Category: Law & Information

LA Public Asked For Help To Find Killer Of 4 Year Old

The Daily News website reported on January 15, that yet another innocent child, just 4 years old, died on the streets of Los Angeles as a result of gang violence. Roberto Lopez, Jr., 4 was walking with his sister on his way to a community center two houses down from their home when he was struck in the violent crime.

Serafin Gonzalez, the boy’s grandfather, who was inside the house said they were about to call in the kids for dinner when they heard gunshots. Gonzalez said his granddaughter came in crying “They hit Robert! They hit Robert!” Thinking it was a street fight he was not too alarmed. She then cried, “There’s blood in his mouth.” Gonzalez then ran to the boy.

Inglewood Off-duty Police Officer Shot

The Daily News website reported on January 20, 2009 that a 33 year old Inglewood police officer was shot while standing next to his car on the 500 block of West Hyde Park Boulevard sometime around midnight. According to the authorities, the gunshots came from a vehicle described as a white Toyota Camry. The unidentified officer returned fire, but it was not known if anyone in the vehicle was struck.

Police Lt. Mike McBride stated that the police officer was in “stable but guarded condition.” It is not entirely clear why the police officer was at that location, but early reports indicate that the officer was there on personal business when the vehicle pulled up and shot him. Police have no motive for the shooting and they are investigating the Los Angeles violent crime. Police urged that anyone with information please call [number type=”1″].

Oxnard Stabbing Victim Identified

The Ventura County Star website reported on January 20, 2009 that the identity of a man, who was stabbed and later died from those wounds, was 28 year old Alfredo Vargas from Oxnard. According to reports, Vargas was attending a birthday party in the 2700 block of El Dorado Avenue. Vargas was among numerous guests in the apartment courtyard when witness accounts claim that a group described as gang members rushed in and began to shoot and stab people at around 8 pm in this California violent crime.

Upon arrival, police found two people with stab wounds. Police stated that the men also shot at an apartment, but fortunately no one was struck. Police believe the assailants in thisVentura violent crime fled the scene in two vehicles. One vehicle is described as a dark colored pickup truck and the other vehicle is described as a tan or silver compact car.

Los Angeles Man In 40s Shot and Killed

Reported on the Daily News website on January 20, 2009 was an account of a man in his 40s being fatally shot on the 4000 block of Stevely Avenue sometime before 6:30 am. Julianne Sohn, Police Media Relations, said that police responded to a call of an assault with a deadly weapon.

A woman, who was not identified other than being in her 40s, was stabbed and taken to a local hospital where her condition is unknown. The man who was shot and killed in this LA violent crime was not identified because his relatives had yet to be notified. Details are cloudy at the moment with KTLA news channel 5 reporting that a man and two women were shot.

Jamiel’s Law Falls Short of Signature Requirement

Los Angeles Times reporter Phil Willon reported on December 12, 2008 that the petition efforts to get what is being called “Jamiels Law” onto the ballot for this coming May’s election has come up drastically short of the required signatures. The measure would change the Los Angeles Police Department’s Special Order 40, that forbids officers from beginning any contact with people for the sole reason of finding out if that person is an illegal immigrant. Jamiels Law would allow police to arrest illegal immigrants exclusively because they are in the country illegally.

Jamiel Shaw II was a high school football player when he was shot and killed in March by an illegal immigrant. Althea Shaw, 47, aunt of Jamiel and lead proponent of the ballot measure claimed to have turned in more than 76,000 petition signatures to city election officials before the December 12th deadline. Election officials said they had only tallied 18,559 signatures, while 73,963 are required. “We’re not going to stop,” said Shaw, “We can’t bring my nephew back, so we’re going to keep fighting. We have to.” Next for Shaw will be an attempt to place the measure on the Los Angeles County’s November poll. If that is successful Shaw plans to organize a campaign to add it statewide with a voter proposal in California’s 2010 election. “There’s no one watching the city,” Shaw alleged. “We’re forced to take the word from a city that doesn’t even want to talk about illegal immigration.” Immigrant rights advocates say this law would open the door for police racial profiling and Chief Bratton says the police already report violent gang members to immigration authorities.

The Law Offices of Lawrence Wolf are knowledgeable and experienced violent crime lawyers in Los Angeles. In the State of California, all violent crimes are severely punished. In fact, recent U.S. laws have been passed that will increase the mandatory minimum sentences that will apply to people who are convicted of committing certain violent crimes. If you have been arrested for carrying out a violent crime, you may be looking at a prison term of 25 years to life. Please call [number type=”1″] for a free consultation.

Criminal Defense Attorney Tips and Advice

Police target tips: don’t get arrested “by accident”

– Take detailed notes of your incarcerations. Include taped discussions with witnesses or other parties involved.

– Meet and/or review every client or file personally. A disgruntled client today could end up being a snitch tomorrow.

– Carefully review all police and accident reports, looking out for any suspicious inconsistencies.

– If you are suspicious, investigate before accepting the case.

– Trust your instincts

– If you have information that proves the case is fraudulent, first confer with your own trained counsel.

– Don’t sign your name to any document without careful review.

– Watch out for “rental car” accident cases.

– If you are contacted by law enforcement, immediately contact legal counsel experienced in these matters.

California Insurance Fraud Cases Still Mounting

Big Brother “District Attorney” is watching you

State and federal agencies, along with the implementation of more effective communication devices has resulted in the “enforcement of insurance fraud in multiple folds” states Los Angeles District Attorney Loren Naiman, assigned to the Special Insurance Fraud Task Force. “We now meet at least once a month to discuss leads in addition to jointly targeting individuals. I’m currently working with a task force involving the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Internal Revenue Service, Postal Department, Department of Insurance, Los Angeles Police Department, and the State bar of California. There will be more MAJOR arrests before years’ end.”

“Los Angeles County is the fraud capitol of the world” states Los Angeles District Attorney Lenny Schaeffer, “although the fraud is tending to move out of Los Angeles County into surrounding areas. We’re still working on cases and they’re still coming in.”

How does a suspected insurance fraud case come to the attention of state and federal authorities? “First”, says Loren Naiman, “all insurers have Special Investigative Units (SIU’s) to investigate fraudulent claim practices. These SIU’s send in documents on suspicious activities, developing leads in other cases. Second, we get cold calls from the public and recently, have received a number of calls from attorneys who just realized their offices had been taken over by people signing their names. Third, a disgruntled client or just a plain snitch” says Lenny Schaeffer.

California Criminal Defense for the Civil Practitioner

A Nuts and Bolts Primer

As a Civil Litigator, you may find yourself in the position of assisting a former or new client in handling what initially appears to be a relatively simple criminal matter. This “nuts and bolts” primer will give you a roadmap through some of the Criminal Justice System pitfalls you may encounter on your trip and alert you when you need the assistance of an experienced criminal attorney.

That Midnight Phone call

The surprise “midnight phone call” from a client who’s just been arrested is not an uncommon occurrence. When this happens (and it will…) you need to know the quickest way to handle your client’s release. That is going to be through the assistance of a bail bonds person. What if you client is unable to post a bond? Try to have their bail reduced by a bail commissioner, if not, you’ll have to prepare for the first court appearance called “the arraignment”. At the arraignment, a bail hearing can be made to try to successfully have your client released.

Insurance Fraud Hotlines

Here are current phone numbers to call should you suspect insurance fraud or abuse:

National Insurance Crime Bureau Hotline
(800) TEL-NICB

California State Department of Insurance Consumer Hotline
(800) 927-HELP

State Fund Fraud Hotline, for workers’ compensation fraud
(800) 683-7283