Los Angeles Criminal Attorney Blog

A three-car traffic accident in Bellflower has left a 6-year-old girl and 9-year-old boy in critical condition. The children’s grandparents, who were also in the vehicle with the children, only sustained minor injuries. According to the Los Angeles Times, the traffic collision occurred on Artesia Boulevard. The vehicle that caused the crash was reportedly fleeing from police after the driver of the vehicle failed to stop at a DUI checkpoint. The three men in the fleeing vehicle, which was also reportedly stolen, left the accident scene on foot, but were later apprehended by law enforcement. The occupants of the third car involved in the crash suffered minor injuries as well.

There was no report of whether or not the individuals in the stolen car were under the influence of alcohol, or were simply worried that the traffic checkpoint would somehow reveal to authorities that the car was in fact stolen. Regardless of the situation, it is never a good idea to flee from law enforcement officials. Essentially, had the individuals simply gone through the DUI checkpoint and by chance been apprehended, they would only be facing theft charges relating to the car, and possibly DUI charges if in fact the driver was impaired while operating the vehicle. Now though, the occupants of the vehicle are responsible for an accident that led to personal injury, property damage, evading arrest, and other charges that the article may not even have touched on.

Continue reading " Car Fleeing from Bellflower DUI Checkpoint Injures Children " »

Posted by Lawrence Wolf | Permalink | Email This Post

Posted In: Criminal Defense , DUI Defense

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Instances of white-collar crime involving Medicare have resulted in the indictment of 331 people across the country since March of 2007. According to the Associated Press, 20 people have recently been charged with filing fraudulent Medicare claims that amounted to the astronomical amount of $26 million. Reportedly, the fraudulent claims took the form of billing for pricey medical equipment that was not required to help any individual with his or her rehabilitation. In some instances, Medicare was billed for equipment that was never received, and in some cases billed for equipment that was supposedly purchased by individuals who were no longer even alive.

Medicare fraud is a problem that has plagued the health care industry for some time, costing the nation an estimated $60 billion each year. What makes many of these cases different though is the involvement local gangs have taken on as of late. That is, according to the article, one individual was accused of recruiting relatives and individuals linked to a Southern California gang to act as owners for fraudulent medical equipment companies. Furthermore, gang involvement has also resulted in acts of violence being enacted against individuals, typically to settle debts owed stemming from the funds collected on behalf of the fraudulent activity.

White-collar crime in Los Angeles is often non-violent, and involves either the theft of intellectual property, embezzlement of some kind, or defrauding a person or group out of money or services. White-collar crime can carry with it significant monetary fines, jail time, and can ultimately affect an individual’s ability to secure gainful employment even years after the alleged offense took place. In all instances where an individual is accused of crime, a white-collar defense attorney should be immediately retained in order to provide the accused with the strongest possible defense that their case warrants.

Continue reading " White-Collar Medicare Fraud Lands 20 in Custody " »

Posted by Lawrence Wolf | Permalink | Email This Post

Posted In: Criminal Defense , Law & Information , White Collar Crime

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A 16-month investigation into gang activity culminated with a raid that led to 45 arrests. As reported by an NBC news article, police officers and federal agents took part in a crackdown that primarily focused on the Rolling 40s street gang. About 1,100 law enforcement agents took to the territory and surrounding areas known to be controlled by the Rolling 40s, and by 7AM the 45 arrests had already been made. Law enforcement officials plan on serving a total of 75 warrants.

According to authorities, the gang had a “vice grip” on the neighborhood, and the raid and resulting arrest were necessary in order to promote the longevity of local neighborhood families and promote a safe living environment. Gang crackdowns have been considerably prevalent this year, with more than 500 individuals having been arrested in connection to gang activity and criminal matters. Ultimately, even though such a large number of individuals have been arrested on suspicion of committing certain illegal activities, proving actual involvement with said activities is a daunting task in and of itself.

Continue reading " Gang Raid May Bring Stability Back to Victimized Community " »

Posted by Lawrence Wolf | Permalink | Email This Post

Posted In: Criminal Defense

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Los Angeles local ABC affiliate KABC-TV, channel 7, reported that Covina police recently arrested a 47-year-old man on suspicion of child molestation. According to the report, the man has been accused of sexually assaulting a 14-year-old boy that he met on the popular social networking site, MySpace. Supposedly, the man and teenager arranged a real life meeting with each other, and the incident of sexual assault took place at that meeting. While police continue to investigate this case, they are still looking for other possible victims that the man may have had similar interactions with.

In many sex crimes, physical evidence of wrongdoing may not necessarily be available, particularly if parties involved consented to the behavior and action in question. The news report did not mention whether or not investigators had any sort of evidence against the 47-year-old man, other than the testimony of the 14-year-old boy. Though a thorough investigation will undoubtedly reveal more details of the case, the man is innocent until proven guilty.

The social stigma associated with sex crimes can sometimes be more damaging in the long run than even the punishments handed down by a court of law. Not only will a convicted sex offender have to serve jail time, but he or she may also need to register as sex offender. Such registry can make it particularly difficult for an individual to find a place to live and secure gainful employment.

