Lawrence Wolf - Part 18

Los Angeles Area Homicides Hit a Historic Low in 2010

The homicide rate in the areas served by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department dropped to 0.61 deaths per 10,000 residents in 2010, the lowest it has been since 1965, according to data recently released by the Sheriff’s Department. The numbers are taken from the entire area served by the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department. In order to be included as a “homicide,” a crime had to involve the killing of one person by another, whether intentional or accidental.

In total, 181 homicides occurred in Los Angeles County in 2010, the lowest number in any one year since 1971. Overall, since 1960, the year with the fewest total homicides was 1972, with 146 deaths. The year that saw the most homicides was 1995, when 473 lives were lost.

Although a few years since 1960 have seen fewer total homicides than 2010, the rate of homicides – or the number of deaths divided by the total number of people in the area – was at a historic low in 2010. The rate of 0.61 deaths per 10,000 people in 2010 is similar to the rates of the early 1970s and is much lower than the rates in the mid-1990s, when rates of 1.5 homicides per 10,000 people were not uncommon.

Every type of homicide charge carries serious penalties if the charged person is convicted. If you have been charged with murder, manslaughter, or a similar crime in California, experienced Los Angeles homicide defense lawyer Lawrence Wolf has the experience to provide an aggressive defense that protects your legal rights and fight for the best possible outcome in your case. For a free and confidential consultation, call the Law Offices of Lawrence Wolf today at [number type=”1″].

California Supreme Court Rules “Hiring Away” Prostitutes is Illegal

California’s pandering law prohibits encouraging another person to become a prostitute and imposes penalties on people convicted of trying to get someone else to become a prostitute. According to the California Supreme Court, the law also forbids a person from encouraging a current prostitute to come work for them, reports The San Francisco Chronicle.

In a 5-2 decision, the Supreme Court upheld the conviction of a Los Angeles man who, in 2007, had stopped his truck to solicit an undercover police officer dressed as a prostitute. The man had allegedly offered the “prostitute” housing and clothes if she would give him her earnings. The court stated that, when a pimp offers a prostitute protection or other things in exchange for her income, “the offer increases the likelihood that the prostitute will be able to maintain or expand her activities.”

The two dissenting justices, however, argued that it isn’t possible to “become” a prostitute when one already is a prostitute and that the law was not designed to punish people for asking a prostitute to go on being a prostitute. They argue that the penalty for encouraging someone to become a prostitute should be separate, because it causes more harm to encourage someone to take up prostitution than it does to encourage someone who already practices prostitution to go on doing it.

Often, the application of the criminal law is a matter of interpretation, especially when the facts of what happened don’t exactly match up with the acts a particular law prohibits. The experienced Los Angeles sex crime defense attorneys at the Law Offices of Lawrence Wolf examine the facts of each client’s case carefully and build an aggressive defense that fights for the best possible outcome based upon the specifics of their case. For a free and confidential consultation, call the Law Offices of Lawrence Wolf today at [number type=”1″].

Baldwin Village Raid Results in 35 Drug-Related Arrests

At least 35 people were arrested recently in Baldwin Village by a joint law enforcement team that included both the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), according to an article in The Los Angeles Times. The people arrested were believed by authorities to be involved in drug trafficking and/or gang activity in the area. They included both men and women for alleged drug trafficking.

According to the article, both state and federal law enforcement officers have been concerned with drug trafficking in the Baldwin Village area for at least 10 years. Six years ago, a raid similar to the most recent one resulted in 28 arrests of suspected gang members, all of whom were believed by authorities to be running the illegal-drug trade in the area.

The LAPD believes that, although Baldwin Village covers less than one square mile, it houses several hundred gang members. Most or all of these people allegedly belong to the Black P Stones gang. Law enforcement officers suspect that, in addition to the drug charges, these people may also have been involved in recent theft, assault, and carjacking incidents in the area.

Criminal charges in California can be overwhelming to face, particularly when they involve felonies such as drug trafficking, which can carry severe penalties for someone who is convicted. At The Law Offices of Lawrence Wolf, our Los Angeles drug crime defense lawyers have the legal resources and the courtroom experience needed to present an aggressive defense on your behalf, fighting for the best possible outcome in your case while ensuring your rights are protected. To learn more, call The Law Offices of Lawrence Wolf today at [number type=”1″].

Mistakes May Cause Incorrect High Readings on DUI Breath Tests in California

When stopping a driver on suspicion of drunk driving, a police officer may require the driver to take a chemical test to determine the driver’s blood alcohol content (BAC). Although a chemical test for BAC can be done on a driver’s breath, blood, or urine, most officers begin with an alcohol breath test administered by using a breathalyzer or similar machine.

