FBI Reports Crime Rate Decline in 2010

According to FBI statistics, as reported by The Los Angeles Times, approximately 10.3 million crimes were reported in 2010. Of these, 9 million were property crimes and 1.2 million were violent crimes. Although these are very large numbers, both violent crime and property crime rates declined from previous years. Violent crime decreased by 6 percent from 2009, continuing its declining trend for a fourth consecutive year. Property crime dropped 2.7 percent from 2009, making 2010 the eighth consecutive year it has decreased.

The data used for the FBI’s 2010 “Crime in the United States” report was compiled from over 18,000 federal, state, tribal, university and college, county and city law enforcement agencies. Other notable statistics for 2010 include:

  • Aggravated assault was the most common violent crime at approximately 62.5 percent;
  • Larceny-theft was the most common property crime at 68.2 percent; and
  • There were 13.1 million arrests made for crimes, excluding traffic violations.

In Los Angeles, there were 21,484 violent crimes, although, unlike the national statistics, robbery was the most common violent crime in 2010 with over 10,000 incidents. Aggravated assault was a close second, however, at over 9,000 incidents. In addition, Los Angeles had a total of 89,704 property crimes, the most common being larceny-theft.

Being arrested for a violent crime can be very confusing and overwhelming, especially when the alleged crime occurred under especially vague or convoluted circumstances. The aggressive violent crime defense attorneys in Los Angeles at The Law Offices of Lawrence Wolf can build a strong defense on your behalf and ensure the protection of your legal rights. Contact us today for a consultation at [number type=”1″].

California Proposes Prisoner Realignment Program to Relieve Overcrowded State Prisons

Thousands of female prisoners who have children, and were not incarcerated for serious or sexual crimes, may be released before October, according to The Los Angeles Times. They would serve the remainder of their sentence at home where they will be required to wear a GPS-enabled ankle bracelet and report to a parole officer. The new program was initiated to meet a court-imposed deadline to relieve congestion in California’s chronically overcrowded prisons. Although the program initially only affects female inmates who are mothers, it is expected to extend to male prisoners as well.

The new policy is the result of a U.S. Supreme Court decision that ruled the overcrowding and resulting lack of medical care in prisons as cruel and unusual punishment. Now the state must meet a strict timeline, reducing the inmate population by over 30,000 before July 2013. Since the majority of California’s inmates are men, the new program will likely expand to male prisoners who are fathers. If a male inmate can be considered the “primary caregiver” of their child or children, was not convicted for a violent or sexual felony or for child abuse, has not made an escape attempt in the last 10 years, does not belong to a gang, and does not have an active restraining order, they may receive parole.

Skeptics believe that many female prisoners were not good mothers to begin with and that the new program may actually increase crime rates. However, state officials have high hopes that reuniting inmates with their families will not only help their rehabilitation but also help keep their children from following the same path.

If you have been arrested for a crime in Southern California, you still have legal rights. Contact the experienced criminal defense lawyers in Los Angeles with The Law Offices of Lawrence Wolf today at [number type=”1″] to learn how we can help you protect your future.

California Steps-Up DUI Enforcement for Labor Day Weekend

Almost 11,000 people are killed in alcohol-related each year and Labor Day weekend has historically had a high number of DUI accidents, which is why many states and local law enforcement agencies will be doing their part for the end of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign for the holiday weekend.

California will be increasing DUI enforcement during the last weekend of this national campaign, which ends on September 5. During the almost month-long campaign, 41 Avoid DUI task forces and more than 100 individual local jurisdictions conducted extra sobriety checkpoints and saturation patrols across the state. The campaign also included media and press events. For the final weekend of the “Drive Sober or Pull Over” campaign, the California Highway Patrol (CHP) will be conducting a “Maximum Enforcement” campaign, which will increase the number of officers on state roads.

Driving under the influence of alcohol is dangerous and illegal; there is no question as to its legality or devastating consequences. But with increased enforcement campaigns comes an increased focus on drunk drivers. Officers may be so intent on taking dangerous drivers of the road that they see impairment in sober drivers. If you have been arrested for a DUI in Southern California, the skilled Los Angeles drunk driving defense attorneys at The Law Offices of Lawrence Wolf can protect your legal rights. To learn more about getting your charges reduced or entirely dropped, contact us today at [number type=”1″].

