Recent Blog Posts in January 2010

Police officers in Fullerton successfully apprehended a man suspected of burglarizing vehicles in an east Fullerton neighborhood.

Officers were called to an apartment complex after receiving calls about a suspicious man going around knocking on sliding doors. Based on witness description, the officers were able to locate the man in a nearby parking lot. 

The suspect was identified as 20-year-old Juan Ortiz of Placentia. Ortiz was arrested on burglary charges after police discovered a screwdriver and a stereo faceplate in his possession. The items matched the missing property that was reported stolen from the vehicle.

A few hours later witnesses reported seeing a second person in the complex. That suspect, identified as 27-year-old Jose Camarillo of La Habra, was arrested on burglary charges as well.

Both Ortiz and Camarillo were booked in the county jail. Ortiz was being held on $150,000 bail; no bail was set for Camarillo.

Charged with Burglary in Orange County?

If you have been arrested on burglary charges, you will need the defense representation of an experienced Orange County criminal defense attorney. The Law Offices of Virginia L. Landry is back by more than 20 years of experience, and has successfully defended clients against a variety of criminal charges. If you are looking for an attorney you can trust to aggressively fight your charges in an effort to secure a winning verdict, please contact the office today to learn more about our services!

The following statistics and information are based on the most recent data from the California Department of Motor Vehicles, which is based off the year 2007:

General Overview

• Per 100,000 licensed drivers, 863 people were arrested for DUI
• The total number of drivers arrested for DUI was 203,866
• The number of felony DUI arrests was 6,264
• The number of misdemeanor DUI arrests was 197,602
• The percentage of DUI convictions as of September 2007 is 75%
• The number of alcohol-involved reckless driving convictions is 15,121
• The percentage of alcohol-related reckless driving convictions as of September 2007 is 7.4%
• There were 1,489 alcohol-involved fatalities
• 30,783 people were injured in an alcohol-involved accident
• 749 people were killed in drug-involved accidents
• 2,464 people were injured in drug-involved accidents (some of these cases involved both alcohol and drugs)

License Suspensions/Revocations (Before Conviction):

• .01 Zero tolerance suspensions: 22,112
• There were 123,594 first-offender suspensions (with BAC of.08 or more)
• There were 42,979 repeat offender suspensions (with BAC of .08 or more)
• There were 3,528 repeat offender revocations (with BAC of .08 or more)
• Action was taken against 2,903 commercial drivers
• Chemical test refusal actions: 9,581
• There were 426 suspensions for .01 test refusal
• There were 5,627 suspensions for .08 test refusal
• There were 3,528 revocations for .08 test refusal

License Suspension/Revocations (Post-Conviction)

• 1061 juveniles had their licenses suspended
• There were 124,436 first-offender suspensions
• Of the 124,436 suspensions,122,102 were for misdemeanor charges
• Of the 124,436 suspensions, 2,334 were for felony charges
• There were 34,296 second offender S/R actions
• Of the 34,296 S/R actions, 33,649 were for misdemeanor charges
• Of the 34,296 S/R actions, 647 were for felony charges
• There were 8,063 3rd offender revocations
• Of the 8,063 revocations, 7,830 were for misdemeanor charges
• Of the 8,063 revocations, 233 were for felony charges
• There were 2,790 4th offender license revocations
• The total number of suspensions and revocations in 2007 was 170,646

If you have been arrested for driving under the influence and your license has been revoked or suspended, an Orange County DUI attorney at the Law Offices of Virginia L. Landry can help. To schedule an appointment to discuss your case, please contact the office at (877) DUI-QUEEN!

According to KABC-TV Los Angeles, a San Clemente man who pleaded guilty to several white collar crime charges was sentenced to more than 13 years in prison.

John Anthony Miller, 52, was accused operating a Ponzi scheme that milked investors out of more than $21 million. Miller was charged with bribery, identity fraud, mail fraud, and passport fraud.

The U.S. Attorney's Office said Miller defrauded more than 130 people, taking money from people who had to withdraw money from their retirement accounts or borrow money against their homes.

Miller, who owned two investment companies in Newport Beach, JAM Jr. Enterprises and Forte Financial Partners, promised the victims annual returns of as much as 18 percent on their investments. He said the money would be invested in foreign currency trading, real estate, and oil wells, among other things. He even provided them with fabricated accounts statements that showed promising returns.

