Los Angeles Criminal Attorney Blog

A recent article posted on The San Diego Tribune’s website signonsandiego.com talks about driving while under the influence and the consequences associated with in-car-breath-alcohol analyzers. According to the report, a recently proposed bill would require all convicted DUI offenders nationwide to have ignition interlock devices installed in their automobiles as part of a court-ordered mandate. While installation of this device would certainly not be permanent, it would be required to be present in vehicles of convicted DUI offenders for a period of at least six months.

In California, similar legislation was created this past fall that will result in a 66-month pilot program mandating the installation of interlock devices for DUI offenders in Los Angeles, Alameda, Tulare, and Sacramento counties. Reportedly, such legislation put into effect in New Mexico drastically curbed the number of DUI fatalities by as much as 35% during the period of 2004 to 2008. Groups such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety cite drops in arrest rates and DUI-related deaths as indications that the devices are in fact serving their purpose.

Continue reading " In-Car Breathalyzer Bill Could Render Repeat DUI Offenders Immobile " »

The boyfriend of a slain 24-year-old Reseda woman has been charged with her murder. According to an abclocal.go.com article, the 30-year-old East Los Angeles man allegedly had an altercation with the woman on December 20, 2009, which reportedly ended with the woman being repeatedly stabbed with an ice pick. The boyfriend now faces one charge of murder with a deadly and dangerous weapon. If convicted, he faces a maximum prison term of 26 years-to-life, and is currently in custody on $1 million bail.

The story explains that the woman’s body was discovered the following day in Winnetka. The woman’s brother reportedly found the woman’s body in her car. There was no mention of whether or not eyewitnesses saw the accused man place the woman’s body in the car, nor was there mention of whether or not the man was seen near the location where her body was discovered. Police investigation into the matter will undoubtedly provide more details as to the events that transpired that night.

Continue reading " East LA Man Charged in Murder of Reseda Woman " »

While white collar crimes may not be as widely publicized as other types of illegal activity, the repercussions can be very serious. According to claimsjounal.com, a Huntington Park insurance agent faces one felony count of grand theft after she allegedly used a homeowner’s insurance premium payment for her own personal use. Reportedly, the woman provided the homeowner with a quote for homeowners insurance, issued the homeowner a counterfeit insurance certificate, and received automatic payment checks from the homeowner in the amount of $823.00 over the course of two years.

The California Department of Insurance (CDI) received a complaint from the wronged homeowner after he had contacted his previous insurance company to inquire why he had not received a new policy for the 2009 calendar year. The CDI informed the homeowner that he was not in fact covered by homeowner’s insurance and further investigation into the matter proved the statement to be true. The woman who sold the homeowner the coverage has previous convictions of grand theft on her record, and allegedly did not hold a valid license to sell insurance at the time she was previously convicted.

Continue reading " Huntington Park Insurer Accused of Duping Client in White Collar Crime " »

Although it was speculated that a down trodden economy would inevitably lead to an increase in criminal activity, the crime rate in Los Angeles has dropped in 2009 with homicide numbers plummeting to levels not seen since the 1960s. According to the Los Angeles Times, 2009 marks the seventh consecutive year that the number of serious crimes committed in Los Angeles County has dropped. The number of violent crimes in Los Angeles dropped by about 10%, while the number of property crimes fell by about 8%. All in all, the Los Angeles Police Department and Sheriff’s Department has had to handle nearly 20,000 fewer crimes in 2009 than they did in 2008.

The article mentions the theory that crime rates tend to rise as unemployment numbers increase. However, the report also speculates that the increased number of individuals sitting at home, rather than being at work, may have contributed towards a decrease in crime. This is due to the fact that these individuals are at home in their neighborhoods keeping a watchful eye over things.

Continue reading " Los Angeles Homicides at Lowest Level Since 1960s " »

Along with family gatherings and gift exchanges, the holidays bring an increased police presence on city streets and highways. This heightened presence also takes the form of multiple DUI checkpoints which Los Angeles motorists have to deal with. According to a Los Angeles Times blog, the week leading up to, and including Christmas weekend, saw hundreds of individuals arrested for operating motor vehicles while under the influence. Reportedly, more than 1,400 people (a slight increase from 2008 figures) were arrested in Los Angeles for DUI during the weeklong crackdown.

DUI checkpoints are meant to help curb the number of impaired drivers that are operating motor vehicles on California’s roads and highways. However, not all individuals deemed to be under the influence are in fact guilty of such action. That is, improperly calibrated blood alcohol concentration (BAC) devices can declare false positives, law enforcement can be improperly trained to handle such equipment, and field sobriety tests may not be properly administered. With the holidays such a prime time for law enforcement to utilize DUI checkpoints, all officers involved in manning the checkpoints need to be properly trained. They must also ensure that their BAC measuring devices are functioning as they’re supposed to.

Continue reading " Holiday Cheer Leads to Holiday Lockdown with Los Angeles DUI Arrests " »