Los Angeles Warrants

Published on: June 5, 2015

Unusual DUI Arrests: Early Summer Edition

As the weather gets warmer, the circumstances surrounding arrests for DUI in Los Angeles and other cities seem to get a little stranger. Here’s a look at two such arrests during the past few weeks.

Cops are accustomed to finding open beer and alcohol bottles when they pull over a driver because they suspect he/she is driving under the influence. But it’s not often that they can trace a driver’s erratic performance to almost-empty cans of whipped cream in a vehicle.

Police officers in Franklin, Tennessee, arrested 28-year-old Anna Thomas after she crashed her car into mailbox. That was after she had driven the same car into a ditch. The cops said Thomas was apparently high on aerosol gases from 13 whipped cream cans.

Thomas isn’t a stranger to officers—she has had 10 arrests, several for DUI and others for driving on a suspended license and violating probation.

Meanwhile, in Hurricane, Utah, a man tried to kick out the windows of a patrol car as an officer was transporting him to jail for a DUI. Prior to his arrest, Robert Paul Lemkuhl had let his car roll backwards and strike another vehicle; he then took off, driving erratically, and didn’t stop until cops pulled him over. They allegedly found an open container of alcohol in his vehicle.

During Lemkuhl’s trip to jail in a police car, he attempted to break out the vehicle’s windows. Concerned that Lemkuhl would try something else, the officer turned on the flashing lights on his patrol vehicle and the suspect got a fast ride to jail.

In addition to charges for DUI, Lemkuhl could face other charges stemming from the initial collision and from his behavior in the cop car.

Do you need help defending against a serious charge? Call a qualified Los Angeles DUI defense attorney with the Kraut Criminal & DUI Lawyers immediately.

Published on: May 13, 2015

Cops Get Volunteers Drunk for Field Sobriety Tests

by Michael Kraut

Ever wonder how much training a police officer gets before administering a field sobriety test to a driver suspected of DUI in Los Angeles? Are they really qualified to make a judgement about whether or not someone is really impaired? How much experience do they have in determining who is under the influence and who is not?

In Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, the District Attorney’s office sponsored a special DUI detection class for area officers. According to The Sentinel newspaper, the DA asked for civilian volunteers willing to get a little drunk to make sure that the cops got some real, hands-on experience. (The class organizers monitored the test subjects closely to make sure the volunteers’ alcohol consumption didn’t get out of control.)

After spending some time in regular classroom work, the cops in the training session had the opportunity to take a close look at the drinking volunteers’ eyes, to watch them walk and turn and stand on one leg. Officers who took the class said that they realized that they had been missing some of the cues that intoxicated drivers provide about their condition when they take a field sobriety test. In some cases, they let people drive off who probably should not have been driving.

The volunteers who agreed to drink on cue discovered something as well. They found that after a few drinks, their level of impairment was greater than they realized. Some said that the amount that they normally drink would actually make them too impaired to drive.

How should you respond to your recent and disarming charges? Call a qualified Los Angeles DUI defense lawyer (and ex-prosecutor) with nearly two decades of relevant legal experience.

Published on: April 29, 2015

Are DUI Drivers a Threat to the Power Grid?

by Michael Kraut

Most drivers arrested for a Los Angeles DUI prefer keeping the legal proceedings quiet to avoid possible employment and social repercussions. But when an alleged DUI driver hits a utility pole, knocking out power to hundreds or thousands of people, it can be harder to keep the arrest under wrap.

At least some of Avista Utilities’ customers in North Spokane, Washington, have probably heard the name Hailey Barker in conjunction with DUI. The 20-year-old driver hit a telephone pole around 7:45 p.m. on Sunday, April 19th. More than 300 customers lost their power, some for a few hours and some for almost 10 hours. Fans of country music, who missed out on the 50th anniversary broadcast of the Country Music Awards, were probably not displeased to learn that police arrested Barker on suspicion of DUI and impounded her car.

Across the country, in Burlington, Vermont, John D. Callahan went up against not one utility pole but two on earlier that same day. Police found the 24-year-old man in his car, surrounded by downed wires, at a pole on Hinesburg Road around 3 a.m. Callahan’s roadside breath test registered 0.176 blood alcohol content, but the driver refused to take an evidentiary blood test during processing on a DUI charge. Green Mountain Power responded to the accident scene to restore power.

Finally, in Omaha, Nebraska, 29-year-old Darrell McElderry led police on a high-speed chase before hitting a street light and sending electrical wires onto 13th Street. Police arrested him early Sunday morning for a third-offense DUI, driving on a suspended/revoked license and driving the wrong way on a public road.

