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Explaining SB 81 to Beginners

February 16, 2022 | by The Justice Firm

On December 15, 2021, the governor of California signed SB 81 into law to dismiss sentence enhancements in the interests of justice. This bill comes at the heel of widespread activism, drawing attention to the plight of convicts spending more time than necessary in jail or prison.

Studies show that sentence enhancements for long sentences do not deter crime. The number of separate sentence enhancements that a person could theoretically face when charged with a crime is about 150. This ranges from add-ons for gang association, being on probation, or having a prior conviction. Sentence enhancements are particularly concerning if you face criminal charges that include time spent in jail or prison, meaning more time spent incarcerated if convicted.

How Sentence Enhancements Work

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SB 775 Explained

February 16, 2022 | by The Justice Firm

SB 775 is a bill signed into law on October 5, 2021, and reforms SB 1437 laws about the conviction of aiders and abettors for murder. Inmates with murder convictions under the previous laws could be charged with murder even though they had nothing to do with it.

Bill 775 allows a defendant convicted of murder, manslaughter, or attempted murder to appeal for resentencing.

The Impact of SB 775

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What We Can All Learn from the Inspiring Career of Christopher Darden

January 18, 2022 | by The Justice Firm

One of the most valuable skills that attorneys need today is a sense of awareness. It’s knowledge of the latest developments that affect people and businesses, both within your community and the country at large. Attorney Christopher Darden is one such professional who embodies this trait – and more.

After passing the California Bar exams in 1980, he was hired at the National Labor Relations Board in Los Angeles. Darden then applied for a job with the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office to change his career. He relocated to the Huntington Park office, and then briefly moved to Beverly Hills, before relocating to the Criminal Courts Building (CCB) in Los Angeles in 1983.

He specialized as a co-prosecutor at the CCB where he worked in the Hardcore Gang Unit. After that, he worked for the Special Investigation Division (SID) to investigate criminal activity and corruption by public officials including law enforcement personnel in February 1988. This is also where Darden met his mentor Johnnie Cochran, who represented victims of police brutality. The two became very close partners.

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Here’s Why You Need a Rideshare Accident Lawyer in 2021

January 6, 2022 | by The Justice Firm

Uber and Lyft have made it easy to get around town. However, there are thousands of drivers and riders utilizing rideshare apps at a time. This can increase traffic volume on the road and the pressure on drivers to respond to the increased demand for their services. The nature of their role requires drivers to check their phones, sometimes even when they’re driving at high speeds.

As a result, the likelihood of getting involved in an accident can increase tenfold! Such accidents could be the fault of the driver or someone else on the road. Moreover, it isn’t uncommon for rideshare accidents to lead to serious injuries or even death. In case of injuries, it is important to seek legal consultation for rideshare accidents in LA as soon as possible.

The Perils of Going After a Billion Dollar Enterprise

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What are the Leading Causes of Rideshare Accidents?

January 4, 2022 | by The Justice Firm

Rideshare apps in LA have become the de facto means of getting around town – but they’re not perfect. Uber and Lyft are worth billions of dollars and have managed to increase their number of users and contribute to a sizable traffic volume day in and day out.

The increased presence of cars indicates a relatively high risk of injury for both passengers and riders. For the most part, accidents usually happen due to negligent and distracted driving, but you cannot minimize the impact of another drunk driver ruining everyone’s day.

Sadly, it’s not uncommon for riders (and sometimes drivers) to lose their life because of critical injuries. For example, you may have heard of drunk drivers getting arrested for DUIs and being charged with manslaughter. But what you probably don’t even hear of is the sad news that the victim is a 20-something old college student who succumbed to their injuries later in hospital.

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What Damages Can I Claim in a Rideshare Accident in LA?

December 31, 2021 | by The Justice Firm

When an Uber or Lyft driver causes a car accident due to negligence, the injured victim (or passenger) may be entitled to several types of damages when they file a claim. The compensation will depend on the severity of injuries and other losses.

Rideshare companies and their insurance providers will do everything they can to dispute your claim and minimize their liability from the incident. They may even rob you of your compensation entirely, especially if you’re not represented properly. For these reasons, it is highly recommended to hire an experienced rideshare accident lawyer in Los Angeles for going toe-to-toe against their defense teams.

Types of Damages You Can Claim in a Rideshare Accident

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When Charged with a Crime in Los Angeles, is it Favorable if the Offense is Considered a Wobbler?

August 28, 2013 | by The Justice Firm

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 your charge is under a wobbler, could it be good news? We’ll discuss it below.

How does a prosecutor determine whether to charge the client with a misdemeanor or felony?

In wobbler cases, the prosecutor will determine whether to charge you with a misdemeanor or felony based on your criminal history, the specific details in your case, and other factors. For example, if the crime is considered violent or severe, it’s likely the prosecutor will feel the crime deserves harsh punishment. However, if it is a first offense and mitigating facts exist that would eliminate or lessen your responsibility in the crime, he/she may decide to charge you with a misdemeanor.

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West Hollywood Doctor Enters Guilty Plea to Federal Drug Charge

August 21, 2013 | by The Justice Firm

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 federal court.

As experienced Los Angeles drug crime attorneys, we know that prescription drug offenses have been on the rise in past years. Crimes involving such painkillers as oxycodone and hydrocodone have saturated the media; even highly recognized celebrities have been known to have addiction issues, many of them losing their lives. When a doctor is accused of writing improper prescriptions, he or she may face serious criminal penalties if convicted.

In May, an indictment filed against Eisenberg charged him with three counts of distribution of hydrocodone and four counts of using a U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration registration number which had been revoked.

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FIREWORKS IN THE COURTROOM DURING THE WHITEY BULGER TRIAL!!

July 14, 2013 | by The Justice Firm

James Joseph “Whitey” Bulger, Jr. is being tried for allegedly killing 19 people in a Boston Court. During the prosecutor’s case in chief, witness, Kevin Weeks took the stand and called Bulger a “rat”. Mr. Weeks was a one-time assassin for Bulger who was responsible for many many murders at the bequest of his boss Bulger. However, Weeks allegedly heard that his boss was an FBI informant back in the day when Weeks was killing people for him. And that was the reason that he was willing to testify for the prosecution and become their star witness. Of course Mr. Weeks worked out a very favorable plea deal that only put him in custody for 5 years. He admitted to killing 5 people for Bulger. In that regard, when he called Bulger a “rat” the Judge had to intervene as there were F-bombs exchanged by the two men. It should be noted that Bulger has consistently maintained that he was never an informant for the FBI. He did say that he bought or paid for information and intel from dirty agents from time to time. The reputed mobster evaded authorities for more than 16 years. There were numerous sightings of him and his longtime girlfriend, Catherine Greig in over 22 countries. However, it turned out that Bulger and his girlfriend were in Santa Monica, California for almost 14 of the 16 years they absconded. The FBI found the couple in their modest Santa Monica rent-controlled apartment. Coincidentally, they were found with over $800,000 and an arsenal of firearms. Continue Reading →