Los Angeles Criminal Attorney Blog

Hate Crime and Same-Sex Marriage

Fri, 18 May 2012 15:55:05 -0800

President Obama has recently expressed his support for the Respect for Marriage Act. His view on the idea of marriage has evolved since taking office and President Obama has now confirmed that he supports gay marriage. In contrary, new research based on FBI data shows that gay men face higher rates of hate-motivated physical violence than lesbians, bisexuals or other federally protected groups with high rates of hate crimes. California hate crimes motivated by sexual orientation rose by 25 percent just last year. The most dramatic shifts took place in Palm Springs and San Francisco – both cities with significant gay and lesbian populations. The most recent case was a transgender woman gunned down in Oakland last month.

California and federal hate crime laws impose severe punishment for harming, threatening or harassing someone because of the person's race, national origin, disability, religion, sex, gender, or sexual orientation. There are cases in which a perpetrator used religious texts condemning homosexuality to justify behavior, which at that point investigators have a case of competing rights — the right to religious belief and the right to be free from discrimination. And if the victim of a hate crime is not out already, simply laying a criminal complaint could out them as a victim of an anti-gay hate crime, putting them at risk for what is called “secondary victimization”.

With that being said, it's not uncommon for people to get wrongly accused of hate crimes. This often stems from false accusations, misidentification, or a rush to judgment merely because the alleged victim is different from the accused. If you are arrested for a violent and/or hate crime, our experienced Los Angeles Criminal Defense Attorneys can help you better understand the laws, penalties and legal defenses pertaining to the charges. To have your rights and your freedom protected, contact Law Offices of Lawrence Wolf, a highly skilled defense attorney in Los Angeles. Call 866-390-7373.

Los Angeles DUI and Driver’s License Checkpoints This Weekend

Fri, 11 May 2012 13:24:02 -0800

According to Patch.com, Officers will be contacting drivers passing through the checkpoint throughout Los Angeles this weekend, looking for signs of alcohol and/or drug impairment.

Most checkpoints looking for Los Angeles DUI occurs between the hours of 7 p.m. and 3 a.m. Other than checkpoints, DUIs are often and commonly discovered when a vehicle is pulled over for a minor infraction such as a malfunctioning tail light or an expired tag. How well or poorly a driver does on the standardized field sobriety tests are often key pieces of evidence in the prosecution’s case charging a driver with a DUI in California. The consequences of a drunk driving conviction can be serious. Drivers caught driving impaired can expect jail, license suspension, and insurance increases, as well as fines, fees, DUI classes, court probation and other expenses that can exceed $10,000, police said. DUIs can be detrimental to careers and families for years to come.

If you have been stopped at a DUI checkpoint, and have either been arrested, or have had your vehicle impounded, please call an experienced a Los Angeles DUI attorney at the Law Offices of Lawrence Wolf at (866) 390-7373 for a free consultation. Our skilled attorneys will help build on your behalf the best possible defense of your case.

Mass Shootings Create Critical Time for Second Amendment Gun Rights

Wed, 18 Apr 2012 09:41:38 -0800

Nine people were shot at a private religious college in East Oakland, and the police officials believed that seven have been pronounced dead, according to ABC News. The shooting took place on Monday morning, April 2, 2012 at Oikos University, an independent Korean Christian school that offers undergraduate courses in ministry and nursing, among other degree. Authorities tracked down the gunman more than a mile away in an Alameda shopping mall an hour after the shooting. A suspect was detained, and Pastor Jong Kim, the school founder, said the shooter had previously been a nursing student at Oikos but was no longer enrolled. He was unsure whether the shooter had been expelled or dropped out voluntarily.

Oakland Mayor Jean Quan said most of the victims appeared to be from the city's Korean-American community, and the city was working to find multilingual counselors to help survivors. "No American mayor wants to have this situation," she said. "It seems over the last decade, we've gotten used to seeing senseless mass killings like this, and we'll have to question the availability of guns and the need for other services in our community."

After the Trayvon Martin case, this incident offers another crucial test of Second Amendment rights that could have repercussions for California's sweeping slate of state and local gun control laws. Conceal-carry permits are now allowed in 49 states (Illinois and Washington D.C. do not have conceal-carry laws), and “Stand Your Ground” laws are on the books in 21 states. Bay Area counties from Alameda and Marin to San Mateo have enacted laws that forbid the sale or possession of guns on government property, effectively banning gun shows at some of the best spots to hold them.

