The city of Oakland laid off 80 police officers last week in an effort to help with the $30.5 million budget deficit. The result—more crimes will go unreported and unsolved. As the city encourages people to file their own reports and tells them police won’t be responding to many non violent calls, faith in the city to protect them from crime is at a new low.

One officer is reported in the San Francisco Gate as saying “With current levels of staffing, we are unable to respond to many lower priority calls.” The city states officers will no longer be sent out to most nonviolent crimes. Now, citizens will need to file their own reports, either online or in person.

Of course the city is cautious and states it wants to know about all of the crimes, regardless of whether or not they send someone out. My guess, however, is very few people will be filing their own reports, leading to fewer crimes being reported, a skewed view of the crime rate, and certainly no positive effect on the public’s trust of the police.

The move isn’t completely new, however. For the past few years you could go online and report non violent property offenses. However, until now you could also have an officer come out.

Some citizens interviewed for the Gate article expressed their own dissatisfaction with police response even prior to the change. “I kept calling and calling and no one would get back to me” one is reported as saying. Although the city states it will pursue viable leads if the suspect is known, this particular citizen supplied police with a name yet nothing was done.

Perhaps the most shocking criminal activity the city now wants reported online is restraining order violations. This is an interesting addition considering the likelihood of these cases to end disastrously.

When the city simply can’t afford to really protect its citizens, it’s a bad day. In a country where distrust of the police is at a high, feeling confident in a system that’s reduced to paperwork rather than protection is near impossible. Despite this, the system will go one, prosecuting those property crimes that are easily solved and letting many others fall by the wayside.

If you are facing criminal charges, whether it be for theft or for a violent crime—I may be able to help. Despite the seemingly lackadaisical attitude towards property crimes in Oakland, they are still prosecuted heavily in court.

Contact our attorneys today to discuss the details of your criminal case.

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An evidence building of the Hemet, CA police department burned this week in a case of suspected arson. According to the LA Times, the fire was reported in the early morning hours in a building across the street from the main police station. This marks the seventh attack on Hemet police this year.

No arrests have been made in the suspected arson and no details have been disclosed on how the fire may have been started. The building in question holds evidence for many criminal cases. It sustained “significant damage” to the roof and other areas.

The string of odd attacks on Hemet police began in January when a natural gas line was found directed into the offices of the Valley Gang Task Force. Although the gas wasn’t ignited, it could have been disastrous if not caught.

February say an officer shot with a booby trapped “zip gun” when he opened a gate. In March, the vehicle of a gang officer’s vehicle was tampered with and a “suspicious device” attached. Also in March four city code-enforcement trucks were set on fire in a Hemet city lot.

There’s evidence the attacks on police may be related to a white supremacy gang in the area. A reward has been offered for information leading to arrests in the incidences.

Though arson is a property destruction charge somewhat similar to a graffiti charge, the offense and consequences are much more serious. Even if the fire takes place in an uninhabited building, you could serve up to 6 years in prison. If someone is in the building, that potential sentence could be even more.

The potential for a fire to take lives and spread to other buildings is great. This is likely part of the reason that arson penalties are so harsh. When you consider this particular arson to have been committed against the police, the suspect will be facing a harsh wakeup call if and when they are caught.

Not all property crimes are simple misdemeanors. Depending on the circumstances of the offense and the amount of damage incurred, you could face very serious penalties for these sort of criminal violations.

Whether you are facing something like vandalism charges or something as serious as arson, call us today. Our attorneys can give you a free consultation on your case and assist you in coming up with a plan of action.

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In an extreme, though not unusual enough case, a Redlands man is predicted to be facing serious charges in a police chase that ended with the death of a CHP trooper. The twenty year old is reportedly being held in San Bernardino County on suspicion of homicide and a slew of additional charges.

According to the San Bernardino Sun the man may also face charges of evading a police officer, DUI, and vehicle theft. They state he was driving a stolen car, fleeing from police, when the trooper’s vehicle slammed into a tractor trailer, killing the officer on impact.

What began as a foolish decision to drive drunk, ended in tragedy. Unfortunately, this is often how it goes with serious charges like this: one criminal violation leads to another and another before something tragic happens to stop the chain of events.

There’s no doubt in my mind that the defendant likely feels remorse. He probably wishes he would have never driven drunk, never got behind the wheel of a stolen car, and certainly never tried to get away from the police. Now, however, he faces a string of serious criminal charges and a potential lengthy, possibly even life, sentence.

When police chases occur it is usually the result of panic. Whether you are driving without a license or insurance, or if you are intoxicated—when you see those lights in the rear view, your initial reaction is to panic. That split second before you begin to slow down, a decision is made. This particular suspect made the decision to try and get away.

Whether you are drunk or simply driving recklessly, when the police try to pull you over, the best decision to make (for everyone involved) is to pull over. If you don’t, they will catch you and you will face additional charges.

Not all driving offenses are a simple ticket. Reckless driving, DUI, and extremely aggressive driving, are all serious criminal offenses that require the assistance of a local defense lawyer. Perhaps you have an explanation but feel like no one has taken the time to listen—I will.

