Menu

Author: admin

Santa Monica Hit-And-Run Kills Mother and Injures Daughter

Posted on by admin

A mother was killed and her child injured when a hit-and-run driver stuck the two as they were crossing Ocean Avenue at 1:00am last week.  Both victims were from out of town and the younger female was treated for minor injuries at the hospital and released.

If you have been arrested, cited or sent a notice to appear regarding a hit-and-run, it is important to consult and attorney and take action on the matter early on.  It is possible for your attorney to contact the victim(s) and their insurance company, determine the extent and amount of damage to their property and injuries, and resolve the matter outside of court without you ever having criminal charges filed against you.  Even if formal criminal charges do end up being filed against you, it is still possible to resolve the matter without any conviction on your record through a civil compromise.

For detailed information on what to do if you are arrested for a hit-and-run, click on this link to read the firm’s prior blog about that topic in-depth.  Keep in mind that a conviction under this code may carry license suspension, jail time, a 2-point penalty on your driving record, fines and fees to the court and restitution to the victim(s).

If you have been arrested for a hit-and-run in North Hollywood, Hollywood, Burbank, Pasadena, Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, Culver City, or anywhere in Southern California, contact attorney Ross Erlich 24/7 for a free case consultation.  Taking the right action early on is always the best way to handle a hit-and-run incident and the most likely way to prevent formal criminal charges against you.

LAPD Officer Injured, Suspect Dead After Domestic Violence Calls Goes Bad

Posted on by admin

A domestic violence suspect who wounded an LAPD officer after barricading himself inside a Hollywood Hills home has died.  The man had locked himself inside of a home shortly after he fired a gun at LAPD officers responding to a domestic violence call.

If you have been arrested for, or charged with, domestic violence or domestic battery, it is important to contact an aggressive defense attorney early on in the case.  The consequences of the arrest begin immediately when a temporary criminal protective order is issued preventing the suspect from being in contact with the victim, at least until the first court date.

There are a few ways you can be charged for an altercation involving your spouse or domestic partner.  You may be charged with inflicting a corporal injury to a spouse or cohabitant (can be charged without any visible injury), domestic battery (usually requires some visible injury), or even simply making criminal threats.  If there are children present, there is the possibility of having an additional charge of child endangerment.  Furthermore, in California, prosecutors may file a domestic violence case as either a felony or a misdemeanor.  This is known as a “wobbler” and the prosecutor’s decision typically involves looking at severity of injuries, nature of conduct and other factors.

A conviction under these domestic violence-related charges may include jail time, Caltrans or community service work, a mandated 52-week domestic violence program, anger management, fines and fees to the court and a period of either formal or informal probation.  It is crucial that you contact attorney Ross Erlich to fight to reduce or eliminate some or all of these penalties and avoid having a violent crime on your record.

One important thing to remember is that innocent people get wrongfully arrested.  An accuser may be making a false allegation due to jealousy or anger or may even have been the initial aggressor in the incident.  Numerous cases involve an aggressive victim who attacks the accused and the accused is simply acting in self-defense to prevent any injury or damage to their property.

If you or someone you know has been charged with inflicting a corporal injury to a spouse or cohabitant, domestic battery, domestic violence or child endangerment, contact attorney Ross Erlich today for a free consultation.  Ross Erlich handles domestic violence cases occurring in Los Angeles, North Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Hollywood, Culver City, Pasadena, Burbank, Santa Monica, and all over Southern California.

Off-Duty LAPD Officer Arrested On Suspicion Of DUI in McDonald’s Crash

Posted on by admin

An off-duty LAPD officer was arrested last week on suspicion of DUI after he allegedly crashed his car into a McDonald’s drive-through in Diamond Bar.  Apparently the officer was exiting the freeway at 1:15 a.m. when his car veered off the exit ramp, crossed over to an on-ramp and then was launched 50 feet, eventually coming to rest in the drive-through.

