California Criminal Lawyer Blog

Police in Sierra Madre arrested a woman in Arcadia for possession and/or being under the influence of narcotics. According to a news report in The Sierra Madre Patch, police arrested the woman following a traffic stop at the intersection of Don Pablo Drive and Foothill Boulevard the night of February 19. Police say the arrest also involves a possible parole violation. Officials have not said what type of substance the woman was under the influence of at the time of the arrest.

The penalties for drug crimes in Los Angeles County can be extremely severe. The nature and extent of charges in drug arrests will depend on the quantity of drugs confiscated, the defendant's intent to distribute or sell the drugs, and the defendant's prior criminal record. If there is a parole violation involved, the penalties could be significantly more severe. Consequences could include lengthy incarceration and other hefty penalties.

If you or a loved one has been charged with a Los Angeles drug crime, it would be in your best interest to contact an experienced drug crime defense lawyer who will make sure that your rights are protected.

The knowledgeable Los Angeles drug possession lawyers of Takakjian & Sitkoff have successfully helped numerous repeat drug offenders obtain alternative sentencing including drug court. Our attorneys are former prosecutors with decades of combined trial experience. Please contact us at 866-430-8383 to discuss your case. It is our law firm's practice to independently reexamine all forensic evidence in drug cases so we can spot any inaccuracies or inconsistencies in the prosecution's case. Call us today to find out how we can help you.

With state and city budgets getting tighter, more and more cities and law enforcement agencies in the OC are relying on the Orange County crime lab to analyze evidence relating to several crimes, including high-profile murders and sexual assaults. According to a news report in The Orange County Register, Huntington Beach recently became the last of several Orange County law enforcement agencies to shut down city labs that deal with drug analysis. This move makes the county lab the only one left in the area to handle such services.

Officials say that the county lab has been able to operate without backlogs despite the recent increase in its workload. The county lab offers several forensic-related services, including DNA processing, ballistics, and drug and alcohol-testing. Needless to say, these services are extremely valuable. Running a crime lab is a costly operation due to the costly equipment that is required as well as the expertise that is necessary to make such complex analyses.

If you have been charged with a serious crime in Orange County, it is very likely that forensic evidence of some type is involved. Whether your charges involve drunk driving, drugs, burglary, sexual assault, or homicide, physical evidence is an extremely important part of a criminal case. Physical evidence in a criminal case can make the difference between incarceration and acquittal.

This is exactly why the experienced and knowledgeable Orange County criminal defense lawyers at Takakjian & Sitkoff do not take any type of forensic evidence lightly. Regardless of costs, our firm's practice is to independently reexamine all forensic evidence in our cases – whether they involve drunk driving or other criminal cases – in order to find mistakes.

With the increased workload many county crime labs deal with, it is natural for mistakes to happen. But these mistakes can turn out to be very costly for defendants. Their lives depend on it. If you have been charged with a crime in Orange, Los Angeles, or Ventura counties, please contact our law offices at 866-430-8383 for a free and comprehensive consultation. We have the resources and the right access to expert forensic analysts, which can have a remarkable impact on the outcome of your case.

On Friday, February 18 criminal defense attorney Stephen Sitkoff from the criminal defense law firm of Takakjian & Sitkoff was on ABC News’ show “Good Morning America” to discuss the development of Lindsay Lohan’s grand theft case, for which she is facing a possible three year prison sentence if convicted.

According to ABC News, the infamous actress was charged recently with a felony that stems from the disappearance of a $2,500 necklace from a boutique in Venice, CA in January. On Tuesday, February 2 the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) began an investigation of the actress in connection with the possible theft of the necklace.

In relation to what Lohan needs to do regarding to the case and her public image, Sitkoff states, “Lindsay needs to do the things she needs to do in order to show the court that she’s living differently.” According to the video, Lohan is attending AA meetings and is taking her charges seriously.

The recent charges of grand theft against Lindsay Lohan show that every criminal charge has grave penalties. Whether you have been accused of a misdemeanor or a felony in California, skills and experience of a Los Angeles criminal defense lawyer can make the difference between whether you serve time in jail, are able to be granted probation, or if you are given alternative sentencing. If you have been accused of theft in California, contact Takakjian & Sitkoff to learn more about what legal options are available to you. Call 866-430-8383 to schedule a free consultation today.

