Los Angeles Murder ConvictionsPosted on: February 3, 2010 at 6:49 p.m.Recent examples of how important a Los Angeles murder defense attorney can be came in the form of a European rapper charged, and now convicted, or murder. When a Los Angeles murder defense attorney first takes a case, he must analyze whether or not the defendant will be charged with first, second or third degree murder, and whether the individual will face a jury trial or a judge trial. The varying degrees in Los Angeles murder defense cases can be confusing and ambiguous in many cases, and only a skilled Los Angeles murder defense attorney will know how to get the best results possible. Take for example, the recent case of Swedish rapper David Jassy. The rapper was convicted of second degree murder on February 1 stemming from a November 2008 incident in Hollywood that left 55-year-old jazz pianist John Osnes dead. The road rage incident began as Osnes was heading home from a local bar and Jassy was leaving a nightclub. According to witnesses, including a mother, an off-duty police officer and tourists, Osnes shouted at Jassy and struck the SUV’s hood when Jassy apparently struck the sidewalk. Then the case took a confusing turn when half a dozen witnesses claimed that they saw Jassy get out of his vehicle and fatally attack Osnes by punching him and kicking him in the head. Jassy then gave his side of the story and claimed that Osnes was belligerent and that he feared for his life and that of his girlfriend who was riding in the SUV with him. Jassy then fled the scene and said that he left because he believed he was under attack from a bystander and as he left he ran over Osnes’ body. The panel acquitted Jassy of first-degree murder, an assault charge that stemmed from his running over Osnes, and a vehicle code violation for leaving the scene of a fatal accident. Jassy now faces 15 years to life in prison when it comes to sentencing time for the second degree murder charge. This is the perfect example of where the general public, the accused and the jury might be confused as to what constitutes a first degree Los Angeles murder charge and a second degree Los Angeles murder charge. In most states, first-degree murder is defined as an unlawful killing that is both willful and premeditated, meaning that it was committed after planning or "lying in wait" for the victim. Most states also adhere to a legal concept known as the "felony murder rule," under which a person commits first-degree murder if any death (even an accidental one) results from the commission of certain violent felonies -- usually arson, burglary, kidnapping, rape and robbery. Second-degree murder is ordinarily defined as an intentional killing that is not premeditated or planned, nor committed in a reasonable "heat of passion". It can also be a killing caused by dangerous conduct and the offender's obvious lack of concern for human life. Second-degree murder may best be viewed as the middle ground between first-degree murder and voluntary manslaughter. If you have been accused of first-degree murder, second-degree murder or manslaughter, you should immediately contact the Los Angeles murder defense attorney team at Kestenbaum, Eisner & Gorin, LLP. We have more than 50 years of courtroom experience, are knowledgeable in the different categories of murder charges and will fight on your behalf to protect your right to a fair trial. Contact us at 1-877-781-1570 or visit our website at www.keglawyers.com for more information. Tagged as: los angeles violent crime defense attorney, los angeles murder defense Los Angeles Sex Crimes And Housing IssuesPosted on: February 3, 2010 at 6:36 p.m.Any Los Angeles sex crime defense attorney understands there is much more at stake for a defendant in a sex crime case than just jail time. There is a new "Scarlet Letter" that is painted on the record of anyone convicted of a sex crime in California, and it takes the most skilled Los Angeles sex crime defense attorney teams to be able to clear a person's name. On Monday, the California Supreme Court upheld residency restrictions for sex offenders, ruling that thousands may be barred from living near schools and parks. The 5-2 decision permits California to continue enforcing residency restrictions on thousands of sex offenders who were paroled after Proposition 83 took effect in November 2006. The decision will also allow California to enforce the residency restrictions on those who were convicted years before the law took effect. Proposition 83, also known as “Jessica’s Law”, bans sex offenders from living within 2,000 feet of schools or parks where there are children present. Four sex offenders on parole challenged the law, saying that there was no place in which to live and be in compliance of the law in the cities to which they had been paroled. Although the four parolees were convicted before Proposition 83 passed, the decision will require them to adhere to the residency rules that were put in place after Proposition 83 was passed. In densely populated cities like San Francisco and Los Angeles, it is difficult for sex offenders to comply with the rules because of the proximity of schools and parks to