Orange County Criminal Lawyer Blog

SANTA ANA, Orange County - Four men from Orange County and Riverside have been arrested for theft for using stolen trucks to steal ATMs which netted over $400,000 in 2009 and 2010. The four men, Richard Dwayne Bockman, Curtis Edward Weber, Ricky Joe Coffey, from Orange County, and Charles Roberts, of Riverside, were charged with felony grand theft, felony arson, commercial burglary, vandalism, and felony conspiracy. If convicted, the defendants could be sentensed to 15 years to 31 years in prison.

In California, Theft crime is very serious crime, whether a theft is charged as a misdemeanor or felony, the penalties can be very severe. If convicted, a person can carrry heavy punishment such as jail time, prison, heavy fines, and restitutionbe. The seriousness of the punishment and the charges also depends on the value of the property stolen, what kind of force was used and any records of prior convictions. Besids, if the person is not a US citizen, it could also affect his immigration stutus for a visa, green card, naturalization or staying in the U.S.

If you or someone you know has been charged or arrested for theft crimes, it is very crucial to consult with an experienced Califormoa defense attorney who specialize in California theft crime defense. Whether it is felony grand theft, embezzlement, white collar crime, fraud, you need an experienced and skillful defense lawyer on your side to protect your rights.. The common criminal cases on theft related crimes we take on including: Grand theft, Petty Theft, shoplifting, Grand Theft, Identity Theft, Receiving Stolen Property, Burglary, Grand Theft Auto, Grand Theft Firearm, Auto Burglary, white collar crime, Embezzlement and fraud, insurance fraud, medical fraud, medicare fraud.

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Anaheim- Corina Castillo of Anaheim is being charged with felony murder. It is alleged that Castillo stabbed and killed her boyfriend. Police were called out to the victim's apartment for a domestic dispute. Jesse Foster the victim was found in the apartment complex hallway bleeding. He later died at the hospital. If Castillo is convicted, she faces 26 years to life in prison.

Murder is one of the most serious crimes that can be committed. The punishments for murder can charge a person whole life. Murder is defined in the California Penal code section 187(a). Murder is defined as the unlawful killing of another. There are two degrees of murder. The punishments for first degree murder are death, life in prison without parole or a prison sentence of 25 years to life. The punishment for murder in the second degree is 15 years to life in prison. A Santa Ana criminal defense attorney that has had experience with murder charges can help a person facing a murder charge.

Since the punishments for murder are so severe, it is important that a person facing a murder charge retain a Santa Ana murder defense attorney immediately.

Continue reading "Anaheim Woman Charged with Murder " »

Garden Grove- Samuel Zoller of Garden Grove is being charged with residential burglary. It is alleged by police that Zoller is responsible for residential burglaries over the Garden Grove area. Police states that Zoller would watch a house and make sure the owners were not inside. He would then go into the houses stealing items like DVDs, video games, guns and even a car. He was finally discovered when an item that he had sold to a pawn shop was reported stolen by the owner. He is being charged with 14 counts of burglary.

In California, burglary is broken into two different charges. The two charges can be defined in the California Penal code section 459. It defines the crime as entering a dwelling with the intent to commit a crime. It is also called first degree burglary and is the most serious of the type of burglary. This type is usually charged as a felony. The second type of burglary is called commercial burglary. This is type is usually things like shoplifting and is charged most often as a misdemeanor.

Many people that are charged with burglary do not understand the severity of the charge. It is important to hire an experienced Garden Grove theft crime defense attorney to help you defend your criminal charge.

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Santa Ana- In Santa Ana, located in Orange County, Giovanno Jimenez pled guilty to having unlawful sex with a minor. Jimenez is a volunteer with a local high schools baseball team and their band. It is alleged that Jimenez and the girl would go and have sex at her house when her parents were not home. He pleaded guilty to unlawful sex with a minor and lewd acts on a child. He will serve 60 days in jail and was put on 3 years probation. The judge also issued an order preventing Jimenez from seeing the girl.

A sex crime charge can be one of the most devastating convictions a person can have. Unlawful sex with a minor can be defined in the California Penal Code section 261.5(d). In California this charge is considered a wobbler which means it can be charged as a felony or a misdemeanor. The code states that any person 21 years of age or older who engages in an act of unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor who is under 16 years of age is guilty of either a misdemeanor or a felony. If charged a misdemeanor a person can be sentenced to serve less than 1 year in jail, however if you are convicted of a felony you could face up to 4 years in prison. A Santa Ana criminal defense attorney can help a person defend a sex crime charge like unlawful sex with a minor.

Since this charge is a wobbler, what you are charged with will be based on the facts of an individual's case. It is important to hire a skilled Santa Ana sex crime defense attorney to help you defend your criminal charge.