Do you need assistance constructing an appropriate response to a DUI charge? Look to the Kraut Criminal & DUI Lawyers for insight and peace of mind. Mr. Kraut is an experienced Los Angeles DUI attorney with many relevant connections in the local legal community.

Published on: April 27, 2015

Boxer’s DUI Arrest Filmed on Police Dash Cam

by Michael Kraut

It wasn’t long ago that a celebrity arrested for a DUI in Los Angeles might loudly proclaim his or her innocence. Fans might read about the officer’s report and/or the results of a blood alcohol test, but they were likely to give the celebrity the benefit of the doubt, because they hadn’t seen for themselves what had happened during the arrest.

Now fast forward to the age of police dash cams and people recording video on their mobile devices. It’s become a lot harder for celebrities to assert that they weren’t driving under the influence when a recording of the incident becomes the latest online video hit.

Just ask American professional boxer Adrien Broner. On January 11th, police in Sharonville, Ohio, arrested him on an a charge of OVI (operating a vehicle under the influence). Broner was driving a 2014 white Mercedes Benz when an officer noticed him driving down the middle of two lanes and traveling 50 miles per hour in a 25 miles per hour zone. She pulled him over, and her dash cam recorded the events.

According to TMZ Sports, which obtained a copy of the video, Broner can be heard slurring his words during their initial conversation. He at first refused to get out of his car, and couldn’t pass the field sobriety test. But Broner is mostly polite during the proceedings, at one point telling the cop, “I love you.” He also informs the officer that he’s blessed because he’s made more than $100 million dollars during his career.

That’s good, because Broner may have to pay a driver for a while. He refused to take a breathalyzer test, which could mean he loses his license for a year. The boxer has pleaded not guilty to the OVI charge and asked for a jury trial.

Locating a seasoned and qualified Los Angeles DUI defense lawyer is a critical part of the process of reclaiming your life, your time and your peace of mind. Call ex-prosecutor Michael Kraut for a free consultation right now.

Published on: March 18, 2015

Arrests for Drunk Driving at Border Less Likely Than Los Angeles DUI

by Michael Kraut

Are people in the U.S. without proper documentation getting a pass when it comes to getting picked up on DUI charges? Judicial Watch, a political watchdog group, claims that directives from the U.S. government encourage officials to look the other way when it comes to arresting illegals suspected of DUI along the U.S. and Mexican border. (Too bad such protections aren’t offered to southern Californians, who usually need to hire a Los Angeles DUI attorney if they’re suspected of driving under the influence.)

An article in the online Examiner quoted sections of memos to Border Patrol agents from the Department of Homeland Security. One sentence reads, “There is no legal requirement for a Border Patrol agent to intervene in a state crime, including DUI.” Another reads, “There is no duty to detain the alcohol-impaired individual, but if you do this option can raise potential liability for the agent or the agency.”

Border patrol agents could be forgiven for thinking they were getting mixed messages; in the same memo, DHS said that agents should cooperate with local and state officials if those agencies notify them they need help with a violation of state law. Apparently, however, federal agents are not supposed to act on their own in such circumstances, even if they observe someone breaking the law.

This position seems particularly unfair when you consider the penalties that California drivers convicted of DUI can face. A first-time offender may be looking at fines and penalties of up to $1,000, four days to six months in jail and up to 10 months license suspension. Second-time offenders may have to serve up to a year in jail, pay up to $1,800 in fines and lose their license for two years.

What should you do if you or someone you love faces a serious DUI count? Will you go to jail? Will you lose your license? Call Los Angeles DUI defense lawyer Michael Kraut immediately to understand your options and craft a strategic response.

Published on: March 4, 2015

East Coast DUI Cases Leave 2 Facing Charges in Pennsylvania and Virginia

by Michael Kraut

The Los Angeles DUI community urges all those stopped by officers to cooperate and avoid doing dumb things that can make your case worse and add to your charges. Two DUI cases reported out of Scranton, PA and Charlottesville, VA highlight the dangers of driving under the influence. DUI cases involving college and professional sports players appear in the media almost every week. Unfortunately, the athletes’ high profiles mean everyone notices when they make mistakes.

In Scranton, Sean Singletary now faces charges for DUI after an arrest on March 1. Singletary has played basketball at UVA’s notable program as well as at the professional level. Officers pulled him over after noticing erratic driving patterns, and they arrested him after he refused to take a breathalyzer test. Any convictions could obviously affect Singletary’s future in basketball.

