Los Angeles Criminal Attorney Blog

CNN reports that a bill that is headed for a vote here in California has re-started conversation about whether or not life sentences given to juveniles should be re-analyzed. Senate Bill 9, which would give certain juvenile offenders the chance for release, is headed soon to the Assembly floor for a vote.

Senator Leland Yee (D-San Francisco) introduced the legislation, which would permit juveniles to request a court to re-analyze their sentence after they have already served 15 years in prison for their alleged crime. Yee, a former child psychologist, has argued that juveniles do not possess the capability to fully comprehend their crimes, at certain ages, and locking them up without giving them an opportunity to prove they have acquired that ability is not the solution. “SB 9… provides the opportunity for compassion and rehabilitation that we should exercise with minors,” he says. Yee has said the goal of the bill is not a “get out of fail free card,” rather; he hopes to provide more opportunities to rehabilitate juveniles if they are fit to be given a reduced sentence and have established that they have changed since they were younger and committed the crime.

Current law in California permits children as young as 14-years-old to be sentenced to life in prison without parole, for some crimes. According to the article, no other country in the world, with the exception of the United States, has life in prison as a sentencing option for juveniles. In California alone, close to 300 children have already been given that sentence.

Depending on the crime allegedly committed, juveniles can face serious consequences, including heavy fines, probation, or even a life sentence in prison. If your son or daughter is facing serious criminal charges in California, it is critical that you learn more about the legal options available. Contact the juvenile crime defense attorneys in Los Angeles at The Law Offices of Lawrence Wolf to learn how we can help protect the rights of your child. Call 866-390-7373 today.

A 14-year old Stockton boy was beaten and stomped to death allegedly by a group of teens, ranging in age from 14 to 19 years old, according to RecordNet.com. The incident happened at a park on Friday, August 6 and all six teens accused of the crime have been charged with first-degree murder. Investigators say that some of the boys were also charged with street-terrorism causing officials to suspect that the beating was an act of gang violence.

The juvenile justice system in California is very complex and in many cases, someone under the age of 18 will be charged as a minor. However, in instances of serious or violent crime such as rape, murder and kidnapping, the minor may be tried as an adult. In this specific case, while there was only one suspect over the age of 18, all six boys will be tried as adults in California court.

Being tried as an adult with a serious charge like murder or another violent crime can alter a juvenile’s life forever. Harsh penalties including a long stint or life sentence in prison come with a murder conviction. If your juvenile has been charged with murder or another serious crime, retaining the services of an aggressive California juvenile crime defense attorney is crucial. The lawyers at The Law Offices of Lawrence Wolf understand the juvenile justice system and can inform you and your child of their rights. Don’t wait until it’s too late to seek quality legal counsel. Call The Law Offices of Lawrence Wolf at (866) 390-7373.

Adolescents are very impressionable. Unfortunately, the media realizes this very notion, yet fails to monitor materials that profess concepts that may be misconstrued by some young minds. According to the Los Angeles Times, one such incident in Calabasas was emblematic of this very idea. Reportedly, middle school students acted upon a request sent out via a Facebook message. The message declared that it was “Kick a Ginger Day” (with “Ginger” being a term in reference to those individuals with red hair, freckles, and fair skin). The concept was proliferated by the animated, adult-humored television comedy “South Park.”

While the TV episode’s supposed intention was to depict the irrationality of discrimination, its message was clearly taken quite literally. Reportedly however, the injuries sustained by the 12-year-old boy were not severe. In fact, a Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Lieutenant declared that the incident did not meet the criteria of a hate crime, which many angered individuals had labeled it. It should be noted that police are investigating whether or not assault with a deadly weapon took place.

Continue reading "Ginger Kicking in Calabasas Not Deemed Hate Crime" »

Los Angeles Criminal Defense Attorney, Lawrence Wolf, Esq. will be a special guest for the second time on Los Angeles radio station KRLA 870AM this Saturday, June 13 2009 at midnight.

Lawrence Wolf will be a part of the show “Uncuff Me” sharing his vast knowledge and experience of criminal law to discuss topics relating to adolescence, tough love, and drug addiction.

With over 30 years of experience as a criminal defense lawyer in California, Lawrence Wolf and his associates have worked to develop alternative forms of sentencing such as divisionary programs and house arrest. He is recognized for his authority in California juvenile defense, drunk driving defense, and addiction-related offenses. Lawrence Wolf’s experience is unique in that he has both prosecuted and defended thousands of adults and juveniles charged with every type of felony and misdemeanor crime, giving him a vast understanding of the law.

For more information on Lawrence Wolf and his wide-ranging experience as a top California criminal defense lawyer, visit his website at www.youareinnocent.com today.

A recent article reported on February 10, 2009 that two juveniles were arrested in connection with an outbreak of robberies in the last month. Echo Park and Silver Lake were the locations of these street robberies. According to police reports, the suspects would approach males walking by themselves between the hours of midnight and 3 am. Police reports show that a search warrant was done on one of the suspect’s house and many stolen items were recovered including iPods, mobile phones, and guns and knives used in the Los Angeles robberies.

Due to the suspects being juveniles, their identity will not be disclosed by the authorities. This Los Angeles theft crime remains open and the police urge anyone with information to contact the detectives of Northeast Area Gang at 213-847-4263.

There are a variety of different theft crimes, which in California, carry with them serious legal repercussions. Listed are just a few theft crimes in Los Angeles that may result in harsh punishments, if convicted: identity theft, petty theft, grand theft, and burglary.

There are a variety of Federal and California State laws which have been enacted to severely punish people convicted of theft and juvenile crimes in Los Angeles. Crimes involving the theft of another person's belongings are taken very seriously in Los Angeles and California, with the legal repercussions being very harsh. The knowledgeable and skilled Los Angeles juvenile crime defense lawyers at the Law Offices of Lawrence Wolf can help you in your time of need. Please call 1-866-390-7373 for a free consultation.

A student from Thousand Oaks has been arrested on making death threats to fellow students and one of his teachers at Carpinteria High School, the Ventura County Star reports. The freshman student, who reportedly transferred to Carpinteria from another school district, told officials that he was tired of being picked on by students and the teacher. Authorities took him into custody because they believed the threat was credible. However, they did not find any weapons or firearms after searching the student’s home.

A juvenile crime accusation is tough for families to take. When your son or daughter has been accused of a crime, it is natural that families are thrown into turmoil. You worry about the consequences of a juvenile crime conviction. You wonder if it will haunt your children for the rest of their lives or affect their ability to lead a productive adult life.

The most important step you need to take when your son or daughter is accused of a crime is to seek the counsel of a California juvenile crime defense attorney who has a track record of successfully defending clients in such cases. Dealing with the juvenile justice system can be a frustrating experience and you need the counsel and guidance of a skilled criminal defense lawyer by your side aggressively defending your child and fighting for his or her rights.

If your child has been arrested, please contact the knowledgeable California juvenile defense attorneys at the Law Offices of Lawrence Wolf. We not only know the juvenile crime justice system, but have also participated extensively in the development of alternative sentencing process throughout Los Angeles and California. Call us today for a free case consultation with a Los Angeles criminal defense lawyer.

When is A Juvenile Tried as an Adult?

If a minor is over 16 years old at the time of the commission of an offense, the Juvenile Court may have a hearing to decide if the minor should be prosecuted in juvenile court or adult court. In court, these five criteria determine if the juvenile will be found “unfit”:

1. The minor’s sophistication.
2. The period necessary for rehabilitation of the minor.
3. The previous delinquent history of the minor.
4. The prior attempted rehabilitative efforts made.
5. The seriousness of the criminal offense.