Lawrence Wolf - Part 20

Jury Trial Scheduled for Drunk Driver Accused of Killing Angels’ Pitcher

A California jury is determining the fate of a drunk driver who killed a professional baseball player and two other individuals, according to the Associated Press.

The defendant, age 23, was drinking for several hours at three bars with his stepbrother, started driving, and ran a red light. He struck a car and killed Los Angeles Angels pitcher Nick Adenhart and two of the car’s three other occupants. The fourth occupant lived but has had severe medical problems due to a serious spinal injury. Following the crash, the defendant fled the scene on foot. Police found him two miles away, running beside a freeway.

Prosecutors charged the defendant with second-degree murder, a much harsher penalty than the related crime of manslaughter. The prosecutors claim they charged him with murder instead of manslaughter because he had a previous DUI conviction in 2005. At that time he signed a form in which he acknowledged that if he later drove drunk and killed someone, he could be charged with murder.

The defense pointed out there was some doubt as to whether the defendant or his stepbrother was driving the car at the time of the crash. The defense also presented witnesses who testified that individuals who have blackouts induced by alcohol often can’t understand right from wrong.

If convicted, the defendant could receive more than 50 years in prison. As this case illustrates, drinking and driving in California can have very serious legal consequences, ranging in severity from a DUI conviction to a murder conviction. If you are facing a Los Angeles DUI charge, contact the Law Offices of Lawrence Wolf at [number type=”1″]. Our experienced Los Angeles drunk driving attorneys will help you navigate the criminal justice system.

Gang Members Convicted of Hate-Based Murders in Los Angeles

Earlier this month, two Hispanic gang members were convicted of first degree murder for killing a 14-year old African-American girl and a potential witness in Los Angeles, according to the L.A. Times.

The gang members, aged 22 and 23, were found guilty of killing the 14-year old because of her race. They shot her in 2006 while she was standing with some friends in a driveway in broad daylight. The shooting allegedly occurred because one of the gang members was still angry from an earlier argument with a black man. However, the defendant’s attorney claimed that race was not a motivation in the slaying of the 14-year old.

They also killed a 21-year old male gang member that the rest of the gang suspected of communicating with police about the murder of the girl. He was stabbed over 60 times, wrapped in a blanket, and dumped beside a road. At trial, another gang member testified about the killing of the fellow 21-year old in exchange for a lighter sentence.

One of the gang members could receive life in prison without parole, while the other faces the death penalty. Three other gang members are expected to be tried in connection with the killings.

California hate crimes are serious offenses that typically carry harsher penalties than similar crimes that are not hate-driven. If you have been charged with a California hate crime, it is in your best interest to hire an aggressive, skilled California criminal defense attorney who will fight for your rights and freedom. Contact the Law Offices of Lawrence Wolf today at [number type=”1″].

Nationwide Crackdown on Drunk Driving Now Through Labor Day

Between August 20 and September 6, states across the country are joining forces to crack down on drunk driving in an initiative called “Drunk Driving. Over the Limit. Under Arrest” according to the Governors Highway Safety Association.

Driving drunk in California (defined as having a blood alcohol concentration level of .08 or higher) is illegal and the same goes for the rest of the nation. Drunk driving patrols will be on high alert and laws will be strictly enforced over the holiday weekend, a time in which drunk driving is typically on the rise. Law enforcement is expected to be looking out for driving practices that they believe a drunk driver would display, such as lane changes without the use of turn signal, swerving, speeding, and others.

In California, the California Highway Patrol and local agencies are operating the California Avoid DUI campaign between now and September 6. As part of the campaign, law enforcement will be operating 200 DUI checkpoints, roving DUI saturation patrols, and many multi-agency DUI task force operations. Also, warrant and probation sweeps will be targeting repeat offenders. Law enforcement will also run sting operations to find DUI suspects who disobey court orders against driving. Over 450 California agencies will be taking part in the operation.

The consequences of a drunk driving conviction can be serious, making a wrongful conviction all the more devastating. DUIs can be detrimental to careers and families for years to come. If you or a loved one has received a Los Angeles DUI, don’t delay any longer in contacting an experienced Los Angeles DUI attorney who can help you protect your rights. The team at the Law Offices of Lawrence Wolf has extensive experience in helping individuals navigate the legal consequences of receiving a DUI. Contact our team today at [number type=”1″] for a free consultation.