If you are charged with the illegal possession of a gun, or have been accused of a firearms-related crime, you should contact the Los Angeles violent crime defense attorneys at The Law Offices of Lawrence Wolf by calling 866-390-7373. Our goal is always the complete dismissal of charges. Avoiding prosecution and jail is possible with the help of our experienced team of legal experts.

Bobby Brown Charged with Three DUI-Related Misdemeanors

Mon, 02 Apr 2012 09:09:56 -0800

Two days after being arrested in Los Angeles on March 26, 2012, Bobby Brown faces two DUI-related counts and another charge that he was driving on a suspended license. Allegedly, the R&B singer had a blood alcohol level of more than .08, which is the level at which is presumed to be driving under the influence. The singer was pulled over by the California Highway Patrol for driving unsafely and talking on a cell phone without a hands-free unit. The officer suspected the singer was impaired and later on Brown failed the field sobriety test. If convicted, he will face jail time for up to six months for DUI.

Because Los Angeles is such a driving town, it is unfortunately extremely susceptible to a high amount of DUI (driving under the influence) offenses and related accidents, injuries and at times deaths. In 2009, routine stops around LA produced 2,623 DUI arrests in a random (non-holiday) two week period, according to the California Office of Traffic and Safety. The best way to prevent such tragedies is to designate a driver, take a taxi or not drink at all.

If you are facing charges of DUI or if perhaps you know someone who is definitely, the most important thing for you to do at this time is hire encountered and competent contact the Los Angeles DUI Attorney at the Law Offices of Lawrence Wolf to be of assistance or your loved one. For over 35 years, Lawrence Wolf has helped people charged with DUI. In many cases, a jail term is not the appropriate sentence for someone who has been charged with driving under the influence. There are certain alternative options available that can benefit all parties involved far more than incarceration. Our Los Angeles drunk driving attorney work diligently to ensure our clients receive the best possible outcome for their case, and often recommend alternative forms of punishment rather than spending time in jail. To learn more about how we can help you, call 866-390-7373 today.

Study Shows Increase in Crime after Los Angeles Medical Marijuana Dispensaries Shut Down

Mon, 26 Sep 2011 15:58:57 -0800

A study released earlier this week shows that crime increased when hundreds of Los Angeles medical marijuana dispensaries were closed in 2010 after the implementation of a new ordinance, according to CBS News. Crime in the neighborhoods surrounding the dispensaries went up after they closed, contradictory to law enforcement claims that the operation of such clinics encouraged crime.

The research study was conducted by the objective nonprofit RAND Corporation, who reviewed crime reports from the 10 days before the medical marijuana clinics were closed and from 10 days after. The resulting analysis showed a 60 percent increase in crime within three blocks of a closed dispensary. If it is true that the dispensaries are causing crime, then there should have been a noticeable decline in crime once they were closed, which was not the case. Specific dispensaries may attract crime but there is no evidence that proves that, in general, the operation of medical marijuana clinics increases crime rates in the area.

The City Council had passed a new ordinance last summer, placing stricter guidelines on the dispensaries and causing many to shut their doors. Crime was one of the leading reasons for this new ordinance. In fact, two workers were killed during dispensary robberies in June 2010. Ultimately, however, the research analysis shows no concrete correlation between crime and medical marijuana dispensaries. It is more likely that crime rates drop around active clinics due to the security cameras and security guards.

Crime rates continuously fluctuate, but crime never disappears altogether. If you have been charged with a crime in Southern California, the most effective way to avoid a conviction is to retain the services of an aggressive Los Angeles criminal defense attorney. At The Law Offices of Lawrence Wolf, our experienced defense lawyers will protect your legal rights. Call us today for a consultation at 1-800-968-2734.

FBI Reports Crime Rate Decline in 2010

Thu, 22 Sep 2011 08:06:31 -0800

According to FBI statistics, as reported by The Los Angeles Times, approximately 10.3 million crimes were reported in 2010. Of these, 9 million were property crimes and 1.2 million were violent crimes. Although these are very large numbers, both violent crime and property crime rates declined from previous years. Violent crime decreased by 6 percent from 2009, continuing its declining trend for a fourth consecutive year. Property crime dropped 2.7 percent from 2009, making 2010 the eighth consecutive year it has decreased.

