Orange County Criminal Lawyer Blog

Orange County, California - Orange County felony crime defense attorney and Los Angeles felony defense attorneys have recently discussed about California felony crimes law on the internet regarding cases such as grand theft, burglary and carjacking charges in Orange County and Los Angeles.

The Santa Ana criminal attorney analyzed a case reported today on Orange County Register. Dominique Kyles, a 20-year-old male was arrested on July 3 for carjacking after being recognized by a police officer during a regular traffic stop. The officer recognizedKyles as the wanted suspect of a May carjacking case. According to the victim, Kyles held a gun at the victim's head and ordered him to step out of the car. Police tried to arrest Kyles afterwards but he managed to flee.

In California, carjacking is a serious felony Theft crime and it is severely punished by law. Under California Penal Code Section 215, a person convicted of carjacking will face imprisonment for between 3, 5 to 9 years.

If you or someone you love has been arrested for felony theft crimes, such as grand theft, embezzlement, carjacking, fraud, insurance fraud, medical fraud, burglary, it is imperative to retain an experienced California Theft crime attorney or Orange County theft crime defense lawyer immediately to protect your rights.

Moreover, use of firearms during carjacking will impose an additional one year sentence under California Penal Code Section 12022 (a)

(1). The following elements must be proved for a defendant to be charged withcarjacking:
1. Defendant took a car of another.
2. Defendant took the car from the immediate presence ofanother. In other words, the owner, driver or passenger were in the car or immediately near the car when defendant took it.
3.Defendant took the car against another's will with the intent to deprive possession.
4.Defendant used force or impose fear on the victim in order to prevent resistance. The use of violence is the major reason for serious punishment for carjacking.

Since the above elements are critical to establish a carjacking charge, an experienced Los Angeles criminal lawyer can rebut the elements and dismiss the charge. Our Orange County attorneys in the law offices of Michael L. Guisti are experts in handling carjacking cases. We will utilize every possible way to achieve the best result possible. Call us today at 714-530-9690 for a free consultation with our skilled California criminal lawyers.

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.

Continue reading "Orange County men charged with Grand Theft by stealing ATM" »

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.

Continue reading "Garden Grove Resident Charged with Burglary " »

Santa Ana- Graham Islas of Orange County was recently shot by police. Isalas was suspected to have breaking and entering into three apartments in a local complex with a metal bar. Police caught Islas running away from the crime scene. Police chased Isalas and shot him during the confrontation. Isalas was treated for his injuries, and then taken to the Orange County Jail.

In California, burglary is broken into two different categories. California law breaks this into two parts, and 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.

Burglary is a serious offense in California. Burglary is considered a "wobbler" which means it can be a felony or misdemeanor depending on the facts of you case. It is important to hire an experienced Orange County criminal defense attorney to help you defend your criminal charge.

Continue reading "Santa Ana Burglar Shot by Police" »

Santa Ana- Anthony Trujillo of Santa Ana led police in a pursuit. Police spotted the vehicle that Trujillo was divining and suspected it to be stolen. After running the plates they found that the car had been reported stolen in Los Angeles. Police tied to pull the car over, but Trujillo sent police on a pursuit instead. When police finally pulled him over, they discovered a loaded gun and a child in the back seat. He was arrested on possession of a firearm, evading police, unlawful taking of a vehicle and child endangerment.

In California crimes like grand theft auto, robbery, burglary, unlawful taking of a vehicle, larceny, and petty theft are considered theft crimes. The unlawful taking can be defined in the California Vehicle Code section 10851 (a). It states that Any person who drives or takes a vehicle not his or her own, without the consent of the owner thereof, and with intent either to permanently or temporarily deprive the owner thereof of his or her title to or possession of the vehicle, whether with or without intent to steal the vehicle, or any person who is a party or an accessory to or an accomplice in the driving or unauthorized taking or stealing shall be punished by imprisonment in a county jail for not more than one year or in the state prison or by a fine of not more than five thousand dollars , or by both the fine and imprisonment.

In California the unlawful taking of a vehicle is considered a "wobbler". This means it could be charged as a felony or a misdemeanor. The facts of your individual case will determine which one you are charged with. It is imperative that a person facing this crime retain an experienced Santa Ana theft crimes defense attorney to defend you.