As your defense lawyer, it’s my job to listen to what you have to say; explain your options to you; and represent you in court. Contact us today to discuss your case and see how I can help.

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It’s not unusual at all to see drug deals happen in plain sight in the Los Angeles neighborhood known as Skid Row. This area, according to Wikipedia, contains the largest concentrated population of homeless in the country. Crime here is commonplace and has been for sometime.

A new effort by law enforcement, however, seeks to eliminate some of the bigger named dealers in the area, however. Due to overcrowding and other factors, these dealers serve notoriously short sentences for their run ins. The LAPD seeks to change that.

According to NPR, law enforcement is seeking an injunction that would allow them to arrest certain dealers on site for being present in the Skid Row area. There are 80 well known dealers that will be placed on this black list, prohibited from even entering the neighborhood.

If caught in violation of this injunction, the dealers will be sentenced to 6 month behind bars if the cops get their way. Although this does seem harsh, when you consider these 80 dealers and the far reaching impact they have on the homeless and addicted population, the police think it’s more than reasonable.

The problem, they state, is that the system doesn’t require these drug dealers to serve any significant amount of time in jail. The NPR report states that they have actually stopped running from the police, knowing their penalty won’t be that bad.

If the dealers were prosecuted within every extent of the law, they might do more time. A charge of selling drugs is typically a felony and carries about 3 to 5 years. However, plea bargaining and other factors mean even well known dealers rarely face this kind of sentence.

Being accused of selling or even being in possession of drugs can be a very humbling experience. No matter what neighborhood you are in, being arrested is no walk in the park. With prison sentences and exorbitant fines possible, you would be right to be concerned when facing charges like this.

If you are facing drug charges and need legal assistance, contact us today. We can give you some free legal advice and additional information on your options.

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People classified as a “sexually violent predator” know they are  being watched constantly. These people have been released from prison and are sent back into society to live, though monitored strictly and forced to adhere to very stringent requirements. One man is back in custody after violating his release terms.

According to the Desert Sun, the sex offender was traveling via bus to his court ordered treatment when he contacted a female undercover officer, spoke with her, and invited her to come home with him. While this in itself isn’t a criminal act, his release terms specifically stated that he is not to contact or date women.

He has since been returned to a mental hospital where his presence in the community will be evaluated.

People deemed sexually violent predators are considered to be the most likely to reoffend; they are considered a danger to the public. This particular man served time for 4 felony sex crimes and was then kept in a mental hospital for a period before being released.

Upon his release, and similar to others who have this designation; the man was given a residence in a very rural community and supplied with an allowance for food and utilities. He wears an ankle monitoring device and his movements are closely watched.

Being labeled as a sexually violent predator is actually quite unusual. Most sex offenses are committed by people who would not qualify for this designation. There has to be a pattern and resistance to treatment that necessitates this level of supervision.

However, all sex offenders are subject to some regulation. From where you are allowed to live and even who and where you are allowed to associate, being labeled a sex offender can be a burden you have to carry throughout your life.

Whether you are facing charges of rape or lewd acts, you stand to carry this stigma for years to come. In addition to a lengthy prison term, you will be placed on the sex offender registry and required to adhere to all the rules associated with it.

If you are facing charges like this and need someone to look out for your interests, contact us today.

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Under California law, the government is allowed to institutionalize those people it feels are too dangerous to be within society. This system, as it applies to sex offenders, is in need of an investigation, says lawmakers, and they just approved $250,000 to make that study happen.

When someone who is considered a sexually violent prisoner is scheduled to be paroled, the prison system can make a referral to the Department of Mental Health. The offender then goes through a review process by which the state decides if they are too dangerous to be back on the streets.

Although it’s rare, the state mental health system can choose to lock the offender up in an institution long after their criminal sentence has been served.

When a few horrible cases of parolees committing new crimes hit the media, the public takes note that the mental health system may not be working properly. According to the San Diego Union Tribune, the number of civil commitments has not moved despite an overall climb in the number of referrals from the Department of Corrections.

Legislators approved $250,000 to study the system that allows for civil commitments and to see if that system is working as intended. Critics state that many flaws within the referral system are in bad need of reform.

More so than any other classification of crime, aside from murder, sex offenses carry the largest stigma. Particularly when children are involved, the legal system and society in general tend to look upon those accused of these crimes with extreme disgust.

When a defendant is accused of a crime like rape or lewd and lascivious acts, finding support within their family, let alone among friends or the community, can be difficult if not impossible. For this reason, when facing charges like this, your defense attorney often seems like your only ally.

If you are facing sex charges and unsure of what to do next–call me for a free consultation. We can discuss the options available to you and potential defense strategies.

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When you are a defendant in a criminal case, the prosecution can call witnesses to testify against you. Among these witnesses are any police officers that may have played a role in your arrest or the investigation against you. But what happens when your lawyer isn’t informed about the officer’s criminal past?

