California Criminal Lawyer Blog

If you cause a DUI collision in the city of Westminster, you could be slapped with a bill as high as $12,000. According to a news report in The Orange County Register, the City Council voted unanimously to make an addition to an existing ordinance clarifying the types of situations for which drunk drivers can be billed. City officials believe that this will not only discourage drivers from getting behind the wheel while under the influence, but also add money to the city's coffers.

Westminster Police Chief Ron Coopman says the city will aggressively go after drunk drivers to recover costs including police and fire personnel, cost of equipment used at the scene, medical assistance, and costs of conducting accident and DUI investigations. Westminster is not alone. There are 14 other police departments in Orange County that have similar programs.

This no doubt raises the already high cost of DUI penalties. Including vehicle storage fees, court costs, insurance rate hikes, fines, and DUI classes, drivers are already looking at a bill of $10,000. These city programs that charge drivers convicted of a DUI for emergency fees of up to $12,000 can bury an individual deep in debt. This is yet another reason to make sure that you have a skilled Orange County DUI defense lawyer on your side, protecting your rights and vigorously fighting all charges.

The Orange County drunk driving defense attorneys at Takakjian & Sitkoff have a long and successful track record of defending drivers and making sure that they do not face unnecessarily harsh penalties. Call us today at (866) 430-8383 to find out how we have helped numerous clients get their DUI charges lessened or even dismissed. We are here to help you.

The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) has announced that it will conduct two sobriety checkpoints in Hollywood this weekend, which precedes Halloween, according to a City News Service report. Obviously, all law enforcement agencies, including the LAPD, are ramping up operations knowing very well that Halloween is a holiday when increased partying and drinking can be expected. LAPD will conduct the first sobriety checkpoint between 8 p.m. Friday and 2 a.m. Saturday at Ventura Boulevard and Big Oak Drive in North Hollywood. A DUI checkpoint will also be held between 8 p.m. Saturday and 2 a.m. Sunday at Sunset Boulevard and Bronson Avenue in Hollywood.

Los Angeles police are also advising weekend partiers to plan a safe way home before parties begin by designating a sober driver, calling a taxi, or using public transportation. Also, if you see someone who is intoxicated trying to get behind the wheel and drive away, take their car keys away and help them get home safely.

The potential penalties for a DUI conviction in California are severe, including up to six months in jail, a fine of $1,600, a six-month license suspension, mandatory installation of an Ignition Interlock Device, and required DUI program attendance. If you get stopped or arrested while passing through a checkpoint, it is important that you understand your legal rights. If it is determined that you were improperly detained or stopped at a sobriety checkpoint, your charges may be dismissed.

If you or a loved one has been accused of drunk driving in Los Angeles, Orange, or Ventura counties, please contact the experienced DUI defense lawyers in Los Angeles at Takakjian & Sitkoff. Call us at (866) 430-8383 to obtain more information about fighting drunk driving charges. Have a safe and happy Halloween.

Two brothers, ages 33 and 35, have been accused of lewd acts with young girls in Orange County. According to a news report in the Los Angeles Times, the alleged sex crimes occurred between May 2010 and August 2011 in Fullerton. Officials say that the two brothers allegedly committed these acts with a 3-year-old girl and a 7-year-old girl in a converted garage. The multiple charges the two men face include lewd acts on a child and sexual penetration of a child. They are being held on a $1-million bail in Orange County.

Lewd conduct according to California Penal Code section 288 includes, "any person who willfully and lewdly commits any lewd or lascivious act, including any of the acts constituting other crimes provided for in Part 1, 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 and shall be punished by imprisonment in the state prison for three, six, or eight years."

Individuals facing sex crime charges involving children often suffer professional and social consequences in addition to severe criminal penalties. The consequences for lewd behavior with a child under the age of 14 include prison time, heavy fines, and mandatory registration as a sex offender for life.

The knowledgeable Orange County sex crime defense lawyers at Takakjian & Sitkoff have years of experience handling sex crimes. Our attorneys are former prosecutors who have a thorough understanding of how local courts work. If you or a loved one is facing sex crime charges in Orange County, please call our offices today at (866) 430-8383 to schedule a free and comprehensive consultation.

It is a crime in California to drive under the influence of drugs (DUI). The term "drugs" covers all substances that may affect a driver's ability to safely operate a vehicle, including drugs that fall under the "recreational" category, prescription drugs, and over-the-counter drugs that may induce drowsiness. In fact, any substance that alters the user's nervous system, brain, or coordination may lead to DUI charges, depending on the circumstances.

Drug-related DUI cases are more complicated than those that involve alcohol because there is no determined level of illegal drug impairment. In California, it is a crime to drive with a blood alcohol concentration of .08 percent or greater. Drug-related incidents, however, are left up to the discretion of the arresting officer and the prosecution. There is no particular measure of intoxication or impairment when it comes to drug-related cases.