The data used for the FBI’s 2010 “Crime in the United States” report was compiled from over 18,000 federal, state, tribal, university and college, county and city law enforcement agencies. Other notable statistics for 2010 include:

Aggravated assault was the most common violent crime at approximately 62.5 percent;
Larceny-theft was the most common property crime at 68.2 percent; and
There were 13.1 million arrests made for crimes, excluding traffic violations.

In Los Angeles, there were 21,484 violent crimes, although, unlike the national statistics, robbery was the most common violent crime in 2010 with over 10,000 incidents. Aggravated assault was a close second, however, at over 9,000 incidents. In addition, Los Angeles had a total of 89,704 property crimes, the most common being larceny-theft.

Being arrested for a violent crime can be very confusing and overwhelming, especially when the alleged crime occurred under especially vague or convoluted circumstances. The aggressive violent crime defense attorneys in Los Angeles at The Law Offices of Lawrence Wolf can build a strong defense on your behalf and ensure the protection of your legal rights. Contact us today for a consultation at 1-800-968-2734.

California Proposes Prisoner Realignment Program to Relieve Overcrowded State Prisons

Mon, 19 Sep 2011 09:35:11 -0800

Thousands of female prisoners who have children, and were not incarcerated for serious or sexual crimes, may be released before October, according to The Los Angeles Times. They would serve the remainder of their sentence at home where they will be required to wear a GPS-enabled ankle bracelet and report to a parole officer. The new program was initiated to meet a court-imposed deadline to relieve congestion in California’s chronically overcrowded prisons. Although the program initially only affects female inmates who are mothers, it is expected to extend to male prisoners as well.

The new policy is the result of a U.S. Supreme Court decision that ruled the overcrowding and resulting lack of medical care in prisons as cruel and unusual punishment. Now the state must meet a strict timeline, reducing the inmate population by over 30,000 before July 2013. Since the majority of California’s inmates are men, the new program will likely expand to male prisoners who are fathers. If a male inmate can be considered the “primary caregiver” of their child or children, was not convicted for a violent or sexual felony or for child abuse, has not made an escape attempt in the last 10 years, does not belong to a gang, and does not have an active restraining order, they may receive parole.

Skeptics believe that many female prisoners were not good mothers to begin with and that the new program may actually increase crime rates. However, state officials have high hopes that reuniting inmates with their families will not only help their rehabilitation but also help keep their children from following the same path.

If you have been arrested for a crime in Southern California, you still have legal rights. Contact the experienced criminal defense lawyers in Los Angeles with The Law Offices of Lawrence Wolf today at 1-800-968-2734 to learn how we can help you protect your future.

California Steps-Up DUI Enforcement for Labor Day Weekend

Fri, 02 Sep 2011 13:29:02 -0800

Almost 11,000 people are killed in alcohol-related each year and Labor Day weekend has historically had a high number of DUI accidents, which is why many states and local law enforcement agencies will be doing their part for the end of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign for the holiday weekend.

California will be increasing DUI enforcement during the last weekend of this national campaign, which ends on September 5. During the almost month-long campaign, 41 Avoid DUI task forces and more than 100 individual local jurisdictions conducted extra sobriety checkpoints and saturation patrols across the state. The campaign also included media and press events. For the final weekend of the “Drive Sober or Pull Over” campaign, the California Highway Patrol (CHP) will be conducting a “Maximum Enforcement” campaign, which will increase the number of officers on state roads.

Driving under the influence of alcohol is dangerous and illegal; there is no question as to its legality or devastating consequences. But with increased enforcement campaigns comes an increased focus on drunk drivers. Officers may be so intent on taking dangerous drivers of the road that they see impairment in sober drivers. If you have been arrested for a DUI in Southern California, the skilled Los Angeles drunk driving defense attorneys at The Law Offices of Lawrence Wolf can protect your legal rights. To learn more about getting your charges reduced or entirely dropped, contact us today at 1-800-968-2734.

New California Bill Would Give Juveniles in Prison for Life a Second Chance

Wed, 24 Aug 2011 12:40:08 -0800

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.

Twenty Alleged Gang Members Arrested in Riverside Police Street Gang Sweep

Wed, 17 Aug 2011 16:02:42 -0800

KABC-TV reports that 20 people were recently arrested after a gang sweep was conducted in Riverside by authorities.

According to the article, 36 arrest warrants, 19 state search warrants, and 21 parole and probation searches were conducted by Riverside police officers, along the Riverside County Gang Task Force, the Corona police, and agents with the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, as well as the California Department of Corrections & Rehabilitation, in addition to other agencies. Called “Operation Tampa Bay,” it was conducted in the early morning hours, and by mid-day, alleged members of the 1200 Blocc Crips street gang, one of the most notoriously dangerous gangs in Riverside, were in custody.

