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Ex-Sheriff Deputy Gets Probation For Hit-And-Run DUI

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A former Los Angeles County Sheriff’s deputy was sentenced to three years probation for driving with more than twice the legal blood alcohol limit, hitting another vehicle, injuring the occupant of that vehicle and then fleeing the scene.

The former deputy will have to wear an alcohol-monitoring device for two years and will have to install an ignition interlock device (IID) on any vehicle that is registered to him.

Michael Grundy, the ex-deputy mentioned above, was driving under the influence of alcohol and another unspecified drug when he hit another car in a South Los Angeles intersection.  He was ultimately found by two other deputies, returned to the scene of the crime and arrested by the CHP.

Grundy had already completed a 180-day rehabilitation program at the time of sentencing and was ordered to pay over $25,000 in restitution to the victim in the case. Grundy had previously been arrested for drunk driving in Riverside County in 2005.

Grundy was originally charged with felony DUI causing injury, which is a very serious crime in Los Angeles.  Considering there was likely an additional charge of hit-and-run, prosecutors likely sought jail time and a substantial amount of restitution.  Many people believe that if you are driving under the influence and get into an accident, the best course of action is to attempt to flee and avoid arrest.  The problem with that choice is if you get charged with a separate count of hit-and-run, you are looking at additional punishment, fines and restrictions on your driver’s license.

If you have been charged with a DUI or hit and run in Los Angeles, it is important to contact attorney Ross Erlich as soon as possible.  The DMV must be contacted within 10 days of the date of arrest to prevent an automatic suspension of your driver’s license so contact us before it is too late!

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Inglewood Police Standoff Leads To Attempted Murder Charges

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A man who shot at, and injured, police officer’s in a hostage standoff last week has been formally charged with multiple counts of attempted murder of a police officer, kidnapping and child abuse.

In total, the man is being charged with 26 felony counts and include the attempted murder of police officers, assault on a police officer with a semiautomatic firearm, kidnapping, child abuse, false imprisonment, possession of a firearm by a felon and making criminal threats.  If convicted at trial, this man faces up to life in prison.

Allegedly, Mr. Warsaw, the suspect in this case, took his girlfriend and her child hostage for nearly eight hours.  Mr. Warsaw was allegedly seen dragging a screaming woman by her hair outside of a residence.  When police officers arrived to the location, shots were fired from inside a room at the house.  An Inglewood Police officer was shot once in the chest but was saved by the bulletproof vest.

Ultimately Warsaw was taken into custody and booked into jail on these charges.

Shooting a gun at a police officer might be one of the worst things to do if you are being confronted by law enforcement.  Not only are you risking being shot at, you are looking at potential attempted murder and assault with a deadly weapon charges, and these are some of the serious charges around.

The best thing to do if contacted by law enforcement is to cooperate fully, exercise your right to remain silent, and request to speak to your attorney before being questioned. Too many times do I see statements made to law enforcement with the hopes that people can “talk their way out of the situation.”  I’ve yet to see someone successfully do so.

If you have been charged with assault with a deadly weapon, kidnapping, child abuse, false imprisonment, possession of a firearm or making criminal threats, contact attorney Ross Erlich as soon as possible and definitely before you make any statements to the authorities.  Remember that the first call you make to Attorney Ross Erlich will likely be the smartest call you will ever make.

Shoplifting Incident Turns Violent

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4 teenage boys and girls were arrested in a shoplifting incident at a Ralphs market in Costa Mesa that turned violent on Tuesday.  Police describe the teenagers as being “uncooperative and hostile.”

When the first police officer arrived to the location, he observed a teenage boy and girl fighting with the Ralphs security employee near a cash register.  The police officer separated the girl and put her in handcuffs away from the group.  As he was doing so, the other teenage girl crept up behind the officer and attempted to take his gun out of his holster.

Just by chance, an off-duty sheriff’s deputy happened to be shopping in the store and assisted the police officer by restraining this second teenage girl.  Another male suspect punched the police officer in the face and then the whole thing turned into a wrestling match.  Eventually the police officer’s won and everyone was arrested.

All of the melee was caused when the teenagers allegedly tried to steal liquor from the market.

What started off as simple petty theft charges now leave these teens facing assault and battery on a police officer and resisting arrest charges, in addition to the petty theft.