Driving under the influence of drugs carries heavy penalties in California. Even first-time offenders could end up facing three to five years of probation, fines of up to $2,000, up to six months in county jail, a six-month license suspension, and mandatory DUI education classes. The severity of the charges is often linked to the defendant's driving record, the circumstances of the case, and the ability of the defense attorney to negotiate lesser terms.

The skilled Los Angeles DUID defense lawyers at Takakjian & Sitkoff have a long history of handling drug-related DUI cases in California. We have helped many of our clients get their charges dismissed or lessened based on the evidence. If you have been accused of a DUI in Los Angeles, Orange or Ventura counties, please call our offices today at (866) 430-8383 to discuss your case.

A 38-year-old Ventura County man has pleaded not guilty to sex crimes involving a child under the age of 14. According to a news report in The Ventura County Star, the man pleaded not guilty to all charges including committing a lewd act on a child and copulation of a person under 14. He was booked at the Ventura County jail for the incident that allegedly occurred on June 1, 2011.

Lewd conduct in Los Angeles, according to California Penal Code section 288, includes "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 and shall be punished by imprisonment in the state prison for three, six, or eight years."

It is important for the authorities to protect the youths of California, but it is also important that suspects in sex crime cases are offered a fair opportunity to defend themselves. It is common in cases involving children for false allegations to be made and for an individual's reputation to be tarnished simply by of the accusation of a sex crime. Those convicted of sex crimes are also required to register as a sex offender and their information can be viewed by the public through the Department of Justice's Megan's Law database.

The skilled Ventura sex crime defense attorneys at Takakjian & Sitkoff help our clients fight wrongful charges and avoid harsh penalties. If you are facing lewd act charges in southern California, call our offices today at (866) 430-8383 to begin building your defense.

Individuals charged with driving under the influence of alcohol face a number of consequences if convicted. One of those consequences is the requirement to wear an alcohol monitoring device. SCRAM stands for Secure Continuous Remote Alcohol Monitor. It is a small device worn like an ankle bracelet that helps determine the amount of alcohol in a person's body. If you are facing DUI charges, you may be forced to wear a SCRAM device in California for a prolonged period of time. This means that your alcohol intake will be monitored automatically approximately every hour. Unfortunately, these devices are not always accurate and it is common for individuals to face additional penalties as a result of false readings.

There are two types of DUI offenders who may be required to wear a SCRAM device: repeat DUI offenders and individuals who have a serious alcohol abuse problem. Convicted offenders may be required to wear it anywhere from 30 days to a year. These restrictive devices are tamper-resistant and any attempt to remove them will alert the authorities.

The problem with these devices is that they are not perfect. A false reading can occur, for example, if the wearer is producing acetone while breaking down fats. Eating certain types of food can also trigger a false reading. Despite the fact that these devices can be erroneous, the courts continue to force them on DUI offenders.

If you are the victim of false SCRAM readings, it is possible to fight such wrongful charges in court. The Los Angeles DUI attorneys at Takakjian & Sitkoff can help DUI defendants during and after their arrest. Call our offices today at 866-430-8383 to discuss your legal rights and options at absolutely no cost.

Since medical marijuana in California became available, marijuana dispensaries have become a billion dollar industry. According to an October 8, 2011 report by Bloomberg, federal officials have promised to crack down on marijuana dispensaries in Southern California by going after property owners who allow these businesses on their properties. Federal officials say the California law permitting the cultivation and sale of marijuana for medical purposes is being abused. The Board of Equalization (BOE) reports that approximately 400,000 Californians now use pot on a daily basis.

On November 5, 1996, Californians voted to approve Proposition 215 which allows the use of marijuana for medical purposes. Starting the next day, California Health and Safety Code 11362.7 – 11362.83 removed state-level criminal penalties for medical marijuana use. However, marijuana remains on the federal government's list of controlled substances. In California, patients who have been diagnosed with debilitating illnesses, such as cancer, may have marijuana prescribed to them to offer some relief from the pain and suffering they undergo. Many also choose to use marijuana instead of other prescription medications to alleviate problems such as back pain.

Anytime there is a crackdown on drug use, there is the potential for innocent individuals to face wrongful charges. Dispensary workers and owners are facing harsh penalties despite having facilities that follow the many required rules and regulations. Users who are legally prescribed marijuana may face wrongful charges during the crackdown as well. Anyone charged with a marijuana crime in Los Angeles would be well advised to discuss his or her case with a skilled drug crime lawyer.

The experienced Los Angeles drug crime defense attorneys at Takakjian & Sitkoff have years of experience handling marijuana charges in California. We help our clients fight wrongful charges. If you or a loved one is facing marijuana possession, cultivation, or sale charges, call us today at 866-430-8383 to discuss your case at absolutely no cost.

If you have been arrested in Los Angeles for driving under the influence of alcohol, you will face a license suspension by the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). Following the arrest, the officer responsible for making the arrest will send notice to the DMV for an automatic suspension or revocation of your driver’s license within the next 30 days. But it is possible for the driver to delay or even dismiss a license suspension by requesting a DMV hearing.

