Law Offices of Jonathan Franklin: August 2013

Saturday, August 31, 2013

Update on Where the L.A. Checkpoints Will Take Place for August 31, 2013

Newsflash from your Hollywood Attorney:

Here's what the LAPD, LASD and CHP have planned Now through September 2:

Saturday, August 31
• Checkpoint in Devonshire Area at Topanga Boulevard and Devonshire Street from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m.
• Checkpoint in Northeast Area at Sunset Boulevard and Fountain Avenue from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m.
• Checkpoint in Rampart Area at Olympic Boulevard and Lake Street from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m.
• Checkpoint - El Monte
• Checkpoint - Long Beach
• Checkpoint - San Gabriel
• Checkpoint - Torrance
• Checkpoint - CHP Antelope Valley
• Checkpoint - CHP East L.A.
• Checkpoint - CHP Santa Fe Springs
• Checkpoint - CHP South L.A.
• Checkpoint - CHP West Los Angeles
• Checkpoint - CHP West Valley
• Patrol - Avoid the 100 (West) El Camino College Police, El Segundo, Gardena, Hawthorne, Hermosa Beach, Inglewood, Manhattan Beach, Palos Verdes Estates, Redondo Beach, Torrance
• Patrol - Pomona
• Patrol - Whittier
• Patrol - CHP Santa Fe Springs
• Patrol - LAPD 77th Street Area from 5 p.m. to 1 a.m.

Sunday, September 1
• Checkpoint - CHP West Los Angeles
• Patrol - Avoid the 100 (West) El Camino College Police, El Segundo, Gardena, Hawthorne, Hermosa Beach, Inglewood, Manhattan Beach, Palos Verdes Estates, Redondo Beach, Torrance
• Patrol - Pomona
• Patrol - LAPD Southeast Area

Monday, September 2
• MEP (Maximum Enforcement Period) - CHP Southern Division
• Patrol - Avoid the 100 (West) El Camino College Police, El Segundo, Gardena, Hawthorne, Hermosa Beach, Inglewood, Manhattan Beach, Palos Verdes Estates, Redondo Beach, Torrance

Source... http://laist.com

Stay Smart out there L.A. - If you need help just Give Me a Call!

To schedule a free consultation and learn how we can help you, contact Beverly Hills DUI Attorney Jonathan Franklin today.

http://lawofficesofjonathanfranklin.blogspot.com/

Law Offices of Jonathan Franklin
Open Evenings and Weekends this Summer
Call Us Now (310) 273-9600
http://www.jonathanfranklinlaw.com

Friday, August 30, 2013

Are You Trying to Save Your Driver’s License?

Newsflash from your Hollywood Attorney:

Los Angeles DUI Defense Lawyer and Temporary Driver’s License Lawyer Serving Southern California

A DUI arrest triggers an automatic license suspension that will be applied to you if you do not request a DMV hearing. You need to actively pursue saving your driver’s license.

At the Law Offices of Jonathan Franklin, we have the knowledge and experience you need when attempting to save your driver’s license from being suspended. Jonathan Franklin is a highly-respected Los Angeles DUI defense lawyer who has handled numerous DMV hearings and DUI cases. He is able to explain your options for saving your driver’s license and determine the best way in which to proceed with your case.

Contact us at 310.273.9600 for a free consultation. We strive to help you understand how saving your driver’s license may help you continue to work, effectively run your household and maintain some sense of normalcy in your life.

DMV Administrative Hearings
After your DUI arrest, you only have 10 days in which to request an administrative hearing. If you do not do so, there is no chance of saving your driver’s license as your license will be automatically suspended.

Temporary Driver’s License
It may be possible for you to obtain a temporary driver’s license instead of having your driving privileges completely denied. By having a temporary license, you can continue to go to work, drive your children to/from school and maintain as normal a life as possible while the criminal case proceeds through the courts.

Traffic Tickets
In addition to DUI cases, saving your driver’s license can be important in traffic ticket cases. We represent the rights of clients who are attempting to save their license from suspension when dealing with multiple speeding tickets or other traffic violations. You need to request a DMV hearing as soon as possible even in these types of cases.

You have rights that need to be protected. For a free initial consultation with the Law Offices of Jonathan Franklin, contact us at 310.273.9600. Our phones are answered 24 hours a day.

For a free consultation with the Law Offices of Jonathan Franklin regarding a first offense DUI, contact us at 310.273.9600. Our phones are answered 24 hours a day.

