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Month: April 2014

Former NFL Star Arrested For Domestic Violence

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Former USC and NFL star Keyshawn Johnson was arrested on Monday morning and booked on misdemeanor domestic battery charges.  Johnson is currently known for his role as an NFL analyst on ESPN and currently lives in the west San Fernando Valley area.

It was reported that there was a fight between Johnson and his ex-girlfriend which, allegedly, got physical, and caused some kind of cut or other injury to her hand.  There were other reports that the argument was over marriage and that Johnson, allegedly, broke or was in the process of trying to throw her cell phone.

Johnson was booked and released on $20,000 bail and will be making his court appearance in the Van Nuys Superior Courtsometime in the coming month or so.

If you have been involved in a domestic dispute or have been arrested for domestic violence or domestic battery in Los Angeles, there are some important things for you to consider before you go to court.  The prosecutor’s office in Los Angeles, be it the City Attorney or District Attorney, typically have a special unit that handles all “special victims crimes,” which usually include domestic violence.  These prosecutors usually proceed with the case even if the victim wants to recant or “drop the charges.”  Therefore, it is important to know how to handle these specially assigned cases the right way to avoid having a violent crime conviction on your record.  There are also several different penal code sections dealing with incidents surrounding a domestic dispute.

In Los Angeles, misdemeanor domestic violence or domestic battery convictions usually involve either 30 days of county jail, 30 days of Cal Trans work, 3 years of informal probation, a 52-week domestic violence class, victim restitution, fines and fees to the court, possible criminal protective order and the possibility of losing the right to own a firearm.  In addition, a domestic violence or domestic battery conviction is a “violent crime” that may make it difficult to keep or find employment.

There may also be immigration issues arising from a conviction for domestic violence or domestic battery in Los Angeles.  Most of these domestic violence crimes are classified as crimes of “moral turpitude” and will give rise to deportation proceedings if you are convicted of these charges in court.

All this being said, there are a number of other possible ways to resolve your case that might include a dismissal of the charges, a reduction in the charges, and/or getting the prosecutor to strike some of the other obligations and penalties typically associated with a domestic violence conviction.  There is the possibility of resolving the case through a civil compromise or through some kind of diversion.  All this will typically depend on the facts of your case, the extent or lack of injuries, prior criminal history and the victim.

If you have been arrested or charged with domestic violence or domestic battery in Los Angeles, East Los Angeles, Airport Court, Pasadena Court or Burbank Court, contact attorney Ross Erlich today for a free case consultation

Ex-Glendale Councilman Released From Jail Early For House Arrest

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A former Glendale councilman who was sentenced to one year in county jail after his guilty pleas of embezzlement, perjury and filing false tax returns will now serve the remainder of his sentence under house arrest.

Because these crimes are classified by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department as nonviolent and nonsexual, the amount of time actually served is almost immediately cut in half.  This policy is part of the new realignment guidelines meant to curb inmate overcrowding in the California state prison system.

Mr. Drayman, the defendant, will have to wear an ankle bracelet and be monitored by the Los Angeles County Probation Department.

If you are facing criminal charges for a nonviolent and nonsexual crime, it is important to know what other options are available to you besides serving time in county jail.  Electronic monitoring, or “house arrest,” is a common resource used by attorney Ross Erlich to avoid having clients lose their jobs or family.  Typically, electronic monitoring is an alternative to actual custody and is available either prior to a conviction as pre-trial release or after a conviction.  This means that house arrest usually occurs, in a sentencing capacity, after someone has plead guilty and sent to county jail.  Individuals are then screened for eligibility upon their arrival and factors such as prior criminal history, nature of the current charges and personal background are taken into consideration.

There are many options in resolving a theft or fraud case in Los Angeles.  Just because you were arrested for, and charged with, a felony, does not mean that you are going to wind up with a felony conviction on your record.  Victim restitution can be a large factor in attorney Ross Erlich’s ability to get the charges reduced or even dismissed through a civil compromise with the court.  Additionally, convictions for theft, fraud or embezzlement are crimes of “moral turpitude.”  These convictions can have severe consequences in terms of keeping or securing employment and protecting any license from the state.

If you have been arrested for, or charged with, fraud, embezzlement or theft in Los Angeles, Glendale, Burbank, Pasadena, Downtown, Santa Monica or Beverly Hills, contact attorney Ross Erlich today to discuss all of your options.  Attorney Ross Erlich handles all theft and fraud cases in the Airport Court, CCB Court, Pasadena Court, Glendale court and all other fraud and theft charges throughout Los Angeles County.

Rapper 2 Chainz Enters Not Guilty Plea to Drug Possession For “sizzurp”

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The rapper “2 Chainz”, who was arrested last June for possession of a controlled substance, entered a not guilty plea last week in court.  The rapper was arrested for possession of codeine after he was removed from a flight at LAX when marijuana and a bottle of promethazine with codeine was found in his checked bag by airport security.