Firefighters had to pull the officer from his car and transport him to the hospital.  A CHP officer responded to the hospital, where the officer must have shown the objective symptoms of being under the influence, and was arrested for DUI.

Assuming this off-duty officer has not had any prior DUI convictions within the last 10 years, he is facing a possible license suspension through the DMV and possibly through the court, a longer first-offender driving under the influence class (due to the accident), possible jail or Cal Trans work, court fines and fees and possible suspension or loss of his employment.  There are additional issues to keep in mind with regards to the impact of a DUI.  Contact the office to have a consultation about your specific case.

When there is a car accident such as this while driving under the influence, prosecutors seek to impose additional penalties to, what would otherwise be, a normal first-offense DUI offer.  Accidents, injuries, open containers, and driving on a suspended license are all common issues that can elevate the normal DUI case.

If you have been involved in a DUI with an accident or injuries, it is important that you contact attorney Ross Erlich as soon as possible.  Contacting law enforcement, the prosecutor’s office and even trying to compensate victims can put you in a better place dealing with your case than if you just sat and waited.  Also keep in mind the need to contact the DMV within 10 days from the date of arrest to request a hearing and prevent an automatic suspension of your license.

If you have been arrested for a DUI anywhere in Los Angeles County, Ventura County, Orange County or San Bernardino County, contact attorney Ross Erlich today.

Posted in DUI

New Pilot Program In San Fernando Valley Gives Tougher Penalties For Pimps, Diversion For Johns

Posted on by admin

In an effort to combat the age-old problem with prostitution and the victims associated with this conduct, the Los Angeles City Council approved a program that provides counseling and assistance to prostitutes and counseling sessions to johns, with tougher penalties sought for against pimps.

The City mentioned the problem of trying to “arrest their way out of” the prostitution problem instead of dealing with it as a quality-of-life issue and trying to address the root cause of prostitution while seeking to inform johns of the dangers.

Deputy City Attorney Richard Schmidt, who handles City Attorney matters in the Van Nuys Courthouse, agreed with this new pilot program and mentioned that the Central Division has been seeking to do this already through diversion programs for prostitution first offenders.

If you have been arrested for pimping or for solicitation of prostitution, there are many different channels of resolving this matter.  Diversion programs are available in certain situations and in certain courthouses, while tougher consequences may exist for those who have had a prior offense, who might have had narcotics in their possession or for those people who law enforcement believed to be “pimping” these women.  Depending on the circumstances and prior criminal record, Attorney Ross Erlich may be able to to get the case dismissed and/or prevent any criminal conviction from appearing on your record.

If you have been arrested or given a citation for solicitation of prostitution for the Van Nuys Courthouse, San Fernando Courthouse or East Los Angeles Courthouse, contact Attorney Ross Erlich before your first court date for a free case consultation and to know your rights.

Los Angeles County Probation Department Has Problems With GPS

Posted on by admin

The Los Angeles County Probation Department has admitted that they have lost track of some ex-convicts for days, and even weeks, at a time because of problems they have had with their GPS electronic monitoring system. LA County Probation Department Chief Powers said that while the county’s flawed GPS monitoring is an example of not to implement such a system, they are currently working to address and fix the problems.  Powers said the Probation Department found issues with the private provider around equipment failures, offenders being placed into inactive status without consultation of the Department and non-compliance of the hookup requirements of placing offenders’ equipment on within 24 hours. Another issue the Probation Department cited were the up to 20,000 alerts received each day, many of which were for low battery, blind spots and other minor or non-relevant alerts.

On top of that, any time there was an alert, each probation officer in the County was notified, even if they were not working the alert area. GPS monitoring can be a preferential alternative to county jail time for both people convicted of crimes and law enforcement.  The County makes sure that offenders are being monitored and it reduces jail overcrowding while the offender gets to remain out of jail and, in many instances, able to work and take care of family. If you or someone you know has been arrested, charged with or being investigated for a crime, contact attorney Ross Erlich ASAP.  Handling you or your loved one’s case the right way from the beginning can make all the difference in the world.  As you may have seen from this article, there are a number of ways to resolve your case that DO NOT involve going to jail or losing your job. Contact attorney Ross Erlich today to discuss the possibilities of probation in LA County and other alternatives to pleading guilty.