New California Bill Would Give Juveniles in Prison for Life a Second Chance

CNN reports that a bill that is headed for a vote here in California has re-started conversation about whether or not life sentences given to juveniles should be re-analyzed. Senate Bill 9, which would give certain juvenile offenders the chance for release, is headed soon to the Assembly floor for a vote.

Senator Leland Yee (D-San Francisco) introduced the legislation, which would permit juveniles to request a court to re-analyze their sentence after they have already served 15 years in prison for their alleged crime. Yee, a former child psychologist, has argued that juveniles do not possess the capability to fully comprehend their crimes, at certain ages, and locking them up without giving them an opportunity to prove they have acquired that ability is not the solution. “SB 9… provides the opportunity for compassion and rehabilitation that we should exercise with minors,” he says. Yee has said the goal of the bill is not a “get out of fail free card,” rather; he hopes to provide more opportunities to rehabilitate juveniles if they are fit to be given a reduced sentence and have established that they have changed since they were younger and committed the crime.

Current law in California permits children as young as 14-years-old to be sentenced to life in prison without parole, for some crimes. According to the article, no other country in the world, with the exception of the United States, has life in prison as a sentencing option for juveniles. In California alone, close to 300 children have already been given that sentence.

Depending on the crime allegedly committed, juveniles can face serious consequences, including heavy fines, probation, or even a life sentence in prison. If your son or daughter is facing serious criminal charges in California, it is critical that you learn more about the legal options available. Contact the juvenile crime defense attorneys in Los Angeles at The Law Offices of Lawrence Wolf to learn how we can help protect the rights of your child. Call 866-390-7373 today.

Twenty Alleged Gang Members Arrested in Riverside Police Street Gang Sweep

KABC-TV reports that 20 people were recently arrested after a gang sweep was conducted in Riverside by authorities.

According to the article, 36 arrest warrants, 19 state search warrants, and 21 parole and probation searches were conducted by Riverside police officers, along the Riverside County Gang Task Force, the Corona police, and agents with the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, as well as the California Department of Corrections & Rehabilitation, in addition to other agencies. Called “Operation Tampa Bay,” it was conducted in the early morning hours, and by mid-day, alleged members of the 1200 Blocc Crips street gang, one of the most notoriously dangerous gangs in Riverside, were in custody.

Police reported that the suspects arrested include both men and women in all age ranges, including a grandmother who reportedly sold drugs to undercover officers while the operation was underway. Police believe that the 147-member, all black street gang has been involved in several criminal incidents in the area, including store robberies, home invasions, drug trafficking, and assaults. The Blocc Crips gang is reported to have been terrorizing the eastside of Riverside for many decades.

Few details were released by the police regarding what lead to the suspects being arrested. It is not known what prompted the sweep, or what evidence police had to arrest the suspects. Police did report that several weapons were also seized in the raid.

If you have been charged with a violent crime, it may be in your best interests to consult with a skilled attorney to learn more about the legal options available to you based upon your specific circumstances. Contact Lawrence Wolf, a skilled violent crime attorney in California who represents clients throughout Southern California, including Riverside. Mr. Wolf can thoroughly explain your legal rights to you as well as examine the facts of your case to build a strong defense on your behalf. Call 866-390-7373 to get started with Mr. Wolf today.

Three Suspected Drug Smugglers Arrested Offshore in Newport Beach

Three men were arrested recently in what authorities believed may have been a drug-smuggling run, reports KABC-TV.

According to the article, the three men were on board a small boat close to Newport Beach and were believed to be headed to Huntington State Park. At approximately 8:30 a.m., lifeguards spotted the boat and contacted the police. Reportedly, the men threw at least one package overboard before being confronted by police. Approximately a mile offshore from the Newport Beach Pier, deputies stopped the boat at gunpoint and took the men into custody.

The boat was impounded as evidence and was reported stolen in Mexico. The water and beach were searched for the package allegedly thrown into the ocean. It has not been released to the public whether any package has been discovered.

The men were arrested on suspicion of smuggling, drug possession, and attempting to illegally enter the United States. According to police, drug smuggling has become an increasing problem along the coast in Orange County as security at the border of the U.S. and Mexico has become tighter.

In California, drug crimes can have serious consequences if convicted, including fines, jail time, probation, and more. If you are facing drug charges, it may be in your best interests to consult with an attorney that has experience successfully handling a wide variety of drug charges. At The Law Offices of Lawrence Wolf, our drug crime defense lawyers in Orange County can carefully examine the details of your case in order to create a strong defense to make certain your legal rights are protected. To get started with one our attorneys today, call [number type=”1″].

