Losing a DMV Hearing for a Los Angeles DUI is Not the End of the World

After receiving an adverse ruling from the DMV relating to a Los Angeles DUI charge and having your driver’s license suspended, it is normal to think of appealing their decision. This may be in response to a belief that the DMV ignored evidence, misapplied the law or that the effects of a license suspension harm one’s employment, health or schooling.

However, there are only two options to review the Hearing Officer’s decision. The first option is to file a Request for Administrative Review with the DMV in Sacramento within 15 days after the ruling. You need to request for the decision to be reviewed and you must state the reasons why you believe the hearing officer ruled incorrectly. You must also send in $125.00 as a filing fee. The DMV will respond to your request within 60 days. During this time, your license will remain suspended. If your suspension is overturned, you get your license back.

If you lose the Administrative Review, you may also apply for a Writ of Mandate with the Court in your county within 34 days after the DMV renders its Notice of Findings. A Writ of Mandate is a more effective way to challenge the DMV suspension on your license, but it is more costly. It requires you to send in a $395.00 filing fee for Writ of Mandate. You must also pay $155.00 to get a certified copy of the transcript from the DMV. It is advised and will be more beneficial to use an experienced Los Angeles DUI Attorney to handle this for you. The court will then hold a hearing to determine whether your license was properly suspended by the DMV. If the Court rules in your favor, the Court will order the DMV to reinstate your license.

Mexican Cartel Plead No Guilty to Federal Drug Offense

Reported by Associated Press today, the U.S.-born man accused of being a drug cartel lieutenant, Armando Villareal Heredia, pleaded not guilty to federal racketeering and drug charges yesterday. He was extradited from Mexico to the United States to face federal racketeering (RICO) and drug offense in the Southern District of California after being held at a prison in Veracruz State for almost a year. Villareal is the lead defendant among 43 people charged with drug crime allegedly committed between 2008 and 2010 and if convicted, he could face a maximum sentence of life in prison.

Most Mexican states, especially the ones along the border with the US, have witnessed a high level of drug-related violence in recent years as rival drug cartels fight each other for control of the lucrative smuggling routes. U.S. authorities continuously show efforts to work with the government of Mexico to combat organized criminal activity along the southwest border. In Mexico, smugglers often advertised work as security guards, housecleaners and cashiers, telling applicants they must drive company cars to the United States. New hires would then be told to drive company cars across the border, and when they arrive, they are often told there will be no work after all that day and must leave the car and walk back to Mexico after being paid a small amount. People are often tricked into this false advertisement and inclined to investigate prior if they are desperate for work. These cases can be challenging for prosecutors because drivers may not know they are smuggling drugs.

Border security in California and other states is meant to reduce crime and criminal charges. Raids of supposed criminal organizations can be especially problematic in a court of law. That is, while some individuals may in fact be guilty of the infractions of which they are accused, other individuals may simply be innocent bystanders having been lumped together with other, more serious offenders. If you’re facing a drug charge, the experiencedLos Angeles drug offense attorneys at the Law Offices of Lawrence Wolf can help you protect your rights and fight for the best possible outcome in your case. To learn more, call us today at 866-390-7373 for a free and confidential consultation.

Hate Crime and Same-Sex Marriage

President Obama has recently expressed his support for the Respect for Marriage Act. His view on the idea of marriage has evolved since taking office and President Obama has now confirmed that he supports gay marriage. In contrary, new research based on FBI data shows that gay men face higher rates of hate-motivated physical violence than lesbians, bisexuals or other federally protected groups with high rates of hate crimes. California hate crimes motivated by sexual orientation rose by 25 percent just last year. The most dramatic shifts took place in Palm Springs and San Francisco – both cities with significant gay and lesbian populations. The most recent case was a transgender woman gunned down in Oakland last month.

California and federal hate crime laws impose severe punishment for harming, threatening or harassing someone because of the person’s race, national origin, disability, religion, sex, gender, or sexual orientation. There are cases in which a perpetrator used religious texts condemning homosexuality to justify behavior, which at that point investigators have a case of competing rights — the right to religious belief and the right to be free from discrimination. And if the victim of a hate crime is not out already, simply laying a criminal complaint could out them as a victim of an anti-gay hate crime, putting them at risk for what is called “secondary victimization”.

With that being said, it’s not uncommon for people to get wrongly accused of hate crimes. This often stems from false accusations, misidentification, or a rush to judgment merely because the alleged victim is different from the accused. If you are arrested for a violent and/or hate crime, our experienced Los Angeles Criminal Defense Attorneys can help you better understand the laws, penalties and legal defenses pertaining to the charges. To have your rights and your freedom protected, contact Law Offices of Lawrence Wolf, a highly skilled defense attorney in Los Angeles. Call [number type=”1″].

Los Angeles DUI and Driver’s License Checkpoints This Weekend

According to Patch.com, Officers will be contacting drivers passing through the checkpoint throughout Los Angeles this weekend, looking for signs of alcohol and/or drug impairment.

