Theft Crimes

Prop 47 Brings New Drug Possession Laws, Reduced Sentences

Dark and grungy prison cell at night

Over the past year, the number of inmates in California’s jails and prisons has decreased by about 13,000, largely due to the enactment of Proposition 47. Also known as the Safe Neighborhood and Schools Act, Prop 47 is expected to enrich California state coffers by more than $150 million this fiscal year thanks to reduced prison and jail overcrowding.

In November 2014, Californians overwhelmingly passed Prop 47 with the intent of ending long sentences for minor offenses such as drug possession and petty property crimes. Implementation of the new law has proven challenging, however, with some public officials and law enforcement agencies reportedly opposing the measure and failing to act. Advocacy groups, community organizations and attorneys are stepping in to assist people who are entitled to relief under Prop 47.

How has Prop 47 Changed Drug Possession Laws?

Prop 47 includes four main provisions. The law:

Reduces six common drug and nonviolent property felonies to misdemeanors. Individuals who were previously convicted of certain sex offenses or murder are excluded.
Allows for punishment to be reduced to misdemeanors. A request for re-sentencing can be denied if a judge feels that an inmate poses a risk to public safety.
Allocates savings to a state fund for treatment of drug addiction and mental illness, truancy reduction and victim support.
Allows criminal records to be amended to show misdemeanors rather than felonies.

Contact a Drug Lawyer Los Angeles for Assistance with Drug Possession Laws

As many as 300,000 people in Los Angeles County alone may be eligible for relief from Prop 47, but they must act quickly; requests for changes must be submitted by 2017. For more information about having your record amended under Prop 47, contact an experienced drug lawyer Los Angeles. Call [number type=”1″], or visit our website.

Local Crime News: Los Angeles Sees Increase in Violent Crime

Image of police officer arresting dangerous criminal

During the first months of 2015, crime in Los Angeles has rapidly increased, with robberies up 19% and felony assaults up 26%. The change is alarming, but the reasons are not surprising.

In the view of criminologists, the explanation is simple—sometimes trends take hold despite of what the police force is doing. Some criminologists observe, more specifically, that violent crime in cities like L.A. may have dropped so deeply in recent years that the numbers have nowhere to go but up.

It is also possible that the rise can be partly attributed to the L.A. Police Department’s crime numbers being more accurately reported. This makes sense after the investigations of the Department’s 2014 crime numbers revealed 1,200 violent assaults were mislabeled as misdemeanors–the mislabeling made crime appear to be decreasing when, in reality, it had increased by 14%.

There are also broader national trends that are influencing L.A.’s crime rate. In downtown L.A. specifically, the wide disparity between wealthy individuals and low-wage income earners has made inner city life more suffocating. Housing in Los Angeles is now the most expensive in the nation, and gentrification is forcing the poor out of their neighborhoods with nowhere else to go. Those living in these miserable conditions are prone to develop depression and commit crimes, both violent and non-violent.

Moreover, the crime increase in Los Angeles does not appear to be rooted in any surprising explanations. The bottom line is that income inequality, declining social services, widespread poverty, and crime are all resurfacing together after years of peace and quiet.

For now, it is clear that the best way to deal with criminal behavior or crimes being committed against others is to contact a Los Angeles criminal lawyer for help. Call now at [number type=”1″], or go to our website: www.youareinnocent.com

Car Theft Prevention: California Thieves go High Tech to Steal your Ride

car-theft-300x225 Ahh, technology, the reason we’re cool in summer, connected to long lost crushes on Facebook and….hey, where’s my stuff? Thieves in California are turning to technology to steal the items you’ve secured in your car – and sometimes even the car itself, according to recent reports and warnings from the LAPD.

How Thieves Break into Cars

The electronic key fob that allows you to unlock your vehicle from afar also makes it easy for tech savvy thieves to gain access to your car, according to the LAPD. An inexpensive device called a power amplifier may be to blame for many recent break-ins. The device works by making an electronic bridge between the key fob and car – even when the fob is out of normal range.

