One hot topic in California politics is medical marijuana.  Los Angeles criminal defense attorneys represent people who stand accused of breaking a law that is quite complicated.  The law in Los Angeles, as well as the rest of California, allows medical marijuana within certain parameters.  However, federal law does not allow marijuana to be grown, distributed or used for any reason.

In Culver City, federal authorities as well as local agents, raided two Westside medical marijuana dispensaries and the homes of the owners.  The raid occurred in Culver City and Los Angeles and the Drug Enforcement Agency refused to disclose the exact amount of medical marijuana that was seized.  The FBI, DEA, Internal Revenue Service, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, Los Angeles Police Department, Torrance Police Department and Culver City Police Department took part in the raids.  No reason was given for the raids.

There were raids earlier this month which came on the same day that an appellate court in San Diego ruled that federal law does not preempt the state’s law allowing the use of medical marijuana.  What the federal government has created is an instance in which you could be obeying state law while disobeying federal law.  No other area of law creates such problems.  One of the individuals arrested at the medical marijuana bust in early August suffers from multiple sclerosis and has been a customer of that dispensary since early 2009. 

In June, the Los Angeles city council began to shut down medical marijuana dispensaries throughout the city that failed to properly register with the city.  Many members of the community are concerned that these dispensaries will endanger the neighborhoods in which they exist.  Medical marijuana activists are fighting back, storming city halls throughout Los Angeles claiming they are obeying state law.

Los Angeles criminal defense attorneys are invaluable to anyone operating a medical marijuana dispensary.  The law is murky at best, and although it seems there is a greater freedom, there is also a great deal of confusion.  Federal authorities are ignoring state law and city law, raiding medical marijuana dispensaries on a regular basis.  If you operate a medical marijuana dispensary, or if you are a medical marijuana user, contact the Los Angeles criminal defense attorneys at Kestenbaum, Eisner & Gorin today.

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Any Los Angeles rape is obviously a serious issue, but for the victim and the alleged perpetrator.  Los Angeles sex crimes can lead to serious prison time, long periods of probation, fines and even being placed on the California Sex Offense Registry.

A recent Los Angeles sex crime case involved a government official and a great deal of intrigue.  The general manager of the Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety has been placed on administrative leave by the mayor.  This happened because the general manager is under a Los Angeles police investigation into a rape allegation made against him.  In this Los Angeles sex crime, a woman alleged that the man sexually assaulted her at his downtown condo. 

Los Angeles police are current investigating these allegations, however the man’s Los Angeles criminal defense attorney is stressing that the accusations have not been proven.  Allegedly, the woman went with friends on a “bar hopping” trip and after several drinks she blacked out.  When she woke up the next morning, she says she was being raped by a man she later identified as the general manager.

Los Angeles sex crime attorneys must be aware that the public, and in turn juries, are biased against anyone accused of rape, sexual assault or any other Los Angeles sex crime.  In order to properly defend someone accused of rape, a criminal defense attorney has to examine police investigation tactics, examine the testimony of the victim, examine the crime scene and see if DNA evidence can help his client.

In a Los Angeles sex crime trial, dealing with the jury could be difficult, and a Los Angeles criminal defense attorney must navigate the courtroom without offending the jury.  If he portrays the victim as a tramp, the jury could turn on his client.  If the attorney is too kind, the jury could wonder if he knows his client is guilty.

If you or someone you love is accused of a Los Angeles sex crime, contact the criminal defense attorneys at Kestenbaum, Eisner & Gorin at 877-781-1570.

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When a skilled Los Angeles criminal defense attorney represents someone charged with child pornography crimes, he must devise a unique, sophisticated defense.  Any child pornography charge in Los Angeles, or any other part of California, carries serious penalties and requires the skill of a Los Angeles criminal defense attorney with a unique background, successful track record and unmatched knowledge of the law.

One individual who could have used a skilled Los Angeles criminal defense attorney is Keith Griffin of Marin County.  he claimed that the child pornography police found on his computer was indeed downloaded…by his cat.  He claims that he would step away from his computer for long periods of time and return to find his cat had downloaded the child pornography without his being present.  Unfortunately, the man had over 1,000 images of child pornography on his computer and is being charged with 10 counts of possession of child pornography.  He is also being held on $250,000 bail.

If you are charged with such a sexual offense, you need could be facing some of the stiffest penalties California has to offer.  For example, possessing, distributing or manufacturing child pornography is punishable by serious  jail time, long periods of probation, community service, limited access to public parks and even inclusion on the California Sex Offender Registry.  Any of these penalties could cause permanent damage to your future, your relationships, your current employment and more.  Los Angeles child pornography laws offer severe penalties, and both juries and judges can be prejudiced against anyone charged with such a crime.

