Los Angeles Criminal Attorney Blog

On February 14, a man from Miami pleaded guilty to drug charges related to drug smuggling in Los Angeles, according to CNN.

The man attempted to smuggle cocaine inside Easter eggs. Officials searched his luggage after he arrived at Los Angeles International Airport and found dozens of pastel egg-shaped containers. According to officials, they may not have been noticed if he hadn’t been carrying the eggs just days before Christmas.

The man’s luggage contained a total of 14 pounds of cocaine, which is estimated to be worth over $100,000. Most of the cocaine was inside the eggs, but some was stashed in a paper shopping bag. The man told the officials the eggs were for his children. The man is set to be sentenced on May 5, and could receive up to 40 years in federal prison.

Although this story sounds funny, with the man hiding cocaine inside Easter eggs a couple of days before Christmas, drug charges are no laughing matter. Under California law, drug charges can have serious consequences. The Controlled Substance Act regulates the possession, manufacture and distribution of narcotics, stimulants, depressants, and more. The Act breaks down narcotics into categories. Penalties for Schedule 1 narcotics, which include cocaine, are the most severe. A conviction involving cocaine could mean 20 years in prison for a first offense.

Are you facing drug charges in California? If so, contact the Law Offices of Lawrence Wolf. We will work hard to have any drug charges against you dismissed or reduced. Call our Los Angeles drug crimes defense lawyers today at 866-390-7373 to learn more.

Police are investigating the deaths of three individuals who were found dead in a home in Whittier recently, according to The Los Angeles Times. The incident could be the result of a domestic dispute.

Police answered calls that a woman had been shot in the house, and a SWAT team was brought in because police believed the gunman was still inside the residence. All three people found had died from gunshot wounds. The victims were a man in his 30s, and a man and a woman who were both in their 60s.

According to neighbors, a couple and their adult son lived in the house. The victims were allegedly found when a family member arrived at the house and found the woman dead. Police are trying to tell whether one of those victims died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Whether or not this crime turns out to be a result of domestic or family violence, there is no doubt that domestic violence is a serious problem in this country. Across the country, there are 16,800 homicides per year and $5.8 billion in health-related costs spent per year due to violence between intimate partners.

In California, domestic violence can refer to any type of violence between spouses, partners, former spouses or partners, children, or individuals who are dating. Domestic violence can be a hard charge to dispute, since there are often few external witnesses or physical evidence as to what happened.

If you are being investigated for domestic violence, or have been arrested, contact the Los Angeles domestic violence defense attorneys at the Law Offices of Lawrence Wolf. Our office has extensive experience in helping defendants to navigate the criminal justice system. Call 866-390-7373 today.

Clients seeking a criminal defense attorney often want to know what the steps are in a criminal case. A criminal case typically begins when an individual is arrested.

An arrest can occur in several different circumstances. First, if a police officer observes a crime, the officer can arrest the person committing the crime. For example, a police officer may observe a store being robbed or a person driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. In those situations, the officer can arrest a person at the scene of the crime.

A police officer can also arrest someone if they have “probable cause” to suspect a person has just committed, or is about to commit, a crime. An example of probable cause would be if an officer observed someone lying on the ground covered in blood, and saw a man running away with a gun. In that situation, the officer would have a reasonable belief that the man running away had injured the person lying on the ground.

The police can also arrest someone if an arrest warrant has been issued. An arrest warrant is a legal document from a judge, which is typically issued after the police give the judge a sworn statement with the basis for the arrest.

When someone is arrested, a certain series of legal procedures must take place. If you are in police custody and are under interrogation, you must be read your Miranda rights. You have the right to contact an attorney. Any personal money or property you have will be taken by the police and put in a safe place, and you will be asked to sign an inventory showing the things that were confiscated.

Are you in need of an aggressive criminal defense attorney? Contact the Century City criminal defense lawyers at the Law Offices of Lawrence Wolf today. We will provide you with a free consultation and will strive to ensure your rights are protected. Call us at 866-390-7373.

Law enforcement officials in Los Angeles and the surrounding areas were out in full force on Super Bowl Sunday, hoping to find drunk drivers, according to The San Gabriel Valley Tribune.

In Los Angeles County’s 88 incorporated cities and unincorporated areas, there were dozens of patrols and checkpoints targeting drunk drivers on Super Bowl Sunday. As well as finding intoxicated drivers, checkpoints are a good way to find unlicensed or other illegal drivers. Roving patrols were also activated in several areas throughout the county.

In California, anyone with a blood alcohol level of .08 percent or higher is considered to be intoxicated. A man who weighs 160 pounds can have a blood alcohol level of .08 or higher by drinking three beers in about an hour.

Law enforcement officials recommend that if anyone is planning on drinking at an event such as a Super Bowl party, they should plan ahead to have a designated sober driver. If you host a party, Super Bowl or otherwise, at which alcohol is served, there are some measures you can take to reduce the chances of a guest driving while drunk after the party. Make sure to provide plenty of food and non-alcoholic drinks. Have several options for other driving arrangements lined up, such as a designated driver and some taxi numbers. If a guest appears to be drunk, don’t let them drive.

A California DUI can be devastating. It can hurt a person’s family, career, finances, and future. If you have been charged with drunk driving in Los Angeles County, contact the Los Angeles DUI defense attorneys at the Law Offices of Lawrence Wolf. Skilled criminal defense lawyer Lawrence Wolf has over 35 years of experience in criminal defense. Call today for a free consultation at 866-390-7373 today.

Five individuals who are reported to be members of a powerful Israeli crime family were recently charged in Los Angeles with drug trafficking and racketeering, according to The Los Angeles Times.

The men have been accused of using a gang based in the San Fernando Valley to distribute ecstasy, and prosecutors also allege that they paid a gang member to kill a man who stole a shipment of drugs. The men were recently arrested in Israel and were extradited to the United States by U.S. Marshalls. They will be held in custody until after the trial, which is expected to last for two months, but a date has yet to be set. The men were denied bond because of their lack of ties with the community.

All of the men pleaded not guilty to all charges. If they are convicted, they could serve life in prison. Their prison sentences would be carried out in Israel under international treaties.

These charges are very serious. These defendants have been charged with federal crimes, rather than state crimes. Under federal sentencing guidelines, judges have to impose minimum mandatory sentences, even if the sentence seems excessive. There are over 100 federal crimes in the U.S. Code. In addition, any crime that is committed on federal property can be considered a federal crime.

Have you been charged with a federal crime in California? If so, contact the Los Angeles federal crime defense attorneys at the Law Offices of Lawrence Wolf. Our office has been helping defendants accused of federal crimes for more than 35 years. Call us today at 866-390-7373 to learn more about your legal rights under the federal system.