Charged with a White Collar Crime in Orange County?

If you have been accused of fraud or some other type of white collar crime, an Orange County criminal defense attorney at the Law Offices of Virginia L. Landry can help.  Contact an Orange County fraud defense lawyer at the office to learn more about our defense services, experience, and qualifications. We accept all types of white collar cases, including those involving fraud, embezzlement, extortion, bribery, Internet crimes, money laundering, tax evasion, public corruption, and import & export crimes.

When arrested for driving under the influence, the first thing that often pops into many people's minds is, What are the penalties that I'm facing? Will I go to jail? Will I lose my driver's license? How much is this going to cost me?  All of these are valid questions you might be asking yourself if you have recently been arrested for DUI in Orange County.

DUI Penalties

The types of DUI penalties a driver will face depend on the driver's prior criminal history. The more DUI arrests or convictions a driver has on his or her record, the more serious the penalties will be.

The following is list of some of the penalties associated with driving under the influence:

• Driver's license suspension, anywhere from four months to four years  
• Probation, up to five years
• 0 months to 1 year in county jail
• 1 to 5 years in state prison, for a third or subsequent offense
• 3 to 18 months of mandatory alcohol education classes
• Fines and court fees of anywhere from $390 to $1,500 (this does not include attorney fees)
• Installation of an ignition interlock device in the vehicle
• Community service
• Mandatory attendance at Alcoholics Anonymous meetings

Charged with DUI in Orange County?

When faced with DUI charges, you can rest assured knowing that the skilled DUI defense team at the Law Offices of Virginia L. Landry is here to help you get through this difficult time. The experienced Orange County DUI attorney assigned to your case will remain by your side every step of the way, defending your rights and helping to secure the best possible outcome. The attorneys at the firm understand the penalties for driving under the influence are daunting, to say the least, which is why they are so committed to providing each and every client with personalized attention, dedicated service, and overall exceptional representation from the beginning of their case until the very end.

Contact the Law Offices of Virginia L. Landry today by calling (877) DUI-QUEEN to learn more about working with an Orange County DUI lawyer at the firm!

There is much confusion as to whether or not a driver should submit to a chemical test when suspected of DUI.  On the one hand, if a driver submits to a chemical test a fails, those test results can be used as evidence against the driver.  On the other hand, if the driver refuses to submit to a chemical test, his or her license will be suspended.

Under the implied consent law, all drivers are required to submit to a breath or blood test at the request of an officer. Failing to submit to a chemical test when suspected of driving under the influence will result in a license suspension.  The following information, taken from the California DMV website, will give you an idea about how long your license will be suspended if you refuse to submit to a breath or blood test:

• First offense: 1 year license suspension
• Second offense within 10 years: 2 year license revocation
• Third or subsequent offense within 10 years: 3 year license revocation

Experienced Orange County DUI Attorneys

If you are facing a license suspension after refusing or failing a breath or blood test, please contact an Orange County DUI lawyer at the Law Offices of Virginia L. Landry.  Once charged with DUI, the attorneys at the firm can help you take on the prosecuting attorney by building a tough defense and aggressively challenging the evidence.  With years of DUI defense experience, the attorneys at the firm understand what is involved in defending someone against DUI charges in Orange County, and are committed to securing the best outcome possible for their clients.

If you are interested in learning more about the defense services offered at the Law Offices of Virginia L. Landry, please contact the office today at (877) DUI-QUEEN!

Underage DUI is a term applied to when a minor (a person under the age of 21) is arrested and charged with driving under the influence.  California has a strict zero tolerance policy that clearly states people under the age of 21 are not allowed to drive if they have any detectable amount of alcohol in their system.  If a minor is caught driving with a BAC of even .01% they can be arrested and charged with DUI.

It is important for any underage driver arrested for DUI to obtain representation from an experienced DUI lawyer.  Underage drivers have a little more at stake.  Not only do they stand to face legal penalties, such as driver's license suspension, fines, community service, probation, jail, etc., but a DUI arrest could also affect their current and future goals. Drivers that are still in high school could be suspended or expelled from extra-curricular activities, which can be especially detrimental for those students who are depending on athletics, music, art, etc. to get them a college scholarship.  A DUI arrest could also affect a student's chances of getting accepted into a good college or finding a job once they graduate. If a driver is already in college, a DUI conviction could affect their course of study, since some majors prohibit students from continuing forward in the major if they have a DUI on their record.