Codeine is a main ingredient used in the cocktail “sizzurp” which has been made famous by many southern rappers in recent time.  Sizzurp is a mix of the drug with cough syrup and sometimes also mixed with Sprite.

2 Chainz is facing one felony count and up to three years in prison if convicted and sentenced to the maximum.

Many felony drug possession cases at the Airport court are those where people were possessing drugs in their baggage at LAX.  If you have been charged with felony drug possession, possession of codeine or possession of promethazine, it is important to contact attorney Ross Erlich as soon as possible.  Under certain circumstances, simple felony drug possession may be something that attorney Ross Erlich can have completely dismissed from your record upon successful completion of the PC 1000 program.

In California, the PC 1000 formal drug diversion program allows those charged with possession of a controlled substance for personal use (without any allegations of violence) to have their criminal proceedings suspended for 18 months while they complete a state-approved drug rehabilitation program that consists of at least 20 hours of education and/or treatment.  If the defendant successfully completes this program, and does not pick up any new arrests during the 18 month diversion period, the court will dismiss the felony possession charge.

This diversion program is seen frequently in cases involving possession of cocaine, possession of heroin, possession of ecstasy, possession of methamphetamine and possession of prescription medication.

There are other requirements and factors that are considered, but that is something attorney Ross Erlich can speak to you about during your free case consultation.

If you have been charged with drug possession in the Airport Court, drug possession in CCB, drug possession in Pasadena Court or drug possession anywhere in Los Angeles, contact attorney Ross Erlich today.

Zac Efron Punched In The Mouth By Homeless Person

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Zac Efron and his bodyguard were allegedly involved in an assault and battery with transients in Downtown Los Angeles that resulted in Efron being punched in the mouth.

The incident took place at approximately 2 a.m. when, according to the Los Angeles Police Department’s battery report, police found two homeless men involved in the fight near a freeway entrance.

According to another celebrity news website, LAPD officers said they saw Efron and his bodyguard involved in a “full-blown melee with at least three other people” when they arrived.  Efron told police that his car ran out of gas and he and his bodyguard got into the confrontation when a bottle was thrown from his vehicle.  The website also reported that the homeless men attacked the bodyguard with a knife and Efron threw a bottle of vodka out of the car to fend off the attack.

No arrests have been made.

If you have been arrested or cited for assault and/or battery in Los Angeles, it is important to contact attorney Ross Erlichfor a free case consultation.  Being able to start work on the case before your scheduled court date can have tremendous benefits for possible outcomes.  Compensating the victim for any damages and out-of-pocket expenses before you walk into court for the first time shows the judge and prosecutor proactiveness and a good attitude towards resolving the matter.  This may open the door for a civil compromise to take place and prevent any type of criminal conviction on your record.

Assault and battery charges can mean jail time, fines and fees, anger management classes, restitution to the victim(s) and a violent crime conviction on your record.  If you have been involved in an assault and/or battery in Downtown Los Angeles, Hollywood, North Hollywood, Beverly Hills or Santa Monica, contact attorney Ross Erlich 24/7.

Attorney Ross Erlich handles all assault and battery charges in the Airport Court, Criminal Courts Building (CCB), East Los Angeles Court, Burbank Court and Pasadena Court.

6 Arrested In LAX Luggage Theft

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Six people have been arrested and several others detained after police officers served search warrants in a months-long investigation into baggage theft at LAX.

The property thefts were linked to a group of individuals, all of whom are current or former employees of companies contracted by airlines for baggage services.  Law enforcement says the investigation began after a string of reports regarding luggage thefts from terminals, runways and planes.  The investigation ultimately involved officers going undercover among the baggage handlers.

The investigation is still ongoing and more arrests are expected to be made.  Law enforcement says that the process now begins of linking the thefts and items to dates and personnel working on those dates.  Jewelry, electronics, clothing and other personal items were among the items stolen.  Many of the arrests were for receiving stolen property and other theft-related offenses and these suspects will be appearing at the Airport Court.

If you have been arrested or given a citation for receiving stolen property, theft, petty theft, burglary or commercial burglary in Los Angeles, it is important not to just “wait to see what happens” with your case.  Theft offenses can often times be resolved beneficially by taking initiative and compensating victims for their loss and any out-of-pocket expenses associated with the theft.  A civil compromise is a valuable resource for attorney Ross Erlich to use as a means to prevent any moral turpitude criminal conviction from appearing on your record.  A civil compromise will permanently suspend criminal proceedings if the compromise is agreed to by the victim and the judge.

Even if a civil compromise is not attainable, being able to pay the restitution back to the victim can vastly improve your negotiating position for a lesser offense or a dismissal altogether.  Contact attorney Ross Erlich today if you have been arrested for theft or receiving stolen property in Los Angeles, Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, Hollywood, Culver City, Pasadena, Burbank or anywhere throughout Los Angeles County.  Remember, simply “waiting to see what happens” is never the right course of action in a theft-related offense.