We accept Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover.

http://lawofficesofjonathanfranklin.blogspot.com/

Law Offices of Jonathan Franklin
Open Evenings and Weekends this Summer
Call Us Now (310) 273-9600
http://www.jonathanfranklinlaw.com

L.A. Checkpoints Will Take Place HERE for This Weekend through Sept 2nd

Newsflash from your Hollywood Attorney:

The Los Angeles Police Department's end of summer DUI crackdown

Here's what the LAPD, LASD and CHP have planned Now through September 2:

Friday, August 30
• Checkpoint in 77th Street Area at Florence Avenue and Main Street Avenue from 6 p.m. to 12 a.m.
• Checkpoint in West Valley Area at Roscoe Boulevard and Gloria Avenue from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m.
• Checkpoint - Inglewood
• Checkpoint - Pasadena
• Checkpoint - Redondo Beach
• Checkpoint - Vernon
• Checkpoint - CHP East Los Angeles
• Checkpoint - CHP Santa Fe Springs
• Checkpoint - LASD Malibu
• Checkpoint - LASD Norwalk
• Patrol - Avoid the 100 (East) Glendora, Azusa, Irwindale, Covina, La Verne, Pomona, Claremont
• Patrol - Avoid the 100 (East) Arcadia, West Covina, Baldwin Park School Police, El Monte, Monrovia, Sierra Madre, and CHP
• Patrol - Avoid the 100 (West) El Camino College Police, El Segundo, Gardena, Hawthorne, Hermosa Beach, Inglewood, Manhattan Beach, Palos Verdes Estates, Redondo Beach, Torrance
• Patrol - Pomona
• Patrol - San Gabriel
• Patrol - Whittier

Saturday, August 31
• Checkpoint in Devonshire Area at Topanga Boulevard and Devonshire Street from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m.
• Checkpoint in Northeast Area at Sunset Boulevard and Fountain Avenue from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m.
• Checkpoint in Rampart Area at Olympic Boulevard and Lake Street from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m.
• Checkpoint - El Monte
• Checkpoint - Long Beach
• Checkpoint - San Gabriel
• Checkpoint - Torrance
• Checkpoint - CHP Antelope Valley
• Checkpoint - CHP East L.A.
• Checkpoint - CHP Santa Fe Springs
• Checkpoint - CHP South L.A.
• Checkpoint - CHP West Los Angeles
• Checkpoint - CHP West Valley
• Patrol - Avoid the 100 (West) El Camino College Police, El Segundo, Gardena, Hawthorne, Hermosa Beach, Inglewood, Manhattan Beach, Palos Verdes Estates, Redondo Beach, Torrance
• Patrol - Pomona
• Patrol - Whittier
• Patrol - CHP Santa Fe Springs
• Patrol - LAPD 77th Street Area from 5 p.m. to 1 a.m.

Sunday, September 1
• Checkpoint - CHP West Los Angeles
• Patrol - Avoid the 100 (West) El Camino College Police, El Segundo, Gardena, Hawthorne, Hermosa Beach, Inglewood, Manhattan Beach, Palos Verdes Estates, Redondo Beach, Torrance
• Patrol - Pomona
• Patrol - LAPD Southeast Area

Monday, September 2
• MEP (Maximum Enforcement Period) - CHP Southern Division
• Patrol - Avoid the 100 (West) El Camino College Police, El Segundo, Gardena, Hawthorne, Hermosa Beach, Inglewood, Manhattan Beach, Palos Verdes Estates, Redondo Beach, Torrance

Source... http://laist.com

Stay Smart out there L.A. - If you need help just Give Me a Call!

To schedule a free consultation and learn how we can help you, contact Beverly Hills DUI Attorney Jonathan Franklin today.

http://lawofficesofjonathanfranklin.blogspot.com/

Law Offices of Jonathan Franklin
Open Evenings and Weekends this Summer
Call Us Now (310) 273-9600
http://www.jonathanfranklinlaw.com

Arrested for Handgun in Carry-on at Dallas Airport for Mrs. Ted Nugent

Newsflash from your Hollywood Attorney:

At Dallas airport the wife of rock musician Ted Nugent has been arrested after a handgun was found in her carry-on luggage at an airport security checkpoint.

Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport spokesman David Magana confirmed to The Dallas Morning News ( ) that 51-year-old Shemane Ann Nugent was taken into custody Thursday. http://dallasne.ws/17qnHUp

Shemane Nugent's attorney, David Finn, says she made an "honest mistake" and either forgot or never knew the gun was in her bag. Finn says Nugent has a license to carry a concealed weapon.

She's been married to Ted Nugent since 1989. He's an outspoken supporter of gun rights who's criticized liberal groups over Second Amendment matters and other issues.Ted Nugent's Wife Arrested For Bringing A Gun To The Airport By Accident.

Stay Safe Out There - If you need help just Give Me a Call!

To schedule a free consultation and learn how we can help you, contact Beverly Hills DUI Attorney Jonathan Franklin today.

http://lawofficesofjonathanfranklin.blogspot.com/

Law Offices of Jonathan Franklin
Open Evenings and Weekends this Summer
Call Us Now (310) 273-9600
http://www.jonathanfranklinlaw.com

Thursday, August 29, 2013

Are You Facing a DMV Administrative Hearing?

Newsflash from your Hollywood Attorney:

DMV Administrative Hearing Attorney Serving Hollywood and Other Areas of Southern California

If you have been arrested for a DUI (drunk driving), it is important that you enlist the assistance of a Hollywood DUI attorney who can help you address issues as they arise. One aspect of a DUI that is often neglected is the request for a DMV administrative hearing.

Located in Hollywood, California, we at the Law Offices of Jonathan Franklin strive to provide DUI clients with aggressive representation tailored to meet their specific needs. Los Angeles DUI Attorney Jonathan Franklin has years of experience helping clients deal with DUI and other criminal charges. Along with our qualified staff, Mr. Franklin assists clients at every stage in the DUI defense process. His knowledge of the California DUI laws is extensive and he passes this vital knowledge on to his clients.

