California Criminal Lawyer Blog

Operation Dry Water is a campaign occurring for boating under the influence (BUI) in California and throughout the country, June 24-26, 2011, that focuses on enforcement and education in an effort to decrease boating accidents and fatalities related to alcohol and/or drug use. According to OperationDryWater.org, the campaign happens each year during the weekend before 4th of July and is organized by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) in partnership with the Coast Guard, the states, and other organizations.

During Operation Dry Water, there will be increased patrols as well as BUI sobriety testing. In addition to the breathalyzer tests and others, for the first time ever, marine patrol officers can now test boaters in a seated position and apply the percentage of probability that a 0.08 BAC level of impairment exists. The series of BUI tests have been approved for marine use and are based on results from a three-year study carried out by the Southern California Research Institute.

The new California BUI field sobriety tests are conducted on the water and no longer take place on the land on a steady platform, which raises questions regarding accuracy in determining whether a person is under the influence. Some of the tests include finger to nose, horizontal gaze and nystagmus, palm pat, and hand coordination. If a boat operator is BUI, the boating trip will be terminated, the operator may be arrested and the boat itself may be impounded. The full list of potential penalties includes: fines, imprisonment, loss of boating privileges, boat impoundment, and even the loss of driving privileges.

Marine law enforcement patrols throughout Southern California will be taking Operation Dry Water very seriously and are likely to penalize anyone who even remotely seems to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Even in boating, however, the use of alcohol does not automatically deem a boat operator impaired. If you have been arrested for BUI on a boat in one of Southern California’s marinas, such as Ventura, Oxnard, Marina Del Rey, Huntington Harbor, Newport Beach, Dana Point or Oceanside; or if you have been at the river or even on Lake Elsinore and have been arrested, call the Southern California BUI attorneys at Takakjian & Sitkoff at 866-430-8383.

Recently, prosecutors in Santa Clara County dropped charges in several DUI cases because of faulty breathalyzers that were used in field tests. According to a news report in the San Jose Mercury News, county officials conducted a special review of 858 files of which 5 percent or 42 cases were dismissed because a faulty breathalyzer was used. The questionable cases involved drivers who refused to take a second sobriety test at the police station leaving the faulty field test as the main evidence in the case.

The investigation into these cases began a month after prosecutors learned that the Alco Sensor V device that the San Jose and Palo Alto police departments had been using may have incorrect readings because of a manufacturer's defect that can cause condensation to build up in the tube. In fact, Ventura County officials were the first to learn of the problem in April.

These faulty breathalyzer readings in California have also caused hassles for defendants. One woman, for example, refused to take a plea deal for a lesser charge of reckless driving involving alcohol because, she maintained, she was simply not drunk. Thankfully, her case ended up being dismissed because a test taken at the station showed a blood alcohol level of 0.05 percent, which is below the legal limit of 0.08 percent. The tests taken with the Alco-Sensor V on the filed showed readings of 0.09 percent. Unfortunately, for many others who may have been victims of these faulty breathalyzers, they have already paid fines and served time.

If you or a loved one has been charged with driving under the influence, do not plead guilty until you have discussed your case with a reputed California DUI defense lawyer. The experienced drunk driving defense attorneys of Takakjian & Sitkoff have a successful track record of challenging breathalyzer and field sobriety tests. We have been able to get charges dismissed or lessened using our knowledge and experience. Call us today at 866-430-8383 to find out how we can help you.

Police in Huntington Beach arrested four convicted sex offenders on charges of violating their parole. The Orange County Register reports that law enforcement officials conducted a sweep of Southern California registered sex offenders in the city and checked up on 16 others who are on active parole. Four were arrested after they were found to have violated conditions of their parole, officials said. There are currently 178 sex offenders in the city of Huntington Beach of whom 95 are listed on the Megan's Law website. The sweep was conducted by a task force comprising local, county and state law enforcement officials.

When you are convicted of a sex crime in Orange County or anywhere in California, the consequences are usually long-term. Not only does the defendant face jail or prison time and hefty fines, but he or she is also required to register as a sex offender – even after serving time. Convicted sex offenders are required to register with local law enforcement agencies. Their information, including home address and photo, could be posted on the Megan's Law website for the public to see. In addition, a number of cities in Orange County are adopting ordinances banning convicted sex offenders from entering city parks without prior police permission.

These consequences are the reason why it is imperative for anyone who has been charged with a sex crime to seek the counsel of an experienced Huntington Beach sex crime defense lawyer. The reputed Orange County criminal defense lawyers of Takakjian & Sitkoff know and understand the high stakes in any sex crime case. We will put our decades of experience as former prosecutors and investigators to work for you in order to obtain the best possible outcome in your case. Call us today at 866-430-8383 to schedule a free consultation and get the help you need.

A 29-year-old Orange County man has been charged with child annoyance in connection with incidents involving four teenage girls on multiple occasions. According to a news report in The Orange County Register, the man faces up to six years in prison. Officials say the man approached the teenagers three days in a row outside their school. According to the report, the man tried to have extended conversations with them and tried to get their phone numbers. He was arrested in his Whittier home after the authorities created a composite drawing based on descriptions and a subsequent photo lineup.

Under California Penal Code Section 647.6: "Every person who annoys or molests any child under 18 years of age shall be punished." Also, every person who, "motivated by an unnatural or abnormal sexual interest in children, engages in conduct with an adult whom he or she believes to be a child under 18 years of age," may face penalties including prison time.

A person does not actually have to even touch an alleged victim to be charged with these serious sex crimes in California. It is important that the authorities keep potentially dangerous individuals away from young victims, but it is equally important to protect the rights of individuals who did not commit a crime. An experienced Whittier sex crime defense attorney can review the circumstances of a case to determine if the charges can be reduced or dismissed.