Actress Charged In West Hollywood Bar Fight Pleads Not Guilty

Posted on by admin

Crystal Hunt, a soap opera actress known for her roles on “One Life to Live” and “Guiding Light”, was charged with assault with a deadly weapon for allegedly throwing a drinking glass at a woman’s face during a bar fight.

The 28 year old actress allegedly threw a pint glass at the woman’s face, causing cuts and minor injuries, inside of a West Hollywood bar on December 13 of last year.  Hunt pleaded not guilty and is due back later this month in the Airport Courthouse.

If you have been charged with assault with a deadly weapon (ADW), it is important that you take this charge seriously.  An ADW charge can carry potential state prison time, large fines and a violent offense strike on your record pursuant to California’s “three strikes” law.

You might be asking yourself “what now?” if you have just bailed out of jail or are currently awaiting your first court appearance.  Well, as in the case above, many “ADWs” are charged when there is a fight and some kind of object is used to hurt or injure the victim and that object could potentially cause great bodily injury.  In the case above, a pint glass, as you could imagine, has the potential to cause severe injury to someone if it is thrown at their head.  Many “bar fights” that result in an arrest get charged as assaults with a deadly weapon, but are often able to be reduced through a plea deal if you have an aggressive defense attorney.

An assault with a deadly weapon is considered a “wobbler.”  This means the prosecutor can charge the offense as either a felony or a misdemeanor.  Attorney Ross Erlich regularly contacts the Los Angeles District Attorney’s office and speaks to prosecutors prior to the official filing.  This can allow for the presentation of facts that are favorable for clients and can help in getting the charge filed as a misdemeanor.

There are many other ways to resolve an assault with a deadly weapon so contact Attorney Ross Erlich today or 24/7 for a free case evaluation.

Justin Bieber Posts Bail, Leaves Jail After DUI Arrest

Posted on by admin

Justin Bieber was released from a Miami jail on Thursday morning following his arrest for driving under the influence, driving on an expired license and resisting arrest.  Law enforcement say they stopped Bieber while he was drag racing down a Miami Beach street in the early morning hours.

Law enforcement stated that they initially pulled him over for speeding down a residential street, but started the DUI investigation after the arresting officer “immediately smelled a strong odor of alcohol” coming from Bieber’s person.  At issue is the fact that Bieber’s blood alcohol level only measured 0.014%, and not the 0.04% that was claimed by law enforcement sources.  While any blood alcohol level over 0.00% is illegal for someone under 21 years old, there is a big difference between 0.04% and 0.014%.  Additionally, the discrepancy between the reported number and actual number is a major issue when it comes down to police officer credibility and whether or not the entire police report is accurate.

Police claim that Bieber admitted to smoking marijuana, taking prescription medication and drinking after being arrested.

In Florida, persons under the age of 21 are considered driving under the influence if they have a blood alcohol concentration of .02% or more, plus an automatic 6 month license suspension.

In California, if you are under 21 years old and your blood alcohol level is above .05%, you are facing a DUI misdemeanor charge and an automatic 1 year license suspension.  If your blood alcohol level is below .05%, this charge is an infraction but still carries the automatic 1 year license suspension.

If you or someone you know has been arrested for driving under the influence, it is crucial to contact attorney Ross Erlich as soon as possible.  You only have 10 days from the date of arrest to contact the DMV and request a hearing or have your license suspended automatically.

Attorney Ross Erlich handles all DUI DMV and Court proceedings from beginning to end and offers 24/7 availability.  Call today for a free DUI consultation and learn what your rights are and what to expect for your case.