housing. Offenders do have the right to challenge the residency rules before a judge if they have a legitimate claim of not having a place to live due to the residency restrictions. The main defense that an accused sex offender can have, however, is staying off of sex offender registry lists in the first place. A sex offense charge can have serious consequences, including the housing issues mentioned above, so avoiding a sex offender registry list altogether is the best defense against these consequences. If you have been charged of a Los Angeles sex crime, you need a Los Angeles sex crime attorney team on your side to protect your rights at all times. The proximity of schools and parks to housing in Los Angeles makes it difficult for sex offenders to comply with the residency rules placed upon them. Having a knowledgeable and professional team on your side will prove to be beneficial to you as housing becomes increasingly scarce for registered sex offenders. The Los Angeles sex crime attorney team at Kestenbaum, Eisner & Gorin, LLP can help protect your rights as a parolee and will fight to keep you off of sex offender registry lists so that you can live your life as normally as possible. Contact us immediately at 1-877-781-1570 or visit our website at www.keglawyers.com for more information on Los Angeles sex crimes and how our Los Angeles sex crime attorney team can help you in your time of need. Tagged as: los angeles sex crime, los angeles sex crime defense attorney, los angeles criminal defense attorney Los Angeles Theft Ring ExposedPosted on: January 30, 2010 at 10:54 p.m.A Los Angeles theft crime ring was exposed in downtown. Los Angeles police discovered a petty theft ring that stole bicycles. Undercover detectives in exposed this Los Angeles theft ring after they met a man in Santa Monica to buy a bicycle that he had posted on Craigslist the same day the bike's true owner had reported it stolen off Olympic Blvd in Downtown L.A. This Los Angeles theft crime was fairly obvious because the particular bicycle that tipped police off was unique, a Sirrus bicycle which retails for about $600. When authorities went to meet the man, he pulled a bicycle out of his Mercedes' trunk, and when his accomplice came into the Motel Room sting operation, they saw he had bolt cutters and many other bicycles. This Los Angeles theft crime sting also uncovered several counterfeit bills, a computer and a printer for making counterfeit bills. Los Angeles theft crime penalties can be serious, even for misdemeanors. A Los Angeles theft crime can lead to imprisonment, large fines, restitution, community service, probation and/or parole if the defendant is found guilty. Normally these crimes range from such petty theft crimes as stealing some food from a grocery store to more severe felonies such as grand larceny. In this particular Los Angeles theft crime, a Los Angeles criminal defense attorney will have a number of challenges. While stealing one bicycle might be petty theft, stealing multiple bicycles could lead to a felony theft charge. That, plus the counterfeit charge is a federal charge, meaning the entire crime could be charged in federal court. A Los Angeles theft crime requires the skill of an experienced Los Angeles criminal defense attorney. If you want to avoid jail time and prison, you should contact the law offices of Kestenbaum, Eisner & Gorin. If you or a loved one has been charged with a Los Angeles theft crime, call our Los Angeles criminal defense attorney team at 877-781-1570. Tagged as: los, angeles, theft, defense, attorney, burglary Suspect Pleads Not Guilty In Pregnant Venice Woman Murder CasePosted on: January 29, 2010 at 6:52 p.m.A Los Angeles criminal defense attorney will represent people facing a variety of crimes, and sometimes will represent people who are facing multiple criminal charges. These people need to be represented a Los Angeles criminal defense attorney who has successful experience representing people facing burglary, murder, drugs and other chargers. Boneetio Kentro Washington, the suspect in the murder of a Venice woman that was pregnant with twins, has pled not guilty to multiple counts of rape and murder. Washington was also detained two days prior to the murder for allegedly breaking into a Culver City home. According to Culver City police, Washington has had several run-ins with police since 2008, mostly for sleeping in abandoned buildings and parking garages. When Washington was detained on Dec. 6, police found out that he had also been convicted or charged with trespass or related offenses in three other states and he was apprehended. Due to lack of evidence, however, Washington was released without an arrest. Then, two days later, Washington allegedly broke into the home of Eun Kang, 38, who was four months pregnant with twins. A neighbor heard screaming and allegedly saw Washinton raping Kang before stabbing her to death. Washington ran from the building and was arrested by LAPD officers. Culver City police have been under much scrutiny for not placing Washington under arrest two days before the murder, but defend their actions by saying that they did not have a probable cause to arrest