Recent Blog Posts

Bride Still in Wedding Dress Found Dead in Bathtub

Los Angeles Criminal Defense Attorney — Mon, 14 May 2012 23:25:00 GMT

A woman was found in Burbank who had been stabbed to death. What is eerie about this particular stabbing is that the woman was still in her wedding dress. When family began to get concerned after not hearing from her a few days after her wedding, police searched her apartment and found her dead there. While no one is currently in custody, police believe it may have been her new husband. The family apparently did not know that the woman had gotten married, but only knew that they had been invited to a party to celebrate something. Many of the family members did not approve of the marriage to the on-again-off-again boyfriend.

The husband has not even been charged with a crime and already many are suspecting him of the crime. If you are put into a situation that does not seem to be in your favor, then get a strong defense against your murder charges with the help of a Los Angeles criminal defense attorney from Okabe & Haushalter. Our firm is dedicated to fighting aggressively for your rights as a person convicted of a crime. For more information, contact a Los Angeles murder lawyer from the firm today.

Two Fullerton Cops to Stand Trial for Fatal Beating

Los Angeles Criminal Defense Attorney — Wed, 09 May 2012 22:36:00 GMT

Two Fullerton, CA police officers are set to stand trial for the fatal beating of a homeless man with a mental illness. The charges are involuntary manslaughter, excessive force and second-degree murder. The largest factor in question is who or what was actually responsible for the death. The coroner stated that it is likely that the death came when the two officers piled on top of the man, which cut off his oxygen supply. The man was put on life support but died several days later from brain death and blunt force trauma. The defense has a different story. They claim that poor medical treatment was the cause or at least played a role in the death. Whether or not excessive force was used remains to be seen. These are incredibly serious charges which require the defense of a skilled Los Angeles criminal defense lawyer. Contact a murder attorney from Okabe & Haushalter today for more information on how we can defend you in these kinds of cases.

Sex Crime Charges Dropped for Casting Director

Los Angeles Criminal Defense Lawyer — Wed, 02 May 2012 23:47:00 GMT

Charges were dropped against a Hollywood casting director Wednesday who allegedly had his name changed to conceal his status as a sex-offender. The judge in the case stated that there was evidence the director consistently provided his employers and other agencies with his real name as well as his driver's license and passport when it was necessary. The man received his sex-offender status in 1996 when he kidnapped an 8-year-old. Using an alias was especially concerning in his line of work because he was in charge of casting young children in movies. The final ruling was that the law does not prohibit sex offenders from using a shortened version of their name, as long as they notify the necessary people of their status. If you have an issue regarding sex offender registration or are in need of sex crimes defense, then get in touch with a Los Angeles criminal defense attorney from our firm. Contact a Los Angeles crime lawyer from Okabe & Haushalter today.

Avoiding Evasion

Los Angeles Criminal Defense Lawyer — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 00:29:00 GMT

It's that time of year again, which means that the tax rush is now officially over. April 15th tends to loom over every taxpayer's head like a rain cloud. Sometimes a small white lie to reduce tax liability doesn't seem like it would hurt anyone that much. In reality, this is called tax evasion and it should be avoided at all costs. Everyone has to pay taxes, which means that businesses as well as individuals may fall into the trap of lying about their taxes. Some people may evade their taxes altogether, but this is not as common as lying or misrepresenting the true state of your affairs to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

Sometimes, people make honest mistakes when it comes to their tax statements which can mean they may get audited. In order to get a defense against the IRS, speak with a Los Angeles criminal defense attorney from Okabe & Haushalter. Our firm can help draw the line between honest mistakes and fraud so that you are not wrongfully convicted of tax evasion. Contact a Los Angeles tax evasion attorney from our firm today to find out more about how we can help you.

USC Campus Police Shoot Alleged Robber

Los Angeles Criminal Defense Lawyer — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 19:41:00 GMT

The LAPD is looking into an incident in which a member of the USC campus police shot a man suspected of robbery. The man who was shot was a 24-year-old Compton resident and known felon. The incident took place near many USC sorority and fraternity homes, on 28^th Street and Figueroa. According to reports, the man initially walked up to four USC students and demanded they give him money. After the students handed over what they had, the suspect fled. The students got the help of campus security who then continued to pursue the suspect. After an altercation between the security guard and the suspect, security shot the man. He was taken to the hospital but his injuries are not serious. USC campus security was likely on edge at the time of this accident because a week prior, two students were shot and killed while sitting in their car.

