Los Angeles Criminal Defense Firm

Long Beach Criminal Attorneys help defend clients who are facing problems at the Long Beach Criminal Court. These criminal defense lawyers have the experience and knowledge to effectively represent clients.

For anyone who has a child facing criminal charges in Los Angeles, it is advisable to get a Los Angeles Criminal Lawyer to help defend you. These lawyers have the experience to help your child today.

Court should hold in camera hearing where confidential informant is percipient witness.

The second appellate district court of appeal recently ruled in the case of People v. Adlofo Davis, 2010 DJDAR 11453 that a confidential informant who is a percipient witness should require the trial court to conduct an in camera hearing to allow the defendant the opportnity to show that the informant could exoncrate him.

In that case, the court noted that under Evidence Code Section 1041, subdivision (a), a public entity has a privilege to refuse to disclose the identity of a person who has furnished informaiton purposting to disclose a violation of a law. The District Attoreys Office must disclose the name of an informant who is a material witness in a criminal case or suffer dismissal of the charges against the defendant, citing People v. Lawley (2002) 27 Ca.4th 102. The court further went on to note that an informant is a material witness if there appears, from the evidence presneted, a reasonable possibility that he or she could give evidence on the issue of guilt that might exonerate the defendant on which issue the defendant has the burden of producing "some" evidence. (See also People v. Borunda (1974) 11 Cal.3d 523, , People v. Luera (2001) 86 Cal.App.4th 513. The petition for writ of mandate was granted an the superior court was directed to hold an in camera hearing. The los angeles criminal defense lawyers that handled the case were Nga TuMendoza and Karen Nash of the Los Angeles County Public Defenders Office with the assistance of Al Menaster.

U.S. Ninth Circuit Rules Pat down search is lawful where police officer reasonably believes that passenger is armed based on furtive moments, evasive responses, and reaching for pocket.

State Patrol Trooper Benajim Blankenship effected a traffic stop on a car that was speeding. The passenger, Robert Burkett apeared to be hiding or retrieving something underneath the seat. A pat down search ensued and the defendant indicated he had a firearm in his pocket. In the caseof U.S. v. Burkett, , the court affirmed the conviction. Case No. 09-30260, July 20, 2010.

Juvenile Court must determine enforceability of jurisdiciton before allowing child to live outside of U.S. (In re Karcla C., San Mateo County Human Agency v. PE, G.C.)

In the case of In re Karla C., the court found that the child was at risk of continuing sexual abuse at the hands of her step father in the home of mother. Court decided to place minor with father who lives in Peru. The First District Court of Appeal reversed and ordered the enforceability of the jurisdiction be determined. Filed July 21, 2010.