By targeting cars that are parked nearby their owners, criminals simply point and click their way into the items stored inside. The proximity of your car to your keys when you are inside your home makes it easy for a power amplifier to boost the signal your key fob emits – and unlock the car in just seconds.

Officers from the LAPD point to a 35% increase in car break-ins this year and blame power amplification devices for the boost in these types of crimes. California car owners are at risk simply because they have a key fob and park their vehicle in their own driveway.

Car Theft Prevention: Put your Keys on Ice, Literally

How can you protect yourself from theft? Blocking the amplification device is a must. Short of building your own DIY Faraday cage, the easiest way to prevent high tech break-ins is in your own kitchen. Storing your keys inside the refrigerator or microwave will block any signals and prevent thieves from using a power amplifier to access your car. The thick metal lining of these appliances is enough to block the signal and protect your ride.

If you or someone you know has been accused of a crime – high tech or otherwise – our criminal defense team is here to help. A California criminal defense lawyer at the Law Offices of Lawrence Wolf can help you during this time. Protect yourself when you need help the most; call now at [number type=”1″], or go to our website: www.youareinnocent.com

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

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 40 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 [number type=”1″] today.

Police Report Sophisticated Gang Behind Violent Robbery at Port of LA

A violent robbery occurred at the Port of Los Angeles on Sunday, November 28. Investigators believe the robbery was conducted by an organized gang, reports The Los Angeles Times.

Allegedly, the incident began when a man posed as a lost driver and then asked a security guard for directions outside a cargo depot. The guard stepped outside his security booth, and two men reportedly struck him in the face. They then allegedly bound and gagged the security guard and another employee in an office. The employees were warned the men were armed and dangerous.

Then, several big rigs pulled into the yard and began hauling loaded trailers away from the depot. As of yet, the contents of the trailers have not been publicly disclosed. In addition, a big rig and two more trailers were stolen earlier that day, but it’s unclear if the two thefts are related. Afterwards, the security guard and the other employee were found and taken to an area hospital with minor injuries.

According to investigators, these types of robberies are often associated with organized gangs. More than $10 billion in merchandise is stolen by cargo thieves every year. For many years, the Los Angeles area has been a center of cargo crime.

Individuals who are charged with multiple criminal offenses, especially violent and theft related crimes face serious penalties if convicted. If you have been charged with a Los Angeles theft crime, you need a very skilled and aggressive attorney on your side. The Los Angeles theft criminal defense lawyers at the Law Offices of Lawrence Wolf have extensive experience in protecting the rights of individuals charged with a crime in California. Contact us today for a free consultation at [number type=”1″].

Identity Theft Concerns Arise as Computer with Personal Data Stolen from CSULA

According to KCAL 9, Los Angeles’ local CBS News affiliate, a computer believed to contain the names, Social Security numbers, and grades of multiple Cal State students was stolen from Cal State’s Los Angeles campus. The theft occurred on February 22, 2010. The computer, which was stolen from the math department, may contain the personal information of 232 students enrolled in various mathematics courses at CSULA between 1999 and 2005.

Although there is currently no evidence that the information has been used in any identity theft in Los Angeles, CSULA officials are warning students to be aware of the possibility.

There are multiple ways to spot trouble that might indicate identity theft, says LA Timescolumnist Kathy M. Kristof. One is to check your credit report regularly, at least once every three months. Another is to request to see a background check if you are passed up for a job or promotion after receiving one. California employers are required to provide you a copy of the background check if they used it to decide against you. Also, avoid printing your Social Security number on forms, such as those at the doctor’s or dentist’s office. Although these offices may ask for the information, they do not require it.