Continue reading "Santa Ana High School Coach has Unlawful Sex with a Minor" »

Anaheim- Two parents Jose Santana and Cynthia Franco of Orange County, have been charged with child abuse and endangerment and being under the influence of a controlled substance. Police where called to investigated someone possible breaking into a car. What they found was a five year old sleeping child. Police found his parents at a nearby house. Both of them were under the influence of meth. Both parent s have previous criminal convictions like domestic violence and other drug charges.

In California there are many different types of drug crime charges like possession of an uncontrolled substance, being under the influence of a controlled substance, possession of marijuana, and selling marijuana. Being under the influence of a controlled substance can be found in the California Health & Safety Code, section 11550(a). It states that it is illegal to be under the influence of a controlled substance. This includes drugs like methamphetamines, cocaine and PCP. If convicted of this charge a person can face up to one year in jail, they may be ordered to go through a drug rehab program and may have to pay fines. An Orange County drug crime defense attorney that is familiar with drug crime charges can help a person facing these charges.

Many of the drug crime charges came with more serious punishments than people expect. It is imperative that if a person is facing a drug crime charge that they retain a skilled Santa Ana drug crime defense attorney to help them defend their charge.

Continue reading "Orange County Parents Charged with Being under the Influence of a Controlled Substance" »

Orange County, Santa Ana- James Norkin a convicted sex offender, is charged with another sex crime in Orange County. He is accused on molesting a teenage girl while riding a city bus. It is alleged that Norkin was riding the city bus and was sitting in the back seat with four young girls. He then began to touch one of the girls inappropriately. The girl was too frightened to do anything, but one of her friends told him to stop. When Norkin ignored the girl, she took a picture of him with her cell phone. Norkin faces four counts of molestation and faces up to nine years in prison.

Being convicted of a sex crime in California can be life changing. Committing lewd acts upon a child can be found in the California Penal Code, section 288(a). It states that this crime has been committed when any person who willfully and lewdly commits any lewd or lascivious act upon or with the body, or any part 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. If person is convicted of this crime they could face up to eight years in prison. It is important to hire a skilled Santa Ana sex crime defense attorney if you are facing a sex crime charge.

Being charged with a sex crime charge like committing lewd acts with a child can be a confusing and scary time for those that are being charged and their families. Retaining a successful Orange County sex crime defense attorney can help you defend your charge.

Continue reading "Santa Ana Man Charged with Molesting a Teenage Girl" »

Westminster- Suzanne Carlson, an Orange County resident, was convicted of second degree murder by a jury. Carlson had been drinking for two hours at a restaurant with her friend Scott Turner. She drove from the restaurant and onto the freeway where she then veers across the lanes of traffic. Carlson then rear ends a FedEx truck. Carlson was able to get out of the car, but Turner had internal bleeding and died shortly after. Carlson had three other DUI convictions. She was sentenced to 15 years to life in prison.

In California, murder is one of the most serious crimes a person can be convicted of. 187 (a). It states that murder is the unlawful killing or another. The first type of murder and the more serious murder charge is first degree murder. The punishments for first degree murder are death, life in prison without parole or a prison sentence of 25 years to life. The second type of murder charge is call second degree murder. The punishment for murder in the second degree is 15 years to life in prison. The individual facts of a person case will determine whether you are charged with first or second degree murder. If a person that is facing a murder charge hires a skilled Orange County murder defense attorney, their attorney will be able to go through the facts of the case and help defend the charge in court.

Facing a murder charge can be hard not only for the person facing the charge but for their families as well. It is important to protect your rights and your freedoms. It is imperative to hire a Santa Ana murder defense attorney to help you defend your charge.

Continue reading "Orange County Woman Convicted of Second Degree Murder" »

Huntington Beach- Huntington Beach resident Jennifer Smalls pleaded guilty to felony domestic violence. Smalls was arrested on suspicion of domestic violence after an incident with her husband. It is alleged that Smalls had stabbed her husband in a chest in a hotel room. His injury was not life threatening. She was sentenced to three years probation an 34 days in jail. She will also have to pay restitution.

The charge of domestic violence can be confusing. Domestic violence or corporal injury on a spouse is defined in the California Penal Code section 273.5. It states that domestic violence has occurred when a person inflicts injury on their spouse or cohabitant. In California this is considered a felony which means that if a person is convicted of this charge they could face a jail sentence, probation and restitution.

Many people do not understand how serious a domestic violence charge can be. A lot of the times a spouse will make a domestic violence accusation during an argument and then want to drop the charges. However, the DA may still press charges. It is imperative to hire an experienced Huntington Beach domestic violence defense attorney to handle your case.