The Los Angeles criminal defense attorneys at Kestenbaum, Eisner & Gorin have years of experience with child pornography laws, including Section 311.11 of the penal code.  Our criminal defense team has years of experience with Los Angeles courts, Los Angeles laws, sex offenses and more.  In fact, our attorneys have over fifty years of experience, and many of those years were spent working in Los Angeles District Attorneys’ Offices.

If you are facing child pornography charges, contact our law offices today at 877-781-1570.

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Defending a client against criminal charges can be complicated for any Los Angeles criminal defense attorney.  There aer a number of factors to take into consideration, such the defendant’s prior criminal record, the skill of the prosecuting attorney, the type of crime and whether the charge is a felony or misdemeanor.  One other factor that a Los Angeles criminal defense attorney will have to take into consideration is the judge who is presiding over the case.

In a recent story which has shocked many, a judge sentenced a man to six months in jail for contempt of court.  Normally, contempt charges are reserved for people who show blatant disrespect to the court or the judge.  However, in this particular case, the man was guilty of yawning.  There is no information left out, the man yawned a little too loudly for the judge during a sentencing hearing for someone else and was sentenced himself to six months in jail.  What’s worse, the man was not charged with a crime.  In such instances, a Los Angeles criminal defense attorney has a limited ability to bring proper defense, because there is no jury trial.

A skilled Los Angeles criminal defense attorney who understands trials and Los Angeles courts can be a major asset to anyone facing felony or misdemeanor criminal charges.  Judges often come down hard on defendants, especially if they are elected and have to justify their positions to the general public.  Either way, only a skilled Los Angeles criminal defense attorney will know how each judge handles his or her court room, and how to best navigate any criminal trial.

While the case of this yawning man is a bit extreme, there are definitely judges who seem to go out of their way to enforce the full letter of the law, which can cost you months, years or even decades in prison.  If you find yourself facing harsh criminal charges, you should find a Los Angeles criminal defense attorney who knows the law, courtroom techniques and who has a solid track record.

Contact the Los Angeles criminal defense attorney team at Kestenbaum, Eisner & Gorin today.  Our skilled legal team can represent you no matter what you have been charged with.

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Los Angeles criminal defense attorneys who represent people charged with drug crimes must know the law, the Los Angeles courts and Los Angeles law enforcement.  In some cases, they have to know the world of acting as well.

Take for example Cameron Douglas, son of Oscar winning actor Michael Douglas, could face life in prison for selling large amounts of illegal drugs.  Douglas is accused of selling tens of thousands of dollars worth of methamphetamine.  He faces a  minimum sentence of 10 years and a maximum of life sentences for possessing and distributing forms of methamphetamine which are also known as “Meth,” “Crystal Meth” and “Ice.”

Los Angeles drug offenses include possession, distribution, manufacturing, cultivation and money laundering.  Having a highly skilled Los Angeles criminal defense attorney working with you to defend against any drug offenses is a major asset.  Public defenders provide little relief to those facing drug charges, in part because they defend so many people every day.  Public defenders also may not be the best attorneys available. 

A qualified drug crimes defense attorney can offer the kind of experience need to successfully represent you.  For example, in Cameron Douglas’ case, he needs an attorney who can provide top notch defense for serious drug crimes.  Los Angeles drug crimes of that magnitude are felonies, will count as a strike in California’s three strike rules and could lead to decades in prison.

Only a highly skilled, highly trained Los Angeles drug crimes defense attorney can have any chance of keeping such a defendant from spending at least a decade in prison.  Drug crimes defense include utilizing expert witnesses, searching the investigate techniques used by law enforcement and much more.

If you or someone you love is in need of a drug crimes defense attorney in Los Angeles, contact Kestenbaum Eisner & Gorin.  Our Los Angeles drug crimes defense attorneys have a long track record of keeping people out of prison and at home with their loved ones.

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Los Angeles sex crime defense attorneys work hard to represent those charged with a Los Angeles sex crime. Los Angeles sex crimes are difficult to battle against, in part because of the social stigma associated with the crime. The general public will often find anyone accused of a Los Angeles sex crime guilty, even before they are prosecuted.