Most checkpoints looking for Los Angeles DUI occurs between the hours of 7 p.m. and 3 a.m. Other than checkpoints, DUIs are often and commonly discovered when a vehicle is pulled over for a minor infraction such as a malfunctioning tail light or an expired tag. How well or poorly a driver does on the standardized field sobriety tests are often key pieces of evidence in the prosecution’s case charging a driver with a DUI in California. The consequences of a drunk driving conviction can be serious. Drivers caught driving impaired can expect jail, license suspension, and insurance increases, as well as fines, fees, DUI classes, court probation and other expenses that can exceed $10,000, police said. DUIs can be detrimental to careers and families for years to come.

If you have been stopped at a DUI checkpoint, and have either been arrested, or have had your vehicle impounded, please call an experienced a Los Angeles DUI attorney at the Law Offices of Lawrence Wolf at (866) 390-7373 for a free consultation. Our skilled attorneys will help build on your behalf the best possible defense of your case.

Mass Shootings Create Critical Time for Second Amendment Gun Rights

Nine people were shot at a private religious college in East Oakland, and the police officials believed that seven have been pronounced dead, according to ABC News. The shooting took place on Monday morning, April 2, 2012 at Oikos University, an independent Korean Christian school that offers undergraduate courses in ministry and nursing, among other degree. Authorities tracked down the gunman more than a mile away in an Alameda shopping mall an hour after the shooting. A suspect was detained, and Pastor Jong Kim, the school founder, said the shooter had previously been a nursing student at Oikos but was no longer enrolled. He was unsure whether the shooter had been expelled or dropped out voluntarily.

Oakland Mayor Jean Quan said most of the victims appeared to be from the city’s Korean-American community, and the city was working to find multilingual counselors to help survivors. “No American mayor wants to have this situation,” she said. “It seems over the last decade, we’ve gotten used to seeing senseless mass killings like this, and we’ll have to question the availability of guns and the need for other services in our community.“

After the Trayvon Martin case, this incident offers another crucial test of Second Amendment rights that could have repercussions for California’s sweeping slate of state and local gun control laws. Conceal-carry permits are now allowed in 49 states (Illinois and Washington D.C. do not have conceal-carry laws), and “Stand Your Ground” laws are on the books in 21 states. Bay Area counties from Alameda and Marin to San Mateo have enacted laws that forbid the sale or possession of guns on government property, effectively banning gun shows at some of the best spots to hold them.

If you are charged with the illegal possession of a gun, or have been accused of a firearms-related crime, you should contact the Los Angeles violent crime defense attorneys at The Law Offices of Lawrence Wolf by calling [number type=”1″]. Our goal is always the complete dismissal of charges. Avoiding prosecution and jail is possible with the help of our experienced team of legal experts.

Bobby Brown Charged with Three DUI-Related Misdemeanors

Two days after being arrested in Los Angeles on March 26, 2012, Bobby Brown faces two DUI-related counts and another charge that he was driving on a suspended license. Allegedly, the R&B singer had a blood alcohol level of more than .08, which is the level at which is presumed to be driving under the influence. The singer was pulled over by the California Highway Patrol for driving unsafely and talking on a cell phone without a hands-free unit. The officer suspected the singer was impaired and later on Brown failed the field sobriety test. If convicted, he will face jail time for up to six months for DUI.

Because Los Angeles is such a driving town, it is unfortunately extremely susceptible to a high amount of DUI (driving under the influence) offenses and related accidents, injuries and at times deaths. In 2009, routine stops around LA produced 2,623 DUI arrests in a random (non-holiday) two week period, according to the California Office of Traffic and Safety. The best way to prevent such tragedies is to designate a driver, take a taxi or not drink at all.

If you are facing charges of DUI or if perhaps you know someone who is definitely, the most important thing for you to do at this time is hire encountered and competent contact the Los Angeles DUI Attorney at the Law Offices of Lawrence Wolf to be of assistance or your loved one. For over 40 years, Lawrence Wolf has helped people charged with DUI. In many cases, a jail term is not the appropriate sentence for someone who has been charged with driving under the influence. There are certain alternative options available that can benefit all parties involved far more than incarceration. Our Los Angeles drunk driving attorneywork diligently to ensure our clients receive the best possible outcome for their case, and often recommend alternative forms of punishment rather than spending time in jail. To learn more about how we can help you, call [number type=”1″] today.

Two Bell City Officials to Stand Trial for Misappropriation of Funds

A former city manager, his assistant, the city’s mayor, and a city councilman from Bell have been ordered to stand trial on a variety of charges related to taking public funds, according to My Fox LA.

The individuals have been charged with over 50 counts of misappropriation of public funds, conflict of interest, and falsification of public records. Prosecutors claim that the city officials legally inflated their salaries and then falsified public records to hide those salaries. The city manager was found to have a salary and compensation package of $1.5 million. In order to pay those salaries, prosecutors allege, they diverted property taxes and other funds. They also allege that the city manager loaned almost $2 million of public money to himself and others. Defense attorneys argue being well-paid is not a crime.

