Pre-Filing Investigations

Published on: December 18, 2008

Los Angeles Celebrity Car Peppered with Bullets on Southern California Highway

A Los Angeles driver of a Bentley Continental was shot and killed late at night this week while driving on the 101 freeway near downtown Los Angeles. While shootings and murders are not uncommon in this Southern California city, violent crime rates with the use of weapons had recently been published as falling significantly.

Now that the person who committed this violent crime needs to contact a Los Angeles violent crimes defense attorney who has extensive experience on handling both Southern California murder cases, and who practices as a Southern California weapons crime defense attorney.

Now that the victim died, the person who pulled the trigger, or the person who knowingly drove the vehicle with the shooter inside, could be charged with murder. Shooting from a motor vehicle is a capital crime if convicted the person could be charged with the death penalty, also called capital murder.

The person who either committed this crime, or who helped in any way needs to contact a Los Angeles pre-filing criminal defense attorney. There may be several defenses to this crime, but the police will be looking to pin a murder case on who ever was involved. Even though violent crime has recently fallen, there are still many murders occurring in the Los Angeles area.

In fact, almost all of the serious crimes, except Los Angeles DUI charges handled by a Los Angeles DUI defense attorney, had been falling in recent years due to increase policing activities by local law enforcement. The unnamed motorist was driving his $200,000 vehicle on the highway when he crashed into the center median. Other cars stopped to render aide, but found that the driver had not been in just a simple car wreck, but had been peppered with bullets.

The crime scene that ensued snarled traffic in excess of 8 hours. Police state that a 25-year-old man was driving the luxury car on the freeway and was found unconscious and riddled with bullets. He was in critical condition and not expected to live when he was admitted to the hospital. He later died.

Police could not find any reason for the murder, nor were there any clues as to who was the shooter(s). Police are now turning to traffic and security cameras to see if the crime was caught on video. Police are clueless if this was a random shooting or a gang murder.

Published on: December 13, 2008

Actor Mark Ruffalo’s Brother Dies From Gunshot in Los Angeles

by Michael Kraut

Mark Ruffalo’s brother was found dead in his Beverly Hills apartment after a gunshot killed the young man in this Los Angeles city. Scott Ruffalo, 39, was pronounced dead at Cedars Sinai Medical Center. A woman that was wanted for questioning was initially arrested and held with no bail. According to those in the know, her Los Angeles criminal defense attorney met with the detectives from the Beverly Hill s Police Department.

After a careful review of the facts, the woman,Shaha Mishaal Adham, known to be a Saudi princess, was released from custody. Apparently, she was scared and left the location of the shooting after she went to Ruffalo’s residence to retrieve keys to her SUV.

Police learned that Ruffalo was playing “Russian Roulette” with a hand gun when the gun went off. Facts now show that the woman was not involved, but merely was a witness to a horrible crime.

Published on: December 11, 2008

Macaulay Culkin’s Sister Dies After Being Hit By a Car in Los Angeles

by Michael Kraut

Macaulay Culkin’s sister died yesterday as a result of being hit by a car in the Los Angeles area. The driver of the car complied with California law by stopping, rendering aid, and identifying himself. Unfortunately, Dakota Culkin, the 29-year-old sister of the actor died as a result of massive head trauma at UCLA.

In many cases, the driver’s in these types of accidents are so scared and confused by what happened, they often leave the scene of the accident. This along is a crime and can result in a state prison commitment. If you, or a loved on is involved in a hit and run accident, then contact Los Angeles criminal defense attorney Michael Kraut at the Kraut Criminal & DUI Lawyers. It is important to call an attorney immediately, Often times hiring a pre-filing Los Angeles defense attorney can make all of the difference between being charged with a crime, or receiving an exoneration from the police and the prosecutors.

Published on: November 21, 2008

Jennifer Garner Gets Three Year Restraining Order Against Stalker

by Michael Kraut

Jennifer Garner, wife of Ben Affleck, went to court in Los Angeles to ask a judge for a restraining order against a stalker who has been following her for several years. The stalker, Steven Burky, 36, is a well known mental patient who has been a drifter for several years. The judge called his name in court, but neither he nor Garner were in Court.

After reading the declaration submitted in the court documents, the judge granted the request. Burky has been harassing Garner, the star of “Alias” since 2002. He believes that he is the victim of satanic rituals and abuses when he was a child. As he grew older he turned to religion and became a born again Christian.

