Ultimate Fighters, Porn Stars and Los Angeles Domestic Violence

Posted on: April 29, 2010 at 10:45 p.m.

There may be no better example of how complicated a Los Angeles Domestic Violence case can get than the current situation involving former UFC champ Tito Ortiz and former porn star Jenna Jameson. Whenever a Los Angeles Criminal Defense Attorney represents someone in a domestic violence case, he must illustrate that the laws surrounding domestic violence are difficult to navigate once a charge has been filed.

Details of the Los Angeles Domestic Violence Case

In late April, Jenna Jameson called the police claiming that she’d be attacked by her long time boyfriend, UFC champ Tito Ortiz. After the arrest, Jameson made claims that Ortiz had hurt her and Ortiz claimed that Jameson was an ongoing drug addict and that the injuries were self inflicted. However, after charges were filed, Jameson claimed that the press and even the police “dramatically distorted and misinterpreted" the events and the remarks made by the both of them. Ortiz’s Los Angeles Criminal Defense Attorney stated that the whole thing was a “big misunderstanding."

Obviously, with celebrities and the wealthy, there is much more at stake for them than simply their freedom when charges such as domestic violence are brought up. Allegedly, Ortiz stood to lose $15 million if he was convicted of the charge, and his overall popularity would obviously be impacted as well. For the average person, jail, fines and worse are all potential options, making their need for a skilled Los Angeles Criminal Defense Attorney that much more important.

Domestic Violence Laws

Regardless of Jenna Jameson changing her tune, once a charge has been filed the police are bound by law to continue to investigate any domestic violence charge. Los Angeles Criminal Defense Attorneys regularly represent people whose spouses made false claims and then recanted, only to find themselves in court anyway. People convicted of domestic violence charges in Los Angeles will face imprisonment, restitution, large fines, community service and restraining orders which can have serious consequences on a person’s life. A strict restraining order might even prohibit someone from entering their own home or seeing their children.

Options for the Accused

If you have been charged with domestic violence, contact the Los Angeles Criminal Defense Attorneys at Kestenbaum Eisner & Gorin, LLP today. Our skilled team of lawyers will thoroughly analyze your case, counsel you on your best options and provide exactly the criminal legal defense you need to avoid jail time. Call us today at 877-781-1570.

Tagged as: los angeles domestic violence defense attorney

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Los Angeles Parents Falsely Accused Of Child Abuse Remain On Child Abuser List After Being Acquitted Of Charges.

Posted on: March 11, 2010 at 6:11 p.m.

Many people think that a Los Angeles Domestic Violence Defense Attorney is only necessary before and during a trial. However, as this story demonstrates, a Los Angeles Domestic Violence Defense Attorney can play a major role in the many ways criminal charges can impact your life.

Nine years ago, Craig and Wendy Humphries of Valencia were arrested by Los Angeles County sheriff's deputies and had their other young children taken away from them after their rebellious teenager falsely accused them of abuse.

The legal ramifications of this case continue to this day. Even though the state courts agreed with the parents and labeled the teenage girl’s original complaint as “not true", they are still listed as child abusers on the state's Child Abuse Central Index.

California's Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act requires various state and local officers, including the police, to submit reports of child abuse even if they are "inconclusive." The list includes 800,000 names. The parents have tried throughout the years to be removed from the index, but have met obstacles along the way, including a deputy that claimed that the complaints were substantiated. Wendy Humphries, a special education teacher, worried that being on the list could prevent her state credentials from being renewed.

The Humphrieses had sued in federal court, alleging that their constitutional rights were violated. They won in 2008 before the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, which said the system is unconstitutional because it does not give innocent people a procedure to have their names removed. More than a year later, the parents still remain on the list.

Timothy Coates, an L.A. lawyer who represented the county in its appeal, argued that the county did not devise the state index and is not free to change it. In the meantime, the state remains obligated under the 9th Circuit ruling to devise a procedure to allow innocent people to have their names removed.