Posted in DUI

Man Arrested In String Of San Fernando Valley Burglaries

Posted on by admin

LAPD has arrested a 30-year-old man in connection with a string of residential burglaries after they connected him to a phone number that was used to call the homes before the break-ins.

LAPD investigators are alleging that this suspect broke into 18 homes in the San Fernando Valley, calling them first to make sure that no one was home.  In fact, investigators say that they initially started investigating this suspect and found that his phone number was the same one used in calling a previously burglarized home several times prior to the break-in.

The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office has charged this suspect with 18 counts of residential burglary and he is being held on $500,000 bail.

If you have been charged with residential burglary in Los Angeles, it is crucial that you consult an attorney prior to going to court.  Residential burglary is also known as first degree burglary in California and can bring up to 6 years in state prison and a strike under California’s Three Strikes Law.  Residential burglary is also the most serious type of burglary in that prosecutors and the law favors punishment for someone breaking into someone’s home or residence and committing a felony therein.

However, there are many defenses to residential burglary that may be relevant to your case and need to be communicated effectively to a prosecutor.  Examples may include mistaken identity, lack of intent to commit a felony prior to entering or even that the items you took actually belonged to you.

If you have been charged with burglary in Los Angeles County, contact attorney Ross Erlich for a free in-person case consultation.  Our office is available by phone 24/7 and can assist in securing bail bonds.

Attorney Ross Erlich handles all felony and misdemeanor matters in Los Angeles, Hollywood, Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, Downtown LA, Long Beach, East Los Angeles, Culver City and the San Fernando Valley.

Former UFC Champ, Tito Ortiz, Arrested For DUI After Car Crash

Posted on by admin

Former UFC Champ Tito Ortiz was arrested on Monday morning on suspicion of DUI following a crash on the 405 freeway in West Los Angeles.

According to the California Highway Patrol’s initial investigation, Ortiz was driving on the freeway when he lost control of his vehicle and struck the concrete median.  CHP officers responded to the scene after Ortiz has pulled off of the freeway.  No one was injured and Ortiz’s vehicle sustained moderate damage.

Being arrested for a DUI causing injury or with a traffic collision is more of a complex case than a straightforward DUI.  When there are injuries involved, you may be charged with a felony, there may be jail time involved and the possibility of a large amount of restitution to the victim.  A DUI with a traffic accident, in most situations, will not lead to jail time, but will trigger a longer driving under the influence education program, community service or Cal Trans work, and restitution to the victim(s).

Remember, if you have been arrested for a DUI, you or your attorney must contact the DMV within 10 days of the arrest to request an Administrative Per Se hearing.  Not doing so can result in the automatic suspension of your driver’s license!

There are many other factors that should be addressed immediately after being arrested for a DUI and one of those is consulting with an experienced DUI lawyer.  Attorney Ross Erlich has handled hundreds of DUI cases in Los Angeles, Orange, San Bernardino and Ventura counties.  Ross Erlich knows what facts to look for, what procedures law enforcement needs to follow and, most importantly, how to resolve your case in the best possible way.  Contact the office of attorney Ross Erlich today for a free DUI consultation and fight for your rights.

Posted in DUI

Dodger Yasiel Puig Arrested For Reckless Driving

Posted on by admin

Dodgers star outfielder Yasiel Puig was arrested last Saturday after the Florida Highway Patrol clocked him driving 110 mph in a 70 mph zone.  Puig was arrested, taken to the local county jail for processing and likely given a citation to appear.

California Vehicle Code section 23103 (reckless driving) states that any person convicted of this section shall receive county jail for no less than 5 days and no more than 90 and a fine of somewhere between $145 – $1,000, or both.

Reckless driving is a misdemeanor in California and is something that should be treated very seriously.  Not only is there the possibility of jail time for a conviction, but also potential impact on your driver’s license or even your employment.  There are many factors that are considered by the prosecutor in a reckless driving case.  Your rate of speed, whether or not you were swerving, any good cause explanation for the rate of speed, and other factors are highly relevant in getting this charged reduced and avoiding jail.