Continue reading " Covina Police Investigate Suspected Sexual Assault of Teenage Boy " »

Posted by Lawrence Wolf | Permalink | Email This Post

Posted In: Criminal Defense , Law & Information , Sex Crimes

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The entertainer known as Lil Wayne has pled guilty to second-degree attempted weapon possession, a felony. According to a news story, the 27-year-old rapper’s tour bus was pulled over in New York in July of 2007. Reportedly, law enforcement witnessed marijuana smoke emanating from the vehicle, and found a loaded semi-automatic weapon upon searching the bus. Reportedly, the 27-year-old is expected to receive a one-year jail sentence. He also faces charges in the state of Arizona for felony drug possession and weapons charges.

Defense attorneys on the case argue that there was no basis for searching the bus, and that more than a dozen other people were on the bus at the time it was stopped by law enforcement. Reportedly, small amounts of DNA evidence belonging to the 27-year-old were found on the weapon, which the defense argues does not belong to the rapper. Furthermore, defense counsel argues that the method in which DNA was tested for was too problematic to prove who the weapon belonged to.

Continue reading " Lil Wayne Pleads Guilty to Automatic Weapon Charge " »

Posted by Lawrence Wolf | Permalink | Email This Post

Posted In: Criminal Defense , Law & Information

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According to the Los Angeles Times, film director Roman Polanski will be extradited to the United States so that he may face child-sex charges dating back to 1978. Polanksi is currently being held by Swiss officials, and is fighting the extradition. Based on correspondence sent between the two countries, extradition seems likely at this point. Reportedly, U.S. officials were tipped off by the Swiss federal office of justice that Polanski would be entering Switzerland to attend the Zurich film festival. He was then arrested as he stepped off an airplane at a Swiss airport.

In 1978, Polanski was accused of committing sexual acts with a then 13-year-old girl. Though the now grown-up 13-year-old does not wish to pursue criminal charges against Polanski, and would simply prefer it if the matter were put behind her entirely, U.S. officials have been trying to somehow get Polanski back in the country for years.

Sex charges of all kinds are a serious matter. Often times, sex offenses can be characterized by he-said, she-said accusations. Polanski’s defense attorney argues even now that improper conversations took place between the presiding judge and prosecution. In any event, it is important that all cases pertaining to sex crimes are properly handled, and that those who stand accused are given every opportunity to properly defend themselves in a court of law.

Continue reading " Polanski May Have to Finish What the D.A. Started " »

Posted by Lawrence Wolf | Permalink | Email This Post

Posted In: Criminal Defense , Law & Information , Sex Crimes

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A CNN.com story recently chronicled the ongoing legal troubles of actress Lindsay Lohan. According the article, a Beverly Hills judge just extended Lohan’s probation in order to give her more time to complete her court-ordered alcohol counseling treatment. To date, Lohan has reportedly not completed the program and her attendance has been less than satisfactory. While her defense attorney explained that Lohan’s career hindered Lohan from completing the program, the presiding judge warned that if she hears of Lohan missing any more meetings, she will sentence Lohan to jail time. Successful completion of the program was mandated based on a 2007 incident in which the actress ultimately plead guilty and no-contest to charges centering-around drunk driving incidents.

While the circumstances of this case are a general exception to the rule, with Lohan being afforded the right to complete the alcohol treatment at her relative leisure and around her busy schedule of acting and entertaining, not all individuals facing completion of such programs are given as much freedom in doing so. Alcohol counseling treatment is required for those individuals that are found guilty of driving while under the influence of either drugs or alcohol. After jail sentences have been served, mandatory alcohol counseling treatment must be sought out and completed at the attendee’s own expense. Successful completion of the program will then enable that individual to have a license suspension lifted after the court-ordered suspension time frame has been met.

In order for an individual to ensure that they are provided the best possible outcome in their DUI case, that individual’s best course of action is to retain the services of a skilled Los Angeles DUI defense attorney that will examine all circumstances surrounding the arrest. DUI arrests can be especially problematic in that field sobriety tests can be improperly administered and results from blood alcohol concentration tests can be inaccurate due to poorly calibrated devices used. Not all individuals that are accused of DUI are in fact guilty.

Continue reading " Lohan's Legal Troubles Still Not Over " »

Posted by Lawrence Wolf | Permalink | Email This Post

Posted In: Criminal Defense , DUI Defense

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According to a recent Los Angeles Times article, October playoff baseball may bring out the worst in some fans. That is, Orange County officials are on high alert for individuals that choose to drink during baseball games, and then proceed to operate motor vehicles soon thereafter. The high alert comes on the heels of the death of Nick Adenhart, a promising young pitcher for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. In April 2009, the 22-year-old Adenhart and two of his friends were killed by an alleged drunk driver less than ten miles from Angel Stadium of Anaheim, where Adenhart had pitched earlier that night. In order to cut down on unnecessary traffic, the Anaheim Police Department asked all motorists not attending the Angels’ playoff game with the New York Yankees to please steer clear of the area.

While consuming alcohol at a baseball game is permitted, it is never a good idea to driving while under the influence of alcohol. An individual accused of DUI is innocent until proven guilty, which is something that the media often forgets. That is, field sobriety tests are only as accurate as the law enforcement officials that are administering them. Furthermore, breathalyzers and other devices used to determine an individual’s blood alcohol concentration need to be properly calibrated and maintained in order to ensure that test results delivered by the devices are accurate. If procedure is not followed or such devices are defective, then an individual that would otherwise be deemed innocent of driving while under the influence could be accused and arrested by law enforcement for a crime that the individual never in fact committed.

Continue reading " Baseball Booze and Driving Create Tragic Situations " »

Posted by Lawrence Wolf | Permalink | Email This Post

Posted In: Criminal Defense , DUI Defense

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