Do not make the same mistake these teens did and try to either resist arrest or make any statements to security personnel or law enforcement.  Many times people believe they can “talk their way out of it” and we are still waiting to see an instance when that has worked.  In addition, any statements that you make when trying to talk your way out of an arrest can, and will, be used against you during your court case.

Petty theft charges are charges that can manageable.  Oftentimes, depending on whether or not there are prior convictions, attorney Ross Erlich can get the charges reduced, dropped or dismissed after a civil compromise.  There also might be the option of a deferred sentence whereby a plea is taken, the defendant takes and completes some theft classes, and comes back to get the charges dismissed.

Remember, petty theft is a misdemeanor here in Los Angeles and is punishable by a maximum of up to 6 months in jail, a $1,000 fine or both.

If you or someone you know has been arrested for petty theft in Los Angeles, Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, Hollywood, or anywhere within Los Angeles County, contact attorney Ross Erlich 24/7 for a free case consultation.

Driver In Fatal San Fernando Valley Hit-And-Run Turns Himself In

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A man suspected of driving the vehicle that struck and killed a man using a walker turned himself into police on Monday afternoon with his attorney.

According to police, the victim was a man in his 40s who was walking on Ventura Boulevard near Gaviota, outside of a crosswalk, in the early morning hours when he was stuck by the suspect’s SUV.  Police allege the suspect then fled northbound on Haskell Avenue.

The suspect turned himself into the LAPD’s Valley Traffic Division later in the day with his attorney and was booked and being held on felony hit-and-run charges.  His bail was set at $50,000.

If you have been involved in, or arrested for, a hit-and-run in Los Angeles, I would recommend first reading our office’s previous blog detailing what are the first steps to take and how to protect yourself.  It is important to know that you are under no obligation to make any statements to the police without having your attorney present.  Remembering this fact, and actually following this advice, has helped prevent criminal charges from ever being filed against many of our office’s clients.  It is just as important to know that if you are cooperative (through your attorney, of course) with law enforcement, there can be ways to resolve the matter outside of the courtroom.

Felony hit-and-run charges are much more serious.  There is the possibility of state prison time, a felony conviction on your criminal record and a significant impact on your California driver’s license.

If you or someone you know has been involved in, or arrested for, a hit-and-run in Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, Torrance, Hollywood, Santa Monica, Culver City, Pasadena or Van Nuys, contact attorney Ross Erlich today for a free consultation and case evaluation.  Making a call early in the process just may end up saving you from criminal charges.

Encino Doctor Pleads Not Guilty To Drug Charges

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An Encino doctor being accused of illegally selling prescription drugs pleaded not guilty on Tuesday in Los Angeles’ Downtown Criminal Courts Building.

The doctor, an internal medicine specialist, runs an urgent care clinic and has been charged with 11 felony counts of unlawfully prescribing drugs, including many popular narcotic painkillers.  The doctor was, allegedly, prescribing these drugs to patients, and undercover agents from the California Medical Board, without performing required exams first.

Essentially, it is being alleged that this doctor sold and prescribed these drugs to undercover agents for no medical reason.  It is not against the law for doctors to prescribe these drugs, but the prescription needs to be for a legitimate medical purpose.

The doctor was released from jail on $80,000 bail and faces more than 7 years in state prison if convicted on all counts.  Furthermore, the doctor faces administrative proceedings and the possible loss of his medical license from the California Medical Board.

If you or someone you know has been charged with a crime and holds a professional license with the state, it is important to contact an attorney as early as possible.  You can expect to get a notification from the licensing agency saying they are aware of some incident and, in all likelihood, pursue their own disciplinary proceedings.  In other words, you will have to fight in court and with the state licensing agency.

For doctors, lawyers, nurses and other state-licensee’s, losing your license or having a disciplinary matter on your record can have a severe impact on your professional and ability to earn income.  Contact attorney Ross Erlich as soon as possible so that he create good lines of communication between you and the state agency in an effort to prevent any professional implications.

If you have been charged with a misdemeanor or felony in Los Angeles, Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Culver City, Santa Monica, Pasadena or anywhere throughout the county, contact Ross Erlich 24/7 for a free consultation and case evaluation.