In a recent case, NFL star Ben Roethlisberger of the Pittsburgh Steelers has been accused of raping a Nevada woman. The woman, a Harrah’s Lake Tahoe Hotel and Casino VIP Services Manager, has filed a civil suit against the quarterback claiming he asked her to come to his hotel room to fix a broken television set. After determining that there was nothing wrong with the television, the woman, whose identity has been withheld, claims Roethlisberger blocked the doorway, pushed her onto the bed and raped her. The lawsuit filed by the woman states that she had met Roethlisberger several times in the past when he had participated in an annual celebrity golf event hosted by the resort. The woman claims she reported the incident to the hotel’s chief of security, Guy Hyder. The lawsuit accuses Hyder and several other Harrah’s employees of covering up the incident and making derogatory remarks about her character. No Nevada law enforcement agencies were contacted by the woman and there were no criminal charges filed or investigations into the allegations taking place. Since Roethlisberger is not being accused of a criminal offense, he will not serve jail time if he is found guilty in the civil suit. The woman accusing him of rape is suing Roethlisberger for $380,000 in medical expenses for the treatment of depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder, $30,000 in lost wages and an unspecified amount of damages. Since this is a civil case and not criminal, neither the Steelers nor the NFL have released any statements as to what kind of punishment, if any, Roethlisberger will be given.

The Los Angeles sex crimes of rape and sexual assault charges are nothing to take lightly. Even if this case does not appear on Roethlisberger’s criminal record, it could permanently damage his good reputation. Had this woman filed criminal charges against Roethlisberger, he could have been facing as much as eight years in a state prison, in addition to probation or parole.

Just because someone makes an allegation against you does not mean that there is no way to defend yourself against it. Insufficient evidence, lack of witnesses and the absence of DNA evidence are some of the strongest defenses against sex offense charges. If you have been accused of a Los Angeles sex crime such as rape or sexual assault, call the Los Angeles criminal defense attorneys at Kestenbaum, Eisner & Gorin.

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Los Angeles is cracking down on Los Angeles gang activity: a joint effort between several Los Angeles-area police task forces led to the arrest of 20 alleged gang members last Thursday, including four murder suspects, four attempted murder suspects and 12 drug or weapons violations suspects. A seven-month-long cooperative effort between the Los Angeles and Glendale police departments, California Department of Corrections, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and Southern California Drug Task Force led to the serving of 19 arrest warrants and 21 search warrants. Authorities also confiscated 58 firearms (48 from one location), three ounces of cocaine and methamphetamine and roughly two pounds of marijuana. This latest sweep comes after joint forces had previously arrested 20 people for criminal offenses from weapons and drug charges to probation and parole violations.

In a city known for gang problems, Los Angeles takes Los Angeles gang-related criminal activity very seriously indeed. Research has often shown that economic downturns frequently lead to a spike in gang-related crimes, and Los Angeles law enforcement groups are at the ready. Gang violence has such a long and notorious history in Los Angeles that the Los Angeles Police Department even has a registry for gang members. Those convicted of what are believed to be gang-related crimes are required to register with police after their sentences are completed, and even after a Los Angeles gang affiliation or relationship ceases, those tags can and do persist with Los Angeles law enforcement.

Prosecutors who believe certain crimes are Los Angeles gang-related will often seek tougher, longer prison sentences for those being charged, while sentencing for known or alleged gang members also increases. If you are being charged with a gang-related crime, contact the Los Angeles criminal defense attorneys at Kestenbaum, Eisner & Gorin immediately. Our attorneys have several decades of combined experience in defending against criminal charges. Let us fight for you.

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As citizens, we all would like to believe that the Los Angeles police force fights for the safety and orderliness of our community.   Nobody ever wants to believe that our local law enforcement officers would abuse their power, but the unfortunate reality is that sometimes they do.  The excessive use of force by the Los Angeles police is, in particular, a sticky point between Los Angeles police officers who say they are merely trying to do their jobs and community members that would accuse the Los Angeles police of overreacting.

Take, for instance, the case of a Texas man who was recently tasered by police in the parking lot of a church in Webster, TX.   Jose Moran, a pastor of the Iglesias Profetica Peniel Church, was tasered after interfering with a routine traffic stop that local law enforcement officers were conducting.  Police at the scene maintain that Moran was belligerent, shouting at them and actually shoving one officer before running into the church.

Police accounts state that Moran was asked to leave several times before an officer attempted to arrest him.  An officer used his taser gun to subdue Moran and pepper spray to disperse the crowd that had surrounded him.  According to Moran’s son, Omar, Jose Moran came outside to the parking lot to offer assistance ot the officer making the traffic stop, then went back inside.

Omar Moran maintains that police followed his father into the church, kicking in a door and using the taser gun on his father twice before using the pepper spray on the crowd.  Omar Moran also noted that his father has heart problems and remains hospitalized since the incident.  Webster police noted that while their officer had only used the taser gun on Moran once, the gun usually leaves two marks on the victim.  Only the people at the scene can say for certain who was at fault for the outburst.

