Los Angeles Criminal Lawyer Blog

Several news sources including the La Canada Flintridge Patch have reported that identity theft - including Los Angeles identity theft - is growing throughout the nation. In order to combat this growing threat, the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department has released several tips on how you can protect yourself from identity theft.

With the growing concern of identity theft comes an increased effort to crack down on accusations of ID theft and prosecuting defendants to the fullest extent of the law. A person convicted of identity theft may face up to 30 years in prison. As a result - if you are targeted as a suspect in an identity theft crack down - it is important to contact an experienced Los Angeles criminal defense attorney to protect your rights and provide you the defense you need.

At the same time, some tips to protect yourself from becoming a victim of identity theft include:
• Accurate use of your personal identification information such as your proper name, Social Security number, credit card number and other financial account information;
• Review you credit report from the three major credit bureaus each year;
• Review you statements and closed unused accounts;
• Don't give away personal information over the phone, mail or internet unless you know who you are dealing with;
• Disconnect your laptop from a broadband or a shared connection
• Don't carry your Social security card or PIN number in your wallet in case you lose it.

Continue reading "Los Angeles Identity Theft Growing In Frequency" »

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" »

Five people, including residents of Los Angeles, Corona, and Oceanside have been found guilty in an LA phishing scheme. The scheme involved using spam e-mails to obtain bank account information from customers. The accused then used this information to transfer money into fraudulent accounts.

The 5 people convicted were found guilty of bank fraud, computer theft and identify fraud. The two men and three women were charged as part of operation "Phish Phry," a U.S.-Egyptian investigation that resulted in charges against 100 people.

If you are facing any California criminal charges or federal criminal charges, contact an experienced Los Angeles criminal defense attorney immediately to begin investigating your case and preparing your defense.

Many times, when numerous people are charged with crimes as the result of a large scale investigation, innocent people are swept up in the arrests, and the prosecution may misperceive the nature and extent of any one individual's involvement.

Continue reading "5 Los Angeles Area Residents Convicted In Identity Theft And Bank Fraud Scheme" »

According to the Pasadena Star News, a father and his daughter have pleaded guilty to California conspiracy charges. The charges stem from an alleged scheme to avoid paying taxes by making cash deposits at banks. Reports indicate that Anthony Luna and his daughter, Dianne Sanchez, and brother, made deposits of less than $10,000 into several accounts in order to evade federal tax reporting requirements.

Conspiracy charges can be complex. It is important to contact a Los Angeles conspiracy defense lawyer if you are under investigation or have been arrested with any type of conspiracy charge.

Conspiracy is defined as two or more people agreeing to commit a crime, with at least one person completing an "overt act." An "overt act" may be any action that is taken to further the conspiracy, even trivial actions such as making a phone call, renting a car or delivering a package. A common defense is that one of the parties charged never joined, or withdrew from the conspiracy.

Conspiracy is a separate from the underlying charge, and those involved may charged with both conspiracy and the underlying charge.

Continue reading "Montebello Man And Alhambra Woman Plead Guilty To Conspiracy Charges" »

L.A. Now reports that four people have been arrested on a suspicion of counterfeiting and piracy for selling fake cigarettes. If you have been charged with counterfeiting, money laundering, piracy charges, or any other white collar crime, it is essential to speak to an experienced Los Angeles criminal defense lawyer at once. 500 cartons of fake cigarettes were recovered.

Many times white collar crimes involve complex investigations and can be prosecuted as a state of federal crime. Penalties include, but are not limited to, prison or jail sentences, fines, and the loss of professional licenses.

Police also recovered guns, one of which was allegedly stolen in a West Covina burglary. Firearm charges, including possession of a stolen weapon, may lead to enhanced penalties and more serious charges stemming from the counterfeiting arrest.

Continue reading "Los Angeles Fake Cigarette Arrests Lead To Counterfeiting Charges" »

Many new criminal laws will be taking effect in 2011 that are certain to effect individuals throughout Los Angeles and all of California. If you are charged with any crime, it is best to contact an experienced Los Angeles Criminal Defense Lawyer who understands the most current laws and will ensure you receive the best defense possible.

Below is a partial list of these laws:

• Medical Parole - Inmates who are permanently medically incapacitated may be paroled out of the state prison system to less costly medical facilities.

• Alternative Punishment - SB 1266 establishes an alternative punishment arrangement for woman, including those who are pregnant or primary caregivers of dependent children. The program uses electronic monitoring to supervise the inmates while they attend various rehabilitative classes such as parenting and vocational programs, or receive substance abuse treatment.

• Sex Crimes - Adoption of "Chelsea's Law" which increases the penalties for forcible sex acts against minors, as well as creating "safe zones" around parks and mandating lifetime parole for specific sex acts.

• Fraud/Harassment - Adoption of SB-1411 which makes it a misdemeanor to impersonate another on-line through a website, e-mail or social media.

• Drug Crimes - Possession of less than 28.5 grams of marijuana will now be considered an infraction, rather than a misdemeanor with a fine of no more than $100.

Continue reading "Los Angeles Criminal Law Changes For 2011" »

The Orange County Daily Pilot reports that the Los Angeles County district attorney has postponed the arraignment of the former Beverly Hills Unified School District Superintendent on felony charges of embezzlement.

During an arraignment, a defendant makes his or her first appearance in court. The court will formally advise you of the charges against you and your constitutional rights.

Here, the former superintendent is accused of giving another employee an unauthorized stipend of $20,000 and an increase in her car allowance. The employee is also accused of "misappropriation of funds." Misappropriation of funds or embezzlement, is punishable as either a felony or misdemeanor. Because the sum is over $400, it will be charged as a felony.

Continue reading "Beverly Hills School Superintendent To Be Charged With Embezzlement " »

KTLA reports that seven Riverside County employees have been accused of stealing more that $500,000 from a fund for needy children. They have been charged with embezzlement, grand theft and fraud. Embezzlement is defined as the "fraudulent appropriation of property by a person to whom it has been entrusted." An embezzlement conviction requires proof that the defendant did not own the property.

Here, the District Attorney has alleged that the county workers diverted funds from the government to relatives and family members for several years. Prosecutors claim the money was then used to go on elaborate vacations. If convicted, the suspects face 5 to 7 years.

In many instances, charges of embezzlement can be explained by errors in accounting or inaccurate reporting. An experienced Los Angeles criminal defense attorney can analyze the facts of any alleged embezzlement scheme and determine possible defenses. In some cases, early intervention of an embezzlement defense lawyer can result in a civil compromise and avoid a criminal conviction and penalties.

Continue reading "Riverside County Employees Accused Of Embezzlement" »

According to the Los Angeles Times, a man accused of fraud - Timothy Barnett -now faces possible life in prison. While typically reserved for those with a history of violent crime, such as robbery or aggravated assault, the Los Angeles County district attorney is charging Barnett under California's three strikes law.

Barnett is charged with 23 felonies including identity theft and real estate fraud for allegedly tricking 5 people into unknowingly giving him title to their homes. This case represents one of the few times the three-strikes law was used in a case of fraud. Critics are outraged. As stated by a Loyola Law School professor, "This law was intended to deal with serious and violent felons and lock them up forever ... he hasn't killed anybody.""

The three-strikes law has been controversial ever since it passed in 1994 because it allows any felony to count as a third strike, not just violent ones. As a result, if convicted Barnett could face a sentence of 25 years to life in prison for each of the 23 counts.

Continue reading "California Man Accused Of Fraud May Get Life In Prison Under Three-Strikes Law" »