Being charged with a crime like robbery is a serious offense, especially since the suspect in this case had prior convictions and was on probation at the time of the altercation. In many cases, robbery is a misdemeanor but in the case of this suspect it likely will be considered a felony if he is convicted. This man is still entitled to rights, just like you if you were charged with robbery. This man was also carrying a firearm at the time which could mean he is liable to receive weapons charges. If you or someone you know has been charged with these kinds of crimes, you need a serious attorney who is going to provide you with aggressive defense. A Los Angeles criminal defense lawyer from Okabe & Haushalter can be the firm that helps defend you. For more information, contact a Los Angeles criminal defense attorney from our firm today.

Inglewood Father Shot While Shielding Son

Los Angeles Criminal Defense Attorney — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 22:21:00 GMT

An Inglewood, California man was shot to death while shielding his 8-year-old son from gunfire. The family of this man is now offering a $10,000 reward to anyone who has valuable information regarding the incident. The incident occurred when this father and son were standing outside of their Inglewood home which is on the 3200 block of West 109^th Street. Allegedly, suspects walked up to the two and opened fire. This is when the father pushed his son out of the way in order to take the bullets himself. He was transported to the hospital but died soon after. The son was struck, but only minor injuries were sustained. Those who knew the father said that he was a "great guy" and someone who they were surprised was involved in a violent shooting such as this. The man was employed and a college graduate of Texas Southern University.

The shooting seems to be completely at random, since there is no evidence of gang-relations with the father. What is also tragic is that the now-deceased man's wife is pregnant with their second child. Evidence seems like it is against whoever shot this man, although little is known at the time. This can be a major problem when it comes to the criminal system. The media tends to report a story as if the suspect has already been convicted, when in fact only a charge or a warrant has been made. If you have been charged with a serious crime such as murder then you need to speak with a skilled Los Angeles criminal defense lawyer from our firm. At Okabe & Haushalter, we understand that you need aggressive representation during this time and attorneys who are going to care about the details. If you have been charged with a crime and are looking for this strong type of help, then contact a Los Angeles homicide lawyer from our firm today.

Manhattan Beach Sting Leads to 18 Arrests

Los Angeles Criminal Defense Lawyer — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 22:07:00 GMT

In a sex sting that took place at a Manhattan Beach public bathroom, police arrested 18 men. Police set up the sting after multiple complaints from concerned Los Angeles County Lifeguards who had been noticing suspicious activity. This suspicious activity included men loitering in and around beach bathrooms. In addition to this "loitering" lifeguards also noticed sexually explicit graffiti and holes drilled into the partitions of the bathroom walls. It was discovered that the bathroom had recently been initiated as a sexual meeting place. It didn't take long for police to make their first arrest. Once surveillance was set up, police arrested a man within minutes. Some of the charges included soliciting, lewd acts in a public place, utilizing a peephole in a restroom, invasion of privacy and indecent exposure. This isn't even a comprehensive list. Police say they will be continuing these operations in the future.

If you have been arrested for a sex crime you know how serious these charges are. You may be facing feelings of embarrassment and confusion in not knowing where to turn next. Know that these charges do not guarantee that you will be convicted. For sex crimes defense from a competent attorney, speak with a Los Angeles criminal defense attorney from Okabe & Haushalter today. Our firm is skilled in criminal defense and can help you combat even the most serious of charges. You know that you do not want a permanent mark on your record because this can taint the rest of your future including your ability to buy a home or become employed. Contact a Los Angeles sex crimes attorney from our firm today if you want aggressive legal help to combat your charges!

Bobby Brown Arrested for Suspected DUI

Los Angeles Criminal Defense Attorney — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 18:30:00 GMT

A stop by the California Highway Patrol for talking on his cell phone turned much more serious for Bobby Brown, ex-husband of the late superstar Whitney Houston. Brown was pulled over in Reseda when an officer noticed him using his phone without a hands-free device. Suspecting intoxication, the officer gave him a field sobriety test and, upon Brown's failure to pass the test, subsequently arrested him on charges of an alleged DUI. He was booked to the Van Nuys jail, where he quickly posted bail. Brown also has a previous DUI conviction to his name, which makes this latest charge all the more serious.

Penalties for DUIs are very serious and include fines, jail time, suspension of license, higher insurance rates, and a permanent stain on your driving record. If you or someone you know has been accused of a DUI, contact a Los Angeles criminal defense attorney from Okabe & Haushalter today. You have a right to legal representation. We are a highly experienced criminal defense law firm with a successful track record in representing DUI cases throughout Los Angeles. Our team strongly advises you to never delay when it comes to protecting your reputation, driving record, and future. Contacting us as soon as possible ensures the highest likelihood of an optimal outcome for your case. Contact a Los Angeles DUI defense lawyer now for protection of your rights to the fullest extent of the law.