Continue reading "Santa Ana Gang Member Caught for Carrying a Concealed Weapon and Unlawful Taking of a Vehicle" »

Anaheim- Kainat Syeda of Buena Park was a police cadet for the Anaheim Police Department at the lobby traffic window. It is alleged that Syeda would take money from individuals, give them their release forms but put "no sale" into the cash register. None of the money went to the City of Anaheim. She was finally discovered by another cadet. She faces 44 felonies two of them being falsification and concealment of public accounts and theft exceeding $150K.

In California crimes like the ones listed above are considered white collar crimes. These crimes are most common among employees. White Collar crimes include; identity theft, grand theft, embezzlement, credit card fraud and healthcare fraud. The charge of falsifying and concealment of public records can be found in the California Penal code section 424(a)(3). It states that each officer of this state, or of any county, city, town, or district of this state, and every other person charged with the receipt, safekeeping, transfer, or disbursement of public moneys, who knowingly keeps any false account, or makes any false entry or erasure in any account of or relating to the same is punishable by up to four years in prison, and is disqualified from holding any office in this state.

White Collar crimes are dealt with very seriously in Orange County. A felony is very serious and the punishments can change a person's whole life. Many times people that have been charged with a white collar crime also lose their professional license. It is important to hire an Orange County white collar crime defense attorney or a Newport Beach professional license defense attorney.

Continue reading "Anaheim Police Cadet Steals $225,000" »

Los Angeles, California - Los Angeles Detective Leonard Avalos of the LAPD is facing embezzlement and grand theft charges. It is alleged that Avalos was embezzling money that was meant to go to protect witnesses. Many witnesses will not testify unless they are given money from the city to move away after the trail. Avalos was supposed to give these city funds to the witness. However, Avalos could not produce any of the receipts that would prove he gave them the money. After the police questioned the witnesses, it was discovered that he had only given them some of the money and embezzled the rest. Is he is convicted he faces up to six years in prison.

Under California law, Crimes like grand theft, embezzlement, credit card fraud, health care fraud, and identity theft are considered white collar crimes . Grand theft usually can be charged as felony and can be defined in the California Penal Code, section 487. Grand theft has occurred when the money or property that has been taken amounts to more than $400. Embezzlement can also be found in the Penal code under section 503. It states that embezzlement has occurred when Embezzlement is the fraudulent appropriation of property by a person to whom it has been entrusted. Both of these crimes are usually charged as felonies.

It is important to hire an experienced Newport Beach white collar crime defense attorney or Irvine embezzlement attorney if you are facing charges like grand theft or embezzlement. These crimes are considered felonies and can mean long prison sentences and restitution. It is imperative to hire a skilled Orange County theft crime attorney or a Los Angeles criminal lawyer to defend you.

Continue reading "Los Angeles Detective Faces Embezzlement and Grand Theft Charges" »

Santa Ana, Orange County - Orange County man, Garnica Gutierrez was arrested for theft by stealing school equipment from an Orange County elementary school. The Santa Ana police were called to the school after the school's alarm went off. Police caught him trying to steal one of the school's computers. Police found computers, projectors, and other classroom equipment in the suspect's truck. Police also found stolen merchandise from another school. He will face commercial burglary charges.

In California burglary is broken up into two parts. The first kind of burglary is called first degree burglary. This is the harsher of the two types. The law can be found in the California Penal code section 459. First degree burglary occurs when a person enters any place where a person lives with the intent to commit a crime. This is considered a felony and can mean up to six years in jail. The second kind of burglary is second degree burglary or commercial burglary. This is most common with petty theft cases like shoplifting and is usually a misdemeanor.

In California burglary is considered a "wobbler". This means that the facts of your case will determine if it is a felony or a misdemeanor. It is important to hire a Santa Ana criminal defense attorney or an Orange County theft crime attorney if you are facing theft crime or commercial burglary charges. Our theft crimes attorneys have successful experience defending client in Grand theft, embezzlement, white collar crimes, fraud, health care fraud, medical fraud, credit card fraud, real estate fraud in Orange County, Newport Beach, Fullerton, Irvine, Huntington Beach, Tustin, Costa Mesa, Santa Ana, Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, Torrance, San Diego and throughouot Southern California.