Los Angeles Police Raid Garners $4.5 Million in Marijuana Plants

A drug operation in the San Gabriel Valley area of Los Angeles was shut down earlier this week when police raided four homes and confiscated over 2,000 marijuana plants worth $4.5 million, according to a report from ABC 7. Police officials say the four homes in East Pasadena, San Gabriel, Rosemead and Temple City that were raided were used strictly for growing purposes, with marijuana plants lined wall to wall in every room. Seven Chinese immigrants were arrested in connection with the raid in addition to the operation’s alleged ring leader. Also confiscated from the homes were seven handguns, a rifle, three assault weapons and a shotgun.

The neighborhoods where these indoor marijuana farms were located are quiet suburbs with many elderly residents and families, so residents had no reason to suspect that a complex drug operation was going on right under their noses. According to witnesses, young men who looked like teenagers were seen going in and out of the houses late in the evening, but were just thought to be new renters. California marijuana laws are complex, often leaving those accused of marijuana-related offenses confused about the charges held against them as well as their legal rights.

Drug crimes carry serious consequences in the state of California including fines, jail time and probation. If you or a loved one has been charged with a drug crime in Los Angeles, it would be in your best interest to retain an experienced drug crime defense attorney like those at The Law Offices of Lawrence Wolf. Our aggressive California drug crime defense attorneys will examine every detail of your case and build a strong defense to ensure that your rights are protected and the best possible outcome is reached. Call The Law Offices of Lawrence Wolf today at [number type=”1″] or visit us at www.youareinnocent.com to learn more.

Medical Marijuana Dispensaries’ Effect on Crime

Since medical marijuana use has been legalized in California, there has been significant disagreement about whether the dispensaries that distribute legal marijuana cause crime or decrease crime, according to the Portland Press Herald.

In southern California, the number of dispensaries has been on the rise, and those dispensaries operate with very little regulation. Over 100 California communities, mostly in southern California, have banned dispensaries. At three separate dispensaries in southern California, three people were murdered. Critics of the dispensaries claim that they encourage teen drug use in addition to causing an increase in criminal activity.

However, in northern California, the dispensaries are closely regulated and many businesses like being a neighbor to a dispensary. Many northern cities limit the number of dispensaries that are allowed. Berkeley had one dispensary that was robbed 5 years ago, but since then there have been no crime problems at any of the city’s three dispensaries. One dispensary’s neighbor claimed that crime has gone down in the neighborhood since the dispensary opened, in part because the dispensary had such tight security procedures.

The issues surrounding marijuana dispensaries and crime will only increase if the proposition to legalize marijuana in California is passed. If you or someone you know has been charged with a state or federal drug crime, contact a California drug crime defense attorney. The team at the Law Offices of Lawrence Wolf has extensive experience with a wide range of drug crimes, from state to federal and misdemeanors to felonies. Please contact us today at [number type=”1″].

Six Stockton Teens Charged with Murder for Death of 14-Year Old Boy

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 [number type=”1″].

Signing of Chelsea’s Law Draws Near in California

Chelsea’s Law, a bill named after a 17 year old San Diego girl who was raped and murdered by a repeat sex offender may be drawing closer to becoming state law, according to the San Diego Union-Tribune. The parents of the girl have worked with California representatives from both the Democratic and Republican parties to create Chelsea’s Law, which could change the way California approaches penalties for sex offenders. The law could potentially create longer prison sentences, tougher parole requirements and targeted treatment programs.

The law could potentially move lower level offenders who were not convicted of sex crimes out of higher security prisons. One of the top priorities of the Republican representative was to create automatic life prison sentences without the possibility of parole for those who had committed violent sexual crimes against children. Come September, Chelsea’s Law could be signed into state law as it is only two steps away from reaching the Governor’s desk.

Sex crimes in California, especially those involving children, are serious offenses that often come with lengthy prison sentences as well as mandatory registration as a sex offender. A conviction can potentially limit the kind of work you may do as well as where you may live.