Arrests Made in West Hollywood Robberies

Police may have caught a break in a string of robberies that have recently occurred in West Los Angeles. According to a Los Angeles Times article, four suspects were observed driving a white Toyota Sienna around the robbery area late at night. Allegedly, the suspects fled on foot from a gas station once they were approached by police, who attempted to follow and locate the above mentioned vehicle for the better part of an hour.

Reportedly, one of the suspects, after brandishing a weapon, was shot in the leg and then apprehended by police officers. A second suspect was taken into custody a short time thereafter, but the two other suspects remain at large. Police initially decided to follow the suspects’ vehicle because of erratic driving in local area parking lots. No further details about the two remaining suspects were available.

Car Part Thieves Accused of Multiple Crimes

According to ktla.com, two suspects were recently arrested and are being investigated for the theft of catalytic converters from cars and trucks in the Los Angeles area over the last several months. Supposedly, the suspects were seen by officers removing the car part from a parked car on the University of Southern California campus, and were detained for questioning and further investigation as to whether or not they are responsible for the 60-plus incidences to-date involving the stolen piece. The parts are deemed desirable amongst thieves for the precious metal they contain, creating the opportunity to easily sell such an item to metal scrap yards.

Theft crimes can be complicated, especially when multiple charges across more than one case are being sought by the prosecution. The article did not discuss what, if any, evidence law enforcement has that can positively link the two individuals to the other incidents of theft. Unless there is physical evidence of their involvement, or some sort of testimony linking the individuals to the other crimes, then the prosecution is going to be hard pressed convincing a judge and jury to convict the detained individuals of all supposed charges. In any event, it is critical that individuals accused of theft crimes retain the services of experienced legal counsel that can sort through the details of the charges and mount a strong defense on the individual’s behalf.

Pot Dispensary Site of Robbery, 2 Shot

According to latimesblogs.latimes.com, a shooting occurred outside of a marijuana dispensary in West Los Angeles. Two people were seriously injured, and were taken to local area hospitals where they are in critical and serious conditions. Police investigating the matter believe that the shooting was an attempted robbery.

Los Angeles police officials cited an increase in crime levels occurring around marijuana dispensaries. Although marijuana is legal for medical purposes, the very fact that it is illegal otherwise can cause for some complicated matters pertaining to the law. Marijuana users that need the drug for medicinal purposes might be subject to investigation, particularly when instances of robbery and other crimes occur in such close proximity to the dispensaries.

For those that frequent marijuana dispensaries, it should not be assumed that they are involved in illicit behavior of any kind, and they should be afforded the same consideration and label of innocent until proven guilty that all other members of society are granted. Put bluntly, it is unfair for individuals that frequent an area to be profiled in such a manner. Concrete evidence is a requirement to directly connect an individual to a crime, and even such evidence must be qualified as being associated with the individual.

Measuring BAC is Trickly and Complicated

According to an article posted on howstuffworks.com, law enforcement officers rely on a variety of tactics and devices to reasonably determine whether or not a person is under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Some of the most effective methods of this determination involve devices used to measure blood alcohol concentration (BAC) level. Breathalyzers, Intoxilyzers, and Alcosensor III or IV are the three major devices that are used to determine BAC levels.

Breathalyzers are the most commonly talked about type of test. This type of test relies on a chemical reaction involving alcohol to determine whether or not a person has a BAC above the legal limit. During the test, a person blows into a device. A silver nitrate catalyst then separates alcohol traces from one’s breath, and that alcohol then interacts with reddish-brown potassium dichromate to form a green chromium ion, an indication that alcohol is indeed present in the system of the person being tested. The substance is then compared against a sample ion, an indicator needle is activated, and the person’s BAC is determined according to how much the person administering the test needs to turn a dial in order to correct the needle.

Intoxilyzers use infrared light to affect the vibrations of molecules. Based on the change in vibration of the molecule, it can be determined whether or not, as well as how much, ethanol is present to help determine toxicity level. With this device, BAC level is ultimately determined according to how much infrared light is absorbed by the molecules.