Washington. Culver City police say that, although Washington was allegedly seen trying to turn the doorknob of a home, he didn’t actually enter the house, so they could not arrest him for attempted burglary or trespassing. Washington is now in the process of a trial and, if convicted, may encounter heavy sentencing. The Culver City police followed standard procedure by alerting the Los Angeles County Probation Department after they found out about his prior record. They were unable to arrest Washington because turning a doorknob or knocking on a door doesn’t constitute a crime; they had no probable cause to arrest Washington at the time. Trespassing and burglary are crimes that can have serious consequences depending on the circumstances. There is also a general confusion as to what constitutes a trespassing or burglary crime being committed. As the Washington case shows, trespassing and burglary offenses must meet specifics to be considered a crime. If you have been charged with trespassing or burglary, you should immediately contact a professional and knowledgeable Los Angeles criminal defense attorney team to defend you in court. The experienced Los Angeles criminal defense attorney team at Kestenbaum, Eisner & Gorin, LLP will work on your behalf to devise a defense strategy that ensures that your rights are not violated during an arrest or during the trial. If you have been charged with trespassing, burglary or even murder, contact us immediately at 1-877-781-1570 or visit our website at www.keglawyers.com for more information. Tagged as: los angeles violent crime defense attorney, los angeles murder defense Los Angeles Marijuana Dispensaries OrdinancePosted on: January 27, 2010 at 4:28 p.m.The Los Angeles City Council gave its final approval to an ordinance that will shut down hundreds of Los Angeles medical marijuana dispensaries and impose strict rules on the location and operation of the dispensaries that are allowed. In a 9-3 vote, the approval passed today without debate. The ordinance has been the topic of discussion amongst the council for more than 4 1 /2 years and would effectively limit the number of Los Angeles medical marijuana dispensaries to 70. The ordinance also states that dispensaries registered with the city in 2007 remain open, raising the number to about 150. Hundreds of Los Angeles medical marijuana dispensaries have popped up as the City Council debated the proposed ordinance over the past couple of years. The debate made it possible for new dispensaries to open as the City Council failed to enforce regulations on these new dispensaries. According to city officials, an estimated 500 Los Angeles medical marijuana dispensaries will be forced to close under the ordinance. Some of these dispensaries, however, are not going down without a fight; several are preparing to sue the city and collect signatures to force a referendum on the ordinance. In addition to the limitation on dispensaries, the ordinance also requires surviving dispensaries to be at least 1,000 feet from other dispensaries and so-called sensitive areas, such as schools, parks and libraries. Among other restrictions, dispensaries will be required to close at 8 p.m. and will not be permitted to allow Los Angeles medical marijuana use at the stores. Once the ordinance is in place, the city attorney's office will send letters to affected landlords and dispensary operators telling them that they must close immediately. If the dispensaries remain open, the city attorney's office likely will take them to court. This crackdown on Los Angeles medical marijuana dispensaries has serious implications for those that legally use marijuana for various reasons. The shutting down of marijuana dispensaries will force some to travel further away or find alternative sources to attain marijuana. This can leave some in limbo as far as drug laws in California go. Los Angeles medical marijuana possession laws can be confusing as circumstances dictate whether or not a person can be charged with possession, including the arresting agency, the location and more. If you find yourself in a situation in which you aren’t aware of the legality of marijuana possession and have been arrested, you need to contact a Los Angeles criminal defense attorney team immediately to inform you of your rights and ensure a fair trial in court. The professional and knowledgeable Los Angeles criminal defense attorney team at Kestenbaum, Eisner & Gorin, LLP has more than 50 years of courtroom experience and is well versed in drug laws in Los Angeles. With our experience in the field, we are able to come up with a strategic defense that can result in charges against you being dropped or conviction consequences reduced. If you have been arrested for marijuana possession, contact the Los Angeles criminal defense attorney team at 1-877-781-1570 immediately or visit our site at www.keglawyers.com for more information on drug laws in California and how we can help you if you find yourself facing possession charges. Tagged as: los angeles medical marijuana, los angeles medical marijuana dispensary, los angeles medical marijuana lawyer, los angeles medical marijuana defense Los Angeles