Lamar Odom’s DUI Arraignment Postponed In Van Nuys Court

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Lamar Odom’s DUI arraignment was postponed for approximately two weeks after a judge granted his lawyer’s request for this continuance in the Van Nuys Superior Court’s misdemeanor traffic arraignment courtroom last Friday morning.

Odom is being charged with driving under the influence of alcohol, or drugs, or both (California Vehicle Code section 23152(a)), and was being represented in court by his attorney without being personally present.

Odom was arrested in the early morning hours on August 30 after law enforcement allegedly saw his car swerving across lanes on the 101 freeway.  He was also, allegedly, driving at only approximately 50 mph on the freeway, a 65 mph zone.  Officers allege that Odom failed to pull over for approximately 1 mile and failed several field sobriety tests at the location of arrest.

Once at the station, Odom refused to take any of the state-required blood alcohol tests (breath, urine or blood) and this caused an automatic 1 year suspension of his driver’s license from the DMV.  This suspension takes place immediately and stays in place regardless of the outcome of his criminal DUI case.

If you have been arrested for a DUI and charged with refusing a chemical test, it is crucial that you contact an attorney and have that attorney contact the DMV within 10 days of your arrest to request a hearing.  This administrative hearing will address the issues of whether or not law enforcement had reason to suspect you were driving under the influence, whether you were lawfully arrested, if you were properly advised that your license would be revoked or suspended for 1 year and if you willfully refused a test after all was said and done.

In court, a DUI refusal may lead to increased penalties should you plead guilty or get convicted at trial.  The prosecution will be seeking some form of jail time (minimum of 48 hours), a 9-month drinking and driving program and other possible additional penalties.

If you have been arrested and charged with a DUI in Los Angeles, Metro Court, Airport Court, Pasadena Court, Burbank Court or East Los Angeles Court, contact attorney Ross Erlich now for a free consultation.  Attorney Ross Erlich is available 24/7 and will evaluate your case and present you with your options right up front.

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Plea Bargains A Strong Possibility In Northridge Teen Kidnapping Case

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The two men who were arrested in connection with the kidnapping of a 10-year-old Northridge girl in March may be close to striking plea bargains and avoiding trial, a San Fernando Superior Court judge said.

This was a case that garnished lots of media attention due to the fact that these two men allegedly kidnapped this girl from her bedroom, sexually assaulted her at multiple locations, then dropped her off at a hospital later in the day.  One of the men then fled to Mexico and was apprehended nearly a month later at a drug rehab center.

A preliminary hearing was set for this past Monday where the prosecutors would have to lay out their case against the two men and show that there is enough probable cause to believe that a crime was committed and enough probable cause to believe that this person was the one who committed this crime.  This hearing was postponed as there was talk of negotiated plea bargain deals for both men.

Plea bargains can be a valuable resource for people charged with crimes of every caliber.  For smaller, less serious offenses, a plea bargain can be a way to avoid jail and excessive fines.  For more serious offenses, plea bargains can be a way for someone to avoid the death penalty, life without parole or excessive state prison time.

If you have been charged with a crime, a plea bargain may be an attractive option.  The reason being, if you choose to go to a trial and are convicted, you are then sentenced by a judge who has total discretion to sentence you to anything from probation to the maximum punishment by law.  The uncertainty of being sentenced by a judge can sometimes make a plea bargain a better hedged bet.  When you enter into a plea deal with the prosecutor, you know exactly what your sentence is, fines, probation, classes and the like.  You know what to expect and what preparations need to be made ahead of time.

If you have questions about a plea bargain or going to trial for any crime in Los Angeles, Hollywood, Culver City, Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, Pasadena or Burbank, contact attorney Ross Erlich to discuss your options free of charge.  You should know what choices you have and what the potential implications of those decisions may be.

LAPD Getting Tougher On Hit-And-Runs

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Los Angeles city officials, in partnership with the LAPD, have agreed to take a tougher stance on how it treats hit-and-runs in Los Angeles, including extending the statute of limitations on the more serious offenses.

LAPD estimates that there are approximately 20,000 hit-and-run incidents in the city each year and many of these involve property damage and even injury.  The city of LA will begin seeking revocation of driver’s licenses for the person involved and the forfeiture of their vehicles.  In addition to that, a new California state law extended the statute of limitations on hit-and-run incidents to six years.