Like all machines, however, a breath test machine is only as reliable as the person running it. Mistakes in using the breath test machine can cause the reading to be higher than the driver’s BAC actually is, resulting in an arrest or even criminal charges; even though the driver was not in fact violating California’s drunk driving laws.

For instance, a breath test machine will pick up any residual alcohol in the person’s mouth and add it to the reading. A driver who has recently used certain kinds of cold medicine, mouthwash, or other alcohol-containing products may therefore test positive for blood alcohol, even if they are sober. In addition to alcohol left in the mouth, certain other substances can cause some breath test machines to “detect” alcohol whether or not it’s actually present. For instance, some breath test machines are sensitive to cigarette residue, ether, chloroform, or acetone.

Experienced Los Angeles DUI lawyer Lawrence Wolf understands that errors in breath testing can result in improper arrests or charges, and he fights for the best possible outcome in each client’s case. For a free and confidential consultation, call The Law Offices of Lawrence Wolf today at [number type=”1″].

Understanding Standardized Field Sobriety Tests Used in Los Angeles DUI Cases

When a police officer suspects a driver is driving under the influence of alcohol (DUI), the officer may stop the driver in order to search for more clues that the driver has been drinking. Often, police will have a stopped driver perform one or more tests. Known as thestandardized field sobriety tests, these activities are designed to provide clues for police officers that confirm whether or not a person is driving impaired. The three most common standardized field sobriety tests are the horizontal gaze nystagmus test, the one-leg stand test, and the walk-and-turn test.

The horizontal gaze nystagmus tests whether the driver’s eyes can follow something smoothly, or if the eyes start to jerk involuntarily the further they look to the side. This jerking movement may be a sign of alcohol intoxication. It may also be a sign of several different neurological defects.

Both the one-leg stand test and the walk-and-turn test require the driver to demonstrate balance and agility. Usually, police officers give all the instructions for the test first, and then wait to see how well a driver can remember and follow them. Meanwhile, the officer is looking for any signs that the driver is intoxicated, even though both tests are difficult to perform correctly, even if a person is sober and able-bodied. People who are tired or who have any one of a wide range of neurological or movement problems are far more likely to fail the test than able-bodied people, even if they have not been drinking.

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. If you are facing drunk driving charges in California, the experienced Los Angeles DUI attorneys at The Law Offices of Lawrence Wolf will examine your case carefully, including the results of any sobriety testing, and will fight for the best possible outcome in your case. For a free and confidential consultation regarding your DUI case, call [number type=”1″] today.

Year-Long Drug Crime Investigation in Los Angeles Area Leads to 13 Arrests

After a year of investigating suspected drug crimes in the Los Angeles area, police have arrested 13 individuals whom they believe are dealing drugs in Los Angeles and surrounding communities, according to an article in The Santa Maria Times.

Officers from Santa Maria, Santa Barbara County, and San Luis Obispo County teamed up with agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and other local police departments to carry out the investigation, which looked into the activities of gangs in the area as officers searched for signs of illegal drug-related activities. Most of the 13 people arrested are members of one of the gangs under surveillance. Nine of them were arrested on May 2 in a sweep that involved 125 police officers.

A Los Angeles grand jury has indicted 10 of the arrested people on federal charges, charging them with possessing, selling, and/or distributing methamphetamine. Police are still looking for one of the suspects. Four more people were arrested on suspicion of violating California criminal laws, and they will likely face felony charges filed by the Santa Barbara District Attorney’s Office.

Whether you are charged with violating state law, federal law, or both, being convicted of a felony that involves drugs means facing heavy penalties, including prison time. An aggressive defense by an experienced Los Angeles drug crime defense attorney offers you the best chance of avoiding or reducing these penalties while protecting your rights. At The Law Offices of Lawrence Wolf, we understand the seriousness of drug crime charges and will fight for the best possible outcome in your case. For a confidential consultation, call us at [number type=”1″] today.

DMV Hearings in California DUI Cases

Many drivers who receive a DUI for the first time are confused about their hearing with the Department of Motor Vehicles. The following is important information from the California Department of Motor Vehicles website regarding the DMV hearing after a DUI.

A DMV hearing is not mandatory. A driver who wants a DMV hearing, usually in the hopes of keeping their driving privileges, must request one. The hearing with the DMV regarding the DUI is not a criminal proceeding. It is a separate proceeding that determines whether or not a person who received a DUI should be allowed to keep their driving privileges.