Comedian Arrested for Sexual AssaultPosted on: January 27, 2010 at 4:22 p.m.Comedian and actor Andy Dick was arrested in West Virginia this past Saturday after police say he sexually assaulted two men at a bar. Dick, who was scheduled to perform at a comedy club in Huntington, West Virginia, is accused of grabbing the bouncer’s crotch and later groping and kissing another male patron in the very early morning hours on January 23rd. Dick was arrested and later released after posting $60,000 bail. Police have charged the comedian with two felony counts of sexual abuse. Dick’s next hearing is scheduled for February 2nd. This latest arrest is one of a long history of bad behavior for the comedian. Dick has been arrested numerous times on both drug and alcohol-related charges, as well as being arrested for several other related sex offense incidents. In 2007 Dick was forcibly removed from the Los Angeles set during an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live after repeatedly touching fellow guest Ivanka Trump. In 2008 the comedian was arrested on suspicion of drug possession and sexual battery after pulling down the blouse of a 17 year-old girl, exposing her breasts. In 2009 Dick appeared on Sober House, a spin-off of Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew in an attempt to deal with his excessive drinking habits. While Dick’s latest brush with the law occurred in West Virginia, sex offenses are taken no less seriously in Los Angeles. Sex crimes by their very natures can easily derail a person’s life. While what classifies as a sex crime can vary from illegal possession of pornography to sexual assault or battery to rape, most sex crimes in Los Angeles are considered felony criminal offenses. Being convicted of a sex crime in Los Angeles also very often means being required to register with the state’s sex offender registry. This registry is online and available for the public to view, effectively punishing those convicted of sex crimes long after their jail sentences or other punishments are completed. Being convicted of a felony criminal offense in Los Angeles can also limit your choices in looking for work or finding a place to live. Being convicted of certain sex crimes may make finding a decent home even more difficult by placing restrictions on how close you may live to schools, parks or even bus stops. If you have been charged with a sex offense in Los Angeles, call the attorneys at Kestenbaum, Eisner & Gorin, LLP today. Our attorneys have decades of combined courtroom experience in successfully defending against sex offense charges. Let us fight for you. Tagged as: los angeles sex crime, los angeles sex crime defense attorney, los angeles criminal defense attorney Los Angeles Murder of Theater DirectorPosted on: January 22, 2010 at 8:04 p.m.A Los Angeles murder defense requires a highly skilled criminal defense attorney. Murder trials involve emotional witness testimony, intensive evidence research and a great deal of police detective work. Any Los Angeles murder defense must have an attorney who understands how the prosecution will execute the investigation, as well as how a judge or jury might rule on such a case. An arrest has been made in the murder of a well-respected theater director who was found stabbed to death in his Los Angeles apartment in early January. Bennett Bradley’s body was discovered by a stage manager who had come to check on him after he had failed to show up for a rehearsal of his latest production. He was pronounced dead after paramedics had arrived at the scene. Investigators working on the case initially believed Bradley, who had been a long-time staff member, producer and director at the Fountain Theater, had been the victim of a robbery. A blood-covered knife presumably used in the murder was found in Bradley’s apartment, and after surveillance teams spotted a young man by the name of Jose Fructuoso loitering outside Bradley’s building, they searched his home and arrested him. During questioning Fructuoso, a 25 year-old Mexican national, confessed to killing Bradley and admitted to having had a romantic relationship with him. Fructuoso has been charged with murder, but even after confessing during police questioning, pleaded not guilty at his arraignment on January 7th. Murder is by far the most serious crime any person in Los Angeles can be accused of. Whether it is a first-degree or second-degree Los Angeles murder defense, a conviction on a murder charge could very likely land you in a state prison for the rest of your life. Both first- and second-degree murder are classified as the willful and deliberate killing of another person. What distinguishes the two from each other is that first-degree murder is premeditated, or planned before it occurs, while second-degree is not. The punishments for each crime are likewise slightly different. Being convicted of first-degree murder means a minimum prison sentence of 25 years, while a conviction for second-degree murder will land you in prison for a minimum of 15 years. Both have the possibility of life in prison. If you or someone you love needs an experienced Los Angeles murder defense, call the attorneys at