Orange County Criminal Lawyer Blog

Long Beach, Los Angeles - This news report regarding vehicular manslaughter caught the attention of our Orange County DUI defense attorneys because this could have happened to any one of our children. In fact, this tragedy did happen to a parents' child, a 17-year old young man.

Earlier this month, a Los Angeles teenage male driving a Ford Taurus and an 18-year old man driving a Ford Mustang was caught speed racing in the streets of Long Beach just after midnight. Four people in the Ford Mustang were killed as a result of a crash. The driver of the Ford Taurus and his passenger fled the scene of the accident and were later caught by authorities. They were not hurt nor did they sustain any injuries. The driver of the Ford Mustang along with his three passengers did not fare well, however. All four, including the driver, were killed as a result of the contest.

The young teenage male will be brought up on 8 felony charges of vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated and involuntary manslaughter. According to the district attorney's office, they may seek to try the teenager as an adult. The car was stolen and the teenage driver was driving without a license.

A tragic moment in a young man's life may have cost him his for several reasons, but most importantly for killing several people in a costly accident which included robbery, theft, driving without a license, loss of life, driving while intoxicated, driving under the influence and fleeing the scene of an accident.

Under California Penal Code Section 191 and Penal Code Section 192, Gross Vehicular manslaughter is a serious crime causing the death of another person due to illegal driving, including negligence, drunk driving or reckless driving.

California Vehicular manslaughter can be charged as a misdemeanor or a felony depending on the circumstances and seriousness of the crime. Gross negligence can be charged as a misdemeanor or felony; but if it is involved with the death of a person, it usually is charged as felony.

If you or your loved one has been charged or arrested for vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, involuntary manslaughter or related felony cases or misdemeanors in California, whether it is in Orange County, Los Angeles, San Diego, Riverside or San Bernardino, you need to seek the legal consultation from an experienced Orange County criminal defense attorney or Southern California vehicular manslaughter defense attorney to protect your rights and freedom. Orange County Criminal defense attorneys at the Law Offices of Michael L. Guisti have handled hundreds of criminal cases in both state and federal court, including murder, among many other crimes.

How can an experienced Long Beach criminal defense lawyer and Orange County DUI defense attorney help you in your felony DUI defense and murder defense in Southern California ?

At Law Offices of Michael L. Guisti, our attorneys have won the respect from judges, prosecutors and law enforcement agents. We have the experience and resources to fight for your rights and freedom. Call our skilled Orange County Criminal Defense Attorney and Orange County DUI Defense attorney at Law Offices of Michael L. Guisti toll-free at 1-888-478-8999 or visit us at www.topcalifornialawyer.com. We represented clients in Newport Beach, Fullerton, Santa Ana, Costa Mesa, Huntington Beach, Westminster, Laguna Beach, Long Beach, Irvine, Garden Grove, Tustin, Los Angeles, Beverly Hills and cities throughout Southern California. Call us now, you'll be glad you did.

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.

Continue reading "Newport Beach Resident Charged with DUI and Hit and Run" »

San Clemente, Orange County - Orange County man, Marvin Garcia, was arrested for sex crimes and then fled to Mexico. He is arrested on the charges of lewd acts on a child. The Santa Paula Police Department was interviewing the girl that was the victim of Garcia. She was explaining to the officers what had happened. Garcia heard that the girl was being interviewed and knew he was going to get arrested. Garcia then tried to flee to Mexico to try and avoid getting arrested.

Police found Garcia and tried to pull him over. Garcia sped away leading police in a high speed chase. Garcia crashed in to a vehicle with Marine passengers. The passengers are said to be unharmed. Garcia fled from the scene, only to be discovered by a police dog and arrested.

Orange County sex crimes defense attorney Michael Guisti, recently read this article and commented on it. He states that Garcia will be facing several charges. He could be charged with the lewd acts on a child, Hit and Run, and evading police. The Southern California criminal defense attorney goes on to say that these charges of a lewd act on a child can be found in the California Penal code 288 (a) 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. This is a felony and any person convicted of this crime can face up to eight years in prison. The Orange County criminal attorney also predicts that the defendant will have an additional charge of a hit and run. This is found in the California Vehicle code 2002. It states that any person involved in an accident must stop and locate the owner of the vehicle, and written notice of the damage. In California this is considered a misdemeanor and can mean jail times and a large fine.

Continue reading "San Clemente Man Tries to Flee Molestation Arrest" »

Orange County Register reports that a Los Angeles drunk driver who killed two young Rancho Cucamonga women Saturday in La Verne was charged with murder. Alan Michael McConnell, of Covina, was charged with two murder counts on Tuesday. He was also charged with driving while intoxicated, hit-and-run and driving on a suspended license. McConnell crashed into another car and fled the scene. One woman was killed at the scene and the other seriously injured.