The Law Offices of Jonathan Franklin will confidently handle DMV administrative hearings for our clients facing DUI charges. Contact us at 310.273.9600 to schedule your free consultation. We may be able to help you as we have countless others over the years.

Thorough DUI and Driver’s License Defense Representation
Whether you are facing your first DUI, second DUI or any other drunk driving offense, your arrest will trigger an automatic driver’s license suspension. You have 10 days from the date of your arrest to request an administrative hearing. During this hearing, you and your lawyer will be able to present your case, attempting to persuade the DMV to allow you to keep your license. In situations where a client’s license will be suspended, it may be possible for us to seek a temporary driver’s license.

It is important to know that retaining your driver’s license after a DUI arrest could be extremely difficult. Most alleged offenders have their license suspended for a period of time. However, if you do not request the DMV administrative hearing and retain the assistance of a qualified lawyer, you have no chance of keeping your license.

A DMV administrative hearing is separate from the criminal aspect of your DUI case. Attorney Jonathan Franklin can assess your situation and explain how the hearing and the criminal charges differ.

We can also handle DMV hearings for those facing charges related to traffic tickets or other traffic violations.

http://lawofficesofjonathanfranklin.blogspot.com/

Law Offices of Jonathan Franklin
Open Evenings and Weekends this Summer
Call Us Now (310) 273-9600
http://www.jonathanfranklinlaw.com

"The Large Sweep" for Labor Day Weekend - 2013 NATIONAL DUI CRACKDOWN - "Driver Sober or Get Pulled Over"

Newsflash from your Hollywood Attorney:

Just in One State more than 600 police departments and the State Police will participate in a series of special enforcement initiatives including checkpoints and roving patrols focusing on both alcohol- and drug-impaired drivers.

"Sober" means not being under the influence of alcohol or drugs. "Drug" is defined legally as "substances (other than food) intended to affect the structure or any function of the human body." Commonwealth appellate courts have upheld this definition as it applied to commonwealth impaired driving laws.

Illicit drugs, over-the-counter drugs, prescription drugs, designer drugs and even substances not commonly thought of as "drugs" are all potentially impairing and can result in DUI arrests.

In 2012, some 56,317 DUI arrests were made just in one state of which 17,064, or 30 percent, were drugged driving charges. During the preceding year, 15,445 drugged driving arrests were affected.

Last year in one state, during the Labor Day holiday travel period, 125 impaired driving crashes occurred resulting in eight fatalities, which funds these special impaired driving initiatives with federal highway safety funds.

In one Example State More than 118 specially trained drug recognition officers will be assisting in this mobilization to identify and arrest drug impaired drivers.

Nationally, more than 50 percent of those arrested for DUI, often referred to as "the $10,000 ride home," are poly drug users. Poly drug users consume multiple drugs from more than one drug category - most commonly depressants, stimulants, pain killers and marijuana.

We Can HELP!
To schedule a free consultation and learn how we can help you, contact Beverly Hills DUI Attorney Jonathan Franklin today.

http://lawofficesofjonathanfranklin.blogspot.com/

Law Offices of Jonathan Franklin
Open Evenings and Weekends this Summer
Call Us Now (310) 273-9600
http://www.jonathanfranklinlaw.com

Wednesday, August 28, 2013

Have You Ever Been Involved in a Hit and Run?

Newsflash from your Hollywood Attorney:

This Attorney knows what to do!

Facing Charges on Leaving the Scene of an Accident
Under California state law, if you are involved in a motor vehicle accident you are required to stop and exchange information with the other driver. If you inadvertently hit a car in a parking lot and are unable to locate the car’s owner, you are required to leave a note on the car containing your information and file a police report as soon as possible. When people fail to stop or leave a note after hitting another car, they can be charged with hit and run. In cases where no one is injured, hit and run is a misdemeanor offense that could result in fines, driver’s license suspension, even jail. In injury or fatal hit and run accidents, drivers face felony charges that could result in prison, heavy fines, and the suspension of their license if convicted. At the Law Offices of Jonathan Franklin, we conduct our own investigation of a hit and run accident to determine if the prosecution is ignoring important information in a rush to judgment to convict our client.

If you’ve been charged with hit and run, contact Beverly Hills Hit and Run Attorney Jonathan Franklin today to schedule a free confidential consultation before you talk to the police. We can protect your rights and ensure you aren’t forced into admitting to crime you didn’t commit.

Hit and Run and Alcohol
A number of hit-and-run accidents involve people who have been drinking. In some cases, a driver – whether drunk or not – may leave the scene of an accident in the hope that he or she will have time to “sober up” before being caught or reported to the police. In other instances, a driver who has been drinking may not realize he or she has hit someone. The distinction can be important since it involves a question of intent: did the driver of a vehicle realize he or she had been in an accident and knowingly and intentionally leave the scene?

