Category: Law & Information
In 2008, the number of hate crimes nationwide dropped. However, the Santa Clarita Valley actually experienced a slight increase in such crimes, with the number of reported incidents increasing from 27 to 30. According to the-signal.com, the increase in hate crimes has come at the heels of a decrease in the number of violent and other more common crimes. Compared to other county areas, Santa Clarita’s hate crime numbers are still relatively low, although current numbers are more than twice what they were in 2004. From 2007 to 2008, the Santa Clarita Valley saw an 11% increase in hate crimes,… Read More
A CBS News report recently talked about the dilemma facing law enforcement agencies in regard to the ever increasing number of sex offenders. That is, with the number of registered sex offenders now teetering around 716,000, representative of a 78% increase since 2001 according to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, it is becoming more and more difficult for law enforcement to keep a watchful eye over parolees that still may represent a high risk at repeat offending. The article mentions one such offender, released from prison on parole, who in a matter of months was once again… Read More
Instances of white-collar crime involving Medicare have resulted in the indictment of 331 people across the country since March of 2007. According to the Associated Press, 20 people have recently been charged with filing fraudulent Medicare claims that amounted to the astronomical amount of $26 million. Reportedly, the fraudulent claims took the form of billing for pricey medical equipment that was not required to help any individual with his or her rehabilitation. In some instances, Medicare was billed for equipment that was never received, and in some cases billed for equipment that was supposedly purchased by individuals who were no… Read More
Los Angeles local ABC affiliate KABC-TV, channel 7, reported that Covina police recently arrested a 47-year-old man on suspicion of child molestation. According to the report, the man has been accused of sexually assaulting a 14-year-old boy that he met on the popular social networking site, MySpace. Supposedly, the man and teenager arranged a real life meeting with each other, and the incident of sexual assault took place at that meeting. While police continue to investigate this case, they are still looking for other possible victims that the man may have had similar interactions with. In many sex crimes, physical… Read More
The entertainer known as Lil Wayne has pled guilty to second-degree attempted weapon possession, a felony. According to a news story, the 27-year-old rapper’s tour bus was pulled over in New York in July of 2007. Reportedly, law enforcement witnessed marijuana smoke emanating from the vehicle, and found a loaded semi-automatic weapon upon searching the bus. Reportedly, the 27-year-old is expected to receive a one-year jail sentence. He also faces charges in the state of Arizona for felony drug possession and weapons charges. Defense attorneys on the case argue that there was no basis for searching the bus, and that… Read More
According to the Los Angeles Times, film director Roman Polanski will be extradited to the United States so that he may face child-sex charges dating back to 1978. Polanksi is currently being held by Swiss officials, and is fighting the extradition. Based on correspondence sent between the two countries, extradition seems likely at this point. Reportedly, U.S. officials were tipped off by the Swiss federal office of justice that Polanski would be entering Switzerland to attend the Zurich film festival. He was then arrested as he stepped off an airplane at a Swiss airport. In 1978, Polanski was accused of… Read More
A recent story put out by the Associated Press tells of a startling trend pertaining to homicides involving children. In Los Angeles, a woman stands accused of killing her two daughters, ages 11 and 17. In Orange County, a 5-year-old and a 3-year-old were allegedly wounded by their mother. And in Ventura County, a 12-year-old boy and his 7-year-old sister were stabbed to death allegedly by their father. In all of these cases, the serious question as to why parents are supposedly willing to hurt their children needs to be asked, and the circumstances surrounding the slayings and injuries need… Read More
Although it was speculated that crime rates would rise in such a down-trodden economy, the level of crime actually dropped an average of 7.4%, according to year-to-date statistics that were released on September 5th. According to contracosttimes.com, auto theft plummeted 17.6% year-to-date and homicides dropped almost 15%. Overall, crime levels seem to be dropping or at the very least remaining stagnant, both signs that economic misfortune is not having an impact on the likelihood that an individual will resort to committing property crimes as a means of supporting oneself. During tough times such as these, individuals are often left wondering… Read More
According to a story from the Los Angeles Times, California drunk drivers that have been convicted of DUI may have to take a Breathalyzer test every time they want to drive their cars. That is, a bill proposes a new program that would place ignition-locking breath analysis systems into the automobiles of those individuals that have been convicted of driving while under the influence. Such a device would force motorists to have to pass a blood alcohol concentration test before their cars are permitted to start. The bill is currently awaiting approval from Governor Schwarzenegger, and is set to run… Read More
It was recently reported on cbsnews.com that a panel of federal judges has decreed that the state of California must reduce its prison population by as much as 40,000 inmates, all in hopes of alleviating overcrowded prisons and improving the time and attention allowed for inmate health care. The current population of about 150,000 would be cut down to about 110,000, and a plan for doing so must be made by the state of California within a time period of 45 days. An article in the Los Angeles Times article recently stated that “the governor and most legislative leaders back… Read More