Due to the prior felony drunk driving conviction, McConnell was charged with murder this time instead of vehicular manslaughter. It is clear that the prior convictions on McConnell didn't change his driving behavior. After the previous convictions, he should have learnt that it is dangerous on the road when he was driving behind the wheels while intoxicated or drunk. However, he chose to do it again and again.

After he got convicted in Orange County, he got on the road and arrested for the same drunk driving offense the following weekend. While awaiting arraignment for that arrest, he crashed a car, allegedly while intoxicated, and two young women died.

Under California law, felony count of DUI or drunk driving is a serious criminal charge. In Southern California, if someone had prior felony convictions or a penalty enhancement or bodily injury, he can be charged with felony DUI. A felony DUI driving conviction carries serious consequences: prison time, a heavy fine, and suspension of driver's license. if you or someone you know has been charged with murder, DUI or any crimes, you need to contact an experienced Orange County DUI attorney immediately.

Continue reading "Los Angeles Drunk Driver charged with murder " »

SANTA ANA, Orange County - A man was convicted of felony hit-and-run death of a man who were wrongfully convicted of two armed robberies. Felix Abreu of Santa Ana was convicted of gross vehicular manslaughter and hit-and-run at the scene of the crime in Feb 2008, causing the death of Arthur Carmona. Carmona was wrongfully convicted of two armed robberies at his teenage years and spent 2.5 years in prison.

Abreu crashed and ran over Carmona's car and fled the scene. Carmona was pronounced dead at Garden Grove Hospital. Abreu pleaded guilty and asked Orange County Superior Court Judge for a probationary sentence.

Irvine, Orange County - A former executive of Hyundai Motor from Orange County was convicted of felony count of vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence while intoxicated (DUI), causing the death of an Orange County man. There is also a sentencing enhancement for fleeing the scene and hit-and-run after the crime.

Youn Lee, of Irvine, fled to South Korea after the accident. He was extradited back to Orange County this year.

According to Orange County District Attorney, Lee is facing sentence to 9 years in prison.

Lee and his office staff attended a company dinner in Garden Grove on Oct. 18, 2005. Lee got on the road after they have drunk 14 bottles of liquor, he was driving under the influence of alcohol (DUI / drunk driving). His lost control of his car and crashed into Cook's motorcycle in Santa Ana. Cook was dead at the scene. Lee fled after the crash.

Orange County District Attorney requested for extradition in September 2008, and Lee was arrested and returned to Orange County in 2009.

Orange County, California - An Orange County man, Richard Caselli, has been arrested for gross vehicular manslaughter while driving under the influence. When he was driving intoxicated and high-speed Friday, his was crashed on the other car and killed an Orange County man. For driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs, if convicted, he could face 10 years in prison,

Under California law, if a person is driving under the influence or with a blood alcohol level above .08%, he will be charged with DUI. If you or someone you know have been charged with DUI or drunk driving in Orange County, it is critical to seek legal help from an Orange County Criminal Defense Attorney or Orange County DUI attorney immediately.

DUI Charge is a criminal charge. It could be charged as a felony or a misdemeanor offense. If you have been charged with misdemeanor DUI (driving under the influence), or first time DUI offense, you could face consequences which can effect your career and life. The punishment includes: jail time, fines, probation, community service, and programs - even for a first time offense.

When DUI offenses result in bodily injury or death of another person, it is usually charged as felony DUI. Felony DUI charge carries severe punishment, usually long term prison time and substantial fines, probation. You need to consult with an experienced Orange County DUI lawyer as soon as possible.

Continue reading "Orange County Man faces Felony DUI Charge in Car Crash" »

SANTA ANA, Orange County - An Orange County drunk driver who committed hit and run after a DUI caused car collision Friday night has been arrested.

When the accident happened in Santa Ana, Officers went to the site for investigation.

While officers were investigating and talking to the three victims trapped inside the other vehicle, the drunk driver ran away from the scene on foot. He was then caught and arrested for DUI / driving under the influence.

Santa Ana man, Alejandro Nunez, 28, was arrested for committing a misdemeanor DUI or possible felony DUI, hit-and-run and for driving without a license.

The passengers of the other car are under the medical treatment, but no one is seriously injured. The Hit and Run and DUI / drunk driving man was taken to the Santa Ana Jail.

Continue reading "Orange County Man Hit and Run at DUI Accident" »