Lawrence Wolf - Part 31

Newport Beach DUI Accident Kills Man

The latimes.com website reported in an article on March 14, 2009 that a driver of a Porsche hit a Ferrari driven by Charles David Lewis Jr. Lewis Jr.’s Ferrari was flung into a light post in Newport Beach where his car was sliced in half. Lewis Jr. was pronounced dead at the scene. Driving the Porsche was Jeffrey Kirby, 51 of Costa Mesa, who is in serious need of anexperienced California criminal defense attorney. Kirby has had 2 previous DUI’s, one in 1985 and one in 2002. He was charged with felony vehicular manslaughter, drunk driving and leaving the scene of an accident.

Lewis Jr. was known amongst fighters as “Mask” and was the owner of a successful multimillion dollar apparel company called TapouT apparel. His girlfriend, Lacy Lynn White, 23 sustained a fractured elbow.

According to police reports, Lewis Jr. and Kirby were driving at a fast pace side by side just before the crash. Investigators were still not sure if the cars were in a race. Kirby fled the scene but was quickly apprehended a short period after. He had a blood-alcohol level of 0.13, almost twice the legal limit of .08. If convicted for his Orange County DUI, Kirby faces up to 19 years and 8 months in prison. Lynn Mari Nabozny, 32, Kirby’s passenger was also arrested but later released. Kriby’s bail was set at $500,000 and deemed a flight risk and danger to the community.

Should Kirby post bail, the commissioner has ordered that no frontal picture be taken of him, since Lewis Jr. knew a lot of friends and followers of the martial arts world.

Kirby’s lawyer, said “Whether those people would be seeking revenge, I don’t know.”

The recent crackdown on DUI cases is understandable — alcohol contributes to a death every 33 minutes and costs the public billions of dollars each year in damages, loss of life and reduced productivity. If you’ve been arrested for drunk driving in Los Angeles, you need an aggressive, reputable and experienced Los Angeles DUI attorney on your side. You need the Law Offices of Lawrence Wolf. Please call[number type=”1″] for a free consultation.

USC Student Murder Trial Defendant Pleads Not Guilty

The dailytrojan.com reported in a story on March 11, 2009 that Travion Ford, suspect in the September 2008 murder of USC student Bryan Frost, pleaded not guilty to one count ofmurder in Los Angeles. Ford sat in Los Angeles Superior court for his arraignment. Ford’s defense team led by Diane Butko suggested that they will need more time than 60 days to prepare for trial.

Allegations of personal use of a deadly and dangerous weapon charges in Californiaduring his arraignment were denied by Ford.

Kennes Ma, Deputy District Attorney, said, “After the preliminary hearing the case goes to trial court. This court now has jurisdiction. It’s a brand new process.”

Judith Champagne, Judge, set the pretrial hearing date for April 9. During this hearing, the prosecution and defense will swap information and motions. The law mandates that Ford has the right to be tried in court within 60 days. The prosecution and defense will continue to trade information until then.

Ma, said, “During that time we will be exchanging different types of motions and discoveries.”

Desert to Pacific Freeway Chase: Woman Sentenced for Multiple Crimes

The dailynews.com website reported in an account on March 14, 2009 that Alisha Nichole Mankin, 25 is sentenced to half a year in jail for leading the police on a 90 mile chase that started in Santa Monica and ended in Oxnard. Mankin, who is from the Antelope Valley, took control of a U-Haul truck her boyfriend had rented.

Mankin pled guilty to evading the police, which is a felony crime in California. She also pled guilty to a misdemeanor hit and run. Judge John Dobroth, Ventura County Superior Court, sentenced Mankin, suspended her license for one year, and placed her on probation for 3 years.

According to the California Highway Patrol, Mankin’s chase was televised by several Los Angele networks while she drove the U-Haul on sidewalks, opposing lanes, and even open grassy areas. The chase began when police received a call about suspicious activities. Upon arriving police detained a male suspect on possession of drugs in Los Angeles.

In the middle of the commotion, Mankin ran off only to return to the U-Haul and initialized the chase. Police later found out that Mankin had warrants out for DUI and being under the influence.