Kestenbaum, Eisner & Gorin, LLP today. Our attorneys have decades of experience in defending against serious criminal charges such as murder. When your entire life is on the line, you want a knowledgeable, hard-working Los Angeles criminal defense attorney to fight for you. Call today to begin preparing your defense. Tagged as: los angeles violent crime defense attorney, los angeles murder defense Los Angeles Violent Crime and Self DefensePosted on: January 19, 2010 at 12:08 a.m.Los Angeles criminal defense attorneys representing people charged with violent crimes often explore the possibility of using "self defense" as a way to defend their client. A Los Angeles violent crime defense requires an intimate knowledge of the law as well as a keen ability to craft a unique criminal defense. One such individual who needs a Los Angeles violent crime defense is Swedish rapper David Jassy. In Jassy's particular Los Angeles violent crime defense, he is accused of killing a pedestrian who slapped his SUV while the pedestrian was in the crosswalk. The Los Angeles criminal defense lawyer said David Jassy, a 35-year-old songwriter and producer from Stockholm, got out of his rented vehicle and assaulted pedestrian John Osnes, a 55-year-old jazz pianist, because he feared for the safety of himself, his girlfriend and the SUV. Jassy allegedly punched the man until he fell and hit his head on the ground. Jassy is alleged to have then driven his SUV over Osnes, thus fleeing the scene of the crime (which is also illegal). Building a Los Angeles violent crime defense in such a case can be difficult because while witnesses to admit that Osnes hit Jassy's SUV, they claim he retreated to the sidewalk when Jassy got out of the car. Before creating a unique Los Angeles violent crime defense, a Los Angeles criminal defense attorney must first sit down with his client, review the police file, interview witnesses, review the crime scene, analyze the facts and possibly even hire private investigators. Creating an effective criminal defense means that the attorney must know the law, the courts, the prosecutors, etc. In this instance, the case happened in Hollywood and involved a celebrity, meaning that getting a fair jury trial could be quite difficult. If people are familiar with Jassy's music, they could be biased for or against him, which can complicate any criminal trial. In addition, since Jassy is from another country, this could also be used against him. A Los Angeles violent crime is any criminal act that involves the use or threat of violence. In most cases, violence is used as a means to an end, especially during crimes such as rape and robbery. During the commission of a violent crime, the offender may or may not use a weapon. If the offender uses a weapon while committing a violent crime, the offense will usually be classified as felony. If you have been accused of a Los Angeles violent crime and require the skill of a Los Angeles criminal defense attorney, contact the criminal defense firm of Kestenbaum, Eisner & Gorin today by calling 877-781-1570. Tagged as: los angeles violent crime defense attorneys Assault in College FootballPosted on: January 16, 2010 at 12:20 a.m.USC isn't the only university with a head football coach making the news, the University of South Florida is having some headaches of its own. A Los Angeles assault crime is serious business, can carry major penalties and may ruin the life of the accused if he/she is found guilty. This case is a great example of what the consequences can be of a Los Angeles assault crime. Jim Leavitt, former South Florida football coach, wants his job back, insisting his dismissal for allegedly striking one of his players and then lying about the incident was unwarranted. "The allegations were misreported. I said that from day one, and I don't care how long it takes, I'm in this for my life -- my name, my reputation, my family," Leavitt said Monday during a news conference. Leavitt was fired last week after a university investigation concluded he grabbed one his players by the throat, slapped the athlete in the face and then lied about what occurred during halftime of a game against Louisville on Nov. 21. When asked if he choked and slapped a player, the coach said: "Absolutely not. I've said that from day one." Prior to the news conference, the law firm of Florin Roebig released a statement on behalf of Leavitt, saying the firing "is contrary to the terms of his contract" and violates the coach's constitutional rights. The statement said Leavitt "fully and voluntarily" cooperated with the university investigation and consistently denied any wrongdoing. It also noted the player and player's father had denied the coach acted improperly. "Based upon the facts [rather than the conclusions] of the university's investigation," the statement continued, "Coach Leavitt's termination is unwarranted, and he deserves to be immediately reinstated in full to his former position." The former coach is now in a position that many find themselves, accused of a violent crime and without a job because of it. A violent crime allegation can have serious consequences in all aspects of life. Depending on the severity