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.

Alleged Serial Rapist Arrested by Irvine Police

ABC 7 News reports that Irvine police arrested a 29-year-old man recently whom authorities believe is a serial rapist. The man was arrested and booked into the Orange County Jail on multiple felony and rape counts. He is being held without bail.

According to the article, the arrest came following a joint investigation between the Newport Beach and Irvine police departments. DNA and fingerprints were discovered from a suspect in rapes that allegedly occurred in both cities in May of 2005 and July of 2010. Police reported that investigators did not previously have a suspect matching the DNA or prints in any law enforcement database.

The man is accused of committing rape in Newport Beach in May of 2005 and in Irvine in November of 2006 and again in July of 2010. Both incidents in Irvine occurred at the same apartment complex. However, the rape victims were not able to offer police a description of the suspect since the rapist had covered his face. Detectives started to closely watch the area of the Irvine apartment complex after the second rape occurred.

Then, in June of 2011, a suspicious subject was reported to police in that area. Daily patrols in the area by the Irvine police department were increased, as was nighttime surveillance. The man was seen in the area and had talked with police. Further investigation resulted in forensic experts matching a fingerprint from the rape case in Newport Beach to the man. The fingerprint also matched two fingerprints discovered in the investigation of the Irvine incidents.

Whether you have been charged with a felony or misdemeanor sex crime in California, you are facing severe, life-changing penalties. To have your rights and your freedom protected, contact Lawrence Wolf, a highly skilled sex crime defense attorney in Orange County. Call [number type=”1″].

Two Men Arrested for Alleged Hate Crime in Ojai Valley

The Ventura County Sheriff’s Department reports that two 17-year-old boys were allegedly threatened by two men in a motor vehicle while standing close to an intersection in the Mira Monte region of Ojai Valley, close to Oxnard, according to ABC 7 News.

Authorities allege that two men, ages 22 and 19, drove up to aggressively talk with the two boys, identifying themselves as skinheads and made racial and sexual slurs. The victims reported that one of the men got out of the car and slapped one of them, and claimed that the man said he had a handgun that he threatened to use. The two men reportedly then drove away and returned several minutes later, and came close to hitting one victim before leaving the scene.

Once the alleged incident was reported to authorities, a search was launched. The suspects were found within an hour after they came back to a convenience store nearby. Authorities found prescription drugs in the vehicle that were not prescribed to either suspect. The two men were arrested; one man was arrested for battery, hate crime enhancement, criminal threats, and possession of a controlled substance; while the other was arrested for possession of a controlled substance and criminal threats. According to authorities, the suspects and the victims did not know each other before the alleged incident.

If you have been charged with a violent crime in California, it may be in your best interests to learn more about your legal rights. Talking with a skilled violent crime defense attorney in Los Angeles can help you understand the gravity of the charges made against you as well as what legal options are available. Call 866-390-7373 to find out how The Law Offices of Lawrence Wolf can help you today.

Rodney King Arrested for DUI in Moreno Valley

KTLA reports that Rodney King was arrested on Tuesday afternoon, July 12, for allegedly driving under the influence in Moreno Valley in Riverside County. King was driving a 1994 Mitsubishi when he was observed by police officers committing “multiple infractions.” He was taken into custody by authorities after they determined he appeared to be under the influence. King was arrested and then booked for driving under the influence. He was later released on a $2,500 bail. Police have not yet released information regarding what substance he was allegedly under.

In 1991, King was famously beaten by four Los Angeles Police Department officers after a police chase. The beating was videotaped and sparked the Los Angeles riots of 1992 after the four officers were tried and acquitted. Later, two officers were charged with violating King’s federal civil rights, and both served prison time.

Since the famous incident, King has had a lengthy record of legal troubles, including severalarrests for driving under the influence in California in 1992 and 1993. In both incidents, charges were not filed. He was also arrested for driving under the influence in Pennsylvania in 1995, for which he was tried and acquitted. He also served jail time in 1995 after he was convicted of a hit-and-run after allegedly hitting his wife with his car. In 2001, King was arrested and charged with being under the influence of the psychedelic drug PCP. After allegedly threatening his ex-girlfriend and daughter, he was also arrested in 2005.

For over 30 years, the drunk driving lawyers in Riverside County at The Law Offices of Lawrence Wolf have 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 attorneys work 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 866-390-7373 today.