The Law Offices of Lawrence Wolf have been helping individuals charged with crimes for over 30 years. Mr. Wolf has both prosecuted and defended thousands of adults and juveniles charged with every type of felony and misdemeanor crime. Lawrence Wolf has been a pioneer in developing all forms of alternative sentencing such as house arrest and diversionary programs. He has established relationships with Judges and District Attorneys throughout Los Angeles, Orange, and Ventura Counties. If you are being charged with any criminal crime, the top criminal defense attorneys in California at Lawrence Wolf can help you. Please call [number type=”1″] for a free consultation.

Coolio Caught With Cocaine At LAX

The latimes.com website reported in an account on March 11, 2009 that rapper and actor Coolio had been arrested at the Los Angeles International Airport for possession of rock cocaine and battery of an airport employee. Coolio’s real name is Artis Leon Ivey, 45, and he was having his baggage searched at LAX when authorities allegedly found cocaine. When the screener was getting close to his hidden cocaine, Coolio panicked and grabbed the screeners arm in an attempt to prevent the search.

Police arrested Coolio for his drug crime in California and transported him to the Los Angeles Police Department’s jail in Van Nuys, but later released him after he made bail. Police will be charging him with one felony count of possession of cocaine, one misdemeanor count of possession of a smoking device, and one misdemeanor count of battery. Coolio’s arraignment is set for April 3 and he faces three years in prison if convicted.

Penalties for schedule 1 narcotic offenses in Los Angeles are severe. Depending on the amount of narcotic seized, a first offense conviction could mean a prison term of up to 20 years plus fines; and, if you have been convicted of 2 previous offenses, you could be facing life in prison. Examples of schedule 1 narcotics are Heroin, Methamphetamine, Cocaine, Ecstasy, PCP, and LSD.

Controlled substance crimes are very serious charges and carry life changing consequences. If you or someone you know has been arrested, or is being investigated for a drug crime, you need advice from an experienced Los Angeles criminal defense lawyer. Protect your rights and your freedom. Please call [number type=”1″] for a free consultation.

Beverly Hills Judge Issues Warrant For Lindsay Lohan

The cbsnews website reported in an article on March 14, 2009 that a judge in Beverly Hills has issued an arrest warrant for Lindsay Lohan, 22. It is unclear though why the warrant was issued. It is possible that it is connected to an incident in 2007 when Lohan was driving under the influence and crashed her Mercedes-Benz into a tree. Mike Foxen, Sgt. said that the warrant carries a bail of $50,000.

Foxen said, ‘We believe it has to do with her arrest for DUI.” He added that there were no other details disclosed to him.

Lohan’s attorney, Shawn Chapman Holley, said that Lohan has fulfilled all terms of her probation and all court instructions.

Holley said, “The warrant issued on Friday was, in our view, born out of a misunderstanding which I am confident I can clear up next week.”

Sandi Gibbons, spokeswoman for the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office stated that they were not formally advised that a warrant would be issued.

Lohan is the star of the movie “Mean Girls” released in 2004. Following her drunk driving crime in 2007 for crashing her car, she was arrested again in July for chasing her former personal assistant in an SUV in Santa Monica. Tied with these two cases, Lohan later pleaded guilty to misdemeanor counts of being under the influence of cocaine.

Huntington Beach Fraud, Forgery, and Elder Abuse of 84 Year Old Woman

The latimes.com website reported in a story on March 11, 2009 that the LAPD announced that Cindi Dee Powell, 54 had used an 84 year old woman’s name, robbing her of $200,000, and in doing so the woman now faces possible foreclosure. Police have arrested Powell and have charged her with grand theft, financial elder abuse, identity theft, vehicle theft, fraud, and forgery.

Police reports state that Powell moved in with Constance Wakefield after Wakefield found her classified advertisement. Wakefield requires a wheelchair to move around the house and someone to drive her to appointments. Wakefield had no idea that Powell was already on probation for elder abuse.

Starting sometime in 2006, using Wakefield’s name, Powell took out fraudulent loans and opened bank accounts. Now Wakefield is having trouble making her mortgage payments and could face foreclosure. Wakefield’s only option may be to move in with her daughter who now lives in South Africa.