Shooter Flees Scene With Two Children

Los Angeles Criminal Defense Lawyer — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 23:34:00 GMT

A man shot the mother of his two children and then fled the scene with the kids in an incident early this morning. Police are currently searching for him. Police were notified with a call near 5am this morning, March 19th, from a location on Ventura Boulevard. The woman who was shot in the head made the call. She was taken to the hospital and is said to be in stable condition. She was able to make the call and remain coherent because fortunately the bullet did not penetrate her skull. The children are 21 months and 6 months old. The man police are searching for has prior convictions for violence.

California takes assault and attempted murder charges extremely seriously, especially when children are involved. If this man is convicted he will likely face prison time. If you have been charged with a criminal offense such as assault or attempted murder then you need the help of a serious Los Angeles criminal defense attorney that can help you get justice. Just because you have been charged doesn't mean your case is hopeless. Contact a Los Angeles criminal defense lawyer from Okabe & Haushalter today to see how we can help you with your criminal charges.

Mom Accused for the Stabbing of Daughter's Boyfriend

Los Angeles Criminal Defense Lawyer — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 23:11:00 GMT

A West Covina woman was arrested for assault with a deadly weapon after she stabbed her daughter's boyfriend in the back. Allegedly the daughter and boyfriend were in a fight at the mother's home on East Valley Boulevard. The mother attempted to intervene by breaking up the accident after the boyfriend shoved her daughter to the ground. It was then that the mother began to stab the man in the back. He was transported to the hospital in critical condition. The mother is being held on $1 million bail.

Although the woman in this case seemed to be acting defensively, she could still very well be sentenced to serve time in prison for her attack. If you or someone you know have been convicted of a serious crime such as attempted murder, then you need to seek legal help from a trusted Los Angeles criminal defense attorney. At Okabe & Haushalter, we have dealt with hundreds of cases such as this with positive results. If you want aggressive defense on your side after you are charged with a crime, then contact a Los Angeles personal injury attorney at our firm today.

Act of Arson Results in Homicide Charges As Well

Los Angeles Criminal Defense Attorney — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 19:19:00 GMT

Two women were found in a burning house on Friday, March 2, 2012. Investigators have since stated that the abandoned building was set on fire from the inside early in the morning. It has been reported that when firefighters were trying to get into the house through barred windows, they saw a woman behind the glass. The woman was rescued and hospitalized, but died over the weekend. During additional investigation the body of a second woman was found beneath the rubble of the abandoned house. While the Los Angeles Police Department is treating this as more than an act of arson, the case has been deemed a homicide. The Los Angeles fire department said they found mattresses everywhere and lighters in one of the rooms of the building. Additionally, they used an accelerant canine which positively indicated that accelerants were used in this fire.

The act of arson is to willfully and / or maliciously set fire to a building, land or other property, and can be life-altering in a convicted case. In the above scenario, more damage was done than merely the destruction of a building. At Okabe & Haushalter, we understand the need for aggressive defense and the need for constitutional rights to be protected in such a situation. The sentences for a convicted arson case can be detrimental, including up to eight years in prison – this sentence can rapidly grow in the case of death or serious injury. In any legal case, your rights must be respected and protected aggressively; in the case of arson, it is no different. If you have been accused of arson, it is urgent that you contact an experienced, aggressive and successful Los Angeles criminal defense lawyer immediately. Our firm has a history of success in many high-profile cases and is committed to providing only the highest quality legal counsel. For legal assistance, contact a Los Angeles arson attorney at our firm today.

Assault Victim Hospitalized

Los Angeles Criminal Defense Lawyer — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 23:35:00 GMT

A 45-year-old man charged with assault this past Saturday, February 25^th is now in the hospital after police found him unresponsive. The man barricaded himself for ten hours on Saturday in order to avoid police, but when police hadn't heard any movement for some time, they went in to investigate. It was then that police found the man in a pool of his own blood. The suspect was being pursued on charges of assault with a deadly weapon after he threatened his ex-girlfriend and her new boyfriend the Tuesday prior to the barricade.

Around 8pm the night before, police were on the lookout for the man after the assault took place. Once he was sighted at the North Hollywood Station, he barricaded himself inside a location. Police handled the case with extreme caution because he was thought to have multiple weapons on his person. When the location was investigated, the suspect was not found. He was then found in Burbank the next day where, after a ten hour barricade, police found him in critical condition. The man is still said to be in critical condition.

California takes assault charges extremely seriously. Even though the suspect didn't physically harm his ex-girlfriend and her boyfriend, he threatened to do so and was thereby charged with assault. If you have been charged with assault, then there is a better solution than the one this man chose to take. Seek the help of a Los Angeles criminal defense lawyer at Okabe & Haushalter. Our legal expertise and aggressive representation consistently provides the highest quality of legal help to our clients. If you have been charged with assault and battery, then you shouldn't hesitate to contact a Los Angeles assault and battery lawyer from our firm today.