of the violent crime, you can face probation, mandatory anger management classes, community service and even jail time. Leavitt believes that his contract and constitutional rights were both violated because there was no basis to the conclusions made by the university, even though they stand by their findings. A thorough investigation and a fair trial are needed to find out whether Leavitt did, in fact, commit a violent crime or if his contract and constitutional rights were violated. If you have been accused of a Los Angeles assault crime you need an experienced and professional team on your side to prove your innocence. The Los Angeles assault crime defense team at Kestenbaum, Eisner & Gorin, LLP have more than 50 years of courtroom experience and will work diligently on your behalf to devise a defense strategy that is beneficial to you. In order to avoid or reduce the consequences associated with a Los Angeles violent crime, call us immediately at 1-877-781-1570 or visit our website at www.keglawyers.com. Tagged as: los angeles assault crime, los angeles criminal defense attorney Los Angeles White Collar Crime DefensePosted on: January 16, 2010 at 12:14 a.m.Los Angeles white collar defense attorneys spend hours pouring over paperwork and files to try and interpret the exact nature of the crimes their clients have been charged with. Los Angeles white collar crime can range from thousands to tens of millions of dollars, and with recent events the government is taking a much closer look at such crimes. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) announced on Monday that it has charged Beverly Hills, California-based NewPoint Financial Services, Inc. and its co-owners and controller for conducting an unregistered offering fraud aimed at Iranian-Americans in the Los Angeles area. The SEC obtained an emergency court order to freeze their assets and preserve remaining funds that were collected from investors. The SEC also seeks preliminary and permanent injunctions and civil penalties against the defendants. The SEC’s complaint, filed in U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, alleges that NewPoint, co-owners John Farahi and Gissou Rastegar Farahi, and its controller Elaheh Amouei targeted investors in the Iranian-American community by touting New Point on a daily finance radio program that John Farahi hosts on a Farsi language radio station in the Los Angeles area. The SEC alleges that the Farahis or Amouei misled more than 100 investors into purchasing more than $20 million worth of debentures that they falsely told them were low-risk. Many investors also were falsely told that they were investing in FDIC-insured certificates of deposit, government bonds, or corporate bonds issued by companies. The SEC alleges that most of the money raised was instead transferred to accounts controlled by the Farahis to, among other things, fund construction of their multi-million dollar personal residence in Beverly Hills. According to the SEC allegations, Farahi and Amouei also made further misrepresentations to investors in an effort to lull them into keeping their money with NewPoint, saying that their money is safe and that they are guaranteed to get the entirety of their investment back. A hearing on whether a preliminary injunction should be issued against the defendants and whether a permanent receiver should be appointed is scheduled for Jan. 15, 2010, at 10:00 a.m. A Los Angeles white collar crime is defined as an illegal act(s) using deceit and concealment to obtain money, property, or services, or to secure a business or professional advantage. Los Angeles white collar crimes differ from violent crimes because they usually don’t involve physical violence and tend to relate to financial matters instead. A Los Angeles white collar crime, like a violent crime or any other crime, can carry heavy consequences depending on the severity of the crime. In the case of the NewPoint co-owners and controller, there may be penalties as well as civil consequences that the defendants might face if convicted. An experienced team of Los Angeles white collar crime defense attorneys can guide you through the process of white collar trials and devise a strategy that can prove your innocence or reduce consequences associated with white collar crimes. The Los Angeles white collar crime defense team at Kestenbaum, Eisner & Gorin, LLP has more than 50 years of in-court experience and can offer you advice and legal counsel if you have been accused or charged with a Los Angeles white collar crime. If you have been accused of a white collar crime, call us at 1(877) 781-1570 immediately or visit our website at www.keglawyers.com. Tagged as: los angeles white collar defense attorney, los angeles embezzlement << View older PostsKestenbaum Eisner & Gorin LLP has been recognized as one of the best U.S. law firms, based on the experience, professionalism, and ethics of its criminal defense lawyers and attorneys. We aggressively defend clients in all Southern California courtrooms on state and federal charges, including DUI, DMV, misdemeanor, felony, juvenile cases, in the following communities and courthouses. |


