Experienced DUI Defense in Orange County

If you are under the age of 21 and have been arrested for a DUI, it is crucial that you speak with an experienced Orange County DUI defense attorney right away.  A skilled lawyer at the Law Offices of Virginia L. Landry can get to work immediately in preparing a strong defense. The attorneys at the firm understand you have a lot to lose, and that overcoming your charges to avoid a conviction is imperative.  The firm strives to provide each and every client with the professional, dedicated, and aggressive defense needed to increase their chances of resolving the case successfully!

To schedule a consultation with a Orange County DUI lawyer at the firm, please contact the Law Offices of Virginia L. Landry today at (877) DUI-QUEEN!

Six drivers were arrested over the weekend on suspicion of driving under the influence at a checkpoint in Newport Beach.  Two additional arrests were made, but they were not related to DUI.

The checkpoint was held on the northbound side of Newport Boulevard at Finely Street from about 9 p.m. Saturday until about 3 a.m. Sunday.  The location was chosen based on its proximity to bars and restaurants.  It was paid for with a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

All motorists passing through the checkpoint were given a brochure about driving under the influence.

Contact an Experienced Orange County DUI Lawyer

If you were arrested for driving under the influence at this or any other Orange County checkpoint, please contact the Law Offices of Virginia L. Landry to schedule a consultation with an experienced attorney.  The firm has been providing aggressive DUI defense service in Orange County for years, and has helped many clients throughout the area fight their charges.  You can depend on a dedicated Orange County DUI attorney at the firm to prepare a solid defense designed to maximize your chances of avoiding DUI penalties or a conviction.

To learn more, please contact the Law Offices of Virginia L. Landry today by calling (877) DUI-QUEEN!

Allison Ross, a former radio and television news anchor, was arrested on suspicion of DUI last week.

On January 10, Ross was arrested, taken into custody and booked into Las Colinas jail, where the Sheriff's Department has reported she is being held on $2,500 bond.

If Ross is convicted of the charges, she could be sentenced to up to six months in county jail, fines, probation, and more.  Her driver's license could also be suspended.

Ross worked as an anchor on KFMB TV Channel 8 from 1978 to 1989.  In the 1990s, she was a traffic reporter for several local news stations, and also appeared on a short-lived show on KNSD channel 7/39. After that, she was a morning news anchor on KOGO AM radio until she was laid off in 2001.

Charged with DUI in San Diego?

If you have been arrested on DUI charges in San Diego, an experienced San Diego DUI attorney at the Law Offices of Virginia L. Landry can help you fight your charges.  To schedule a consultation to discuss your San Diego DUI case, please do not hesitate to contact the office today at (877) DUI-QUEEN !  You can also click here to fill out a free DUI case evaluation.

A Fullerton man was sentenced to 25 years to life in prison for murdering his 4-year-old son in an effort to avoid paying child support.

Gideon Walter Omondi, 38, was found guilty of first-degree murder and attempted murder with premeditation and deliberation after drowning his son, Richie, in the bathtub.

After drowning his son in the bathtub, he removed his body from the tub, tucked him into his bed, and then drove to the Fullerton Police Station where he confessed.  He eventually pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity, but the jury found him to be sane at the time the killing took place.

Omondi was a student at Cal State Fullerton studying mechanical engineering when his wife and son came to the United States from Kenya to join him.  He supposedly wanted to send them both back to Kenya because he could not afford to support them in Orange County.

Eventually Omondi and his wife divorced and split custody of Richie. But according to authorities, Omondi soon became disgruntled that his wages were being garnished to support his wife and son.

The 2006 drowning was not the first time Omondi tried to kill his son.  Earlier that same year, Omondi tried to kill himself and his son by dousing his car in gasoline and climbing into the truck with his son.  His plan was to set the car on fire, however, the California Highway Patrol interrupted his plan, so Omondi told the officers they were sleeping.

Charged with Murder in Orange County?