In Charlottesville, David Turano recently pled guilty to a 2014 DUI accident that killed a 12-year-old boy. Turano plead guilty to charges of motor vehicle homicide, aggravated assault, and DUI. Turano crashed into Leonard Zupon’s car during Labor Day Weekend 2014. Zupon’s son, Lenny Jr., died from the injuries. Turano fled the scene, but police ultimately found and arrested him. Zupon is still recovering from accident related injuries. Turano faces 5-12 years in prison for his actions.

Alcohol or drugs in the driver’s system can fuel reckless driving. The legal repercussions of a DUI incident or accident can be profound in and of themselves. But punishments can get much worse when drivers flee from the scene. The case in Charlottesville illustrates the importance of remaining at the scene of an accident, even if you fear the consequences.

These two DUI cases rhyme in many ways. Both feature instances of erratic or reckless driving fueled (allegedly in Singletary’s case) by alcohol. However, in one case, the driver hit a vehicle, causing the death of a child. If you face charges for an unintentional death, get in touch with a qualified Los Angles DUI defense attorney to protect your rights and legal options.

Do you need assistance constructing an appropriate response to a DUI charge? Look to the Kraut Criminal & DUI Lawyers’ Michael Kraut for insight and peace of mind. Mr. Kraut is an experienced Los Angeles DUI attorney with many relevant connections in the local legal community.

Published on: February 25, 2015

Bailout Scam Targets Families of “DUI Offenders”

by Michael Kraut

Attention family members of someone who’s been recently arrested for a Los Angeles DUI: avoid falling victim to the following horrendous type of scam.

A woman in Mechanicsburg, PA nearly lost $10,000 in a bailout scam that took place on February 18th. The alleged scammer called Ryan Gosnell’s aunt and told her that her nephew had been arrested for a DUI after taking cough syrup for a cold. A second caller, using the name of a real public defender, claimed he needed $10,000 to bail her nephew out of jail.

Gosnell’s aunt made multiple calls to her nephew, and she became alarmed when he did not answer. Gosnell was unable to reply because he was in a work meeting. After several tries, his aunt called Gosnell’s parents and alerted them. Luckily, his parents searched the name of the public defender and called the office. They quickly found out the bail request was a scam, and they did not wire the money.

How Bail Scammers Work

Bail scams prey on the vulnerability and clouded judgment of families who’ve been stunned by news that loved one has been arrested. The majority of the general population doesn’t know how the bail process works. A public defender would never ask a family member or friend to wire money over the phone. The bail bond process is heavily regulated, and bondsmen are not allowed to solicit their own services. Bail bondsmen do not make the first line of contact, and defendants are typically not in jail when the bond fees are collected.

Nothing stops scammers from contacting the families of actual DUI offenders, however. When someone is arrested for a DUI, the event creates significant psychological vulnerability for both the offender and that person’s family. Offenders typically spend a night or two in jail before officials set a trial date. Afterwards, they face penalties that can include further jail time, heavy fines, and suspended licenses, all of which can make increase feelings of disorientation and vulnerability.

If you’ve been arrested for a DUI, be aware of bail scams, and seek experienced counsel to respond to your charges. Call a qualified Los Angeles DUI lawyer with the Kraut Criminal & DUI Lawyers today to schedule a free consultation.

Published on: February 16, 2015

Fliers Allow Passage Through DUI Checkpoints, But Are They Really Protecting the Innocent?

by Michael Kraut

Our Los Angeles DUI attorneys have been fascinated by a compelling story out of Florida. Warren Redlich, a DUI attorney in Boca Raton, started a trend that’s attracted crazy amounts of media attention. He provides fliers for individuals to use when they pull up to DUI checkpoints. Many videos on YouTube are proving that his method works. Drivers who present the necessary information drive beyond the checkpoints without the usual interrogation.

The signs read: “I remain silent. No searches. I want my lawyer.” State specific statutes regarding DUI laws follow those words. Drivers leave their car windows rolled up and display their fliers and necessary identification until police motion them forward in the line.

Redlich believes the method will prevent innocent individuals from being wrongly arrested. Police departments believe in the constitutionality of DUI checkpoints and procedures, citing a Supreme Court ruling from 1990. Redlich does not recommend using the flier technique in states other than Florida and New York without first consulting an attorney admitted in that state.

The controversial method highlights the tendency of people to form preconceived notions based on stereotypes of DUI lawyers and their clients. A common misconception holds that DUI lawyers work towards reducing sentencing and case dismissals at any cost. Similarly, people assume that an arrest indicates the presence of enough evidence for a conviction.

