California Criminal Lawyer Blog

Sports Illustrated model and “Planet of the Apes” actress, Estella Warren was recently arrested for driving under the influence and crashing her Toyota Prius into some parked cars on Harper Avenue south of Melrose near the West Hollywood area. According to The Daily Breeze, she is also accused of fighting with police, slipping off her handcuffs, and running out of a police station. She was released after posting a $100,000 bail. She is facing charges of driving under the influence and battery on a police officer.

Driving under the influence of alcohol and or drugs is illegal under California law. According to California Vehicle Code Section 23152 (a): “It is unlawful for any person who is under the influence of any alcoholic beverage or drug, or under the combined influence of any alcoholic beverage and drug, to drive a vehicle.” The same section also states that it is illegal for anyone to drive with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.08 percent or higher.

Whether a DUI case in California involves a celebrity or an average citizen, DUI laws do not change. If you have been arrested for DUI, you must contact the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) within 10 days of the arrest to request a hearing or to stop your automatic driver license suspension. If this is your first offense, your license could be automatically suspended for four months. If this is your second offense, you could lose your driving privilege for a year if you fail to contact the DMV.

The law with regard to DUI cases can be complex and confusing. The experienced Los Angeles DUI defense lawyers of Takakjian & Sitkoff have handled DMV license suspension hearings successfully for many years. Our skilled and knowledgeable attorneys can work with the DMV for you so you can continue to drive. If you or a loved one has been accused of a drunk driving in Los Angeles, please contact our law offices right away at 866-430-8383 to find out how we can help you.

Three men were arrested in Thousand Oaks recently for allegedly being under the influence of a controlled substance and possessing methamphetamine, according to The Ventura County Star. Ventura County Sheriff's deputies say there were alerted about a group of individuals who were at a Radio Shack in Moorpark buying a police scanner. Deputies later spotted the group and arrested the three men on drug charges, and were reported to have been in a stolen vehicle. A woman who was with them was arrested for alleged strong-arm robbery. An investigation is ongoing.

A drug offense in Ventura County usually involves the possession, sale or transportation of any drug, intoxicant or drug paraphernalia that is prohibited by law. A majority of drug offenses in California are felonies. Whether a drug crime is charged as a misdemeanor or felony depends on the quantity of drugs seized, the circumstances of the arrest, and the prior criminal history of the defendant. The consequences of a drug crime conviction can also be extremely severe. Depending on the nature and severity of the charges, a defendant could be looking at time in prison, hefty fines, or entering into a mandatory drug rehabilitation program.

For first-time drug offenders, alternative sentencing options may be available. Proposition 36, for example, allows a person convicted of a non-violent drug crime to get probation and drug treatment instead of jail time. Both first-time and repeat offenders may be able to participate in “drug court,” which is a special court that closely supervises select felony and misdemeanor drug cases. This program is not available to those involved in violent crimes. Another alternative is a “diversion” program where the defendant enters a guilty plea, but instead of getting sentenced to jail goes through a diversion program, which is a series of classes. Participants will be subject to random drug testing and a failed drug test could land the individual back in court or jail.

When it comes to drug crimes, jail or prison is not always the solution. The experienced Ventura County drug crime defense lawyers of Takakjian & Sitkoff have successfully handled a variety of drug cases from misdemeanor drug possession to felony crimes. Call us today at 866-430-8383 to discuss your case at absolutely no-cost to learn how we can protect your rights.

A 67-year-old man has pleaded not guilty to touching himself sexually in front of three teen girls in a public library in Newport Beach. According to a news report in The Orange County Register, the man was charged with one felony count of indecent exposure in Orange County. Officials say he has two prior convictions on similar charges – in 1999 and 2002. If convicted, the man faces three years in state prison. The alleged incident was reported by the three girls to the librarian on May 9. The man was arrested at a later date when he returned to the library.

According to California Penal Code Section 314, indecent exposure refers to the act where an individual willfully and lewdly "exposes his person, or the private parts thereof, in any public place, or in any place where there are present other persons to be offended or annoyed thereby."

In order to convict someone of indecent exposure, prosecutors must prove that the defendant intentionally exposed himself; that the act occurred in a public area or in a place where other people were present and were likely to be offended or annoyed; and it was done with a specific intent such as sexual arousal or to offend someone. Indecent exposure may be charged as a misdemeanor or a felony depending on the circumstances of the particular case and the criminal history of the defendant.

