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The 77-year-old former pastor of the now-defunct Santuario de Oracion church has been arrested on suspicion of molesting three elementary school-age girls. According to a news report in The Daily Breeze, the retired pastor faced arraignment at the Torrance courthouse for multiple counts of molestation. Officials say that over a two-year period, the man allegedly molested the three girls at his north Torrance home and at his church located at Prairie Avenue and 180th Street. Individuals under the age of 18 cannot legally give consent to sexual activity with an adult. Therefore, all sex acts involving a minor are illegal… Read More
A 21-year-old Lawndale man has been arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence (DUI) after crashing into the back of a marked Hermosa Beach police vehicle. According to a news report in The Daily Breeze, the alleged DUI incident occurred on Eighth Street west of Pacific Coast Highway in Hermosa Beach. Officials say that the man was driving without a valid license and showed a blood alcohol content (BAC) of .22 on his preliminary breath test. The officers involved in the allegeddrunk driving crash were treated for minor neck, head, and back injuries. The 21-year-old man was being held… Read More
The Substance Abuse and Crime Prevention Act, known as Proposition 36, is a California law that allows individuals struggling with drug addiction to receive treatment instead of punishment. Rather than spend time in jail or prison for a non-violent drug offense, some individuals can receive treatment in a substance abuse program for up to 12 months with a possible six months of additional aftercare. To qualify for Proposition 36 sentencing in California, defendants must have been convicted of a nonviolent drug offense. Drug crimes that can qualify under Prop 36 include being under the influence of a controlled substance or… Read More
If you have been charged with DUI (driving under the influence) in Los Angeles, you may be worried that you will have to serve time in jail or prison. While a conviction for a DUI can result jail time, hefty fines, and penalties, a skilled DUI defense attorney will know of a number of ways to help you avoid going to jail. A DUI can result in misdemeanor or felony charges in Los Angeles. Misdemeanors could result in up to one year in jail and felony charges can result in prison sentences. Most first-time DUI cases, however, do not result… Read More
The Los Angeles City Council has agreed to place two marijuana-related initiatives on the ballot and has given preliminary approval to a third measure as well. According to a news report in The Huffington Post, the third initiative was created as a compromise between the other measures. The new proposal will allow the original 135 dispensaries in the Los Angeles area to remain open, as long as they are not too close to churches, schools, or residential neighborhoods. The third measure would also increase taxes on marijuana to $60 per $1,000 worth of marijuana sold. Understanding the law regarding marijuana… Read More
A 2005 investigation into allegations that a Los Angeles County teacher molested four students was dropped because of insufficient evidence. According to an NBC Los Angelesnews report, allegations made by four youths concerning the teacher are being sent to Los Angeles prosecutors and the case has been reopened. Officials have arrested the former Los Angeles fourth-grade teacher on charges of molesting 12 students. He pleaded not guilty to 15 counts of child sexual abuse concerning 12 victims. The new charges resulted from a 10-month police investigation that began on March 15, 2012 after a number of girls told their parents… Read More
If you have ever been pulled over for a minor traffic violation, you know how stressful dealing with police officers can be. Now, imagine that you were pulled over and arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence (DUI). You will likely be nervous, confused, or even frightened. It is important that you take a deep breath and remember that you do have rights. If you have been stopped for a DUI, remain polite and calm. You will have to provide your name, address, license, and registration. It is not advisable, however, to engage in a conversation with an officer… Read More
The penalties for distributing or trafficking narcotics are severe in Los Angeles. If you or a loved one has been arrested on suspicion of distributing drugs, there are a number of charges you could face. You will need an attorney who can help you understand the penalties and whether or not it is in your best interest to aggressively fight the charges. Under California Health and Safety Code 11351, “every person who possesses for sale or purchases for purposes of sale, any controlled substance, which is a narcotic drug, shall be punished by imprisonment in the state prison for two,… Read More
A 58-year-old Yorba Linda man has been arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence (DUI) after officials say he fatally struck a skateboarder. According to a news report in The Orange County Register, the car crash occurred on Rose Drive north of Castner Drive. Officials suspect the man was under the influence of alcohol when his vehicle fatally struck a 14-year-old skateboarder. The teenager was retrieving his skateboard from the roadway at the time of the collision.
California Attorney General Kamala D. Harris is calling on Governor Jerry Brown to restore funding to the Controlled Substance Utilization Review and Evaluation System (CURES), a prescription drug monitoring program. According to a report in The Los Angeles Times, Harris wants to restore funding to the CURES database because budget cuts have undermined the system. The CURES database includes the names of patients taking prescription narcotics, the doctors who prescribed the drugs, and the pharmacies that dispense them. When fully funded, the system can be used to detect when a patient is “doctor-shopping” to obtain a surplus of prescription-strength medications.… Read More