While you may still be held accountable for hit and run, the charges against you may be reduced if it becomes clear that you did not knowingly leave the scene of an accident because you were worried about being charged with drunk driving. You can bet the prosecutor in your case will check credit card receipts and bar and restaurant tabs to determine if alcohol played a role in your hit-and-run accident. That’s why we work hard to stay ahead of an investigation, preparing a defense against allegations of drunk driving and hit and run.

Intentionally Leaving the Scene of an Accident
If there is little question of your guilt in leaving the scene of an accident, it’s still important to tell the court why you fled the scene. While there is no guarantee the court will reduce your sentence, extenuating circumstances and a clean driving record may convince a judge to reduce the sentence or ultimately dismiss the case against you. For example, did you stop and, after inspecting your car, decide there wasn’t enough damage to justify exchanging information? Did you believe the other driver wasn’t going to stop? Did you have auto insurance that ultimately took care of any damage? Again, while these kinds of reasons may not absolve you of criminal responsibility, they may convince the court to reduce or dismiss the charge against you.

Contact a Los Angeles Hit and Run Lawyer
A conviction for hit and run can result in jail, fines, and the loss of your license. Additionally, it could increase your insurance rates and result in the loss of your job if your employer refuses to let you take a leave of absence to serve your jail or prison sentence. To schedule a free, confidential consultation to discuss your case contact Los Angeles Hit and Run Attorney Jonathan Franklin today.

http://lawofficesofjonathanfranklin.blogspot.com/

Law Offices of Jonathan Franklin
Open Evenings and Weekends this Summer
Call Us Now (310) 273-9600
http://www.jonathanfranklinlaw.com

Those Convicted of DUI must now Equip cars with Ignition Interlock in 17 States

Newsflash from your Hollywood Attorney:

Here are 9 of the 17 States that require Ignition Interlocks in Cars for DUI's

USA
All 50 states have laws permitting the imposition of ignition-interlock devices as sentencing alternatives for drunken drivers.

Arizona
Arizona mandates at least six months for all DUI offenses, even those not involving alcohol.[citation needed]

California
If driving on a suspended license due to a DUI conviction, legally the court must impose an ignition interlock device requirement for up to a maximum of three years from the date of conviction. As of July 1, 2010 interlocks are required upon a DUI conviction in four counties; Los Angeles, Alameda, Sacramento and Tulare. -AB 91 creates a pilot program for select counties, such as Los Angeles County, that will require all drivers convicted of a DUI offense to install IIDs in their vehicles as a condition to receive restricted driving privileges. -SB 598 shortens the amount of time certain repeat DUI offenders will have to wait before becoming eligible to apply for restricted California driving privileges. To receive the restricted license though, these drivers will be required to meet certain criteria, such as the installation of an IID in their vehicles.

Georgia
Upon conviction of a second DUI, the violator's license is suspended for no less than 18 months. During the final six months of this suspension the driver in question is required to have a working ignition interlock device installed in any vehicle that he or she intends to operate.

Massachusetts
Starting January 1, 2006, drivers that had a second or subsequent operating under the influence offense and are eligible for a hardship license or for license reinstatement, are required to have an ignition interlock device attached to their motor vehicle, at their own expense.

New Mexico
Ignition interlocks are required for at least one year for all first-time DWI offenders; subsequent offenses require longer periods of installation.

New York
As of August 15, 2010, New York state requires a person sentenced for Driving While Intoxicated have an ignition interlock device installed for at least 6 months on any vehicle they own or operate, and the driver have an "ignition interlock" restriction added to their driver license.

North Carolina
A conviction of Driving While Impaired with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.15 or more or another conviction within the past seven years will require an ignition interlock device to be installed on the vehicle.

Utah
Effective July 2, 2009, anyone convicted of a DUI, whether it be a first offense or a subsequent offense, will be required to have an ignition interlock device placed on their car — for 18 months for first time offense.

Virginia
Effective July 1, 2012, anyone who is convicted of DUI may drive only with an ignition interlock after the first offense, as a condition of a restricted license and is required to have an ignition interlock installed in each vehicle owned by or registered to him after a second offense. The bill also provides that the court may authorize a restricted license for travel to and from the interlock installer and a person can pre-qualify for an ignition interlock prior to conviction.

Stay Smart out there - If you need help just Give Me a Call!

To schedule a free consultation and learn how we can help you, contact Beverly Hills DUI Attorney Jonathan Franklin today.

http://lawofficesofjonathanfranklin.blogspot.com/

Law Offices of Jonathan Franklin
Open Evenings and Weekends this Summer
Call Us Now (310) 273-9600
http://www.jonathanfranklinlaw.com

1,373+ DUI Arrests In L.A. Over The Weekend (And Counting) Plus Where the DUI Checkpoints are Planned During Crackdown Will Be

Newsflash from your Hollywood Attorney:

The Los Angeles Police Department's end of summer DUI crackdown has so far proved to be quite successful. It's also proved that yes, L.A. County (and all of California, apparently) loves to drink. Over the weekend, 568 people were arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. And the counter is still clicking. Last year during the same time period, 550 DUI arrests were reported.

As part of the anti-DUI campaign, authorities have planned a series of DUI checkpoints and saturation patrols to police the streets throughout the month of August—including Labor Day weekend.

