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How are Crime Trends Changing During the Pandemic?
Every day living in the world of coronavirus, the things that are happening are almost unreal. All aspects of life are affected, including crime. As millions are self-quarantining, ordered to stay home, and advised to practice social distancing, America’s largest cities are seeing a drop in the crime rate.
As stores and restaurants close down, public spaces are no longer crowded, and public transportation is being used less, there are fewer people out and about, vulnerable to crime. Three of the largest, most populated cities, New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago report that since the pandemic changed how we operate in society, they have seen a drop in crime.
According to Dermot F Shea, New York City’s police commissioner, most crime has lessened. Burglary and assault crimes have decreased in the city by 25%. Sex crimes were also on the decline by nearly 50%.
In Los Angeles, there was also a drop in crime by 5.6% from where the crime rate was the previous year. The Mayor of Los Angeles, Eric Garcetti told CNN that what is happening in LA is that crime is going down while peoples’ generosity is increasing.
Police captain Jiff Rinaldo echoed the same trend in Buffalo, New York. As businesses closed down the crime also followed with decreased occurrences. Rinaldo explains that one reason is that much crime takes place around commerce. In the absence of commerce, crime naturally falls. Daily arrests have dropped from a normal 20 each day to 2 per day under the new coronavirus circumstances.
In Chicago, it was the same story. There were 201 arrests made on Friday a couple of weeks before everything started to shut down. The following Friday there were only 60 arrests. According to Charlie Beck, the Interim Chicago Police Superintendent, the arrest numbers are at a historic low.
What Has Happened to California Crime Trends?
In 2017, the Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC) reported that there was a rise in violent crime by 1.5%. However, the statewide rate is fairly low when compared to the crime rates of the late 1960s. In 2017, though, the property crime rate decreased by 2.1% from 2016.
The state is not homogeneous, every region has its own unique crime rates. The South Coast, for instance including Imperial, Orange, San Diego, and Ventura Counties had the lowest violent crime and the lowest property crime in 2017. San Joaquin Valley had the highest violent crime rate that year.
There were many counties, approximately 33 out of 58 had an increase in violent crime in 2017. In 19 of those counties, the rise in violent crime was extreme at over 10%.
In 26 of the 58 counties property crime decreased in 2017. In nine communities including Kern, San Luis Obispo, and Santa Barbara, there were significant decreases in the property crime rate by over 10%.
Where Can You Find A Criminal Defense Lawyer In Los Angeles?
The aggressive Los Angeles criminal defense attorneys at the Manshoory Law Group, APC are here for you when you have been arrested. It is best you do not speak with the police before you consult with an experienced California criminal defense attorney from the Manshoory Law Group, APC. Our team will build a solid defense strategy for you.
Call the Manshoory Law Group, APC at 877-977-7750 to discuss your situation with one of our resourceful Southern California violent crime defense attorneys today.
Hit-and-run accidents occur when a driver causes property damage or personal injury to another person or their property. Property damage extends beyond hitting another vehicle.
Damaging your neighbor’s mailbox without stopping to let them know is a hit-and-run accident. Hitting a pedestrian or cyclist and fleeing the scene is also a hit-and-run accident. Running over a stray animal is also a hit-and-run accident if the driver doesn’t stop and attempt to notify the owner.
Now that we’ve answered, “What is a hit and run accident?” let’s look at the laws and penalties for hit and run accidents.
What are the Hit and Run Laws?
In California, Vehicle Codes 20001 – 20004 describe the requirement to report accidents and the penalties for failure to report accidents as prescribed by the Vehicle Code. The code differentiates between accidents involving property damage and those involving injury or death. Vehicle Code 20001 requires the driver to stop immediately and comply with the requirements of Vehicle Codes 20003 and 20004.
Failure to comply with the requirements of hit and run laws can result in imprisonment for up to one year unless the accident caused death or a serious and permanent injury in which case imprisonment of up to four years may be ordered upon conviction.
Vehicle Code 20001 also allows for fines between $1,000 and $10,000.
An additional sentence may be added if the person is convicted of violating Penal code §191.5 (Gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated) or Penal code §192(Vehicular manslaughter).
Permanent, serious injury is defined as an injury that causes permanent loss of function or the loss of an organ. For example, an accident that requires the removal of a kidney would be considered a serious injury.
A car hit and runs require the driver to provide the other driver and law enforcement officers with their current name, address, vehicle registration number, as well as the names and addresses of injured passengers under Vehicle code 20003 and 20004. Fleeing hit-and-run accidents is one of the top DUI mistakes made by drivers.
What is the Penalty for Hit and Run Car Accidents?
Two main factors determine if the hit and run driver is charged with a misdemeanor or a felony:
Whether the accident involves serious bodily injury or death, or
Whether the accident occurs during the commission of a crime
If a driver flees an accident that occurs during the commission of a crime or one that causes serious injury or death, it will be a felony.
