading "Los Angeles Crime Alerts Issued For Reseda, Mar Vista And 8 Other Communities" »

Los Angeles news sources are reporting that Lindsay Lohan will be charged with felony grand theft for allegedly stealing a necklace valued at $2,500.

California law defines theft as taking another person's property or money without the other person's consent. Theft crimes are divided into two categories - felony grand theft and misdemeanor petty theft. Felony grand theft charges apply where the value of the property stolen is $400 or greater.

If you are facing charges of felony grand theft, it is important to contact an experienced Los Angeles Criminal Defense lawyer immediately to begin investigating the charges and preparing your defense.

Here, the charges against Lohan are serious. Because she is on probation from her prior DUI charges, she faces potential jail time. Lohan asserts that the charges stem from a misunderstanding regarding her possession of the necklace and that the necklace had been loaned to her.

Continue reading "Lindsay Lohan Faces Felony Theft Charges" »

According to the Pasadena Star-News, two men - one from Los Angeles and another from Lancaster - were arrested on suspicion of trying to steal an historic light pole from a Pasadena neighborhood. The two face charges of grand theft and felony evading.

If you have been arrested for any California criminal charge, an experienced Los Angeles criminal defense lawyer can protect your rights and challenge the evidence against you.

Under California law, theft of any item valued at $400 or more is charged as felony grand theft. Here, the replacement value of the poles with aluminum replicas is $3000. Replacing the posts with bronze replicas is not possible - each is 300-400 pounds, built in the 1920s and considered "historic and irreplaceable."

A first report of a stolen bronze light pole was filed on Friday. Early Saturday morning Pasadena Public Works workers were on the lookout for anything suspicious when they saw a white van being used to push over a light pole. Over the past two years, 15 light poles have been stolen from Pasadena streets.

Continue reading "Los Angeles Man Arrested For Pasadena Lamppost Theft" »

The Pasadena Star-News reports that violent crimes, including homicides, are down in Los Angeles to the lowest level since 1965. Statistics show that the homicide rate has been dropping steadily, since 2005. The total number of homicides reported was less than 200, the first time since 1973 that the figures were that low.

Crime rates were lower in many difference types of crime including murder, rape, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, larceny, grand theft auto, and arson. But for those under investigation for a crime, the stakes remain high. An experienced L.A. criminal defense lawyer can mean the difference between freedom and a conviction.

The biggest decrease was reported at the San Dimas station with 14.9% fewer major crimes since 2009. South El Monte also reported a significant decrease in crime.
Reasons for the decrease in crime are unknown, although police are quick to take credit, citing "suppression, prevention, intervention, and technology" as contributing to the decrease in crime.

Continue reading "Los Angeles Violent Crime At Lowest Level Since 1965" »