California Penal Code 273 was amended in January 2011 to expand the penalties for the abuse of a child under the age of 8. Under the revised law, those found guilty of abusing a child who is 8 years of age or under, causing the child major bodily injuries or death, could now face harsher penalties.

California Penal Code Section 273 (a) was created to penalize individuals who are found guilty of causing great bodily injury resulting in the death of a child in their custody under the age of 8. Anyone convicted of this crime could face 25 years to life in prison. California Penal Code 283a (b) now extends these same penalties to individuals whose offense against a child causes a comatose condition due to brain injury or permanent paralysis.

Child abuse is a serious problem in our society. There is no question that individuals who cause serious harm to young children must be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. However, if you have been falsely accused of child abuse or if you have been arrested because of a misunderstanding, you deserve to have those charges aggressively defended. The consequences and penalties for a conviction of child abuse are life-changing.

If you have been accused of child abuse or child endangerment, please contact the experienced Los Angeles criminal defense lawyers at Takakjian & Sitkoff to discuss your case. We have a long and successful track record of fighting for the rights of parents and caregivers who have been wrongfully accused of child abuse or child endangerment. Please contact us at 866-430-8383 to find out how we can help.

In California, repeat DUI offenders face stiff penalties. For example, a first time DUI offender may face a six-month license suspension and fines of up to $1,800. A person’s second DUI offense could result in a mandatory jail time of up to 30 days, a two-year license suspension, and up to $2,800 in penalties. A third DUI offense will result in a mandatory year-long jail sentence coupled with a three-year license suspension. A new law, which will go into effect in 2012, will further penalize fourth-time DUI offenders by taking away their driving privileges for 10 years.

Under California Vehicle Code 23597, there will be enhanced penalties for drivers who have had four DUI convictions within a 10-year period. The court will potentially have the power to enforce a decade-long license suspension to anyone who has been convicted of three or more DUI offenses. The court will take into consideration the amount of time between each conviction and the circumstances of the arrests.

The new law would provide repeat offenders an opportunity to have their 10-year suspension reduced to five years if they have had no other drug or alcohol convictions during that time. While the bill could cause some repeat DUI offenders to think twice about driving under the influence, it can have devastating consequences on the lives and livelihoods of those wrongfully convicted of a DUI in California.

With these increasing penalties for DUI offenders, it is important that every drunk driving charge is fought every step of the way. If you have been accused of drunk driving in Los Angeles, Orange or Ventura counties, please contact the experienced Los Angeles DUI defense lawyers of Takakjian & Sitkoff. You can reach our office directly at 866-430-8383 for a free, comprehensive, and completely confidential consultation.

She has been accused of stealing several times in the past. She has been accused and convicted of DUI. But the big question now is whether Lindsay Lohan will be able to avoid conviction and possible prison time in her felony grand theft case. People.com interviewed a number of well-known Los Angeles criminal defense lawyers. Our own Steve Sitkoff was also interviewed by People.

Sitkoff highlighted the important fact that this will by no means be a slam-dunk case for the prosecution. Prosecutors are alleging that the 24-year-old actress stole a $2,500 necklace from a store. According to Steve Sitkoff, all that a criminal defense lawyer needs to do in this felony grand theft case is convince one juror that this was an "innocent misunderstanding." If her lawyer succeeds in placing that element of doubt in one juror's mind, Lindsay Lohan can walk out of this unscathed, unless the prosecutor decides to retry the case.

It is unlikely that Lohan will be sentenced to state prison because she is not a physical threat to anyone. It is also possible that Lohan will reach a plea deal and avoid a trial altogether. If she takes that route, she could get up to six months in county jail for the theft and probation violation. As Sitkoff states, in this particular case, the prosecution could find a way to ensure that Lohan does substantial time and prohibit her from early release. Other possibilities include felony probation with no jail time. The charge could also be reduced from a felony to a misdemeanor.