The consequences of any sex crime conviction in California can be significant. Some of the consequences of a sex crime conviction include prison time, heavy fines, and mandatory registration as a sex offender. If you or a loved one has been charged with indecent exposure in Orange County, please contact the experienced Newport Beach indecent exposure defense lawyers of Takakjian & Sitkoff. Our skilled and knowledgeable attorneys will carefully examine your case and work diligently to obtain an acquittal or get charges reduced. Call us today at 1-866-430-8383 to discuss your case.

A 49-year-old man has been arrested for drunk driving, hit-and-run and vehicular manslaughter in Ventura after a car accident that killed a bicyclist and injured several others. Officials say the man who was driving a Hummer caused three separate crashes and fled the scene. The defendant has pleaded not guilty to all charges. If convicted, he faces up to 18 years in prison. He had no prior criminal record or convictions, the report states.

Driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs is illegal under California Vehicle Code Section 23152 (a). According to California Penal Code Section 191.5 (a) gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated is defined as "the driving of a vehicle, where the driving was in violation of Section 23140, 23152, or 23153 of the Vehicle Code, and the killing was either the proximate result of the commission of an unlawful act, not amounting to a felony, and with gross negligence, or the proximate result of the commission of a lawful act that might produce death, in an unlawful manner, and with gross negligence."

These are no doubt serious charges. The severity of a drunk driving charge will usually depend on the nature and extent of the injuries and the defendant's criminal history. An experienced Ventura vehicular manslaughter defense attorney can help protect the rights of a defendant in such cases.

The skilled Ventura County criminal defense lawyers of Takakjian & Sitkoff have successfully represented those who have been charged with drunk driving. Our attorneys have significant experience and a lengthy and successful track record when it comes to DUI cases. Call us today at 1-866-430-8383 to schedule a no-cost consultation.

Several cities in Orange County, including Irvine and Westminster, are in the process of deciding whether to further restrict the rights of convicted sex offenders by not allowing them into city parks. According to a news report in The Daily Pilot, these citywide ordinances would ban sex offenders from playgrounds and city parks unless they receive permission from an Orange County sheriff. Penalties for violating this new law could include up to six months in jail and a $500 fine. If passed, parents who have been convicted of a sex crime in the past will not be able to bring their children to a public playground without seeking permission. Orange County supervisors have already voted in favor of banning convicted sex offenders from all parks in the county.

There are already a number of long-term penalties that alleged sex offenders must face. Under Megan’s Law, for example, certain sex offenders are required to register with the local law enforcement agency in their city of residence. Anyone with access to the internet can view where they live, what crime they were convicted of, and in some cases, a photo of the person.

Many registered sex offenders may difficulty finding employment because of a prior conviction. Employers who are required to perform background checks are not likely to hire someone with a sex crime on their record. The initial criminal penalties and the long-term consequences are why it is crucial that anyone facing sex crime charges seek the counsel of an experienced sex crime defense lawyer.

The skilled Irvine sex crime defense attorneys at Takakjian & Sitkoff have aggressively fought the sex crime charges our clients have faced. If you have been accused of committing a sex crime in Orange County, call us at 866-430-8383 right away to discuss your case at no-cost.

Two people were arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence at an Orange County DUI checkpoint over the weekend. According to a news report in The Orange County Register, the DUI checkpoint occurred at Campus Drive and Bridge Road in Irvine. In addition to the two DUI arrests, 10 citations were issued at the checkpoint. Officials stopped 545 vehicles at the checkpoint and required nine drivers to perform sobriety tests. It is unclear if breath tests were given to the two drivers that were arrested or if they were arrested solely on the assumed results from a field sobriety test.

The three standard field sobriety tests include: the horizontal gaze nystagmus, the walk-and-turn and the one-leg stand. The horizontal gaze nystagmus test forces the suspect to follow an object moving side to side. If the pupil jerks, it may be a sign of intoxication. The walk-and-turn and the one-leg stand are both divided attention tests. During the walk and turn the suspect will have to take nine steps heel to toe away and back again while counting the number of steps out loud. The one leg stand requires the suspect to stand on one foot while counting.