If you were arrested in Los Angeles for reckless driving, a DUI, hit and run or any other traffic violation in Los Angeles, contact attorney Ross Erlich as soon as possible to prevent your license from being suspended.  Remember, taking care of something like this the right way the first time will likely save you headache in the months or years to follow.

DUI Arrests Up So Far This Holiday Season

Posted on by admin

California’s state task force again drunk driving reported an increase in the number of DUI arrests so far this season.

Since Friday, December 13, through midnight this Monday, there were 1,366 arrests of suspected drunk drivers from reported from 100 law enforcement agencies throughout the state.  This number is up from the 1,298 arrests made during the same time period in 2012.

The California Highway Patrol has stepped up enforcement during the holiday season and are deploying additional DUI checkpoints through January 1st.  LAPD says they concentrate their efforts on Hollywood and North Hollywood, the two areas where DUIs have been a major problem.

If you live in Los Angeles, chances are you realize the problems that this large geographical area has with going out and having a few drinks – someone is going to have to drive. You also probably know that the law enforcement agencies in Los Angeles take driving under the influence seriously and pay extra attention to drivers during the holiday season.  That being said, the best way to prevent being arrested for a DUI in Los Angeles would be to get a designated driver or a cab.

If you are pulled over for driving under the influence, cooperate fully with the police officer.  Under California’s implied consent law, you are required to submit to a chemical test if the officer has reason to believe you might be operating your vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs or both.  You can choose between a blood test, a breathalyzer test at the police station, or a urine test at those stations that still offer that option.

The one thing to keep in mind is that you are NOT going to talk your way out of an arrest.  Telling the officer “I wasn’t that drunk” or, “I only had a couple beers” is not going to make them have a change of heart and let you go home.  You have a right to an attorney before the police question you and I would highly recommend exercising that right before you make any statements.

If you have been arrested for a DUI in Los Angeles, contact attorney Ross Erlich as soon as possible.  Ross Erlich handles all types of DUI-related offenses as well as all of the corresponding DMV proceedings.   It is crucial for you to contact the DMV or an attorney within 10 days after your arrest before your license is suspended automatically.

If you have questions related to DUI, reckless driving, or driving under the influence in Los Angeles, Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, or North Hollywood, contact our office today.

Posted in DUI

5 Men Due In Pasadena Court In Death Of Marine Reservist

Posted on by admin

5 men were due in court this morning on charges related to the death of a 25-year-old Marine reservist on August 6 after sustaining a head injury during a fight the previous day.

The reservist got into an altercation at the bar the night before and was, allegedly, attacked without provocation after he left the bar with his friends.  A dash cam video shows the reservist getting punched, falling and hitting his head on the curb.  He was taken to the hospital, where he died of blunt-force trauma to his head.

5 men have been charged with one count each of assault with a deadly weapon, one of whom has also been charged with involuntary manslaughter.

Assault with a deadly weapon is an assault that is committed with any type of deadly weapon or by means of force likely to cause great bodily injury.  This aggravated assault and batter is punishable by anywhere from 2 to 4 years in state prison, up to a $10,000 fine and a possible strike on your record.  (see detailed assault Penal Code here).

There are many levels of assault in California.  Assault with a deadly weapon is, by nature, a “wobbler” which can be charged as either a felony or misdemeanor.  Consideration is given to the nature of the incident, the weapon used, the injuries to the victim and the credibility of the victim and aggressor.  Because assault with a deadly weapon is a “wobbler”, it is important to contact attorney Ross Erlich as soon as possible so that lines of communication can go up between our office and the District Attorney’s office.  It is not uncommon for District Attorneys to speak with defense lawyers before actual charges are filed and work to reduce the severity of the ultimate charges.

If you have been charged with assault and/or battery, it is important to stay calm, contact an attorney and not discuss the matter with law enforcement or anyone else for that matter.  Attorney Ross Erlich is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for a free consultation.