If you have been charged with murder or any other violent crime in Orange County, nothing is more important than finding an experienced and aggressive Orange County criminal defense lawyer to represent your case.  Murder, especially first-degree murder, is arguably the most serious accusation you could face.  If convicted, you will be sentenced to many years in state prison, if not a lifetime.

The Law Offices of Virginia L. Landry is committed to providing aggressive defense to people throughout Orange County charged with a crime.  Whether you are facing a simple misdemeanor or something much more serious, like murder, you can depend on a skilled Orange County criminal defense attorney at the firm to remain by your side, put up an aggressive defense, and work diligently to resolve your case in the best possible outcome.

To learn more, please contact the office today at (866) 902-6880!

When charged with DUI or any other crime, it is important to understand the difference between pleading "not guilty," "guilty" and "no contest."

Not Guilty:  When a person pleads not guilty to the charges, they are maintaining that they are innocent.

Guilty: When a person pleads guilty, they are admitting they have committed the crime(s) they have been charged with.

No Contest:  When a person pleads no contest, they are neither admitting nor denying they have committed the crime(s) they have been charged with.

How Should I Plead My Case?

Whether a defendant should plead guilty, not guilty, or no contest can only be determined on a case-by-case basis, as no two cases are alike, even when the charges are the same.  At the Law Offices of Virginia L. Landry, our goal is to secure the best possible outcome for your case with as little damage to your rights, freedom, and reputation as possible.  Sometimes it's better for our clients to plead guilty in exchange for a plea bargain.  Other times, it might be better for our clients to plead not guilty and fight the charges in court.  By scheduling a consultation with an experienced Orange County criminal defense attorney at the firm, we can review the facts of your case and advise you on how we think you should proceed forward.

To schedule a consultation to discuss your case, please contact the Law Offices of Virginia L. Landry today! You can also click here to fill out a free case evaluation.

After accepting a probation deal, MTV's "The Hills" star Stephanie Pratt will avoid going to jail for her October DUI arrest.

Pratt was arrested last October in Hollywood, California and charged with "exhibition of speed."  She pleaded no contest to the charges.

Pratt was supposed to be charged with driving under the influence.  But because there was no evidence she was driving drunk Pratt was able to reach a probation deal, said her attorney Jon Artz.

As part of the deal, Pratt will serve three years of informal probation and attend alcoholic anonymous meetings.

Artz believes the deal is a fair resolution to the case, and that his client appears to have learned a lot from the arrest.

Charged with DUI in Orange County?

If you are facing DUI charges in Orange County, it's in your best interest to contact the Law Office of Virginia L. Landry as soon as possible.  You don't have to be famous to get the same type of deal Pratt received.  An experienced Orange County DUI lawyer at the firm can aggressively defend you in court and negotiate with the prosecution for a plea deal or a reduction of the charges.  We may even be able to get your charges dropped completely.

Contact a knowledgeable and dedicated Orange County DUI attorney at the Law Offices of Virginia L. Landry by filling out a free case evaluation or by contacting the office today at (877) DUI-QUEEN!

When Don Ninow was arrested for DUI in Huntington Beach, he never thought his mistake would have an impact on his beloved dogs.

After rear-ending the car in front of him at a red light, the 76-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of drugs.  It is unsure what type of drugs Ninow was taking, but his significant other said he takes heart medication, as well as medication for blood pressure and diabetes.  Because the case is still under investigation, police have declined to comment about what led them to believe Ninow was driving under the influence.  However, Lt. Russell Reinhart of the department says the arrest was perfectly legal and more than justified.

After Ninow was arrested he was taken into police custody and the police had his car impounded. 

Ninow had had his two dogs in the car with him, a Maltese and a Yorkshire terrier, at the time of his arrest.  When Ninow was released from custody that same day, he went to look for his dogs.  The Yorkshire terrier was taken to OC Animal Care, but it the Maltese could not be found.

Ninow is claiming the police forgot about his Maltese, and left her in the vehicle while it was impounded.  Ninow believes that because the Maltese was in a carrier, the police accidently left the dog in the vehicle.  The dog was left in the car for about 26 hours.

Ninow has since filed a claim against the city for $9,999.99.

