Drug Possession

Published on: January 5, 2009

Violent crime down in Los Angeles and Southern California in 2008

In a shift from a decade ago, violent crime in Los Angeles has declined for 6 straight years. Police in this Southern California city are thankful in the decrease. Others worry that the decline will reversed due to the failing economy.

Los Angeles homicides decreased about 5% from the previous year. While that number is not that impressive, the total total drop of 27% in 5 years. Law enforcement claim that the decrease is due to the severe push in gang eradication.

Violent crime has also dropped for other Southern California cities. San Diego saw a slight down turn, while San Bernardino had a 7% decrease, and Orange County also saw a drop in violent crimes

Published on: December 25, 2008

Christmas and Holiday Wishes From Los Angeles and Southern California

by Michael Kraut

I want to wish everyone in the Los Angeles and Southern California area who reads or is redirected to this Los Angeles and Southern California Criminal Defense Blog a Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah. This blog is now six months old and I am pleased that it seems to have helped so many people. I have received many comments from people around the area that they have been helped by the information here.

In an attempt to wrap it up for the year I want to make sure that people are safe for this holiday season. I also want those people people who get into a Los Angeles DUI that if they should be stopped by the police in at a Southern California DUI checkpoint, or by Los Angeles law enforcement, that a Los Angeles DUI defense attorney is available 24/7 to assist if you or a loved one.

Because Southern California DUIs are taken so seriously, you need to know your rights and responsibilities. Remember you do not need to take the Los Angeles Law Enforcement PAS test in the field. If you are stopped by the police make sure to be polite. If they ask you to take the Los Angeles field sobriety tests you must comply. But if they ask or demand that you take a PAS test you are allowed to refuse. It is the recommendation of this Los Angeles DUI defense attorney to refuse this test. It can only be used against you. If you blow a significant BAC then you will be arrested. If you are taken to the police station you will be offered a choice of the breath or blood test. The choice is yours. But try to delay the test as long as possible. The law requires that the blood test must be taken with a specific time. If it is not done within the allotted time then the results will be thrown out in court.

Published on: December 20, 2008

Celebrity Crime and Show Business Meltdowns in Los Angeles Almost Done for 2008

by Michael Kraut

2008 is almost over and the star studded, celebrity crimes including Los Angeles DUIs, Southern California drug possessions, and other movie star crimes is in its final countdown for the year end.

In Los Angeles, celebrities not only entertain us in the movies, on TV and in theaters, but also on the nightly news. Just as there is a countdown to the top music hits and movies for the year, so do we countdown the top celebrity crimes and sex scandals.

A brief summary of those crimes are as follows:

Britney Spears, Paris Hilton and Lindsay Lohan have been the top eye catchers this year. Jail time, rehab time, and parenting counseling have led all stars to the front line of the blogging circuit. All have found themselves in the Los Angeles DUI headines being represented by top notch Los Angeles and Southern California DUI criminal defense attorneys.

Amy Winehouse may have won 5 Grammys this year, but she will always be remembered for her drug induced behavior including smoking crack cocaine and becoming thinner then anyone could possibly believe. Once again she attempted to find her way to rehab only to try, try again.

Actor David Duchovny made the news this year for his sex scandal followed by a confession that he was entering rehab to avoid falling into a hole of sex addiction. While Los Angeles sex crimes are waning in the last year, celebrity sex scandals are hitting an all time high. The role that Duchovny plays in his Emmy nominated role as sex-obsessed writer Hank Moody in Showtime’s Californication, is eerily similar to his real life confessions. Oddly enough, he will be back again this year playing the same role on screen he is trying to vex from his system in his personal life.

Madonna did not escape the year of controversy when she was rumored to have a sex affair with the Yankee star Alex Rodriquez. This might not have seemed to be such a wild story but it was soon followed up by behind the scene statements that she and her husband of many years, Guy Richie, were breaking up.

Published on: November 25, 2008

Huge Shipment Of Marijuana Seized Off The Coast Of Southern California

by Michael Kraut

The United States Coast Guard based out of Newport Beach, California made a gigantic seizure of marijuana off the coast of Southern California this past week. Government sources claim that the pot is worth over $32 million. That could be a lot of medical marijuana. However, the Government asserts that the 9,987-pound seizure off the coast of San Diego was for illegal purposes and was not destined to stock the shelves of medical marijuana dispensaries in California.