Continue reading "Police Chief's Daughter Pleads Guilty to Domestic Violence" »

Costa Mesa- In the city of Costa Mesa located in Orange County, local police arrested three residents that passed through a DUI checkpoint. Police conducted this checkpoint Tuesday night to screen for drivers that had been driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Police were able to arrest the three for DUI's and issue other residents citations.

In Orange County driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol is a serious offense. A DUI is broken up in to two separate charges. The first charge is defined in the California Penal code section 23152(a). It states that 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 second charge is defined in the California Penal code section 23152 (b) it is unlawful for any person who has 0.08 percent or more, by weight, of alcohol in his or her blood to drive a vehicle.

According to California law, a DUI is a wobbler. This means the charge can either be a felony or a misdemeanor. It is important to retain an experienced Newport Beach DUI defense attorney to help you defend your DUI charge.

Continue reading "Orange County Residents Arrested in Costa Mesa DUI Checkpoint" »

Cypress- Alonzo Gamez of Cypress in Orange County and his 17 year old friend are suspected of robbery and attempted murder. It is alleged that Gamez and the other teen robbed a man that was working in his garage. They took the victim's wallet and then ran. The victim then started to chase after them. This is when one of the suspects shot at him. The victim was not hurt. The 17 year old suspect was arrested at the scene, Gamez as found later.

In Orange County and all over Southern California, juvenile crimes are treated differently then adult charges. Robbery can be defined in the California Penal 211 and it states that robbery is the taking of another's property through force or fear. Murder can also be found in the California Penal Code section 187 and it states that murder is the unlawful killing of another. Usually in juvenile charges, the judge will charge the juvenile as a minor. However if the crime is a violent charge like murder or robbery they can get charged as an adult if the crime was committed by a juvenile that was at least 16 years old.

Having a criminal charge on your record as a teenager can be life altering. It is imperative to retain an experienced Orange County juvenile defense attorney to help you and your loved one defend this criminal charge.

Continue reading "Two Orange County Teens Suspected of Robbery and Attempted Murder" »

Orange County- Newport Beach resident Richard Swanson is facing DUI and hit and run charges. It is alleged that Swanson was driving down Pacific Coast Highway when he hit someone and left. The 21 year old victim was rushed to the hospital and is expected to be fine. Police caught Swanson driving home in Newport Beach. He is charged with a felony DUI and hit and run with injury or death. He pleaded not guilty.

Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol can be a serious offense. The offense becomes more serious one someone is injured. In California a DUI with an injury or death is considered a "wobbler". Whether it is charged as a felony or a misdemeanor depends on two things:

1. What the circumstances are of the individual case
2. And whether you have had a DUI before and how long ago was it.

Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol with injury can be defined in the California Vehicle Code 23153(a). It states it is unlawful for any person, while under the influence of any alcoholic beverage or drug, or under the combined influence of any alcoholic beverage and drug, to drive a vehicle and concurrently do any act forbidden by law, or neglect any duty imposed by law in driving the vehicle, which act or neglect proximately causes bodily injury to any person other than the driver. If convicted of a felony a person could face fines, restitution, and prison sentences.

Having a Newport Beach DUI attorney is imperative to defending a DUI charge. Since this charge is considered a "wobbler", it is important to hire an experienced Orange County DUI defense attorney that will help you defend your felony charge.

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Orange County- Alex Trujillo or Garden Grove located in Orange County is facing murder charges. It is alleged that Trujillo killed women, Catherine Busse, while driving under the influence of alcohol. Trujillo was driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol when he hit the victim and her 15 year old son while the two were riding their bikes on the sidewalk. Witness detained Trujillo at the scene until police arrived. Trujillo has a prior conviction of driving under the influence. If he is found guilty he faces a maximum of life in prison.

In California, if a person is convicted of murder, they face some of the harshest punishments given to people charged with a criminal charge. In California, murder can be broken down into two charges and is defined in the California Penal Code section 187(a). It states that murder is the unlawful killing or another. The first kind of murder and the more serious murder charge is first degree murder. The punishments for first degree murder are death, life in prison without parole or a prison sentence of 25 years to life. The second murder charge is call second degree murder. The punishment for murder in the second degree is 15 years to life in prison. The individual facts of a person case will determine whether you are charged with first or second degree murder. An experienced Orange County murder defense attorney will have the experience needed to look through all of the facts of the case and help you defend the charge.

Murder is the one of the most serious charges a person can face. It is imperative to your case and to your freedoms to hire a skilled Santa Ana murder defense attorney to help you defend this serious charge.

