Southern California Criminal Lawyer Blog

On Tuesday August 20, 44-year-old Douglas Ellingson pleaded guilty to defrauding investors of over $2 million, according to the Courthouse News Service. Ellingson, along with two other individuals, James Pantazelos and William Ison, allegedly conspired to defraud investors through Olathe Mining Co., a business owned by Ison, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Authorities claim…

In California, certain offenses are considered a “wobbler.” This simply means that there are criminal code sections which make it possible for a prosecutor to charge and individual with an infraction or misdemeanor offense, or a misdemeanor or felony offense. A felony charge is the most serious, incurring the harshest penalties for those convicted. If…

People all over the U.S. have been digging into the self-defense laws in their own states following the trial and verdict in the George Zimmerman case. The thing most people are curious about is what it actually means to “stand your ground,” and when it’s legal to defense themselves. We want to talk about defending…

When you have been arrested and charged with driving under the influence, you may think it a waste of money to hire a Los Angeles DUI attorney – particularly if you have consumed alcohol and were operating a vehicle. As a lawyer, it’s amazing to watch the number of people charged with DUI in arraignment…

When you are accused of a criminal offense in Los Angeles or nearby counties of Orange, Riverside, Ventura, or San Bernardino, it’s important you take certain steps to ensure you’re doing all possible to obtain positive results. Here are a few steps our Los Angeles criminal defense attorneys recommend you take: Act immediately to secure…

Toby Stangel, a 30-year-old man who suffered mental issues for most of his adult life according to his defense attorney, John Schum, was sentenced on Wednesday August 14 to three consecutive life terms in prison in connection with the murder of one motorist and attempted murder of two others. According to the Huffington Post, Stangel…

On Thursday August 15, 57 members of an alleged Mexico – Los Angeles drug trafficking ring were indicted by federal prosecutors. Authorities claim various illegal drugs were smuggled from Mexico into LA including heroin, methamphetamine, and cocaine. Eighteen of the alleged traffickers were arrested by DEA agents. According to a news article at the Los…

A 72-year-old Venice doctor who practices in West Hollywood recently pleaded guilty to prescribing powerful painkillers even though his authority to prescribe those drugs had been revoked. James William Eisenberg allegedly wrote over 1,200 prescription for medications including Vicodin and Norco. Eisenberg is charged with one count of distribution of hydrocodone; he pleaded guilty in…

Rhondi Durand, principal of a Canyon County Jr. High school, pleaded no contest on July 29 to driving under the influence. The Arroyo Seco Junior High School principal admitted she had made a mistake, and now vows to turn her life around and be a better mother, wife, and principal. Durand was arrested by Santa…

Many people mistakenly believe that assault and battery are the same thing when in fact they are not. However, there are several subcategories relevant to California’s assault laws, including: When an individual behaves deliberately in a way that could potentially result in injury to someone else, regardless of whether a victim was actually injured, it…