If you or a loved one has been arrested for driving under the influence of drugs, an experienced Orange County DUI lawyer at the Law Offices of Virginia L. Landry can defend you in court and help you fight your charges.  To make an appointment to discuss your case with an attorney at the firm, please fill out a free case evaluation or click here to contact the Law Offices of Virginia L. Landry today!

A set of new vehicle laws took effect this month, affecting motorists across the state.  Some of the new laws include:

• The cost to renew or get a new driver's license increased from $28 to $31
• Cities and counties can choose to adopt laws that state if a person uses a vehicle for illegal dumping or to pick up a prostitute, that person's vehicle may be impounded for up to 30 days, if that person has been convicted of the same offense within the last three years.
• People can now have TV screens in the front-seat area of a vehicle, as long as the driver cannot view the screens.
• In accordance with the Move Over law, when drivers approach a stationary emergency vehicle or a tow truck with its siren or emergency lights activated, the driver must proceed with caution and move into an available lane not immediately adjacent to the emergency vehicle or tow truck. If moving into a new lane is not safe, practicable, or legal, the driver must slow to a reasonable speed that is safe for existing conditions. Motorists must also move over for California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) vehicles as well.

Effective July 1, 2010:

Drivers convicted of DUI in Alameda, Los Angeles, Sacramento, and Tulare Counties will be required to install an ignition interlock device in every vehicle they own or operate if they wish to keep their driver's license. The amount of time drivers are required to keep the device in their vehicle will depend on how many DUI convictions they have on their record. This is a pilot program, which means if the program proves to be effective in reducing the repeat DUI rate, then the state is likely to make it a law in all California counties.

If you have a question about any of the new motor vehicle laws and how they apply to you, please do not hesitate to contact the Law Offices of Virginia L. Landry to speak with an experienced Orange County DUI attorney today!

Police have long used DUI checkpoints as a way to catch people driving under the influence.  In the past, checkpoints were never announced, as the point was to catch unsuspecting drunk drivers.  Because drivers were never aware of where and when a checkpoint would take place, it was easy for police to catch people driving under the influence and place them under arrest.

Today, things are slightly different.  Like almost all aspects of our culture, technology has come in to play.  For some time now, newspapers and other news outlets report on where and when a checkpoint is scheduled to take place.  But now drivers are taking the matters into their own hands.  More and more people are twittering about DUI checkpoints to warn friends not to drive in that direction if they have been drinking. Because Twitter provides information instantly, a user can create a tweet warning his or her friends about a checkpoint as soon as he or she hears about it, sees it, or goes through it. 

So how do police feel about using Twitter to warn friends about DUI checkpoints? There tends to be a difference of opinion.  Some police don't mind that people share information about the checkpoints, but just want to make sure that people who should be arrested for DUI don't evade getting caught, as those people are ultimately risking the lives and safety of other drivers.  Some officers are worried about drivers looking their cell phones while driving to check for warnings, as a many of the latest cell phone models have apps or access to the internet.  These distractions are incredibly dangerous, especially when a person has already been drinking.

If you were arrested at a DUI checkpoint in Orange County, please do not hesitate to contact an experienced Orange County DUI defense attorney at the Law Offices of Virginia L. Landry for dedicated and aggressive representation. Contact the office today by calling (877) DUI-Queen, or click here to fill out a free case evaluation !

Yesterday we reported that Orange County saw an increase in DUI arrests on New Year's Eve.  Today, we report that DUI arrests were up in San Diego County as well.

In San Diego County, the California Highway Patrol arrested 83 motorists for DUI between 6 p.m. on New Year's Eve and midnight on January 3 ^rd .  This figure is up from last year's 73 DUI arrests over the New Year's Eve holiday.   The CHP also reported three deaths, compared to just one death last year.

The San Diego County Sheriff's Department also had an increase in arrests from last year.  Fourteen San Diego law enforcement agencies worked together to arrest a combined total of 829 DUI offenders between Dec. 18 and midnight on January 3.  Last year during the same period, 496 DUI arrests were made.  The Sheriff's Department also reported four collisions resulting in injury or death during this New Year's holiday.