Multiple Arrests in Marin County Child Pornography Bust

Los Angeles Criminal Defense Lawyer — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 17:47:00 GMT

So far it has been reported that three arrests have been made in the Silicon Valley in Marin County raids on child pornography. Silicon Valley Internet Crimes Against Children conducted the raid on Thursday, February 23^rd. The team included 75 agents from different city, state, and federal agencies. Warrants were handed out to four people on suspicion of downloading child pornography and three actual arrests were made- one in Fairfax, one in San Rafael and the last in Novato. The task force, which is federally funded, hands out warrants based on searches of computers for which they have evidence of downloaded child pornography.

After the warrants were given, police investigated and made the arrests. According to the San Rafael Police, these child pornography crimes included infants and pre-pubescent children. Some twenty other child pornography arrests have been made in the bay area just in the preceding few months. The child pornography crime is becoming a bit of an epidemic, increasing at a rate of 150 percent every year. According to police, it is the fasted growing crime in the entire United States.

California takes the crime of child pornography extremely seriously, and if convicted a person could face life in prison. It is absolutely illegal to possess or sell any type of material sexually depicting a child under 18 and a person will be prosecuted based on the amount of material found in their possession. If you have been accused of child pornography charges, then you need strong defense from a Los Angeles criminal defense lawyer at our firm. Contact a Los Angeles child pornography lawyer from Okable & Haushalter immediately if you are facing charges of this nature.

Torrance Ex-Teacher Pleads Not Guilty to Lewd Charges

Los Angeles Criminal Defense Lawyer — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 00:22:00 GMT

An ex-teacher from Torrance pled not guilty to 23 charges of lewd acts against nearly two dozen children. The 61-year-old 30 year elementary school teaching veteran is in jail with a $23 million bail. The lewd acts allegedly took place between the years of 2005 and 2011 against children as young as 7 years old. This man was the second teacher to be charged with lewd actions against children at this particular elementary school. The other alleged criminal is currently out on bail awaiting his court appearance in April. He has three counts of lewd acts against him.

According to sheriffs, the investigation began a year ago when a film processor informed authorities that they found more than 40 photographs of the teacher with bound children. The photos got even stranger and more sickening, which led to the immediate dispelling of the man from employment at the elementary school. Physical evidence was found in the defendant's classroom that matched those depicted in the lewd photographs. More photographs were also found at the teacher's residence. Ten of the children pictured in the photographs have yet to be identified.

Sex crimes are taken extremely seriously in the state of California, especially when they are committed against children. If convicted, the ex-teacher from Torrance could face up to life in prison. Being given the title of sex offender is a lifetime title, and can even be placed on those convicted of indecent exposure. If you are facing sex crimes charges, you should contact a Los Angeles criminal defense lawyer from Okabe and Haushalter immediately. We have been named Super Lawyers numerous times and possess the tenacious advocacy it takes to see that our clients receive the justice they deserve. Contact a Los Angeles sex crimes defense lawyer from our firm today.

Teen Pleads Not Guilty to Facebook Sexual Assault Charges

Los Angeles Criminal Defense Lawyer — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 22:49:00 GMT

A 19-year-old male from Santa Clarita is pleading not guilty to the allegations that he committed sex crimes against underage victims whom he met on Facebook. 34 charges are being brought against him, and if he is found guilty of all of them, he could get life in prison. The charges against the 19-year-old are extremely serious and they involve girls as young as 12 years old. Prior to the five new counts of felony for committing lewd acts against a child he just received, he had already been charged with 29 counts of sexual assault from more than a dozen victims. He was placed in custody on December 15^th of last year.

The investigations began that same December when the first report came to detectives. When that case began to be investigated, detectives were led to thirteen other girls who all claimed that the 19-year-old had assaulted them. At this point, victims keep surfacing so frequently that detectives suspect even more will come forward during the trial. The Santa Clarita teen claims that he met all of these girls through either Facebook or social gatherings. He would then claim to be a minor as well, only 16, and convince the girls to have sex with him, allegedly.

Sexual assault is an extremely serious charge. As is the case with the Santa Clarita teen, these accusations could end a person up in prison for life. Sexual assault is defined by unwanted sexual contact forced upon a person. In this case, those persons were minors, which pose even greater charges if the teen is convicted. If you have been charged with sexual assault, it is important that you contact a Los Angeles criminal defense attorney that you can trust. At Okabe & Haushalter, we specialize in criminal defense and have dealt with many sex crimes cases, so contact a Los Angeles sexual assault attorney from our firm today if you need defense.