Los Angeles Criminal Defense Attorney Blog

Published on: December 16, 2008

Britney Spears Husband in Jail for Probabtion Violation on Los Angeles DUI case

While Britney Spears is having a great time traveling around Los Angeles and Southern California, he first husband, Jason Alexander, has been sentenced to jail time for a probation violation in his Los Angeles DUI case. He was represented by a Los Angeles and Southern California DUI defense attorney, who reached a great plea bargain in the case. However, Mr. Alexander did not comply with the terms of probation and now he has been sentenced to jail time.

You may remember Jason was the young man from her home town that Britney married in Las Vegas for a grand total of 55 hours in 2004. Pressure from the world led to a quick divorce for the two, but not before Mr. Alexander became world famous over night.

In 2006, Jason Alexander was stopped for a DUI investigation in Los Angeles and later pled guilty, and was placed on probation with strict terms and conditions. The 27 year-old was sentenced to 10 days of jail time for failing to attend 2 court ordered meetings at the Los Angeles County Morgue as part of his DUI conviction.

Along with his other terms of probation, Jason was also ordered to take alcohol education classes. Mr. Alexander will be back in court on February 2, 2009 to see the judge again.

Published on: December 14, 2008

Los Angeles Academy Award Winning Screenwriter Charged with DUI Death

by Michael Kraut

An Academy Award winning screenwriter was criminally charged with the DUI death in near Los Angeles. Roger Avary, the writer of “Pulp Fiction” was charged with manslaughter in the death that resulted from his Southern California DUI almost a year ago.

After completing a full and thorough investigation of all of the facts, law enforcement charged the Ojai resident. Avary pled not guilty to the charges of vehicular manslaughter. The Ventura County Sheriff’s Department officials stated that Avary was driving drunk and his car slid into a telephone pole fatally injuring a passenger, Andreas Zini, who was visiting from Italy. Avary’s wife was thrown from the car and received sever injuries, but survived.

The prosecution could have filed the more sever charge of “Watson Murder” for the DUI death. Apparently, Avary hired a Los Angeles pre-filing DUI defense attorney. By doing so, facts and other information can be brought to the attention of law enforcement resulting in a more clear refined case being filed, sparing Avary a life behind bar.

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 Law Group Criminal & DUI Lawyers, Inc.. 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: December 5, 2008

Los Angeles Sees an End to the OJ Simpson Saga as OJ is Sentenced to Prison

by Michael Kraut

The verdict that was heard around Los Angeles and Southern California ended today with the judge sentencing OJ Simpson to serious prison time. The jury returned verdicts for the robbery at a casino near the Sunset Strip, in Las Vegas.

Oddly enough, the man who captivated a world during the “trial of the century,” was no longer being idolized. Today one of Las Vegas’ toughest judges sentenced 61 year-old Simpson to a maximum of 33 years in prison. However, he will be eligible to be released on parole in as little as 9 years.

This case ended with verdict exactly 13 years to the date that the Los Angeles jury acquitted Simpson of the double murder of his wife, Nicole, and her friend, Ron Goldman. Feelings around of satisfaction rang clear from San Bernardino to Orange County to Long Beach. The general feeling in that the imprisonment of OJ was a long time coming.

A multi-cultural reaction of both African Americans and whites seemed to be almost universally satisfied with the verdict. Most felt that justice was served to Simpson, if not for this crime alone, then for the double murders in 1994.

The case that lead to his prison sentence involved a failed robbery attempt to get sports memorabilia that may or may not have belonged to Simpson. In 2007, Simpson and some of his friends brought weapons and a bad attitude to a hotel room where much of the activities were caught on audio and video recordings. Simpson denied there was a gun, but the evidence and jury disagreed.

Appeals will be filed, but for the next 9 years, Simpson will be in custody, most likely in solitary confinement for his safety.

Published on: December 3, 2008

DUI Arrests In Los Angeles For The Thanksgiving Holiday Were Once Again High

by Michael Kraut

During this past Thanksgiving holiday weekend a total of 8 people were killed in traffic accidents in the greater Los Angeles area. This number, while significant, is the exact same number as last year during the same period. The California Highway Patrol made this report public on Monday after the weekend ended. The CHP reported that one of those killed was pregnant at the time she died.

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While the number of traffic related deaths had not changed, the number of DUI arrests in Los Angeles was up from last year. CHP officers made a total of 331arrests in Los Angeles County, up from 320 arrests last year. This rise is significant because statewide, the total number of DUI arrests was down over last year.

DUI arrests significantly harm those convicted of the charges. Not only do they have to pay high fines and costs, but in many cases, they may loose their jobs, ability to drive, and for he first time, have a criminal record. If you have been arrested or charged with a DUI, Los Angeles DUI defense attorney Michael Kraut will be able to help you.

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 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 19, 2008

MySpace Mom on Trial for Computer Fraud and Conspiracy in Los Angeles

by Michael Kraut

The trial began today of a MySpace mom in Los Angeles Federal Court. The tragedy began when a 13 year-old girl in Missouri used to turn to the popular on line retreat as a form of escape and flirtation. The girl, Megan Meier, began to write to what she thought was a 16 year-old named Josh Evans. After developing a friendship online, the cyber encounters went sour.

After only a short time after the communications began, the nice pleasantries of online romance changes to mean comments about how “everyone hates you” and “the world would be a better place without you in it.” Only minutes after those statements were made, the 16 year-old was found hanging in her home by her mother. She died the next day.

Josh Evans, as it turned out, never existed. Instead, the boy was dreamed up by Megan’s former best friend and her mother, Lori Drew. Drew, 49, is currently on trial in Los Angeles Federal Court charged with conspiracy and using a computer without authorization.

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.