The problem with field sobriety tests is that their accuracy depends upon the skill of the test administrator, the conditions of where the test is administered and the health of the suspect. There are many variables that could lead an officer to incorrectly assume that the suspect was intoxicated.

The Orange County drunk driving defense attorneys at Takakjian & Sitkoff protect the rights of Orange County drivers. If you have been charged with driving under the influence, please call our offices at 866-430-8383 right away for a free consultation.

The Ventura County Sheriff’s Department has released a sketch of a 40- to 45 year-old Caucasian man who has been accused of a lewd act involving a child at Santa Susana Park in Simi Valley according to a news report in The Ventura County Star. Police say the man followed two children into a tunnel and committed an unspecified lewd act. Neither of the children was hurt in the alleged incident.

California Penal Code Section 288 covers lewd acts involving children. It states that “any person who willfully and lewdly commits any lewd or lascivious act…upon or with the body, or any part or member thereof, of a child who is under the age of 14 years, with the intent of arousing, appealing to, or gratifying the lust, passions, or sexual desires of that person or the child, is guilty of a felony.”

This felony carries severe penalties, including imprisonment for three, six, or eight years. Anyone facing these serious allegations would be well-advised to seek the counsel of an experienced criminal defense lawyer before discussing the case with the authorities. Many of these types of cases arise from false allegations and mistaken identities. An attorney will ensure that the defendant’s rights are protected.

The Ventura sex crime defense attorneys of Takakjian & Sitkoff have a successful track record defending the rights of Ventura County residents. Being accused or convicted of a sex crime can have devastating consequences for anyone. If you or a loved one has been accused of a sex crime in California, please call 866-430-8383 for a free and comprehensive consultation today.

Rick Springfield, the singer of “Jessie’s Girl,” has been arrested for drunk driving this past week. According to a news report in The LA Daily News, the DUI arrest occurred on the Pacific Coast Highway near Trancas Canyon Road in Malibu the night of May 1. Officials conducted a field sobriety test as part of the DUI investigation. Springfield also submitted to a breath test. Officials say his blood alcohol content (BAC) was .1 percent.

In California, the legal blood alcohol limit is .08 percent. California Vehicle Code Section 23152 (a) states: “It is unlawful for any person who is under the influence of any alcoholic beverage or drug, or under the combined influence of any alcoholic beverage and drug, to drive a vehicle.” The manner in which an officer conducts a blood alcohol test is significant in such cases. The calibration of the device used for the breath test must also be checked to ensure that the readings are accurate.

California drivers have 10 days to request a hearing from the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to have their license suspension delayed until after an administrative review. First-time offenders typically face a four-month license suspension. There are, however, potentially much more serious penalties for a DUI that involves a high BAC. A first-time offense may result in up to six months in jail, a fine of $1,600, undergoing a mandatory alcohol education program, and the required installation of an ignition interlock device (IID) on an offender’s vehicle.

The Los Angeles drunk driving defense attorneys at Takakjian & Sitkoff help protect the rights of California drivers. Our reputed attorneys have a lengthy and successful track record of representing those charged with drunk driving and helping them retain their driving privilege. Call us today at 866-430-8383 for a no-cost consultation and comprehensive case evaluation.

A Los Angeles police officer has been charged with driving under the influence after allegedly driving the wrong way through the Sepulveda tunnel near LAX, according to The Ventura County Star. It does not appear from the report that anyone was harmed in the incident. It also is not clear if the officer will be suspended because of the arrest.

California Vehicle Code 23152 makes it “unlawful for any person who is under the influence of any alcoholic beverage or drug, or under the combined influence of any alcoholic beverage and drug, to drive a vehicle.” Penalties for first-time DUI offenders in California could include 96 hours to six months of jail time, a substantial driver’s license suspension, mandatory enrollment in an alcohol education program, and installation of an ignition interlock device (IID) in their vehicle.

A drunk driving charge or conviction in California can have devastating consequences for those working in law enforcement. Such individuals could even face immediate employment termination if convicted. It is particularly important for these types of defendants to seek the counsel of a skilled attorney right away. In some cases, the charges can be reduced or dismissed completely.

The reputed Los Angeles DUI defense attorneys at Takakjian & Sitkoff protect the rights of our clients. If you or a loved one is facing DUI charges in Los Angeles, Orange, or Ventura County, contact our law offices by calling 866-430-8383 to discuss your case at absolutely no-cost.