If you are involved in a crime, or a Los Angeles police investigation, that involves Los Angeles police brutality, you should contact a Los Angeles criminal defense attorney right away.  A Los Angeles criminal defense attorney could help you get the best results possible for your case if it involves Los Angeles police brutality.

If you have been arrested for a criminal offense and feel that the police involved in the incident handled you with excessive force, call the Los Angeles criminal defense attorneys at Kestenbaum, Eisner & Gorin to fight for you.

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Perhaps he meant to do it, or perhaps his aim is just bad, but minor league pitcher Julio Castillo has been charged with one count of felony assault with a deadly weapon and one count of felony assault that caused bodily harm after a brawl at a baseball game left a bystander injured. Castillo, who is from the Dominican Republic and does not speak English, was pitching at a minor league baseball game in Dayton, Ohio when a brawl broke out between the two teams. Castillo claims he threw the ball at the opposing team’s dugout fence to warn players from coming out to join the fight, while prosecutors in the case allege the pitcher threw the baseball in order to hurt someone from the opposing team. Whatever Castillo meant to do, the baseball he hurled ended up hitting a 45 year-old man sitting in the stands behind the team’s dugout. The man claims he suffered a concussion and swelling that lasted for several days from the blow, with the stitching from the ball leaving marks on the side of his head. If Castillo is convicted on both counts of felony assault, he could serve as much as 16 years in a state prison. Castillo has pleaded not guilty.

Felony ssault charges are, by nature, a very serious criminal offense in Los Angeles and can come in a wide variety of forms: simply pushing someone, bar fights and domestic abuse are all considered assault and/or battery. Assault can be classified as either a misdemeanor or a felony criminal offense in Los Angeles, depending on the circumstances. In a case such as this, where someone was actually injured and required hospitalization, the assault would most likely be classified as a felony. Felony assault convictions are particularly damaging in Los Angeles as they count as a “Strike” under California’s “Three Strikes” laws, which can lead to longer prison and parole terms, as well as a potential life in prison sentence for that third felony. Use of a deadly weapon in an assault case is tricky because under Los Angeles law, a deadly weapon is really anything other than a firearm that could cause “great bodily harm” to someone. Anything from a baseball or bat to more typical weapons such as a knife can be classified as “deadly.”

If you have been charged with felony assault, call the attorneys at Kestenbaum, Eisner & Gorin, LLP today. Our attorneys have over 50 combined years in defending against criminal charges and we will fight for you.

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Los Angeles criminal defense attorneys know that Los Angeles marijuana crimes are abundant and confusing. At our criminal defense firm, defending people accused of Los Angeles marijuana crimes involves intense research, a keen knowledge of drug law and an aggressive defense technique.

Actor Jamie Waylett has been sentenced to 120 hours of community service after a London judge found him guilty of growing marijuana. The 20 year-old Waylett, who found fame as school bully Vincent Crabbe in the popular “Harry Potter” films, was arrested after police found 10 cannabis plants growing in a bedroom of his mother’s London home. The actor was initially pulled over while driving after police noticed suspicious behavior. Inside the car, authorities found eight bags of cannabis and Waylett and his passenger were promptly arrested. Police found the plants when they later raided the home Waylett shares with his mother, two brothers and a sister. In England, producing marijuana carries a maximum penalty of 14 years in prison, but as Waylett has no prior criminal record he was given community service instead. Judge Timothy Workman attributed the marijuana growth to personal use due to its small scale.

The manufacturing of cannabis, or any other illegal drug, is a very serious criminal offense in Los Angeles. With the exception of possession of small amounts of marijuana, most drug offenses are classified as felonies, which means much tougher punishments such as longer sentences in either county jail or state prison, longer probation or parole terms and extended community service work. Being charged with a drug-related offense, such as a Los Angeles marijuana crime, does not mean, however, that you will automatically be convicted and sent to jail. One of the strongest defenses in Los Angeles marijuana crime cases, whether manufacturing, distributing or selling, is how the evidence against you was obtained. Los Angeles police have very strict guidelines as to how and when they may obtain physical evidence against any criminal suspect. If they entered your home or, in some cases your vehicle, without a warrant or without sufficient cause, the evidence they collect against you may prove to be inadmissible in court proceedings. In many cases, criminal charges against you may be dismissed entirely if evidence was improperly obtained. If you have been charged with a drug-related offense, you do still have rights.

If you have been charged with, or accused of, a Los Angeles marijuana crime, call the attorneys at Kestenbaum, Eisner & Gorin, LLP today to find out what they are and begin preparing your defense.

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