This is considered the be the largest marijuana seizure in the history of the Coast Guard in Southern California. Because the marijuana was seized in Mexican waters, the United States does not have jurisdiction to file criminal charges. If our Government in fact does file the criminal charges, then there are numerous defenses in a case of this type and the pilot of the boat should be looking to hire a Los Angeles and Southern California Marijuana defense attorney.

Apparently, the Coast Guard was on routine patrol when they spotted a boat about 100 miles off the coast acting in a suspicious manner. The trained eyes of the Government noticed that the ship was traveling very slow, until the sun began to go down and then the vessel sped up. This caused the Coast Guard to think that something was a miss. The fact that the boat did not use lights made them think the boat was a drug runner. The Coast Guard then tried to stop the vessel based upon their suspicion. Often times, the Government incorrectly stop individuals with out reasonable suspicion. Without the assistance of a top notch Southern California Marijuana defense attorney, individuals who would normally go free, are wrongfully convicted. That is why it is so important for anyone arrested or under investigation for a marijuana crime to immediately hire a Los Angeles pre-filing criminal defense attorney to protect their rights.

Then the chase was on. For over 3 miles the Coast Guard attempted to stop the vessel like a scene from Miami Vice, the captain began to through bails of pot over board.

The Coast Guard was prevented from pursuing the vessel in Mexican waters so they passed the information on to their counter parts int he Mexican Navy. While the Mexican Navy did their thing, the Coast Guard went back and picked up 136 bails of pot.

Published on: November 9, 2008

Lindsay Lohan Sued For DUI And Drug Possession Joy Ride in Los Angeles

by Michael Kraut

A civil suit has been filed in Los Angeles by the passengers of the SUV that Lindsay Lohan drove the night she was arrested for DUI and drug possession back on July 24, 2007. The story began when Lohan’s assistant and the famous star had an argument. The assistant fled and Lohan jumped into an SUV that had other passengers in the vehicle. As Lohan sped through the streets of Los Angeles giving chase in the SUV, she blew street signs and stop lights. The suit alleges that the passengers were “crying for their lives” and are now suing the star for the fear that they felt.

Lohan, who pled guilty after her arrest, has completed a rehabilitation program in Utah. Additionally, she seems to have gotten her life back together, began dating her current girl friend, DJ Samantha Ronson, and is currently working on her new album. The Southern California DUI defense attorney did an excellent job of helping his client get back on her feet.

Critics of those who filed suit ask why the men did not just get out of the SUV during the times when the stopped. The men are seeking $50,000 in damages.

Published on: November 8, 2008

Long Beach Police Investigating 5 Murders in this Southern California City

by Michael Kraut

A homeless encampment in the City of Long Beach was rocked this past weekend when 5 bodies were found murdered. The victims all were homeless people who lived or frequented underneath a busy freeway were shot to death.

One of the major problems is that the first heavy rain of the season may have washed away important evidence from the killings of the three men and two women. The area is not one of the best neighborhoods in the city. Often the area is used for narcotics sales.

Once arrested the suspect(s) will face murder charges and most likely the special circumstances of multiple murder, making the punishment potentially the death penalty. The person or persons who might have committed this crime should hire a Los Angeles Violent Crimes defense attorney. Early retention of an attorney is a must when facing these types of charges. There may viable defenses and witnesses. The longer the delay in hiring an attorney, the greater the chance the evidence will be lost or vanish.

Published on: October 16, 2008

Ryan O’Neal and Son Charged with Felony Drug Possession in Los Angeles

by Michael Kraut

Oscar nominee Ryan O’Neal and his son were arrested in Los Angeles for felony drug possession today. The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office charged both with the crimes after the Sheriff’s Department conducted a probation search of the 67 year old actor’s house in Malibu.

The actual search occurred back on September 17, 2008, but formal charges were delayed until recently. The police were at the home conducting a probation search of O’Neal’s son, Redman, who also lived at the malibu residence. At the time of the search the Sheriffs found methamphetamine on Redman and in his father’s bedroom. That lead to both being charged with felony possession. It is anticipated that he will hire a Los Angeles criminal defense attorney who practices in Southern California.

Redman was previously convicted in June of this year for felony drug possession and a misdemeanor of driving under the influence. At the time his car was pulled over, law enforcement found
Last year Redman, whose mother is actress Farrah Fawcett, was arrested for driving under the influence of a controlled substance. When he was search police found that he was in possession of heroin and crystal meth. He plead guilty and was not given any jail time but was placed on probation with serious terms and conditions.