You might be asking what all of this means to you.  Well, first and foremost, it means that law enforcement and prosecutor’s will be taking hit-and-run charges more seriously and will be enforcing the law in a stricter fashion.  Keep in mind that the city is seeking to revoke driver’s licenses and vehicles for those involved in these incidents, which are stiffer penalties then what we see now in Los Angeles.

If you were involved in a hit-and-run in Los Angeles, Hollywood, North Hollywood, Burbank, Pasadena, Santa Monica or Culver City, contact attorney Ross Erlich before you make any statements to law enforcement and know your rights.  Our office has had many successes in protecting our client’s criminal records, driver’s licenses and preventing jail time for hit-and-runs all over Los Angeles and Southern California.  Oftentimes we are able to enter into a civil compromise with the victim and get the criminal hit-and-run charge dismissed from your record.

If you have been charged with a hit-and-run and are wondering what to do next, contact Attorney Ross Erlich 24/7 for a free case consultation.

DUI And Felony Manslaughter Arrest In O.C. Crash That Killed 1

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A 19-year-old from Irvine has been arrested on felony manslaughter and DUI charges after a car crash that killed a 16-year-old girl and injured 6 others.

The incident occurred at approximately 1:30 a.m. when 2 cars were travelling over 70 mph on a canyon road.  The driver of the front car stopped abruptly in an attempt to avoid hitting a deer.  The suspect, in the car behind the front one, also slammed on his brakes but lost control of the vehicle when it slammed into a tree.  One of the passengers in the suspect’s car was ejected and died from her injuries.

If you were operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated and one of your passengers dies as a result of an accident that a prosecutor believes is your fault, you may be charged with felony vehicular manslaughter.  This offense is a “wobbler” meaning that, depending on the facts of your case and prior criminal history, the prosecutor may charge it as either a felony or a misdemeanor.  It is important to note that, if charged as a misdemeanor, the maximum punishment is up to 1 year in county jail and a $1,000 fine.  If charged as a felony, you are facing 16 months, 2 or 4 years in state prison.

There are many relevant facts that go into this type of criminal charge.  For example, it is important to determine the level of intoxication, the blood alcohol concentration, the weather conditions at the time of the accident, the other driver’s conduct, the road conditions and other factors that may have contributed directly to causing the accident.  Keep in mind that the prosecutor needs to establish that you were driving under the influence, that you negligently committed an unlawful act and that negligence caused the death of another person.

If you have been involved in a motor vehicle accident where someone has been seriously hurt or died as a result, it is important to contact an attorney before making statements to law enforcement.  Having an attorney on your side speak to the prosecutor’s office prior to charges being filed may lead to lesser charges getting filed or the possibility of settling some issues outside of court.

If you have been arrested for a DUI or vehicular manslaughter in Beverly Hills, Hollywood, Los Angeles, Culver City, Santa Monica or North Hollywood, contact attorney Ross Erlich before you make any other calls.

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Los Angeles Hit-And-Run’s The Subject Of ’20/20′ Investigation

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If you have lived in Los Angeles for any amount of time, let alone visited for more than a day, you know that LA has its fair share of cars and traffic.  What you also probably know is that with that amount of traffic, Los Angeles’ hit-and-run incidents far exceed the national average.  In fact, in 2009, 48% of crashes in Los Angeles were hit-and-runs, compared to a national rate of 11%.

ABC’s ’20/20′ ran a piece which focused on Los Angeles Police Department Detective Felix Padilla, who has been working in LAPD’s traffic division for over 10 years.  Padilla told ABC that his division alone sees an average of 8,000 hit-and-run incidents a year and that in 2013, there have already been 16 fatal hit-and-runs incidents.

The problem for law enforcement in a hit-and-run investigation is that an arrest and prosecution hinge on eyewitness testimony and many do not want to cooperate with the police.  Padilla talked about how the LAPD can impound the car during an investigation, but that doesn’t mean much if they don’t have the driver identified.

Another problem for the LAPD is Los Angeles’ large number of undocumented immigrant residents, many of whom drive a car even though they cannot legally obtain a license.  If they get into an accident, many fear criminal prosecution and deportation and decide to flea the scene.