Continue reading "Orange County Man Faces Second Degree Murder Charges" »

Los Angeles-Los Angeles resident Blair Hanloh is suspected of committing real estate fraud. It is alleged that Hanloh would take over houses that were foreclosed and rent them out. Hanloh would file quit-claim deeds turning the property over from his name and transferring to his business. However these deeds were false due to the fact that he did not own the houses to begin with. He was discovered when nearby neighbors thought they saw squatters in the foreclosed houses. He is charged with grand theft, recording false instruments and commercial burglary. If convicted he faces up to 21 years in prison.

White Collar crimes are very serious. There is a wide variety of white collar crimes like real estate fraud, credit fraud, grand theft, identity fraud, embezzlement, and identity theft. In Los Angeles County and in Orange County these crimes are dealt with very harshly. Grand theft can be defined in the California Penal Code, section 487. Grand theft has occurred when the amount of money, property, or merchandise ahs amounted to more than $400. This crime is considered a felony.

Many white collar crimes are charged as felonies. It is imperative to a person that is facing a white collar crime like grand theft to hire an experienced Newport Beach white collar crime defense attorney to help you defend your charge.

Continue reading "Los Angeles County Businessman Suspected of 3.5 million Real Estate Scheme" »

Orange County - Costa Mesa resident Daniel Wozniak is facing two murder charges. He is accused of killing Costa Mesa resident Samuel Herr and Irvine resident Juri "Julie" Kibuishi. Wozniack first killed Herr and then dismembered his body. Next he lured Kibuishi to Herr's apartment by sent text messages to her. After he murdered the second victim it is alleged that he then withdrew two thousand dollars from Herr's bank account. Prosecutors will try to seek the death penalty against Wozniak. He faces life in prison without parole.

In Orange County violent crime charges like murder, are dealt with very harshly. The law that covers murder is found in the California Penal Code section 187(a). It states that murder is the unlawful killing or another. There are two kinds of murder: first degree murder and second-degree murder. The individual fact of a person's case decides whether they are charged with either first or second degree murder. The punishments for first degree murder are death, life in prison without parole or a prison sentence of 25 years to life. The punishment for murder in the second degree is 15 years to life in prison. A skilled Newport Beach criminal defense attorney will be able to go through the facts of each case and help you defend your murder charge.

Murder is considered on of the most serious charges in Southern California. The punishment for murder can change a person's whole life if they are convicted. It is imperative to retain an experienced Orange County murder defense attorney to help you defend your murder charge.

Continue reading "Costa Mesa Actor Charged with Murder" »

Santa Ana- Javier Velazquez of Orange County was arrested for pistol whipping his wife's boyfriend. It is alleged that the victim worked with the wife at Disneyland. The two sent text messages back and forth. This eventual led to the couple having a relationship. One day the victim got a text message from the girlfriend stating she was leaving her husband and that they should meet. The victim met her but discovered that the husband was in the car. Velazquez then started the hit the victim with a firearm and threatened to kill him. He was finally able to escape. Velazquez was arrested on suspicion of kidnapping, possession of a uncontrolled substance and assault with a firearm

In Orange County assault with a firearm is considered a very serious crime. In California this crime is considered a "wobbler" this means that it can be charged as a felony or a misdemeanor. The charge can be defined in the California Penal Code section any person who commits an assault upon the person of another with a firearm shall be punished by imprisonment in the state prison for up to four years in a county jail for up to one year, or by a fine not exceeding ten thousand dollars . An experienced Westminster criminal defense attorney can defend a person facing this crime.

Since this crime is a wobbler, it is important that a person who is facing a crime like assault with a firearm retain an experienced Santa Ana criminal defense attorney. Being convicted of a felony is serious and a person facing a felony charge should contact an attorney right away.

Continue reading "Orange County Husband Assaults Wife's Boyfriend " »

Irvine- James Neal, an Ex- NASCAR driver was recently released from jail only to return again. He was recently convicted of running from police and was sentenced to jail time and probation. It is alleged by police that Neal went to a woman's apartment in Lake Forest. The neighbors called the police to report a disturbance that was coming from her apartment. When police arrived the women stated that Neil had tried to rape her and would not let her leave her home. He was arrested on suspicion of false imprisonment, attempted rape, and burglary.

Rape and burglary are considered felonies in California. Burglary is defined in the California Penal Code, section 459. It states that any person that enters a dwelling that is inhabited to commit any felony is guilty of first degree burglary and can be sentenced six years in state prison. Rape can be found in the California Penal Code, section 261. It states rape is sexual intercourse that is accomplished without consent through force, fear, duress, fraud, or violence. If convicted of rape a person cold face up to eight years in prison.

Being convicted of a felony is very serious. The punishments for felonies usually involve fines and long prison sentences. It is important to hire an Irvine criminal defense attorney if you are facing felony charges like rape or burglary.

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