Here's what the LAPD, LASD and CHP have planned through September 2:

Wednesday, August 28
• Patrol in Hollywood Area from 5 p.m. to 1 a.m. (LAPD)
• Patrol - Avoid the 100 (West) El Camino College Police, El Segundo, Gardena, Hawthorne, Hermosa Beach, Inglewood, Manhattan Beach, Palos Verdes Estates, Redondo Beach, Torrance

Thursday, August 29
• Checkpoint in Southeast Area at Manchester Avenue and Hoover Street from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. (LAPD)
• Checkpoint - Bellflower (LASD)
• Patrol - Avoid the 100 (West) El Camino College Police, El Segundo, Gardena, Hawthorne, Hermosa Beach, Inglewood, Manhattan Beach, Palos Verdes Estates, Redondo Beach, Torrance

Friday, August 30
• Checkpoint in 77th Street Area at Florence Avenue and Main Street Avenue from 6 p.m. to 12 a.m.
• Checkpoint in West Valley Area at Roscoe Boulevard and Gloria Avenue from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m.
• Checkpoint - Inglewood
• Checkpoint - Pasadena
• Checkpoint - Redondo Beach
• Checkpoint - Vernon
• Checkpoint - CHP East Los Angeles
• Checkpoint - CHP Santa Fe Springs
• Checkpoint - LASD Malibu
• Checkpoint - LASD Norwalk
• Patrol - Avoid the 100 (East) Glendora, Azusa, Irwindale, Covina, La Verne, Pomona, Claremont
• Patrol - Avoid the 100 (East) Arcadia, West Covina, Baldwin Park School Police, El Monte, Monrovia, Sierra Madre, and CHP
• Patrol - Avoid the 100 (West) El Camino College Police, El Segundo, Gardena, Hawthorne, Hermosa Beach, Inglewood, Manhattan Beach, Palos Verdes Estates, Redondo Beach, Torrance
• Patrol - Pomona
• Patrol - San Gabriel
• Patrol - Whittier

Saturday, August 31
• Checkpoint in Devonshire Area at Topanga Boulevard and Devonshire Street from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m.
• Checkpoint in Northeast Area at Sunset Boulevard and Fountain Avenue from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m.
• Checkpoint in Rampart Area at Olympic Boulevard and Lake Street from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m.
• Checkpoint - El Monte
• Checkpoint - Long Beach
• Checkpoint - San Gabriel
• Checkpoint - Torrance
• Checkpoint - CHP Antelope Valley
• Checkpoint - CHP East L.A.
• Checkpoint - CHP Santa Fe Springs
• Checkpoint - CHP South L.A.
• Checkpoint - CHP West Los Angeles
• Checkpoint - CHP West Valley
• Patrol - Avoid the 100 (West) El Camino College Police, El Segundo, Gardena, Hawthorne, Hermosa Beach, Inglewood, Manhattan Beach, Palos Verdes Estates, Redondo Beach, Torrance
• Patrol - Pomona
• Patrol - Whittier
• Patrol - CHP Santa Fe Springs
• Patrol - LAPD 77th Street Area from 5 p.m. to 1 a.m.

Sunday, September 1
• Checkpoint - CHP West Los Angeles
• Patrol - Avoid the 100 (West) El Camino College Police, El Segundo, Gardena, Hawthorne, Hermosa Beach, Inglewood, Manhattan Beach, Palos Verdes Estates, Redondo Beach, Torrance
• Patrol - Pomona
• Patrol - LAPD Southeast Area

Monday, September 2
• MEP (Maximum Enforcement Period) - CHP Southern Division
• Patrol - Avoid the 100 (West) El Camino College Police, El Segundo, Gardena, Hawthorne, Hermosa Beach, Inglewood, Manhattan Beach, Palos Verdes Estates, Redondo Beach, Torrance

Source... http://laist.com

Stay Smart out there L.A. - If you need help just Give Me a Call!

To schedule a free consultation and learn how we can help you, contact Beverly Hills DUI Attorney Jonathan Franklin today.

http://lawofficesofjonathanfranklin.blogspot.com/

Law Offices of Jonathan Franklin
Open Evenings and Weekends this Summer
Call Us Now (310) 273-9600
http://www.jonathanfranklinlaw.com

Tuesday, August 27, 2013

Have You Been Made to Take a Breathalyzer, Blood, Urine, and Field Sobriety Tests?

Newsflash from your Hollywood Attorney:

A DUI charge or conviction can stand or fall on the reliability and accuracy of a breathalyzer, blood, urine, or field sobriety test. Since a field sobriety test is used to establish probable cause for making an arrest, if conducted improperly, the DUI charge against you may be thrown out of court. Alternatively, if a breathalyzer wasn’t calibrated properly or blood drawn and tested according to proper procedure, their results may be deemed unreliable and inadmissible in court. At the Law Office of Jonathan Franklin, we understand the technical and forensic issues involved in breathalyzer, blood, urine, and field sobriety tests.

If you’ve been arrested for DUI, don’t assume you’re automatically guilty because a DUI test came back positive. To schedule a free, confidential consultation to discuss your case, contact Beverly Hills DUI Lawyer Jonathan Franklin today.

