Property Crimes

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: November 6, 2008

California Attorney General Charges 8 People in White Collar Crimes in San Bernardino

by Michael Kraut

The California Attorney General filed criminal white collar crime charges against 8 people in the Southern California county of San Bernardino. The charges include theft crimes of money laundering, conspiracy, and grand theft stemming out of Redlands, California.

The charges arose out of a scam that has plagued the mortgage industry after so many people in the City of Redlands had trouble making their house payments. Most of the victims responded to a flier which claimed to be able to help lower house payments for those who have been affected by the recent problems in the economy. The company promised to help home owners so that they would not fall into default and loose their properties in foreclosure.

Those individuals charged in the 39 count complaint most likely knew that they were under investigation. Had they hired a San Bernardino County defense attorney familiar with the officials in Redlands, it is possible that the money could have been returned to the victims and no charges would have been filed in return for full restitution. Or in the alternative, the charges would have been minimal any quite possibly no custody time would be imposed. Now all 8 people are facing decades in prison.

The home owners responded to a flier by a fake company called First Gov, also called Foreclosure Prevention Services. Some paid as much as $6,000 to the fake company to assist them in negotiating with the banks to lower their payments. The victims waited but nothing was ever done to assist them and those charged just stole the money.

Published on: October 13, 2008

Arson in the San Fernando Valley Burns Homes As The Marek Fire Spreads

by Michael Kraut

This morning homes and other property in the San Fernando Valley woke up to flames caused by an arsonist. The fire began at 2 AM on Sunday morning and is suspected to be caused by an arsonist. By early Monday morning, 3,200 acres had burnt so far and with 60 mile per hour Santa Ana winds feeding the fire. In the early morning hours the containment was good until sometime after 7 AM when the winds picked up the number fell to 5% containment. The fire then spread to an additional 1500 acres. The fire is being called the Marek Fire because of the location.

The resources that have responded to this crisis have been amazing. Over 200 fire engines have been assigned to fight the fires . LA County and LA City Fire Departments have assigned over 1000 fire fighters, plus police and other law enforcement personnel to assist the fire personnel.

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A mobile home park was fully engulfed in the flames and so far as many as 10 homes have already been lost. People and horses were being evacuated.

Published on: October 3, 2008

OJ Simpson Convicted 13 Years To The Day He Was Aquitted In Los Angeles of Double Murder

by Michael Kraut

Only a few minutes ago OJ Simpson , and his co-defendant were convicted of 12 different felonies. As most people know 13 years ago the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office unsuccessfully tried Simpson on double murder charges. He was acquitted of all charges and was immediately set free. Soon thereafter he moved to Florida.

Simpson was never able to stay out of the news. Repeatedly he was hauled into court to face one charge or another however there was never a conviction. That all changed today. Simpson and his co-defendant, Mr. Stewart, now face a minimal of 15 years to life for the crimes that occurred at the Palace Station Hotel and Casino. Simpson is currently 61 years old. That means that Simpson will be at least 76 years old before he is eligible for parole.

Simpson faced a dozen charges stemming from a conspiracy between Simpson and five associates . They all stormed into the room of a sports memorabilia collectibles dealer. Many of the items that Simpson was convicted of stealing were given by Simpson to the dealer to avoid paying the multi-million dollar civil judgment . That Judgment was owed to the Goldman and Brown families after he was convicted in civil court in the deaths of Ron Goldman and Nicole Brown Simpson. All but one of his associates pled prior to trial, many of them ended up testifying against Simpson.

Published on: September 2, 2008

Hurricane Gustav Causes Looting in LA

by Michael Kraut

Hurricane Gustav hit Louisiana on Monday just as expected. Government officials state that they had learned many lessons as a result of the poor response and preparation three years earlier when Katrina hit the gulf coast. This time crime was going to be handled more severely and immediately. Mayor Ray Nagin stated, “looters will go directly to jail. You will not have a free pass pass this time.

I am sure that everyone remembers watching the TV after Katrina when the news cameras caught footage of people looting stores, homes and even vehicles left on the street. Memories of the Los Angeles riots were rekindled in peoples minds as we watch as city residents broke windows and took items that did not belong to them