If you have been involved in a hit-and-run in Los Angeles, it is important that you contact an attorney before answering any questions by law enforcement or before you make any statements.  Many times people are scared of what has happened and will try to “talk their way out” of getting arrested or charged with hit-and-run, which never happens and often leads to incriminating statements used in the incident report that prosecutors see.  What you should do is allow your attorney to communicate with law enforcement on your behalf to not only avoid those pitfalls, but see if there is a way to avoid any charges being filed.

If misdemeanor hit-and-run charges do end up getting filed, it is important that you talk to your attorney about the possibility of a civil compromise or getting your hit-and-run charge reduced to a non-point traffic infraction.  Many times your attorney can work with the victim outside of the courtroom to achieve these desired results and a reduction or dismissal of your criminal charges.

If you have been arrested or charged with a hit-and-run in Los Angeles, Hollywood, Downtown, Santa Monica, Beverly Hills or Burbank, contact attorney Ross Erlich 24/7 for a free consultation.

LAPD Arrests 7 In Glendale Identity Theft Ring

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LAPD arrested 7 people after hitting 9 locations as part of an identity theft ring that operated out of houses and apartments in Los Angeles and Glendale.

Glendale Police pulled over one of the suspects on a traffic violation and learned that the LAPD, LA County Sheriff’s, the Secret Service and the Attorney General’s Office were looking into these people.  Law enforcement seized devices used to scam credit card information from gas pumps, computers used to download this information, credit card machines, blank plastic credit cards and even a 100 gallon tank hidden in a truck used to steal gas.

Police say these suspects have guns and likely have gang ties, but made no specific confirmation on that.

Identity theft in Los Angeles is a serious crime and something that the District Attorney’s Office prosecute’s aggressively.  Identity theft is typically charged as a felony in Los Angeles and, as seen from this article, can draw the attention of the Federal government.  It is also a crime of moral turpitude which, if convicted of, may have a severe negative impact on your criminal record and finding a job.

Identity theft is something that, depending on someone’s prior criminal history, can be resolved by an experienced attorney without any jail time whatsoever.  Civil compromises, probation and restitution of any out of pocket losses by the victim’s are priorities of the prosecutors and judges and something that can often be reached through a plea bargain.

If you have been arrested for theft, identity theft, grand theft, burglary or petty theft, contact Ross Erlich now for a free consultation and to discuss what your options are.  Ross Erlich has experience in getting no jail time for people charged with theft of thousands of dollars and charged with multiple felonies.

“Mandatory Minimum” Sentences To End For Many Drug Offenders

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Federal prosecutors are no longer going to seek “mandatory minimum” sentences for many low-level and nonviolent drug offenders.  U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder plans to announce this major shift in the United States criminal drug offender policy today.

Holder cites the years of explosive growth in the federal prison population and the ballooning costs associated with this increase in incarceration.  Holder further stated that too many people go to too many prisons for too long, and, a lot of times, for “no good law enforcement reason.”

Under Holder’s new policy, prosecutors would send fewer drug offenders to federal prison for long terms and send an increasing number of these offenders to drug treatment and community service programs instead.  This change in policy also addresses a long-standing goal of civil rights groups who say that long prison sentences disproportionately hurt low-income and minorities.

The “war on drugs” that started in the 1980s brought about strict federal laws that required judges to impose long prison sentences on anyone caught with certain amounts of illegal drugs, regardless of the circumstances.  The public’s demand for these long sentences has decreased recently as stories of unfairness and skyrocketing costs have become more apparent.

In other words, drug offenses look to be much more manageable in the near future.  With the policy shifting on federal drug offenses, local offenders will also likely see more non-custody options associated with disposing of their case such as Deferred Entry of Judgement (DEJ), PC 1000, and Proposition 36.  With the help of a skilled and knowledgeable attorney, many of these options can be made available to you and, if needed, effective substance abuse programs and rehabilitation.

If you have been charged with drug possession, drug transportation, possession for sale or with the intent to sell, contact attorney Ross Erlich before you go to court and before you make any statements to law enforcement.  It is important to have a skilled attorney help you in the Airport court, CCB, Downtown Courts, Pasadena Court and all Los Angeles County courts.