Lohan's case only goes to show that every criminal charge has grave consequences. Whether you have been accused of a misdemeanor or a felony, the experience and skill of the Los Angeles criminal defense attorney you choose can make the difference between whether you serve time in state prison, get probation or walk away from it all. If you or a loved one has been accused of a theft crime in Los Angeles, please contact the experienced Los Angeles theft defense lawyers at Takakjian & Sitkoff for a free and comprehensive consultation. Call us today at 866-430-8383 to find out how we can help you.

The weekend is a great time to unwind and get together with family and friends. Although everyone may not partake in drinking at various social events, it is important for you to be aware of the level of intoxication of the people you are spending time with. Drinking and driving is never a smart choice and it only puts lives in danger.

With this in mind, it may seem like law enforcement would never make any mistakes when it comes to conducting field sobriety tests or giving blood alcohol concentration (BAC) tests at a DUI checkpoint. However, there are many factors that have often led to a wrongful Orange County DUI arrest. Without the right attorney on your side, a wrongful DUI conviction can tarnish your reputation, inflict steep fines, and cause you other inconveniences.

The following DUI checkpoints in Orange County have been announced for the weekend of February 11:

• Feb. 11 in Newport Beach between 9:00 p.m. and 3:00 a.m., located at corner of Newport Blvd and Finley;


• Feb. 11 in Lake Forest between 6:30 p.m. and 2:30 a.m., undisclosed location; and,


• Feb. 12 in Costa Mesa between 7:00 p.m. and 1:00 a.m., located at Newport Blvd and Flower Street.

Not every California DUI checkpoint or DUI roadblock arrest is justified. It is unlawful for an officer to stop a vehicle at random for a drunk driving investigation, unless certain criterion is met. While there are some provisions for DUI checkpoints, a solid defense can still be built in court to help reduce or dismiss the charges being held against you. Orange County drunk driving lawyers will investigate whether an officer had “probable cause” for the DUI arrest. An attorney will also evaluate whether the officer had legitimate facts to demonstrate a “reasonable suspicion” to detain you to begin with.

If you or someone you care about has been arrested for driving while under the influence of alcohol in Orange County, call the Orange County DUI defense attorneys at Takakjian & Sitkoff for a free consultation. There is no time to waste. The sooner one of our attorneys can evaluate your situation; the better your chances are of walking away without a DUI on your record. Call 1-866-430-8383 today.

A 29-year-old man was arrested on Thursday, February 3, at a home in Redondo Beach for operating an illegal medical marijuana courier service, The Daily Breeze reports. Police served the man with a search warrant and found more than 600 marijuana plants in various stages of growth, along with equipment used for home cultivation. Police also confiscated equipment and products that could be potentially used to manufacture methamphetamine and other drugs.

California voters passed the Compassionate Use Act of 1996, making cultivation and possession of marijuana for medical use legal in the Golden State. However, the law gets complicated because possession or use of marijuana – medical or recreational – is still illegal under federal law. Under California law, medical marijuana patients can form collectives to grow and provide marijuana to each other. Often, such collectives are organized informally.

There is no question that the California laws relating to medical marijuana are murky. Thousands of medical marijuana growers and patients are still arrested across the state. Possessing or growing marijuana in California is defensible because it is legal in this state, although it continues to be banned by federal law. A narcotics conviction, especially for distribution or sale, can still result in serious penalties, including prison time.

If you have been arrested for using, possessing, or growing marijuana for medical purposes in Los Angeles, please remember that you have legal rights. Please contact the law offices of Takakjian & Sitkoff to find out more information about your legal rights and options with one of our Los Angeles marijuana defense lawyers. Call us today at 866-430-8383 for a free consultation and case evaluation.

Police have determined that a potential kidnapping incident in Redondo Beach that involved an 8-year-old boy was just a misunderstanding. According to a news report in The Daily Breeze, the incident occurred on Huntington Lane in Redondo Beach on January 27 when the boy walked past the man, who made comments the boy misinterpreted. The child felt threatened and notified the authorities. According to the police, the man was the boy’s neighbor and had no intention of kidnapping the boy. The investigation revealed that it was simply a misunderstanding and no charges were filed.

