Lawrence Wolf - Part 14

Bobby Brown Arrested on Suspicion of DUI in Tarzana

Bobby Brown, the late Whitney Houston’s ex-husband, has been arrested on suspicion of driving while intoxicated (DWI) for the second time in six months. According to a report by The Los Angeles Times, the arrest occurred near Ventura Boulevard and Corbin Avenue in Tarzana. Officials claim that they smelled alcohol after pulling him over. It is not clear if Brown took a Breathalyzer test, but he was booked for drunk driving before being released. Brown was previously arrested on suspicion of driving while intoxicated in March near Victory Boulevard and Wilbur Avenue in the San Fernando Valley.

Individuals who have been arrested multiple times for drunk driving typically face harsher treatment from officers, prosecutors, and judges. There are many alternative sentencing options offered to first-time offenders that are simply not available for repeat offenders. While first-time offenders can avoid lengthy jail time by agreeing to alcohol treatment programs or community service, a repeat offender will likely face a mandatory jail sentence.

Look Out for Sobriety Checkpoints in Los Angeles this Halloween

police_sirens_4247691_small1 A sobriety checkpoint is when law enforcement officers block off a roadway to search for impaired drivers. In Los Angeles, it is common to see checkpoints on busy roadways near popular bars and restaurants where alcohol is served. For example, there were recent driving under the influence (DUI) checkpoints at the intersections of Hollywood Boulevard and Ivar Avenue; South La Cienega Boulevard and West Manchester Boulevard; and at Ventura Boulevard and Rubio Avenue. You can be sure that local law enforcement agencies across Los Angeles County will man a number of sobriety checkpoints this Halloween as well.

It is common practice for Los Angeles officials to set up checkpoints on holidays. You will see an increase in L.A. DUI checkpoints and saturation patrols every Memorial Day, Labor Day, Fourth of July, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Eve. If you plan on attending Halloween parties this year, it is important that you secure a designated driver.

How Does Megan’s Law Affect Convicted Southern California Sex Offenders?

prison_7683167 Under federal law, law enforcement authorities must make information available to the public regarding convicted sex offenders. It is up to each state to determine what information is made available. Megan’s Law specifically requires persons convicted of a sex crime against a child to notify local law enforcement agencies regarding where they live. It also requires individuals convicted of certain crimes to register as sex offenders.

In California, you can search the official Megan’s Law database by a specific name, zip code, city, or county to look for personal information about a registrant. There is a map application, which allows people to easily view registrants in their areas or even neighborhoods. A simple search on the database will bring up pictures, names, descriptions, and prior convictions. Now, imagine applying for a job when your criminal history, photo, and description are posted for everyone to see online.

Understanding License Suspension after a DUI in Los Angeles

driver-license-california-359321 If you have ever tried to get around Los Angeles or even Southern California without a vehicle, you can imagine how difficult it must be to have a suspended license. Los Angeles residents who have their license suspended often experience negative consequences financially, professionally, and socially. If you are arrested on suspicion of drunk driving in Los Angeles, you may face a lengthy license suspension. The length of that suspension will usually depend on your driving record and the circumstances of the incident, such as your blood alcohol level.

A first-time drunk driving conviction could result in a six-month license suspension. It is within the court’s discretion to grant a driver a temporary restricted license during his or her suspension. A restricted license will only allow a defendant to drive to work. A full reinstatement will not be issued until after the driver completes the mandatory driving under the influence (DUI) classes, pays the DMV a license reissue fee, and provides proof of financial responsibility.

Redondo Beach Man Arrested for Allegedly Trying to Work as a Pimp

male cuffed hands over dirty white table lit through the cell bars with harsh light

A 32-year-old Redondo Beach man faces criminal charges after allegedly asking a 17-year-old girl to work for him as a prostitute. According to The Daily Breeze, the man was arrested in Torrance. Officials say the man befriended the girl a month prior to his arrest and continued contact. The arrest occurred after the girl told the authorities that he suggested she work for him as a prostitute. It is not clear if officials obtained evidence beyond the allegations of the teenager, but he now faces charges including pandering and annoying or molesting a minor.

