California Criminal Defense Blog

Los Angeles Police officers arrested 41-year-old Robert Palacios on suspicion of murder in Lincoln Heights after he struck and killed a pedestrian during a police pursuit, the Los Angeles Times reports. Police say it was not considered a “pursuit” because officers did not turn on lights or sirens. They followed Palacios because officials say they suspected him of driving under the influence after seeing him “drive erratically” near Figueroa Boulevard and Avenue 52.

The pedestrian was identified as 61-year-old Demetrio Sosa. Palacios also reportedly struck a minivan, but the occupants of the minivan did not suffer major injuries. Sosa was taken to an area hospital where he was pronounced dead.

If you are arrested on suspicion of drunk driving in Los Angeles, you could face serious charges especially if the incident involves death and/or injuries. If convicted of murder, Palacios will be in serious trouble and will likely face 25 years to life in prison. Generally, those convicted of drunk driving also face hefty fines and suspension or revocation of their driving privilege.

If you or someone you know has been arrested on suspicion of drunk driving, it is very important that you contact an experienced and knowledgeable Southern California DUI defense attorney. We have the skill and the resources it takes to conduct an independent investigation and build a strong defense that it takes to get you acquitted or get your charges reduced. We have former district attorneys and investigators working with us – people who know very well how law enforcement and prosecutors think and work. Call us today to discuss your case.

Nicholas Lagrotta, 23, of Camarillo was arrested Aug. 28 on suspicion of striking and killing a jogger on a Thousand Oaks street. Police say, Lagrotta, who hit 46-year-old Kerry Marsh as she was jogging in a bicycle lane on Lindero Canyon Road, was driving under the influence of alcohol, according to an article in the Los Angeles Times.

The impact from the crash reportedly threw Marsh into some bushes by the side of the road. Police, who responded to Lagrotta’s accident after he crashed into a tree, realized he had hit someone when they saw Marsh’s running shoes on the side of the road. Apparently, they had to use a thermal imager to find Marsh’s body. Lagrotta was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence and vehicular manslaughter.

A driver may face a vehicular manslaughter charge when he or she causes an accident, which causes the death of another person. If alcohol was a factor in the accident, prosecutors tend to charge the driver with vehicular manslaughter even if he or she was not at fault and even if the accident was unavoidable. Law enforcement officials often jump to the conclusion that the drunk driver was at fault. Police and CHP reports tend to be prepared in a hurry and are almost always slanted against the intoxicated driver.

If you have been charged with vehicular manslaughter and drunk driving, you should bring an experienced California vehicular manslaughter lawyer into the case immediately so an independent toxicology analysis and accident reconstruction can be done while the evidence is still fresh. Time is of the essence in these defense investigations. Our Southern California DUI defense attorneys have successfully handled vehicular manslaughter cases as former prosecutors and now, as defense lawyers. Our background in law enforcement and connection with some of the top collision and alcohol consultants in the case helps us get our clients acquitted and keep them out of jail.

Brittney Spears’ recent prosecution for Hit and Run in Los Angeles has drawn attention to the duties of a driver following an accident.

California has two hit and run statutes. Vehicle Code 20001 defines felony hit and run as fleeing the scene of an accident in which a third party is injured. Vehicle Code 20002 defines misdemeanor hit and run as fleeing the scene of an accident that causes property damage only, no injuries.

Continue reading "California Hit and Run Law in the News Lately" »

As if she didn’t have enough problems, singer Britney Spears now faces misdemeanor counts of hit and run and driving without a valid license in connection with an Aug. 6 incident when she reportedly rammed her car into another vehicle in a parking lot. According to an article posted on MSNBC’s Web site, the singer is actually in some serious legal trouble. She could face up to six months in jail and a possible $1,000 fine on each of the counts.

The 25-year-old singer was caught on camera crashing her car into another at a Studio City parking lot. She was also shown on camera examining her car for damage and then walking away. Investigators looked into Spears’ lack of a valid license after the affected car owner filed a police report about the incident. The owner of course learned it was Spears who hit her car after she watched a video of the incident posted on CelebTV.com, the MSNBC report said.

Continue reading "Britney Spears Charged With Misdemeanor Hit-and-Run" »