This is an all too common occurrence in Los Angeles, as well as the entire state of California and in many other states across the country. As any Los Angeles Domestic Violence Defense Attorney will tell you, of the 800,000 names on the list in California, many are unsubstantiated complaints that have led to serious restrictions for some parents and caregivers. The conflicting state and county rules on the Child Abuse Central Index make it nearly impossible for responsible parents to be taken off the index, even when they are found to be not guilty.

In a case like this, it is crucial that you have legal counsel that is professional and knowledgeable in both the state and county laws and regulations. The experienced Los Angeles Domestic Violence Defense Attorney at Kestenbaum, Eisner & Gorin, LLP have more than 50 years of courtroom experience and are knowledgeable in Los Angeles Domestic Violence Defense Attorney">Los Angeles Domestic Violence laws as well as statewide laws on the issue. If you have been falsely accused of domestic violence and are in danger of being placed or have already been placed on the Child Abuse Central Index, contact us immediately at 1-877-781-1570 or visit our website at www.keglawyers.com to find out how we can help you.

Tagged as: los angeles domestic violence defense attorney

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Los Angeles Domestic Violence and Charlie Sheen

Posted on: December 31, 2009 at 5:27 a.m.

Los Angeles domestic violence charges can lead to a legal nightmare for the accused. Los Angeles criminal defense attorneys who represent such individuals regularly have to fight to keep their names clear. When someone has been labled a violator of Los Angeles domestic violence law, newspapers, news shows, community organizations and other institutions seem to work feverishly to harm that individual's reputation.

One celebrity who recently broke Los Angeles domestic violence law was the star of the show "2 And A Half Men." Actor Charlie Sheen has hit yet another bump in the road after he was arrested on Christmas Day following an alleged domestic violence dispute. Sheen’s wife, Brooke Mueller, reportedly called police in a resort town in Colorado following a domestic dispute in which she alleges that Sheen choked her and threatened her with a knife. Both Sheen and his wife were reportedly very drunk when police arrived, and Mueller has since reportedly recanted what she initially told local police happened the day of the arrest. Sheen was taken to the Pitkin County jailhouse and was later released on $8,500 bond. Sheen is being charged with one felony count each of second-degree assault and menacing, as well as criminal mischief. The actor, currently starring in the popular television show “Two and a Half Men," is scheduled to appear in court in February of next year.

While Sheen’s incident occurred in the state of Colorado, domestic violence allegations are taken very seriously indeed by Los Angeles law enforcement. Los Angeles domestic violence is considered any physical violence that happens between married couples, couples living together, or even people not currently dating or married who were previously involved. One important note is that in Los Angeles, the victim of domestic violence does not need to press charges in order for someone to be charged with domestic violence. If Los Angeles law enforcement agents respond to a call and determine that some form of domestic violence has occurred, they may file charges against the defendant even if the victim does not want to go to court. After that, only the prosecuting attorney in the case can decide to drop the charges.

Los Angeles domestic violence can take many forms beyond physical violence; threats, intimidation, stalking and verbal abuse can all also constitute domestic violence and can land you in jail. Since domestic violence charges can be either misdemeanor offenses or felonies, penalties for a domestic violence conviction can also vary in both severity and length. Being convicted of a misdemeanor domestic violence or abuse charge can put you in a Los Angeles County jail for up to six months. In addition, you may also be sentenced to counseling and community service. Restraining orders requiring a defendant to maintain a certain physical distance from a victim are often given out for both misdemeanor and felony domestic violence cases. Being convicted of felony domestic violence can see you sent to either a Los Angeles County jail or a California state prison for anywhere between three months and three years. As with misdemeanor domestic violence offenses, felony offenses can likewise also garner both counseling and community service sentences.

Being accused of domestic violence can have serious consequences and should not be taken lightly. If you have been charged with domestic violence, call the attorneys at Kestenbaum, Eisner & Gorin, LLP today. Our attorneys have a combined five decades of experience in successfully defending against domestic violence charges of all types. Call today to begin preparing your defense at 877-781-1570.

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