According to California Penal Code 647.6: “Every person who annoys or molests any child under 18 years of age shall be punished by a fine not exceeding five thousand dollars ($5,000), by imprisonment in a county jail not exceeding one year, or by both the fine and imprisonment.” There are additional penalties for individuals who are already on probation or who made physical contact with a juvenile during the incident.

Potential DUI Defenses in Los Angeles

A set of car keys in the foreground and glass of whiskey behind.

It is a common mistake for drivers to assume that they have to plead guilty or negotiate for a plea deal if they have been arrested on suspicion of drunk driving. The truth is that many Los Angeles drivers have it in their best interest to fight the driving under the influence (DUI) charges they face. There are many potential DUI defenses and it is often possible to fight the charges.

An important part of building a solid defense is reviewing every aspect of the alleged incident and subsequent arrest. Arresting officers must adhere to a standardized set of procedures during a DUI roadside investigation in Los Angeles. Information and evidence wrongfully gathered by officers can get thrown out. What justification did the officer have for making the traffic stop? When was the driver informed of his or her rights? Was the officer properly trained to perform a field sobriety test?

Drug Court as an Alternative Sentencing Option for L.A. Offenders

courtroom-1566609Small If you are convicted of drug possession in Los Angeles, one potential alternative to jail time is drug court. Drug court was established to help offenders end drug abuse and stay out of jail. Individuals who have successfully completed a drug program are less likely to return to drug abuse than those who were simply incarcerated. This makes drug court a favorable alternative for the court and for the defendant.

However, drug court is not a viable option for all alleged drug offenders. It is typically only available for nonviolent offenders who have been arrested on suspicion of drug possession or for being under the influence of drugs. That means offenders previously convicted of a felony, charged with a violent crime, or accused of selling or transporting drugs will not be able to seek drug court instead of jail time. There are cases, however, in which a drug crime defense attorney can argue that his or her client only sold drugs to support their own habit, and should therefore be included in the program.

L.A. School Bus Driver Charged with DUI after Fatal Crash

school_bus A 54-year-old woman was arrested and booked for felony driving under the influence (DUI) after allegedly causing a fatal school bus accident while under the influence of a controlled substance. According to a CBS Los Angeles news report, the fatal bus accident occurred at Brookshire Avenue and Woodland Street in Ventura. Officials say the bus driver was transporting 11 children when she turned left and struck a 75-year-old female pedestrian. The elderly pedestrian suffered critical injuries and died at the hospital. The driver was released on bond and is due in court this month.

There are many charges that can result from an accident when someone has been injured or killed. If the driver was under the influence, it is possible for vehicle manslaughter charges to result in a 16-month, two-, or four-year jail sentence. There are additional penalties if the driver had underage passengers at the time of the incident.

Orange County Man Pleads Not Guilty to Ecstasy and Steroid Possession Charges

A 29-year-old man has pleaded not guilty to drug possession charges involving a kilo of ecstasy powder and thousands of steroid pills. According to an Associated Press news report, the man was arrested for picking up a package holding more than two pounds of ecstasy powder. Officials have accused the man of dropping a bag containing approximately 2,500 steroid pills in the car of a man who was also arrested.

Officials were monitoring the package and arrested the two men shortly after the alleged exchange. The 29-year-old man faces up to six years in prison and is currently out of custody on $500,000 bail.

Penalties for Repeat DUI Offenders in Los Angeles

drunk_driving_11181975 Los Angeles drivers convicted for the first time of drunken driving can expect to receive a sentencing of three years of informal probation, a license suspension, fines and fees of approximately $2,000, and four months of alcohol education classes. There is even the potential for jail time on a first offense. All of these charges increase dramatically if the driver is a repeat offender.

A second driving under the influence (DUI) offense could result in a two-year drunk driving license suspension, mandatory jail time, and an 18-month alcohol education program. Under the law, a second offense can result in a jail sentence of up to one year, but it is more common for the sentence to be between four and 60 days. With the help of an attorney, it may be possible to convert the two-year license suspension into a restricted license after 12 months.