Under California Penal Code 207, kidnapping involves a person who “forcibly, or by any other means of instilling fear, steals or takes, or holds, detains, or arrests any person in this state, and carries the person into another country, state, or county, or into another part of the same county.” Kidnapping and attempted kidnapping are serious crimes that often result in extended prison sentences. Kidnapping charges in California involving children could also include sex crime charges for the defendant, depending on the circumstances of the case.

Many crimes that involve a minor occur because of a misunderstanding. That is why it is crucial to have a skilled attorney help you fight the charges every step of the way. An individual who is faced with child molestation or child sex abuse charges is looking at a lengthy prison time, hefty fines, and mandatory registration as a sex offender.

The Los Angeles criminal defense attorneys at Takakjian & Sitkoff have an extensive and successful track record of clearing false allegations and misunderstandings. No one should have to face prison time or be labeled as a criminal because of a misapprehension. If you have been charged with a crime in Los Angeles, please contact our law offices for a free consultation. Call 866-430-8383 today.

Police agencies from Santa Barbara to San Diego beefed up their DUI patrols over the Super Bowl weekend. Obviously, this was a fun-filled day for Americans. In most California cities, a record number of DUI arrests are made on Super Bowl Sunday. Most police departments carry out DUI saturation patrols or checkpoints on this day.

The Orange County Register reported last year that on Super Bowl Sunday 2010, more than 40 people were arrested county-wide for driving under the influence. The patrols in Orange County were carried out by a special task force that included the sheriff's department, California Highway Patrol (CHP) officials, and local law enforcement personnel. The CHP also reports that on Super Bowl Sunday 2009, 11 people were killed in alcohol-related crashes, which amounts to three times the daily average in California. On the same day, more than 160 people were injured in alcohol-related car accidents, which is twice the daily average in California.

Driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs is illegal under California law. A DUI conviction in California has dire consequences, some of which include jail time, enrollment in mandatory alcohol education program, loss of driver’s license, hefty penalties, and required installation of an ignition interlock device (IID).

If you have been arrested for drunk driving in Los Angeles, Orange or Ventura counties, please contact the experienced California drunk driving defense lawyers at Takakjian & Sitkoff. We will discuss your case at no cost and build a solid defense to obtain the best possible outcome. Call us today at 866-430-8383 to find out how we can help.

With the Super Bowl approaching this weekend, southern California residents and visitors can expect many drunk driving checkpoints at various locations. Edhat Online Magazine notes that 105 alcohol-related injury accidents occurred in California with 11 deaths on Super Bowl Sunday in 2009. In 2010, 79 alcohol-related injury accidents took place in California with 4 deaths.

DUI checkpoints in California and throughout the United States have always been controversial in terms of the inconveniences they pose and their accuracy in properly identifying motorists who are illegally intoxicated. While DUI checkpoints can occur on any given day at any time, Super Bowl Sunday attracts a significant amount of attention in being considered an event that lays the foundation of temptation for drunk driving. However, as a recent OC Register article emphasizes, law enforcement often targets specific areas – Super Bowl or not - that are suspected of attracting drunk driving.

According to the article, Huntington Beach has been reported to have the most DUI crashes in California, causing police to issue a downtown foot patrol, apply for additional DUI checkpoint grants and ask for more education outreach for local bars and restaurants. Huntington Beach also recently sought permission to place the names of “habitual drunken drivers” on the police department’s Facebook page. This procedure was denied by a council majority in January.

If you plan on enjoying the Super Bowl with family and friends this weekend, don’t drive after you’ve consumed alcohol. One beer can go further than you think. It’s not worth facing steep fines, driver’s license suspension, jail time, and other penalties. Be sure to have a designated driver or don’t drink at all if you plan on driving.

It’s no secret that police officers can make mistakes. When major drunk driving checkpoints are issued, the pressure is on for law enforcement and some officers may be overzealous in the amount of arrests they make. Moreover, a person’s performance during field sobriety tests can be compromised by subjectivity, health problems, and other factors. Even breathalyzers can produce inaccurate blood alcohol concentration (BAC) results.

With these points in mind, if you or someone you care about has been charged with driving under the influence of alcohol in California, the Orange County drunk driving lawyers at Takakjian & Sitkoff can help. Call 866-430-8383 as soon as you can for a free consultation with one of our skilled and aggressive attorneys.