That’s a question officials in San Francisco are dealing with right now. Adding to their crime lab woes comes a story that just broke this week, revealing that the prosecutor wasn’t telling defense lawyers of the criminal and misconduct charges against testifying officers.

While Los Angeles has a law on the books telling prosecutors just how to go about informing defense lawyers of such issues, San Francisco does not. They are, however, required to say something. In fact, the prosecutor is required by law to tell your attorney of arrests or convictions of any witnesses against you.

So, when it was found out that San Francisco’s prosecutors were neglecting to disclose this type of information, news traveled fast.

All told, the San Francisco police department employs 80 officers who have criminal records or misconduct records according to The Gate. This number in itself isn’t unusual. However, allowing these officers to testify without giving the defense this bit of knowledge is.

Whether you are facing charges of drug possession, theft, or assault, your attorney has the right to cross-examine witnesses that the state calls against you. If it is believed these witnesses aren’t of good character, this too should be addressed. Because should the jury believe an officer who has a history of drug problems or brutality, for instance?

You deserve fair treatment under the California legal system and your attorney is there to help ensure you get it. Regardless of the charges against you and even if you are charged with a sex offense, you have rights that are protected under the Constitution.

Contact us for a consultation and criminal defense legal case evaluation.

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A husband and wife who ran a yacht broker business plead guilty and have been sentenced to jail for embezzling over $200,000 from their clients.

According to the Contra Costa Times, the couple faces 8 months in jail for bouncing checks, and improperly managing funds belonging to clients who engaged their services to sell their boats.

They will be eligible for release from jail after serving half of the 8 month jail term, and may be allowed to continued under a house arrest or work release program.

Though it is hard for most people to be sympathetic to someone in the wealthy world of yacht finance and sale, it is said that they were previously hard working and respected members of the marine community in Northern California.

In any case, they seem to have received a fair sentence. Under California embezzlement laws, they could have faced up to 16 months in prison, for what is consider grand theft, stealing something valued at over $400.

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The tech world reeled last week when Gizmodo, a technology site, posted photos of the newest, unreleased iPhone, unheard of until that point. Reports suggest the iPhone wasn’t going to be released until later this year and questions are circulating if Gizmodo or the person who found the phone will face criminal charges.

The story goes that a 21 year old Redwood City man found the prototype in a local bar. His attorney claims he tried to return it to the company unsuccessfully. When that didn’t work, he allegedly sold it to Gizmodo for $5,000.

The phone in question has since been returned to Apple following a raid on the Gizmodo editor’s house by the special police force dubbed REACT. Interestingly, according to AOL News, Apple is on the steering committee of REACT. They are alleged to have left the home with four personal computers.

With all the hoopla surrounding the phone, this report from PC Mag plainly asks “Is it a theft?”

Theft statutes include much more than walking out of a store with something that doesn’t belong to you. Theft of loss or mislaid property is written in to the laws of most states and is there for situations just like this.

The law states that if an object whose value is estimated to be more than $100 is found, the finder must do everything reasonably possible to return it. If the item cannot be returned or the rightful owner cannot be determined, the finder is required to turn the found item over to law enforcement. So there may be at least plausible case for a theft charge here.

Purchasing an item that a reasonable person should know to have been stolen is also a crime. For this reason, both the 21 year older finder of the iPhone prototype and the editor at Gizmodo may be facing criminal charges. This doesn’t even touch the potential that intellectual property violations may have occurred if data was taken from the iPhone.

More than likely, if you are facing theft charges, they won’t get the publicity that this case has received. However, the potential for your charges to dramatically impact your life are great.

If you are facing charges of theft in California, contact us for a criminal defense legal consultation.

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It seems like every month we read online about new changes taking place in regards to sex offense laws or sex offender requirements. These crimes are considered by many to be the worst of the worst, and the people accused of committing them are often thought to be unfixable.

Particularly when sex crimes are committed against children, disgust runs high. These offenses carry the darkest stigma of all.

According to the LA Times, Assemblyman Nathan Fletcher (San Diego) has proposed further changes to state laws regarding sexual offenses against children. He suggests life sentences without the possibility of parole are appropriate for forcible sex crimes against people under the age of 18 when there are aggravating circumstances. Such circumstances would include kidnapping or torture.

When the circumstances are considered “minor” he wants the sentence minimum to be increased to 25 years from 15 years in prison. And those convicted of any sex offense against a child under 14 would face lifetime electronic monitoring.

Despite people’s desire to keep the children of California safe, the proposed law changes are said to have a tough road ahead. Precisely because cracking down on crime when prison overcrowding is high and funding is low gains little support.

Laws like those that govern sex offenses must walk a very fine line. While the offenses are largely seen as despicable, the penalties can’t cross the line of being “cruel and unusual” for the offense at hand. An emotional response to that statement would be “nothing is too cruel or unusual for sex offenders”, but the law is not based in emotional responses.

When you are facing charges of a sex offense, you need a tough legal advocate now more than ever. Charges like these can cause you to lose the support of people you considered your friends and even your family. Call today to discuss the case against you.

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Related: More details on sex offenses in other states.

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