The DMV hearing will not determine whether or not a person committed a crime. The DMV hearing will determine whether someone took a blood, breath, or urine test or refused testing, whether they were arrested, and whether they had a blood alcohol content of .08 percent or higher. The DMV hearing will also not take the place of a criminal trial.

Fortunately, if a person who was charged with driving under the influence is acquitted in a criminal trial, any suspension or revocation of driving privileges will be reversed. However, if the charges are merely reduced to reckless driving, any suspension or revocation of driving privileges will not be reversed. If DUI charges were dismissed, or if the district attorney decided not to file DUI charges, a driver may get their driving privileges back, but this is not always the case.

Are you facing DUI charges in California? Are you confused about the criminal charges as well as the driver’s license penalties? If so, contact Los Angeles DUI attorney Lawrence Wolf of the Law Offices of Lawrence Wolf today at [number type=”1″] to learn more.

Canoga Park Men Charged With Hate Killing

Staff writer for the Daily News website reported on January 15, 2009 that two men affiliated with the Latino street gang, Canoga Park Alabama, are being charged with last month’s murder of an African American father of two. Martin Sotelo, 23 and Richard Bordelon, 21, each of Conoga Park, have been charged with the murder of James Shamp, 48 who was shot outside his work place on December 22 in this Los Angeles violent crime. Police say the attack was racially motivated, potentially making Bordelon and Sotelo eligible for the death penalty.

According to police reports, Shamp, who had been an employee at Canoga Park bowl for 7 years, was emptying the trash in the back ally when he was shot in this violent crime. A car with several people in it rolled up and opened fire on Shamp.

Detetective Dave Peteque said, “It was 100 percent racially motivated. I can’t say anything, but it’ll come out in court.”

Los Angeles Cops Target Drunk Drivers on Super Bowl Sunday

Law enforcement officials in Los Angeles and the surrounding areas were out in full force on Super Bowl Sunday, hoping to find drunk drivers, according to The San Gabriel Valley Tribune.

In Los Angeles County’s 88 incorporated cities and unincorporated areas, there were dozens of patrols and checkpoints targeting drunk drivers on Super Bowl Sunday. As well as finding intoxicated drivers, checkpoints are a good way to find unlicensed or other illegal drivers. Roving patrols were also activated in several areas throughout the county.

In California, anyone with a blood alcohol level of .08 percent or higher is considered to be intoxicated. A man who weighs 160 pounds can have a blood alcohol level of .08 or higher by drinking three beers in about an hour.

Law enforcement officials recommend that if anyone is planning on drinking at an event such as a Super Bowl party, they should plan ahead to have a designated sober driver. If you host a party, Super Bowl or otherwise, at which alcohol is served, there are some measures you can take to reduce the chances of a guest driving while drunk after the party. Make sure to provide plenty of food and non-alcoholic drinks. Have several options for other driving arrangements lined up, such as a designated driver and some taxi numbers. If a guest appears to be drunk, don’t let them drive.

A California DUI can be devastating. It can hurt a person’s family, career, finances, and future. If you have been charged with drunk driving in Los Angeles County, contact the Los Angeles DUI defense attorneys at the Law Offices of Lawrence Wolf. Skilled criminal defense lawyer Lawrence Wolf has over 40 years of experience in criminal defense. Call today for a free consultation at [number type=”1″] today.

Alleged Members of Israeli Crime Family Charged with Drug Trafficking, Racketeering

Five individuals who are reported to be members of a powerful Israeli crime family were recently charged in Los Angeles with drug trafficking and racketeering, according to The Los Angeles Times.

The men have been accused of using a gang based in the San Fernando Valley to distribute ecstasy, and prosecutors also allege that they paid a gang member to kill a man who stole a shipment of drugs. The men were recently arrested in Israel and were extradited to the United States by U.S. Marshalls. They will be held in custody until after the trial, which is expected to last for two months, but a date has yet to be set. The men were denied bond because of their lack of ties with the community.

All of the men pleaded not guilty to all charges. If they are convicted, they could serve life in prison. Their prison sentences would be carried out in Israel under international treaties.

These charges are very serious. These defendants have been charged with federal crimes, rather than state crimes. Under federal sentencing guidelines, judges have to impose minimum mandatory sentences, even if the sentence seems excessive. There are over 100 federal crimes in the U.S. Code. In addition, any crime that is committed on federal property can be considered a federal crime.

Have you been charged with a federal crime in California? If so, contact the Los Angeles federal crime defense attorneys at the Law Offices of Lawrence Wolf. Our office has been helping defendants accused of federal crimes for more than 40 years. Call us today at 866-390-7373 to learn more about your legal rights under the federal system.