If the accident only involves property damage, the hit-and-run charges will be a misdemeanor, and additional ways to resolve the situation may be available.
Penal Code 1377 allows the driver to make a compromise and pay restitution to the party who suffered property damage after their car hit and runs from the scene if the injured party agrees to the compromise and complies with Penal Code 1378 and acknowledges that satisfaction for the injury has been received.
A felony conviction for a hit-and-run accident is a crime of moral turpitude that can have a negative effect on your ability to work in industries requiring honest behavior and on immigration status and naturalization proceedings.
Does Car Insurance Cover Hit and Run Accidents?
The answer to this question can be complicated. If you don’t carry the right type of coverage, you may not be able to recover damages.
If a driver hits your car and flees, you can file a claim to pay for the property damage to your vehicle under your collision coverage and under MedPay and Uninsured/Underinsured for bodily injury. However, you cannot file under uninsured or underinsured for property damage or bodily injury if law enforcement doesn’t determine the identity of the hit and run driver who hit you or damaged your property.
Make note of as many details as possible about the accident. Details help law enforcement find the driver who fled the scene of the accident. If you are being charged with a hit-and-run accident, contact a Los Angeles DUI lawyer to assist with your defense and explore your options.
We are proud to be named one of the top 16 Best Criminal Defense Law Firms in Los Angeles by Expertise.com. During their review process to determine the best criminal defense lawyers in Los Angeles, Expertise.com reviewed almost 3,000 firms (2,780). They eliminated 1,106 from consideration before curating 1,674 firms and selecting the 16 best criminal defense attorneys in Los Angeles.
It means a lot for Manshoory Law Group to be included on this hand-picked list of just 16 law firms in Los Angeles. Expertise.com used twenty-five variables in their scoring process from five critical areas to determine the best law firms in Los Angeles.
Reputation
Reputation is evaluated based on the experiences of actual customers who engaged the firm’s services.
Credibility
Credibility requires a solid foundation including licensing, accreditations, and awards won by the attorney or firm.
Experience
Experienced attorneys have the upper hand when it comes to winning and settling cases and knowing when to pursue each course of action. Experience is rated on both the education, including continuing education, and actual experience.
Availability
There is nothing worse than an attorney who isn’t available when you need help. Availability also includes being approachable. Legal matters can be difficult to talk about. An attorney who makes it comfortable to disclose sensitive information with confidence can ease some of the stress of dealing with legal matters.
Professionalism
Professionalism should be a cornerstone of any law firm, but that’s not always the case so Expertise.com includes rating the firm based on the respect of clients, peers, and the bench. Attorneys must be honest and reliable to earn a reputation for professionalism.
Manshoory Law Group worked hard to earn the trust and respect of our clients that led to being named one of the top 16 law firms in Los Angeles. Our goal is to continue providing that level of service and satisfaction to every client.
Our practice areas include criminal defense for both state and federal crimes. We serve clients who speak English or Spanish. If you have been wrongly accused of a serious crime such as homicide, sex crimes, crimes against children, or drug crimes, we can help. We also handle contract fraud, theft, property damage, driving violations, and cyberstalking charges.
If you need assistance with a legal matter involving any of our areas of practice, contact us by (877) 977-7750. We will do our best for you.
If you are notified that you have violated probation and a hearing has been scheduled, you may be wondering, “What is a probation violation hearing?” In this article, you’ll learn what to expect and how to prepare for your hearing.
If someone who is on probation fails to adhere to the requirements of their probation, they are entitled to a hearing before their probation is officially revoked. The outcome of probation violation hearings depends on the specific circumstances of the violation, the reasons for the violation, and the probationer’s criminal history and attitude.
While on probation, almost any law you break, other than most traffic violations, can violate your probation. If you fail to keep your agreements, it is a violation of probation. Probation violations include the failure to do specific things including:
Attend, participate in, and complete court-ordered treatments or counseling. This can include:
Pleading nolo contendere to another criminal charge
Possession of a firearm (if you’re a prohibited person)
Being in an area where illegal drug sales occur (if drug-related offender)
Leaving the county or state without permission from your probation officer
What Happens at a Probation Violation Hearing?
There are two parts to a probation hearing. They may both occur at the same time or be separated by a period of time. During the first part, the judge considers the evidence and decides if there is probable cause to summarily revoke probation.
A summary revocation is not an official, permanent revocation. A summary revocation allows the court to take action to detain the probationer. If the probationer isn’t present, a bench warrant can be issued for their arrest.
If probation is temporarily revoked, the clock stops on the probation until the judge makes a final ruling. However, if the probationer is not detained, the restrictions attached to the conditions of their probation remain in effect.
The second part of the probation hearing process is a formal hearing and may be delayed for months if the courts’ calendar is crowded. Witnesses, who can be cross-examined just like witnesses at a trial, can be called to testify. When making the decision, the judge may also consider the probation officer’s report.