Continue reading "Santa Ana Man Arrested for Theft and Commercial Burglary" »

Huntington Beach, Orange County - A Huntington Beach company, Rehab Financial is under suspicion of embezzling $450,000. Many California cities such as Huntington Beach, Seal Beach, Buena Park, Westminster, and La Habra used this company for escrow services. The Company was used in projects like Federal Community Development Block Grant Funding and Redevelopment Agency housing funds. Suspicion arose when the company stopped returning phone calls and the Huntington Beach office was cleared out. San Francisco also filed a lawsuit against the company claiming that Rehab Financial misused 1 million dollars of a grant that was set aside for low-income housing.

In California, crimes like embezzlement are referred to as "white collar crimes". Examples of a white collar crime are: grand theft, healthcare fraud, Medicare fraud, credit card fraud, and identity theft. The charge of embezzlement is defined in the California Penal code section 503. It states that embezzlement has occurred when Embezzlement is the fraudulent appropriation of property by a person to whom it has been entrusted. This crime is very common amongst the employee and the employer.

In California, Grand theft is a common charge that comes along with many embezzlement charges. Grand theft is defined in the California Penal code section 487. Grand theft occurs when the amount of property taken is over $400. Many white collar crimes are charged as felonies. Punishments include a prison sentence, fines and restitution.

In California, white collar crimes like embezzlement are considered very serious. It is important to hire a Huntington Beach white collar defense attorney to help you defend your white collar crime charge.

Continue reading "Huntington Beach Financial Company Suspected of Embezzlement" »

Santa Ana - A 16 year old Santa Ana juvenile was recently arrested for allegedly killing a 14 year old man. Police had found the man's body in an alley located in Santa Ana. It is alleged that the boy killed the victim with an object while he was robbing him. He will face robbery and murder charges.

Juveniles crimes are dealt with differently than adult charges in California. The punishment s for juveniles are considered not to be as harsh and often include community service instead of a jail sentences. However a juvenile can not be charged as a minor is the crime committed is considered dangerous. For example in this case, the suspect committed murder. The judge can decide to charge him as an adult instead of as a minor. Murder is defined in the California Penal code section 187 and is defined as the unlawful killing of another. Robbery can be found in Penal code section 211 and it states that robbery is the taking of another's property through force or fear. If the suspect is convicted he could face a long prison sentences as well as fines.

Juveniles have the opportunity to have their records sealed. A Santa Ana juvenile defense attorney can take you through the steps of getting the juveniles records sealed. This means that their criminal records can not be accessed by the public. However, if you miss the time from to have them sealed they will be visible to the public and will stay on their record for years.

Continue reading "Santa Ana Teen Accused or Robbery and Murder" »

Tustin - Seven residents of Orange County have been arrested for credit card fraud. It is alleged by police that the group would purchase items from stores like Best Buy and Target with fraudulent credit cards. Two members of the group are accused of making fake receipts from theses stores in order to get free merchandise through rebates. Georgia Su and Kenneth Gill are being charged with creating the credit cards. Other members of the group were arrested on suspicion of commercial burglary, grand theft and identity theft.

In California crimes like grand theft, credit card fraud, and identity theft are considered white collar crimes. Crimes like grand theft are usually charged as felony. The California Penal code defines these crimes. Grand theft can be found in Penal code section 487. Grand theft occurs when the property or money stolen amounts to more that $400. Another crime mention is credit card fraud. This is found in Penal code section 484f (a) and states that every person who, with the intent to defraud, designs, makes, alters, or embosses a counterfeit access card or utters or otherwise attempts to use a counterfeit access card is guilty of forgery. Punishment s for these crimes could be long prison sentence, restitution, and large fines.

It is important to hire an Irvine white collar crime defense attorney if you are facing a crime like grand theft or credit card fraud. Since these crimes are usually charged as a felony, having an experience criminal defense attorney can help you defend these charges.

Continue reading "Seven Orange County Residents Arrested for Credit Card Fraud " »

Tustin, Orange County - An Orange County secretary was caught embezzling $140,000. As a secretary at Five Star Water Truck Rental, she was in charge of the company's finances and the bank account. Beverly Winter would forge the checks and then deposit them into a personal bank account. She was finally discovered when her employer was notified from the bank that the companies account had been over drawn. She is being charged with felony forgery and felony falsifying records.