In reality, people only hear about extreme and high-profile cases. These depictions of the DUI space skew the public’s understanding of the process. DUI defense attorneys have a responsibility to protect the rights of every individual who faces charges. Their duty calls for impartiality to help clients present the most accurate and fair case in court.

Innocent individuals face public scrutiny from the moment of arrest. Local media reports only reflect the names and information from the police department. This information sometimes builds a case against individuals before the prosecution starts and carries on long after exoneration has been granted.

The uphill battle for the innocent makes the need for solutions like Redlich’s fliers understandable and justified. However, the Los Angeles DUI community does not recommend using fliers to gain passage through DUI checkpoints without consulting an attorney.

Do you need help defending against a drug or DUI charge? Michael Kraut of Los Angeles’s Kraut Criminal & DUI Lawyers is a trustworthy, highly qualified former prosecutor. Call a DUI attorney today to strategize for your defense seriously.

Published on: February 12, 2015

Steelers’ Running Back, Le’Veon Bell, Gets Probation and Rehabilitation in Marijuana DUI

by Michael Kraut

Los Angeles DUI laws are strict when it comes to driving under the influence of marijuana. More and more states, in fact, are struggling to define and enforce similar laws.

Case in point: in 2014, Ross Township, Pennsylvania, police pulled over Pittsburgh Steelers’ running back, Le’Veon Bell, and charged him with driving under the influence of marijuana. Authorities say they found 20 grams of marijuana in the vehicle. Le’Veon Bell – and others in the vehicle – claimed collective possession of the drug. Instead of a conviction, the state placed Bell in an alternative program with the potential to dismiss the charges.

Bell must successfully complete 15 months of probation, a 2-month license suspension, and an Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition program. This agreement is available to first time offenders in Pennsylvania, and Bell must submit to a drug and alcohol evaluation, pay all court fees, and enroll in DUI driving school.

Former teammate LeGarrette Blount, riding in the passenger seat at the time of Bell’s traffic stop, accepted a plea bargain, which included 50 community service hours completed before a mandated deadline. The state already dropped Blount’s charges; however, Bell will face the full extent of the law if he fails to complete the terms set forth in the alternative sentencing program.

Alternative sentencing programs allow the state to drop charges and provide first-time offenders with a second chance. Many states have similar programs; however, alternative sentencing for first-time offenders is not an option in California under current law. First time offenders in California may face probation, license suspension, fines and court fees, a mandatory 48 hours in jail, and other penalties.

However, proving marijuana intoxication is difficult because, to do so, prosecutors must rely on blood and urine tests. Prosecuting attorneys are responsible for showing that a person drove under the influence of an illegal or prescription substance, and DUI defense attorneys understand how to pursue a case that takes all evidence into consideration.

Secure the services of a qualified Los Angeles DUI defense attorney to protect your rights. Contact Michael Kraut of the Kraut Criminal & DUI Lawyers to set up your free consultation.

Published on: January 12, 2015

Controversial Florida Law Provides Safe Passage for DUI Drivers Through Checkpoints?

by Michael Kraut

The Los Angeles DUI community has been hotly debating the pros and cons of a recent stunt that drivers in Florida have been pulling to avoid getting arrested at checkpoints.

A recent video posted to Youtube shows several drivers passing through a DUI checkpoint in Florida and passing through unscathed. The drivers allegedly printed a document disseminated online by a Florida attorney. The document read as follows:

“I Remain Silent
No Searches
I Want My Lawyer

Please put any tickets under windshield wiper.
I am not required to sign.
I am not required to hand you my license.
Thus I am not opening my window.
I will comply with clearly stated lawful orders.”

In the video, officers can be seen approaching each car at the DUI checkpoint. The drivers then each hang their printed notices outside of their driver’s side, wrapped in plastic. They slow down to let the officers read the paper. The vehicles are then waved along without being subjected to searches.

The action drew outrage from various online media channels. Critics say this strategy unfairly protects inebriated drivers, giving them a free pass to drive on and possibly cause even fatal injuries to themselves or others. Champions of this tactic say that the police have no right to unfairly search a car without suspicion. The question remains: should a police officer be required to witness reckless behavior before stepping in, or is it better to be safe than sorry?

The Supreme Court ratified the legality of DUI checkpoints a few decades ago, but police stull routinely violate the Constitutional rights of drivers both at checkpoints and at random stops. If you suspect that police pulled you over without probable cause – or because of the color of your skin – you may be able to use that information to construct a powerful defense against your charges.

A Los Angeles DUI lawyer with the Kraut Criminal & DUI Lawyers can provide detailed, smart assistance with your legal challenges.