During probation hearings, the judge’s decision considers all relevant factors including past probation violations, criminal history, the type of violation, and whether the probationer is a danger to the public. Based on the evidence and the probationer’s attitude, the judge can order a variety of outcomes including:
Formal revocation of probation. This results in the probationer being remanded into custody to serve the remainder of the sentence.
Reinstate probation as it was
Reinstate probation with new terms and conditions that may include
Fines
Jail time
Community service requirements
Attending specific courses
A requirement to find employment
Extending the duration of probation
What do I Need to Prepare for PVH?
If there is evidence that the violation did not occur, gather evidence to support the claim. For example, if the claim is that you did not pay restitution, bring documentation from the bank showing it was paid. If there are reasonable explanations for your actions, gather and bring any evidence that could help your case.
Dress for the hearing the way you would dress for an actual trial, clean, well-groomed, and as calm as possible.
Do I Need an Attorney?
Now that you know what happens at a probation violation hearing, you know that hiring a Los Angeles criminal defense attorney to represent you gives you the best chance of obtaining the desired outcome. If evidence exists that justifies the violation, such as a convicted drug offender being in an area where drugs are sold looking for their runaway teenage child who had been seen in the area, an attorney may be able to present the evidence in the best light.
Your attorney may be able to present evidence that will lessen the negative impact of the probation violation.
Although Schedule III drug charges aren’t as serious as Schedule I and II crimes, the outcome of your case will have a significant effect on your future. A federal law, enacted in 1970, The Federal Controlled Substances Act classifies controlled substances (drugs) under a single law replacing an assortment of laws that had developed over time. Five separate categories were created by this law.
When classifying a drug, the first step is determining whether or not there are medical uses for the drug and the second is the drugs potential negative effect on mental or physical health including the potential for addiction. The Federal Drug Scheduling System classifies drugs according to how harmful they are and includes Schedule I, II, III, IV, and V. Schedule I is the most harmful and Schedule V has the lowest risk of abuse.
In this article, we’ll discuss the list of Schedule III drugs.
What are Schedule III Drugs?
California follows the Federal Schedule for listed drugs in California Health and Safety Code § 11056 although California refers to them as C-III drugs. Schedule III drugs include narcotics and non-narcotics. Drugs included in the list of Schedule III drugs include narcotics that contain no more than 90 milligrams of codeine per dose.
Examples of Schedule III drugs include:
Dronabinol
Suboxone
Tylenol with codeine
Vicodin
Non-narcotics on the list of Schedule III drugs include:
Anabolic steroids
Ketamine
Benzphetamine
Marinol – a synthetic version of THC
Phendimetrazine
When determining which drugs will be Schedule III drugs, the risk of dependence is considered. Drugs with a moderate or low risk of physical dependence that have a high risk of psychological dependence may be classified as Schedule 3 drugs. They also have a potential for abuse, but that potential is less than drugs classified as Schedule I or II drugs.
The penalties for a Schedule III drug charge depend on whether the charge relates to simple possession or trafficking.
Civil Penalties
Possession can be charged in two ways. The Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1988, Public Law. 100-690, contains “User Accountability” requirements for the possession of personal use quantities of illegal drugs. The law is codified at 21 U.S.C. § 844a.
In addition to potential criminal penalties, the “User Accountability” law holds users personally accountable by imposing civil penalties. Individuals convicted of possession can also be denied public housing assistance and student loans. In some cases, prosecutors will use this law to punish minor drug offenders but don’t leave them with the stain of a criminal record that can impede their ability to support themselves or their families.
The fine can be up to $10,000 but considers the individual’s income and assets so it doesn’t burden poor people with impossible fines.
The public record can be destroyed for first offenders who meet the requirements of paying their fine, not being convicted of a crime during the following three years, and passing a drug test.
Individuals with prior drug convictions and those who have taken advantage of this provision twice before are not eligible.
Criminal Penalties
Possession is also subject to criminal penalties that vary based on the quantity of drugs the person is found in possession of and their criminal history.
First offenders are usually looking at a maximum of 1-year and a fine of up to $1,000.
A second offense requires a minimum sentence of 15 days with a 2-year maximum and a fine of up to $2,500.
The third offense requires a minimum sentence of not less than 90 days and not more than 3-years and up the fine to a minimum of $5,000.
Any offense involving Flunitrazepam has a fine of up to $250,000 and up to 3 years in prison.
Minimum sentences may not be suspended or deferred.
Trafficking
Offenders guilty of trafficking illegal drugs are subject to stiffer penalties outlined in the DEA Enforcement Guide.
First offenders may not be sentenced to more than 10 years unless their crime caused serious injury or death, in which case the maximum is 15 years. The individual fine can’t be more than half a million, but if a company is involved, it increases to $2.5 million.
The potential penalties and fines double for second offenses.
What to Do If You Have Been Charged with Possession of a Schedule III Drug?
If you are charged with any crime involving Class III drugs, you need a drug crime attorney to represent you and help you fight the accusations. Your personal freedom, finances, and your future depend on the outcome of the case.
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