Police reported that the suspects arrested include both men and women in all age ranges, including a grandmother who reportedly sold drugs to undercover officers while the operation was underway. Police believe that the 147-member, all black street gang has been involved in several criminal incidents in the area, including store robberies, home invasions, drug trafficking, and assaults. The Blocc Crips gang is reported to have been terrorizing the eastside of Riverside for many decades.

Few details were released by the police regarding what lead to the suspects being arrested. It is not known what prompted the sweep, or what evidence police had to arrest the suspects. Police did report that several weapons were also seized in the raid.

If you have been charged with a violent crime, it may be in your best interests to consult with a skilled attorney to learn more about the legal options available to you based upon your specific circumstances. Contact Lawrence Wolf, a skilled violent crime attorney in California who represents clients throughout Southern California, including Riverside. Mr. Wolf can thoroughly explain your legal rights to you as well as examine the facts of your case to build a strong defense on your behalf. Call 866-390-7373 to get started with Mr. Wolf today.

Three Suspected Drug Smugglers Arrested Offshore in Newport Beach

Mon, 08 Aug 2011 17:11:00 -0800

Three men were arrested recently in what authorities believed may have been a drug-smuggling run, reports KABC-TV.

According to the article, the three men were on board a small boat close to Newport Beach and were believed to be headed to Huntington State Park. At approximately 8:30 a.m., lifeguards spotted the boat and contacted the police. Reportedly, the men threw at least one package overboard before being confronted by police. Approximately a mile offshore from the Newport Beach Pier, deputies stopped the boat at gunpoint and took the men into custody.

The boat was impounded as evidence and was reported stolen in Mexico. The water and beach were searched for the package allegedly thrown into the ocean. It has not been released to the public whether any package has been discovered.

The men were arrested on suspicion of smuggling, drug possession, and attempting to illegally enter the United States. According to police, drug smuggling has become an increasing problem along the coast in Orange County as security at the border of the U.S. and Mexico has become tighter.

In California, drug crimes can have serious consequences if convicted, including fines, jail time, probation, and more. If you are facing drug charges, it may be in your best interests to consult with an attorney that has experience successfully handling a wide variety of drug charges. At The Law Offices of Lawrence Wolf, our drug crime defense lawyers in Orange County can carefully examine the details of your case in order to create a strong defense to make certain your legal rights are protected. To get started with one our attorneys today, call 866-390-7373.

Five Suspects Arrested for Smash-and-Grab Robberies in Los Angeles

Tue, 02 Aug 2011 14:47:27 -0800

According to KABC-TV, five men believed to be connected with a string of smash-and-grab robberies in the jewelry district of Los Angeles were recently arrested. The arrest occurred after a merchant alerted authorities to a silver Cadillac that was circling the area. When the vehicle was stopped by police, they discovered gloves, a hammer, a pillow case, and a canister of pepper spray. Police also reported that all of the suspects were wearing hooded sweatshirts, even though it was hot.

The article reports that the five men, three minors and two adults, were arrested without confrontation. The two adults were charged with conspiracy to commit robbery. Their bail was set at $50,000. The names of and charges made against the minors who were arrested were not made public.

Recently, there have been several smash-and-grab robberies at jewelry stores in downtown Los Angeles, and investigators believe that the crimes were being committed by different crews of robbers from several gangs in South Los Angeles. Two of the suspects that were arrested are verified gang members, according to police. Additionally, one of the arrested suspects had a hand that was bandaged, which police allege might have been injured during a previous smash-and-grab robbery.

Los Angeles criminal defense attorney Lawrence Wolf has been protecting the legal rights of people who have been charged with a crime for over 35 years. If you have been arrested and charged with a crime, Mr. Wolf can investigate the circumstances surrounding the arrest to see whether any errors were made by the authorities and build a strong defense on your behalf. To get started with Mr. Wolf, call 866-390-7373 today.

Alleged Serial Rapist Arrested by Irvine Police

Thu, 28 Jul 2011 09:51:09 -0800

ABC 7 News reports that Irvine police arrested a 29-year-old man recently whom authorities believe is a serial rapist. The man was arrested and booked into the Orange County Jail on multiple felony and rape counts. He is being held without bail.