Administering the Field Sobriety Test
The vast majority of police departments use the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s DWI Detection and Standardized Field Sobriety Testing Student Manual when administering field sobriety tests. There are, however, multiple instructions regarding where and how a test should be given, what to do if a suspect tries to balance momentarily on one leg, raises his arms more than 8 inches, or stops for a second or two. The manual also states a field sobriety test should be given on dry, flat pavement. As your attorney, Jonathan Franklin inspects the area where a test was administered and reviews dashboard video camera footage if available. In reviewing how a test was given, Mr. Franklin identifies departures from instructions and protocols as outlined in the student testing manual in order to ask the court to dismiss the charges against our clients.

Breathalyzers and Blood Alcohol Content
Like any other piece of equipment, breathalyzers must be regularly maintained to ensure they function properly. If a breathalyzer isn’t calibrated correctly, its results may not be accurate. Additionally, how a breathalyzer test is given can affect the results. For example, did a police officer wait 20 minutes before administering the test? Did he or she change the mouthpiece between tests? Were you asked if you had used mouthwash recently? Were told to take multiple deep breaths and blow as hard as possible into the device? As your attorney, Mr. Franklin can inspect the maintenance record of the breathalyzer used in your arrest and can check to see if it has ever registered a false positive in another DUI case.

Blood Tests and DUI Charges
While blood tests may provide a more accurate measure of blood alcohol content (BAC), a number of factors can taint or compromise the sample taken. For example, did the person who took your blood swab your arm with alcohol first? Secondly, in order to prevent a blood sample from coagulating, tubes with preservatives inside are often used. These kits almost always have an expiration date. If a kit was used in your blood test, is there any proof that it was not expired? On a more technical note, whether or not the blood sample taken was mostly plasma or whole blood can also affect the results of a blood test. As your attorney, Jonathan Franklin raises these and other issues when there are grounds for questioning blood test results.

Urine Tests and DUI Charges
Urine tests are not as accurate as blood or breathalyzer tests because water can stay in a person’s body over a long period of time. This is a concern in cases where a person’s BAC is measured near or slightly over .08%. Additionally, like blood tests, urine tests can detect drugs in a person’s body. As a result, even if you don’t test positive for drunk driving, if trace amounts of illegal drugs are found in your system, you could still face criminal charges on driving under the influence. The fact that you last used one or two weeks ago doesn’t matter — you’ll still be charged with a crime.

Contact Beverly Hills DUI Attorney Jonathan Franklin
Just because you tested positive for drunk driving doesn’t mean you were drunk or that the officer had probable cause to arrest you. To schedule a free consultation to discuss your case, contact Beverly Hills DUI Attorney Jonathan Franklin today.

http://lawofficesofjonathanfranklin.blogspot.com/

Law Offices of Jonathan Franklin
Open Evenings and Weekends this Summer
Call Us Now (310) 273-9600
http://www.jonathanfranklinlaw.com

Architect Hired to Plant Drugs, Listening Devices & Commit Insurance Fraud "DUI' Scam" says Cop Helped Out

Newsflash from your Hollywood Attorney:

The East Bay private investigator who invented the "dirty DUI" - elaborately staging the drunken-driving busts of targeted men - said the ploy grew more efficient after he paid off a Danville-based cop with cocaine and a pistol to ensure the arrests occurred.

Christopher Butler was once a police officer himself, before he sought wealth and fame as a private investigator with side appearances in magazines and on television. On Monday, he became something else: a government witness.

Butler, who cut a plea deal and is serving eight years in prison on drug and conspiracy charges, took the stand at the federal corruption trial of Stephen Tanabe, the former Contra Costa County deputy sheriff who Butler said carried out three drunken-driving arrests on his behalf.

Tanabe's attorneys have said the officer worked for an agency that pressured its employees to make frequent DUI stops - and took tips from Butler in the same way officers learn of drug deals from informants. Tanabe, 50, of Alamo has denied he accepted drugs or any compensation from Butler in exchange for the arrests.

'Designed coincidences'
Sounding at times like the police officer he once was, Butler gave a stoic overview of his once-thriving investigations firm, which was the subject of a reality TV show called "P.I. Moms" - it was never broadcast - and specialized in creating what Butler called "designed coincidences."

"We'd create the illusion that something was happening when it really wasn't," said Butler, who wore a red inmate jumpsuit for his appearance at the U.S. District Court in San Francisco. He said he was hired, at times, to plant drugs on clients, install listening devices in cars and commit insurance fraud.

But it was the dirty DUI stings that Butler described at length. He said he conceived the ruse when a client approached him in 2007 and complained that her husband was driving drunk with the couple's children in the car.

The woman wanted recorded video proof, Butler said, so he dispatched a female "decoy" to approach the man at a bar, flirt and see if the target "would take the bait" by following the decoy in a car to another destination.

Butler, who often represented estranged wives in divorce and child-custody disputes, said he carried out the DUI sting a dozen times on unsuspecting men throughout the Bay Area, but sparked only five arrests.

He said he adhered to strict rules when deciding whether to accept a client's request: The man needed to have a propensity to drink and drive, and children needed to be involved.