Experienced San Diego DUI Defense Lawyer

If you were arrested for DUI in San Diego over the New Year's Eve holiday, you can depend on an experienced San Diego DUI attorney at the Law Offices of Virginia L. Landry to put up an aggressive defense against your charges.  A DUI can result in a number of criminal penalties without proper representation, which is why it is so important to retain the services of a skilled DUI lawyer as soon as possible.

To learn more about the San Diego DUI defense services offered at the Law Offices of Virginia L. Landry, please fill out a free case evaluation or simply contact the office today by calling (877) DUI-QUEEN!

Orange County saw an increase in DUI arrests over New Year's Eve.  According to CHP officer Denise Quesada, 69 drivers were arrested for driving under the influence in areas patrolled by the CHIP from 6 p.m. on Dec. 31 through 12 a.m. on January 3.  Luckily, there were no DUI-related deaths reported anywhere in the county during that period.  Last New Year's Eve, 59 people were cited for DUI and one person was killed.

Statewide there was a decrease in DUI arrests.  CHP officials made 1,388 arrests between 6 p.m. on New Year's Eve and 12 a.m. Sunday.  Last year there were 1,456 DUI arrests made during this same period.  There were 36 traffic deaths around the holiday, with 24 of those arrests in CHP jurisdiction.

Contact an Experienced DUI Defense Attorney

If you were arrested for DUI in Orange County on New Year's Eve, an Orange County DUI lawyer at the Law Offices of Virginia L. Landry can provide with you the dedicated and experienced representation you need to fight your charges. With years of DUI defense experience, the firm has defended countless clients throughout Orange County, and has the knowledge and skill to provide you with an effective defense. 

To learn how an Orange County DUI attorney at the Law Offices of Virginia L. Landry can help you fight your charges, please contact the office today by calling (877) DUI-QUEEN or by clicking here to fill out a free case evaluation !

A woman initially pulled over for a hit & run faces additional charges for stealing an ambulance. 

The incident took place last month when the woman was arrested for a hit & run crash.  She was waiting to undergo a blood test when she slipped past security and got into a running ambulance. She then drove the ambulance and parked it in front of a house, claiming to be looking for her ex-boyfriend.

Fortunately, no one was hurt and no vehicles were damaged.  

The woman now faces charges for driving under the influence , hit and run, and stealing a motor vehicle.

Experienced Orange County Defense

If you have been arrested for drunk driving in or around Orange County, it is important that you equip yourself with tough and dedicated defense representation.  Even a first-time DUI can result in serious penalties, especially when extenuating circumstances enhance the severity of the incident.

The attorneys at the Law Offices of Virginia L. Landry have defended thousands of clients throughout Orange County, and have ample experience with multiple DUI defense strategies.  If you have been arrested for DUI, or any other type of crime for that matter, you can trust an experienced Orange County DUI lawyer or Orange County criminal defense attorney at the firm to protect your best interests, aggressively fight your charges, and work diligently to secure the best case result possible.

To learn more about the type of service you can retain at the Law Offices of Virginia L. Landry, contact the office today by calling (877) DUI-QUEEN!

A retired Orange County judge says California should legalize and regulate marijuana once and for all.

Judge Jim Gray, a Libertarian, does not smoke, but has longed believed that the state should stop wasting its resources investigating, prosecuting, and incarcerating people for cultivating, selling, and possessing marijuana.

Under a new initiative, which could appear on the upcoming November ballot, cities and counties would allow the cultivation and sale of marijuana, as well as be able to tax it.  In addition, anyone 21 years of age or older could legally possess up to an ounce of marijuana and grow pot for personal use only.

Supporters of the initiative estimate that about $1.3 billion could be raised in tax revenue each year.

Judge Gray wants it to be clear that he does not support "legalizing" pot, but rather wants to regulate and control marijuana the same way alcohol is regulated and controlled.

Gray, who was asked to be a spokesman for the initiative, will be debating Los Angeles County District Attorney Steve Cooley on Jan 19.   In October, Cooley announced he would be prosecuting nearly 800 medical marijuana dispensaries in his jurisdiction after a Supreme Court ruling said all dispensaries are illegal.  

A recent poll found that 56% of Californians favor legalizing marijuana, and Judge Gray thinks the initiative could pass. But only time can tell whether or not the state will be able to enact such a law.  

Contact the Law Offices of Virginia L. Landry today to learn more!