According to the article, the arrest came following a joint investigation between the Newport Beach and Irvine police departments. DNA and fingerprints were discovered from a suspect in rapes that allegedly occurred in both cities in May of 2005 and July of 2010. Police reported that investigators did not previously have a suspect matching the DNA or prints in any law enforcement database.

The man is accused of committing rape in Newport Beach in May of 2005 and in Irvine in November of 2006 and again in July of 2010. Both incidents in Irvine occurred at the same apartment complex. However, the rape victims were not able to offer police a description of the suspect since the rapist had covered his face. Detectives started to closely watch the area of the Irvine apartment complex after the second rape occurred.

Then, in June of 2011, a suspicious subject was reported to police in that area. Daily patrols in the area by the Irvine police department were increased, as was nighttime surveillance. The man was seen in the area and had talked with police. Further investigation resulted in forensic experts matching a fingerprint from the rape case in Newport Beach to the man. The fingerprint also matched two fingerprints discovered in the investigation of the Irvine incidents.

Whether you have been charged with a felony or misdemeanor sex crime in California, you are facing severe, life-changing penalties. To have your rights and your freedom protected, contact Lawrence Wolf, a highly skilled sex crime defense attorney in Orange County. Call 866-390-7373.

Two Men Arrested for Alleged Hate Crime in Ojai Valley

Wed, 20 Jul 2011 10:29:17 -0800

The Ventura County Sheriff’s Department reports that two 17-year-old boys were allegedly threatened by two men in a motor vehicle while standing close to an intersection in the Mira Monte region of Ojai Valley, close to Oxnard, according to ABC 7 News.

Authorities allege that two men, ages 22 and 19, drove up to aggressively talk with the two boys, identifying themselves as skinheads and made racial and sexual slurs. The victims reported that one of the men got out of the car and slapped one of them, and claimed that the man said he had a handgun that he threatened to use. The two men reportedly then drove away and returned several minutes later, and came close to hitting one victim before leaving the scene.

Once the alleged incident was reported to authorities, a search was launched. The suspects were found within an hour after they came back to a convenience store nearby. Authorities found prescription drugs in the vehicle that were not prescribed to either suspect. The two men were arrested; one man was arrested for battery, hate crime enhancement, criminal threats, and possession of a controlled substance; while the other was arrested for possession of a controlled substance and criminal threats. According to authorities, the suspects and the victims did not know each other before the alleged incident.

If you have been charged with a violent crime in California, it may be in your best interests to learn more about your legal rights. Talking with a skilled violent crime defense attorney in Los Angeles can help you understand the gravity of the charges made against you as well as what legal options are available. Call 866-390-7373 to find out how The Law Offices of Lawrence Wolf can help you today.

Rodney King Arrested for DUI in Moreno Valley

Wed, 13 Jul 2011 14:13:49 -0800

KTLA reports that Rodney King was arrested on Tuesday afternoon, July 12, for allegedly driving under the influence in Moreno Valley in Riverside County. King was driving a 1994 Mitsubishi when he was observed by police officers committing “multiple infractions.” He was taken into custody by authorities after they determined he appeared to be under the influence. King was arrested and then booked for driving under the influence. He was later released on a $2,500 bail. Police have not yet released information regarding what substance he was allegedly under.

In 1991, King was famously beaten by four Los Angeles Police Department officers after a police chase. The beating was videotaped and sparked the Los Angeles riots of 1992 after the four officers were tried and acquitted. Later, two officers were charged with violating King’s federal civil rights, and both served prison time.

Since the famous incident, King has had a lengthy record of legal troubles, including several arrests for driving under the influence in California in 1992 and 1993. In both incidents, charges were not filed. He was also arrested for driving under the influence in Pennsylvania in 1995, for which he was tried and acquitted. He also served jail time in 1995 after he was convicted of a hit-and-run after allegedly hitting his wife with his car. In 2001, King was arrested and charged with being under the influence of the psychedelic drug PCP. After allegedly threatening his ex-girlfriend and daughter, he was also arrested in 2005.

For over 30 years, the drunk driving lawyers in Riverside County at The Law Offices of Lawrence Wolf have helped people charged with DUI. In many cases, a jail term is not the appropriate sentence for someone who has been charged with driving under the influence. There are certain alternative options available that can benefit all parties involved far more than incarceration. Our attorneys work diligently to ensure our clients receive the best possible outcome for their case, and often recommend alternative forms of punishment rather than spending time in jail. To learn more about how we can help you, call 866-390-7373 today.