"I don't know why," Butler said when asked why children needed to play a role. "It was just my requirement."

At first, Butler said the scam was inefficient. He would call the local police dispatch center to report a drunken driver, but sometimes a patrol car arrived too late or not at all. Then in 2008, he said, he called a close friend who was a Concord police officer on his cell phone to make sure the officer was working the same night as a planned sting.

Officer friends involved
Butler said that the Concord officer arrested the targeted man and that he called on several police friends after that.

"I put together a plan where I was able to have direct access to a law enforcement officer," he testified.

Butler also described his friendship with Tanabe, whom he met in the mid-1990s when both men were Antioch police officers. After Butler resigned in 1999, while under investigation for conducting a 33-minute patrol chase that ended in an accident, he opened his firm, Butler and Associates.

He said he often hired Tanabe, who also had resigned, for bodyguard and surveillance work. But Tanabe, he said, used cocaine and once asked Butler to help him quit the drug.

Years later, Butler said, he was at a bar with Tanabe - who had joined the county Sheriff's Office in 2006 - as one of his decoys flirted with a targeted man. Tanabe, he said, asked him to be paid for his involvement with the arrests.

"Mr. Tanabe wanted to be compensated for his time and efforts," Butler said. "I didn't expect him to work for free."

Paid in cocaine
The private investigator said he was surprised when Tanabe asked to be paid with $200 worth of cocaine instead of cash - he thought his friend had quit using the drug long ago. Butler said he delivered the drugs to Tanabe when the officer was in uniform and parked in his patrol car outside a market in Danville.

"I put the car in park, reached out the window, and handed him the baggie," Butler said.

Tanabe faces more than 20 years in prison if convicted. His attorneys will begin their cross-examination of Butler on Tuesday.

Source.... http://www.sfgate.com

To schedule a free consultation and learn how we can help you, contact Beverly Hills DUI Attorney Jonathan Franklin today.

http://lawofficesofjonathanfranklin.blogspot.com/

Law Offices of Jonathan Franklin
Open Evenings and Weekends this Summer
Call Us Now (310) 273-9600
http://www.jonathanfranklinlaw.com

Monday, August 26, 2013

Are You Facing a Felony DUI?

Newsflash from your Hollywood Attorney:

Beverly Hills Felony Drunk Driving Defense Lawyer Serving Greater Los Angeles

A misdemeanor DUI arrest is very serious, and the consequences for each additional DUI arrest become increasingly serious—including the possibility or even likelihood of prison time.

When you are facing a felony drunk driving / DUI charge (called DWI in other states), you need strong and effective representation. The Law Offices of Jonathan Franklin aggressively defends clients in tough and challenging DUI cases. If you have been arrested for a second, third, or fourth DUI, contact us now at 310.273.9600 to schedule your free consultation.

Our firm represents clients in all DUI cases, including:

Second, third, and fourth DUI charges
Aggravated DUI
DUI with injuries
Vehicular homicide
Hit-and-run accidents
Breath and blood test refusals
Driver’s license suspension and restoration

We also represent clients in first-time DUI cases.
If you choose us to represent you, we will build a strong defense designed to preserve your freedom.

Aggressive Trial Representation
As a former prosecutor, attorney Jonathan Franklin has a clear understanding of DUI law and the judicial process as it affects DUI prosecutions. He understands how the state prosecutes felony DUI cases—and also how to challenge their evidence and arguments.

Our firm will look at all aspects of your case—the stop, the investigation, the testing, and physical factors that might provide the basis for a successful defense. The strength of our case preparation and presentation has enabled us to negotiate favorable plea agreements in many cases. If necessary however, we will aggressively represent you in a trial to obtain a dismissal of charges or a not-guilty verdict.

A drunk-driving accident or felony DUI arrest does not always have to lead to jail. With our help, you may be able to overcome the charge or minimize the penalties you face.

http://lawofficesofjonathanfranklin.blogspot.com/

Law Offices of Jonathan Franklin
Open Evenings and Weekends this Summer
Call Us Now (310) 273-9600
http://www.jonathanfranklinlaw.com

Arrests Are Up During the L.A. Crackdown on DUI Checkpoints

Newsflash from your Hollywood Attorney:

An 18-day crackdown on drunk driving in L.A. County has so far netted 1,373 arrests, putting it on track to surpass the number logged during the same operation last year.

Police agencies throughout the county made the arrests starting Aug. 16 through Sunday as part of a nationwide effort to curb driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

The number so far exceeds the 1,258 DUI arrests made over the same period last year, according to the county sheriff’s department.

Of the 187 DUI arrests made Sunday night alone, six resulted out of crashes that caused injuries.

Dozens more DUI checkpoints and saturation patrols are scheduled for the rest of the week and into Labor Day.

Source.... http://www.latimes.com/

To schedule a free consultation and learn how we can help you, contact Beverly Hills DUI Attorney Jonathan Franklin today.

http://lawofficesofjonathanfranklin.blogspot.com/

Law Offices of Jonathan Franklin
Open Evenings and Weekends this Summer
Call Us Now (310) 273-9600
http://www.jonathanfranklinlaw.com

Friday, August 23, 2013

Have You Been Arrested for a Second DUI Offense within 10 Years?