Burky is known to have followed Garner throughout the United States trying to meet her, sent her love letters, and has even turned up on her front steps. He left her a letter that can be characterized in no other terms then creepy. He commented in the letter that Garner’s maid opened the door and even gave him her lunch.

Published on: November 16, 2008

Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department Admits That More Than 5,600 Rape Kits Have Not Been Tested

by Michael Kraut

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department has admitted to the County Board of Supervisors that they have failed to test over 5,600 rape kits with evidence of sexual assaults and other crimes. However, those same officials also state that they are not sure of the total number of kits that have gone untested. The reason they do not know the exact number is that smaller cities and towns contract with the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department to test their rape kits and they have not reported the number of their untested items. Recently, the LAPD admitted to the failure to test in excess of 7,000 rape kits that they have in their possession.

The real fear is that if the tests have not been completed within 10 years of the date of the crime, then the statute of limitations will expire. After ten years, if the criminal is caught, the State may not prosecute the rapist. Therefore, Sheriff’s Department will give priority to the rape kits that are the oldest.

Many people do not know what are in the rape kits, to clarify the contents, I will explain what is often in these kits. As a former senior District Attorney now defending serious crimes, I have learned that these kits often times contain body fluids, finger nail scrapings, DNA and other items used to identify specific individuals.

Once these items are tested and the suspect is identified, then the evidence from the rape kits will be used in a court to prove the identity of the rapist.

Published on: November 13, 2008

Newport Harbor Coach Will Not Be Charged With DUI After Being Arrested After Returning From Los Angeles

by Michael Kraut

A very well respected Newport-Mesa sports coach who lives in Costa Mesa will not be charged with DUI after he was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence in Costa Mesa after he was driving home from Los Angeles.

Laurence Draluck, 48, the Newport Harbor High School girls’ soccer coach, was pulled over in Orange County after he was driving erratic. Prosecutors declined to file the case stating that there was a lack of evidence. Most likely he was was represented by hiring a pre-filing DUI defense attorney who made sure that they were aggressive about pointing out the lack of evidence. Clearly, money not wasted by me Draluck. Had he been convicted of a DUI he very well could have lost his job.

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: October 15, 2008

No DUI Charges for Shia LaBeouf in Los Angeles Car Wreck

by Michael Kraut

Shia LaBeouf will not face DUI charges for his car accident in Hollywood this past July. The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office stated that there was insufficient evidence to charge the 22 year old star of “Eagle Eye” and the latest installment of the “Indiana Jones” movies. At the time of his accident the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department stated that he rolled his truck and seemed “impaired” after the crash. It is well known that immediately after the accident and he was taken to the hospital, where he stayed for several days due to an injury to his hand. While he was there he hired a pre-filing Los Angeles criminal defense attorney.

Shia LaBeouf refused a breathalyzer test at the scene of the crash, and was taken to the hospital where he remained for several days. Because the actor refused to take the breathe test, he could face a DMV hearing that could result in his driver’s license being suspended for up to 9 months. But I am sure that because of good solid legal advice and the fact that he hired a DUI defense attorney immediately his license will not be suspended.

The Sheriff’s Department stated that the accident was not LaBeouf’s fault and the District Attorney’s Office is still considering charges against the two other people involved in the accident.

Published on: September 8, 2008

Vice-President Pick Palin Under Investigation

by Michael Kraut

Sarah Palin, the Republican pick for Vice-President is under investigation in her home state of Alaska for trying to have her ex-brother-in-law, who is a state trooper fired, has hired a pre-filing defense attorney. A pre-filing or pre-charging criminal defense attorney can make a huge difference. In Los Angeles, hiring a Southern California criminal defense attorney before charges are filed can make the difference between a case being filed or not against you

Recently it has come to light that Governor Palin was unhappy that the Alaska Public Safety Commissioner refused to fire the state trooper who was involved in a nasty divorce with the Governor’s sister. Because the safety commissioner refused to fire him, Palin fired the Commissioner. An investigation then began into the Governor’s actions in the matter. This could derail her chances of being the Vice-President, as well as result in sever actions against her as Governor of the State of Alaska.

Ms. Palin, knowing that she was under investigation, properly hired a criminal defense attorney to represent her in a pre-filing investigation. This is very smart since an attorney who is brought into a case prior to any charges being filed is often times able to stall the investigation long enough that the state can no longer take any action against the person being investigated. Another reason to hire an attorney pre-filing is that the attorney may be able to convince the state prosecutor that there should not be any filing, criminal or otherwise against the party.