If you have been charged with a sex crime and feel that you may have been wrongfully accused, it would be in your best interest to contact The Law Offices of Lawrence Wolf. Our experienced California sex crime defense attorneys will aggressively pursue your case, examining every detail to ensure that your rights are not violated and that you receive the best possible outcome of your case. For more information, please contact The Law Offices of Lawrence Wolf at [number type=”1″].

Use of Familial DNA to Solve Crimes is Debated

The recent arrest of the “Grim Sleeper” killer has shined a light on California’s policy of allowing familial DNA searches, according to the New York Times. Familial DNA searches are the use of DNA samples from convicts to find relatives who may have committed a crime.

Only California and Colorado have written policies allowing familial DNA searches, although the technique is commonly used in England. Earlier this summer, the L.A.P.D. used a familial DNA search to find the “Grim Sleeper” killer, who is accused of having killed at least 10 victims in the L.A. area over 25 years. In their attempt to solve the crime, California’s DNA lab analyzed old crime scene evidence and found a link between the evidence and the killer’s son, who was convicted of a felony and had his DNA in the state database. The police then followed the suspect and nabbed his DNA from a pizza slice he threw away. This represents the first time that familial DNA has been used in a murder case in the U.S.

Although many in the police community are hailing the use of familial DNA to solve cases, there are many criticisms of the technique. Critics claim it is imprecise and has the potential to invade individuals’ privacy. They also claim it is a type of racial profiling because a higher percentage of inmates are minorities. Also, although California restricts the use of familial DNA searching to major, violent crimes, critics worry that other states may use the technique for other crimes as well.

Have you or a loved one been accused of a violent crime in Los Angeles based on DNA evidence? If so, contact the experienced Los Angeles murder defense attorneys at the Law Offices of Lawrence Wolf. Our legal team will analyze all the evidence and work hard to provide you with the best possible defense for your case. Contact us today at [number type=”1″].

How the Legal Process Works Once Charged with a DUI

The California DUI legal process is complex. There are two separate legal actions involved with a DUI charge in California. One is the suspension or revocation of your driver’s license. The second is any potential criminal charges.

Once you are arrested for driving under the influence in California, a police officer will confiscate your driver’s license and will complete a license suspension or revocation form and forward that to the DMV. The DMV will then conduct a review where it examines the officer’s report, the suspension or revocation order, and test results. The DMV then decides whether to uphold the driver’s license suspension or revocation. You have the right to request a hearing to protest the suspension or revocation within 10 days of receiving the order. At the end of the suspension or revocation period, you can get your license back by paying a fee to the DMV and providing proof of financial responsibility.

The second part of the CA DUI is the criminal case. This is where a court determines if you are guilty of a criminal act – driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. The criminal case can be carried out in a mixture of ways, including a guilty plea, a plea bargain, getting the charges dismissed, and proceeding to trial. If you are acquitted in the criminal trial, the license suspension or revocation will be reversed by the DMV.

A California DUI conviction or arrest can be serious. You need a law firm that is experienced at fighting DUI charges and dedicated to its clients. Call the Law Offices of Lawrence Wolf today. Our knowledgeable Los Angeles DUI attorneys are waiting to help. For a free consultation, contact us at [number type=”1″].

Issues that Arise from a DUI for Certain Professionals

Some professionals need to report DUI arrests or convictions to licensing boards by law.

The FAA requires pilots to send a Notification Letter within 60 days of any alcohol related conviction or administrative action. A separate Notification Letter is required for each alcohol related event. For example, separate Notification Letters would be required for a driver’s license suspension and a subsequent DUI conviction. Click here to learn more about the FAA’s requirements for alcohol reporting for pilots.

Attorneys are required to self-report felony indictments, felony or misdemeanor charges or convictions, guilty verdicts, guilty pleas and no contest pleas through the California Bar Association.

Upon renewal of a registered nurse license, nurses are required to report if they have been convicted of any crime since the last renewal date. Traffic violations that resulted in fines of over $300 and a traffic ticket must also be reported. Failure to disclose this information could be grounds for disciplinary action.

Any applicant for Coast Guard credentials is required to report all criminal convictions. They also search for driving records, and take all information into account when deciding whether to issue the credentials.