Although some view California white-collar crimes, such as the misappropriation of public funds, as not as serious as other types of crimes, white collar crimes can have serious legal consequences. There are both state and federal white collar crimes. Penalties for white collar crimes can include prison or house arrest, as well as fines and restitution. They can be charged as felonies or misdemeanors.

If you are facing charges for a white collar crime in California, contact the Los Angeles white collar crime defense lawyers at the Law Offices of Lawrence Wolf. Our attorneys have extensive experience in all aspects of criminal law, including successfully defending clients on a variety of white collar crime charges. Call today at 866-390-7373 to learn more.

Man Pleads Guilty to Smuggling Cocaine in Easter Eggs at LAX

On February 14, a man from Miami pleaded guilty to drug charges related to drug smuggling in Los Angeles, according to CNN.

The man attempted to smuggle cocaine inside Easter eggs. Officials searched his luggage after he arrived at Los Angeles International Airport and found dozens of pastel egg-shaped containers. According to officials, they may not have been noticed if he hadn’t been carrying the eggs just days before Christmas.

The man’s luggage contained a total of 14 pounds of cocaine, which is estimated to be worth over $100,000. Most of the cocaine was inside the eggs, but some was stashed in a paper shopping bag. The man told the officials the eggs were for his children. The man is set to be sentenced on May 5, and could receive up to 40 years in federal prison.

Although this story sounds funny, with the man hiding cocaine inside Easter eggs a couple of days before Christmas, drug charges are no laughing matter. Under California law, drug charges can have serious consequences. The Controlled Substance Act regulates the possession, manufacture and distribution of narcotics, stimulants, depressants, and more. The Act breaks down narcotics into categories. Penalties for Schedule 1 narcotics, which include cocaine, are the most severe. A conviction involving cocaine could mean 20 years in prison for a first offense.

Are you facing drug charges in California? If so, contact the Law Offices of Lawrence Wolf. We will work hard to have any drug charges against you dismissed or reduced. Call our Los Angeles drug crimes defense lawyers today at [number type=”1″] to learn more.

Fatal Shooting of Three in Whittier May be Result of Domestic Dispute

Police are investigating the deaths of three individuals who were found dead in a home in Whittier recently, according to The Los Angeles Times. The incident could be the result of a domestic dispute.

Police answered calls that a woman had been shot in the house, and a SWAT team was brought in because police believed the gunman was still inside the residence. All three people found had died from gunshot wounds. The victims were a man in his 30s, and a man and a woman who were both in their 60s.

According to neighbors, a couple and their adult son lived in the house. The victims were allegedly found when a family member arrived at the house and found the woman dead. Police are trying to tell whether one of those victims died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Whether or not this crime turns out to be a result of domestic or family violence, there is no doubt that domestic violence is a serious problem in this country. Across the country, there are 16,800 homicides per year and $5.8 billion in health-related costs spent per year due to violence between intimate partners.

In California, domestic violence can refer to any type of violence between spouses, partners, former spouses or partners, children, or individuals who are dating. Domestic violence can be a hard charge to dispute, since there are often few external witnesses or physical evidence as to what happened.

If you are being investigated for domestic violence, or have been arrested, contact the Los Angeles domestic violence defense attorneys at the Law Offices of Lawrence Wolf. Our office has extensive experience in helping defendants to navigate the criminal justice system. Call 866-390-7373 today.

Study Shows Increase in Crime after Los Angeles Medical Marijuana Dispensaries Shut Down

A study released earlier this week shows that crime increased when hundreds of Los Angeles medical marijuana dispensaries were closed in 2010 after the implementation of a new ordinance, according to CBS News. Crime in the neighborhoods surrounding the dispensaries went up after they closed, contradictory to law enforcement claims that the operation of such clinics encouraged crime.

The research study was conducted by the objective nonprofit RAND Corporation, who reviewed crime reports from the 10 days before the medical marijuana clinics were closed and from 10 days after. The resulting analysis showed a 60 percent increase in crime within three blocks of a closed dispensary. If it is true that the dispensaries are causing crime, then there should have been a noticeable decline in crime once they were closed, which was not the case. Specific dispensaries may attract crime but there is no evidence that proves that, in general, the operation of medical marijuana clinics increases crime rates in the area.

The City Council had passed a new ordinance last summer, placing stricter guidelines on the dispensaries and causing many to shut their doors. Crime was one of the leading reasons for this new ordinance. In fact, two workers were killed during dispensary robberies in June 2010. Ultimately, however, the research analysis shows no concrete correlation between crime and medical marijuana dispensaries. It is more likely that crime rates drop around active clinics due to the security cameras and security guards.

Crime rates continuously fluctuate, but crime never disappears altogether. If you have been charged with a crime in Southern California, the most effective way to avoid a conviction is to retain the services of an aggressive Los Angeles criminal defense attorney. At The Law Offices of Lawrence Wolf, our experienced defense lawyers will protect your legal rights. Call us today for a consultation at [number type=”1″].