Under California law, forgery and falsifying records are just a couple examples of "white collar crimes". A white collar crime is usually a crime like embezzlement, identity theft, credit card fraud, check fraud, and grand theft. Forgery can be defined in the California Penal code section 470(d). Forgery occurs when a person knowingly alters, falsifies, or counterfeits anything like checks, and money orders. This can be charged as a felony in California and is a very serious offense. There can also be an en added if enhancement amount stolen amounts to over $100,000.

White collar crimes are considered very serious in California. They are usually charged as felonies and can come with enhancements. A person facing a white collar crime charge like fraud, embezzlement, forgery or grand theft should immediately hire an Irvine white collar crime defense attorney or a Newport Beach criminal attorney to protect your rights.

Continue reading "Orange County employee charged with felony grand theft and Embezzlement" »

Santa Ana, Orange County - Christian Cabrera and Cesar Valle of Santa Ana are suspects in a home robbery. It is alleged that the men entered the house of the victim, punched the owner in the face, and stole various items in the house. The victim was able to tell police officers the whereabouts of one of the suspects. Police arrested one of the suspects Cabrera by a vending truck. The other suspect was seen driving around the victim's home.

In this case two major crimes have happened. The first one is robbery. This can be found in the California Penal code section 211. The second one is burglary. California law breaks this into two parts, and 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.

Burglary is a very serious offense in California. Since there are two types of burglary in California, it can be confusing on which crime you are being charged with. It is imperative to retain a Santa Ana theft crimes defense attorney if you are facing a theft charge like burglary or robbery.

Continue reading "Two Santa Ana Men Suspects in Home Robbery" »

Placentia- Orange County businessman Joseph Aluya is being accused of stealing around $321,000 in tax returns from his clients. He owns a company that does tax preparation as well as real estate, notary and loans. It is alleged that Aluya will plea not guilty to the allegations. Aluya has a trust account set up for his client's returns. The money is wired into this account and would then print out a check to give to a client. He claims he never had a customer complain about getting cheated. He is facing the charges of tax evasion and possession of stolen government money.

In California, crimes involved with professionals in embezzlement, fraud or grand theft are considered "white collar crimes". White crimes can involve fraud, healthcare fraud, embezzlement, identity theft, band fraud, check fraud, credit card fraud, and grand theft. Grand theft or grand larceny is a very serious offense. In this case not only will he have to face the charges of tax evasion and possession of stolen government money, but could also face embezzlement and grand larceny charges. Grand theft is one of the most common white collar crimes in Orange County. It can be defined in the California Penal code section 487. Grand Theft has occurred when the amount of what was taken amounts to more than $400. This is usually charged as a felony.

Since being charged with a white collar crime such as grand theft or fraud is so serious. It is important to hire an experienced Orange County white collar crime defense attorney to handle your case so that your legal rights can be protected.

Continue reading "Orange County Business man accused of Grand Theft and White Collar Crime for stealing $321,000" »

Santa Ana, Orange County - Santa Ana man, Michael Martinez recruited members of a Santa Ana gang to help him commit Medicare fraud. He and 20 other defendants planned to defraud Medicare by making fraudulent orders on wheelchairs, orthothics and hospital beds. Some of the defendants were supposed to act as owners of a medical supplies company. They submitted around 11.2 million dollars of fraudulent claims to Medicare. He is expected to plead guilty.

Under California criminal law, Medicare fraud falls under a set of crimes called "white collar crimes". These crimes usually deal with crimes like embezzlement, healthcare fraud, identity theft, grand larceny and credit card fraud. In cases like this one, the suspect usually faces grand theft charges. Grand theft can be defined California Penal code under section 487. Grand theft or grand larceny, is committed when what was stolen amounts to more then $400. This charge is usually charged as a felony which means that the person being charge will have to pay fines and serve a prison sentence.

Any of the white collar crime like embezzlement is considered very serious charges, and most of the time they get charged as felonies. This can mean long sentences, large fines and having to pay restitution. Retaining an experienced Irvine white collar crime defense attorney or a skilled Newport Beach fraud defense attorney is imperative when defending white collar crimes, grand theft, or fraud charges, such as medical fraud or health care fraud.

Continue reading "Santa Ana Gang Commits Medicare Fraud and Grand Theft" »