The skilled criminal defense attorneys at Takakjian & Sitkoff serve Orange County and all of Southern California. The stakes in any sex crime, especially those involving minors, are very high. Those convicted of these crimes not only face incarceration, but also hefty fines and mandatory registration as a sex offender. If you are facing sex crime charges, please contact our Orange County sex crime defense lawyers at 866-430-8383 for a no-cost consultation.

A total of sixteen people were arrested throughout Santa Barbara, Los Angeles and Ventura Counties following a six-month drug ring investigation. According to a news report in The Ventura County Star, the Santa Barbara Regional Narcotic Enforcement Team seized 16 grams of rock cocaine and 12 pounds of methamphetamine during this bust. Not only were the 16 people arrested, but eight children were also removed from their homes under the Drug Endangered Children Program. The report states that warrants were served during the June 9, 2011 drug raid and that the authorities obtained $200,000 in cash and five handguns in addition to the drugs.

Major drug busts that result in the arrests of multiple people at numerous locations can become immensely complicated. Authorities do their best to make sure that those directly connected to criminal acts are penalized. Unfortunately, it is common in these types of cases for certain individuals to be penalized more than others and for some people to be wrongfully arrested for just being in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Drug charges in California relating to possession and distribution often results in lengthy incarceration and heavy fines. Anyone facing serious drug charges would be well advised to immediately seek legal guidance before discussing the specifics of the case with the authorities.

The Santa Barbara drug crime defense attorneys at Takakjian & Sitkoff serve all of Los Angeles, Orange and Ventura counties. We have a long history of protecting the rights of our clients and getting their charges reduced or thrown out. To discuss the specifics of your case completely free of charge, call our experienced criminal defense lawyers at 866-430-8383 today. We are here to help.

A 34-year-old man from Santa Ana has been arrested for lewd and lascivious acts with a child under 14. According to a news report in The Orange County Register, the arrest occurred in Santa Ana. Officials say the man was charged after an 8-year-old girl told an adult female relative that the suspect touched her. He has been charged with numerous felonies including oral copulation and rape.

Lewd act with a child is defined by California Penal Code section 288 as inappropriate touching of a child under the age of 14 for the purpose of sexual gratification. This is clearly a very serious allegation. There is no question that our children should be protected from sexual predators. Unfortunately, this is a crime that commonly involves false allegations or even misunderstanding. The impact of sex crime allegations can be significant for anyone. A person does not have to actually end up being convicted in order to face serious personal and professional consequences.

An experienced Orange County sex crime defense attorney will fight to ensure that false allegations do not result in a wrongful conviction. There are many questions to be asked in any sex crime case. Is there forensic evidence against the defendant or is the case built on hearsay? Were there any witnesses to the alleged crime?

The sex crime attorneys in Southern California at Takakjian & Sitkoff make sure that their clients receive fair treatment in court. We have years of experience handling all types of sex crimes in southern California. We have had a successful track record in getting charges lessened or completely dismissed. Call our offices at 866-430-8383 today if you or a loved one is facing serious sex crime charges in Orange County.

A 56-year-old man has been charged with driving under the influence after being involved in an Orange County car crash. According to a news report in The Orange County Register, the suspected drunk driving accident in Irvine occurred at John Wayne Airport. Police say that the man drove over a curb, through a fence and crashed into a private plane. No one was hurt in the accident but the plane began to leak fuel following the collision. The driver was arrested for DUI.

It is illegal to operate a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs in California. 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."

Drivers convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol in southern California face a myriad of potential penalties. Consequences for a first time DUI conviction include a four-month license suspension, jail time of up to six months, heavy fines and the installation of an Ignition Interlock Device. The costs of DUI including attorneys' fees, court costs and fines can add up very quickly as well.

If you or a loved one has been charged with drunk driving in Orange County, the experienced Orange County DUI attorneys at Takakjian & Sitkoff can help. We have former prosecutors and investigators on our staff who know how to handle these cases to your advantage. Call us today at 866-430-8383 to discuss your case at absolutely no cost.

Orange County saw a jump in drunk driving arrests this year over the Memorial Day holiday weekend. An OC Register article reports that 148 individuals in Orange County were arrested for driving while under the influence.

Checkpoints and saturation patrols were held from Friday, May 27, to the night of Monday, May 30. During this enforcement period last year, 139 DUI arrests were conducted. According to the article, arrest numbers are anticipated to be even higher since some law enforcement agencies in Orange County haven’t yet reported their DUI arrest results for the weekend.

The Memorial Day DUI crackdown was led by the multiagency anti-DUI task force known as “Avoid the 38,” which is made up of the Sheriff’s Department, local police departments, and the California Highway Patrol.

It is expected that the next “Avoid” enforcement campaign will consist of an 18-day period at the end of August that will include checkpoints, roving patrols, and court stings.

Anyone who has ever been pulled over by a law enforcement officer knows that nervous, tense, and stressful feeling of doom. However, it is important for people to remember that they have valid legal rights. During saturation patrols and DUI checkpoints, law enforcement officers can be especially particular or even make mistakes when arresting a person for drunk driving.

Being arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol doesn’t in any way mean that you are guilty or that you will end up having to serve jail time, pay steep fees, or have your license suspended. The sooner you contact an Orange County DUI arrest attorney, the better your chances are of having your drunk driving charges reduced or dismissed altogether. Contact the Southern California criminal defense law firm of Takakjian & Sitkoff today by calling 866-430-8383. We can help.