White collar crimes in California are usually crimes of theft and deception committed by salaried professional people as opposed to other crimes that use force. White collar crimes can be prosecuted at the state level or federal level, or both. Penalties for being convicted of white collar crime typically consist of fines, restitution and, in some cases, prison.

Los Angeles Violent Crime Has Man Facing Death Penalty

The cbs2.com website reported in an article that a judge will be deciding the fate of Ruben Becerrada, 45 on whether to send him to death row or life in prison without the possibility of parole for the murder of his girlfriend. According to court reports Superior Court Judge William R. Pounders will first decide whether Becerrada should receive a new trial as his defense attorney motioned.

Becerrada was tried last September for manslaughter of his girlfriend Maria Arevalo, 22 back in the year 2000. She had accused him of raping her in the year 1999 and was also found guilty by the jury for this crime. After she went to the authorities Becerrada threatened her and told her not to go to the authorities. Arevalo’s body was found in the trunk of her car. Becerrada was also found guilty of special circumstances relating to him killing a witness to a crime and murder during a kidnapping.

Beth Silverman, Deputy District Attorney, said Becerrada had knifed and choked his ex-girlfriend to “get rid of her because she was the sole witness against him and here is nothing, nothing that is more abhorrent … than the murder of a witness … it goes to the heart of our system of justice.”

Los Angeles Shooting Suspects Arrested In Connection with Attack of USC Track Star

The dailytrojan.com reported in an account on February 11, 2009 that two suspects have been arrested in connection with the October shooting of USC star track runner Bryshon Nellum. The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office named Travon Reed of Los Angeles, and Horasio Kimbrough of Inglewood, each 21 years of age, as the shooters in thisLos Angeles assault with a deadly weapon. John Flores, LAPD detective, said the suspects are believed to be in the Fruit Town Brims gang that is a wing of the Bloods.

As Nellum left Leonardo’s Night Club, he was shot several times in his hamstring and thigh in this Los Angeles violent crime.

Both suspects have been additionally charged with gun and gang enhancements that would increase their jail terms so they may possibly face 50 years to life.

Los Angeles Juvenile Robberies Arrest Two For Thefts

A recent article reported on February 10, 2009 that two juveniles were arrested in connection with an outbreak of robberies in the last month. Echo Park and Silver Lake were the locations of these street robberies. According to police reports, the suspects would approach males walking by themselves between the hours of midnight and 3 am. Police reports show that a search warrant was done on one of the suspect’s house and many stolen items were recovered including iPods, mobile phones, and guns and knives used in the Los Angeles robberies.

Due to the suspects being juveniles, their identity will not be disclosed by the authorities. This Los Angeles theft crime remains open and the police urge anyone with information to contact the detectives of Northeast Area Gang at 213-847-4263.

There are a variety of different theft crimes, which in California, carry with them serious legal repercussions. Listed are just a few theft crimes in Los Angeles that may result in harsh punishments, if convicted: identity theft, petty theft, grand theft, and burglary.

There are a variety of Federal and California State laws which have been enacted to severely punish people convicted of theft and juvenile crimes in Los Angeles. Crimes involving the theft of another person’s belongings are taken very seriously in Los Angeles and California, with the legal repercussions being very harsh. The knowledgeable and skilled Los Angeles juvenile crime defense lawyers at the Law Offices of Lawrence Wolf can help you in your time of need. Please call [number type=”1″] for a free consultation.

Orange County Mobile Home Homicide Involving Sales Workers

The latimes.com website reported in a story on February 11, 2009 that police announced that the two workers from Stanton mobile home sales were indeed shot to death at work last week. Matthew Frances Scott, 42 a salesman for the company from Costa Mesa, and Elizabeth Palmer, 49 secretary for the company from Fountain Valley were shot in the upper torso behind a desk at work in this violent crime in California.

Jim Amormino, Orange County Sheriff’s Department spokesperson said, “We believe this is not a random act.”

Palmer’s husband, Richard Palmer, who spoke and texted with his wife just before the murder said, “It must have been just before. It was just a normal, boring day at work.”