All California drivers have the right to a DMV hearing. But such a request must be made within 10 days of the arrest. Drivers who choose to fight the automatic suspension should know that they will still be required to appear in court in connection with the DUI charges. The DMV hearing is a separate proceeding. The point of a DUI court case is to determine whether or not the driver was guilty of driving under the influence; however, a DMV hearing involves the driving privileges of the person facing a license suspension. During the hearing, a skilled DUI attorney will examine the results of the DUI test, the accuracy of the California breath test, whether the arresting officer had reasonable cause, and the circumstances of the arrest.

If mistakes are made or if there is reasonable doubt as to whether or not the driver was wrongfully arrested, the automatic license suspension may be dismissed. Additionally, the outcome of the DMV hearing may have a direct effect on the DUI court case. This is why it is important to have a skilled DUI attorney to represent you throughout the hearing and court proceedings.

If you have been arrested on suspicion of drunk driving, the experienced California DMV license suspension attorneys at Takakjian & Sitkoff can help. Call our offices at 866-430-8383 right away to better understand your legal rights and options.

Performer Cecilio Rodriguez has pled not guilty in Compton Municipal Court to sex crime charges in connection with incidents that allegedly occurred more than a decade ago. According to a news report in The Concert Hotwire, Rodriguez has been accused of sex crimes with a girl between Nov. 6, 1997 and No. 5, 1999 and a second girl between May 6, 1996 and May 5, 1998. At the time of the alleged incidents, the girls were 5 and 8 years old, respectively. The singer faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison if convicted of these charges.

California Penal Code Section 288 states, "Any person who willfully and lewdly commits any lewd or lascivious act, including any of the acts constituting other crimes provided for in Part 1, 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 and shall be punished by imprisonment in the state prison for three, six, or eight years."

It is important that the children of California are protected from sexual predators. At the same time, it is also important that individuals charged with sex crimes are given a fair trial and that false allegations do not result in a wrongful conviction. A sex crime conviction, especially one involving minors or young children, can result in serious consequences including prison time, hefty fines, and mandatory sex offender registration for life. Sex offenders are often ostracized from the communities in which they live despite having served their time.

The skilled Los Angeles sex crime defense attorneys at Takakjian & Sitkoff fight hard to protect the rights of our clients and help them receive a fair trial. If you or a loved one is facing sex crime charges in Los Angeles, please call our offices today at 866-430-8383 to schedule a free consultation.

When a driver's negligence results in a fatal car accident, he or she may face vehicular manslaughter charges. Vehicular manslaughter results in serious penalties including years of incarceration and thousands of dollars in fines. Anyone facing southern California vehicular manslaughter charges would be well advised to immediately seek legal guidance.

Penal Code 191.5(b) is the "Vehicular Manslaughter while Intoxicated" law in California. Anyone involved in a fatal car crash while driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol may face a gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated charge. The prosecution will have to prove that the defendant was under the influence of drugs or alcohol, an unlawful or dangerous act was committed, and the defendant's negligence resulted in the victim's death.

Violation of the penal code may result in a misdemeanor or a felony. Regardless of the charges, the penalties can prove to be costly for the defendant. A misdemeanor conviction for vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated could result in up to one year in jail and a fine of up to $1,000. A felony conviction could result in up to four years in state prison with the possibility of additional years and a $10,000 fine. Motorists may also face vehicular manslaughter in cases that do not involve alcohol. Speeding, running a red light, distracted driving, street-racing, or reckless driving are all examples of other scenarios where drivers can be charged with vehicular manslaughter.

The skilled Los Angeles criminal defense attorneys at Takakjian & Sitkoff have a long and successful track record of defending those who have been charged with vehicular manslaughter. If you or a loved one has been charged in connection with a fatal car accident, please call our offices at 866-430-8383 for a free consultation.

A 44-year-old Orange County mother has been charged with having sex with her son's hockey teammates. According to an MSN news report, the alleged sex acts involved a minor under the age of 16 and another under the age of 14. The report states that the woman threw parties for son's hockey team during which she provided alcohol. During an investigation into whether or not she had a sexual relationship for over a year and a half with a boy who is now 18, a younger boy stepped forward and told officials he had a sexual relationship with the woman as well.

In California, the charges someone may face for lewd acts with a minor are directly tied to the age of the victim. The most serious of the California Penal Code 288 laws involve conduct with a child under the age of 14. Child molestation, for example, may involve a lewd act with a child under 14 or a child who is 14 or 15 but is 10 years younger than the defendant. Individuals under the age of 18 cannot legally provide consent to have sex. In such cases, an adult who has sex with a minor can be charged with statutory rape in California – regardless of the defendant's belief that the act was consensual.

The consequences of a sex crime charge can be devastating. Even if the defendant is not convicted, the allegations alone can have a tremendous impact on a person's reputation. Fighting these types of charges can be challenging, not to mention emotionally devastating. The experienced Orange County sex crime defense attorneys at Takakjian & Sitkoff fight hard to protect the rights of our clients. If you or a loved one is facing a sex crime charge, please call our offices at 866-430-8383 to discuss your case at absolutely no cost.