Newsflash from your Hollywood Attorney:

A second drunk driving arrest or conviction can put your future in serious jeopardy. By hiring an experienced attorney, you can ensure that your rights are protected and that your needs are addressed.

The Law Offices of Jonathan Franklin will confidently handle a range of issues for individuals facing DUI charges, including administrative hearings and driver’s license suspensions. Beverly Hills DUI Attorney Jonathan Franklin has been handling criminal defense and drunk driving matters for years, having helped numerous individuals deal with the consequences of the charges they are facing.

Contact us at 310.273.9600 to schedule your free consultation. We are dedicated to helping clients understand how the laws apply to DUI multiple offenders.

Consequences for a Second Offense DUI Conviction

If you are convicted as a DUI multiple offender on a 2nd DUI charge, a range of penalties may apply, including:

Probation: 3-5 years of court probation; no drinking and driving during this time period
Fines: $1800 to $2800 in addition to court fees; some courts allow individuals to work off part of the fines through community services

Driver’s License Suspension: 2 years; DMV may grant a restricted or temporary license after one year; an ignition interlock device may be installed on your vehicle at your expense

DUI School: 18 months of a drug and alcohol education program

Jail or Prison Time: Mandatory 96 hours; some counties require 10 days, other 30

DUI Multiple Offender Issues
The punishments for DUI convictions become more severe with each additional DUI one. Whether you are a first-time offender or facing your 4th or 5th DUI charge, it is important to enlist the assistance of a lawyer who can aggressively stand up for your rights.

Do not face your DUI charges alone, especially if you are a multiple offender. For a free consultation with the Law Offices of Jonathan Franklin, contact us at 310.273.9600. Our phones are answered 24 hours a day.

http://lawofficesofjonathanfranklin.blogspot.com/

Law Offices of Jonathan Franklin
Open Evenings and Weekends this Summer
Call Us Now (310) 273-9600
http://www.jonathanfranklinlaw.com

Louis Vuitton Class Action Settlement - Secretly Recording Personal Info from Credit Cards

Newsflash from your Hollywood Attorney:

A California federal judge last week granted preliminary approval to a $1 million class action settlement between Louis Vuitton North America Inc. and a class of consumers who accused the company of secretly recording their personal information from credit card payments at their retail stores, in violation of the law.

U.S. District Court Judge William Q. Hayes approved the class action settlement on August 15, which will divide the $1 million among Class Members who file legitimate claims. They will receive a voucher for use in California Louis Vuitton retail stores. Under the terms of the class action settlement, the representative plaintiffs will receive about $5,000 each.

According to the Louis Vuitton class action settlement, the vouchers “can only be used towards a future purchase of Louis Vuitton goods at a Louis Vuitton retail store.” While Judge Hayes believes that the class action settlement is fair, he has some concerns “regarding the actual value of the merchandise certificates and the impact of the merchandise certificates on the attorneys’ fee award,” he said.

In May 2011, plaintiff Deanna Morey filed the class action lawsuit against Louis Vuitton, claiming that the retail chain violated the California Song-Beverly Credit Card Act when it recorded customer’s personal information when they paid with a credit card. She alleges that the retailer entered customer information at the point-of-sale. This information included phone numbers, email addresses, birth dates, and other information that is not needed to complete a credit card transaction.

According to court documents, the potential class included more than 343,000 customers. The Class Members claim that they paid with a credit card at a Louis Vuitton store in California between May 20, 2010 and January 28, 2013.

While Morey initially filed the class action lawsuit in San Diego Superior Court, Louis Vuitton sought to have the case removed to federal court because the lawsuit involved more than $5 million in controversy. According to the Song-Beverly Credit Card Act, each violation can result in a $1,000 fine from the court.

Louis Vuitton argued that there were at least 5,000 credit card payments during the proposed class period. U.S. District Judge M. James Lorenz remanded the Louis Vuitton class action lawsuit back to state court, finding that the amount in controversy did not exceed $5 million. Upon appeal, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals agreed with Louis Vuitton and sent the case to the federal court in December 2011.

The judge has scheduled a fairness hearing on December 12, 2013 to make a final determination about whether the class action settlement will be approved as fair, reasonable and adequate.

Details on how to file a claim for the Louis Vuitton Class Action Lawsuit Settlement were not immediately available. Keep checking Top Class Actions or sign up for our free weekly newsletter below to receive settlement updates.

Source.... http://www.topclassactions.com/lawsuit-settlements/lawsuit-news/4775-louis-vuitton-class-action-settlement-gets-tentative-ok#

To schedule a free consultation and learn how we can help you, contact Beverly Hills DUI Attorney Jonathan Franklin today.

http://lawofficesofjonathanfranklin.blogspot.com/

Law Offices of Jonathan Franklin
Open Evenings and Weekends this Summer
Call Us Now (310) 273-9600
http://www.jonathanfranklinlaw.com

Thursday, August 22, 2013

Is This Your First Time to Get a DUI?

Newsflash from your Hollywood Attorney:

Following a first-offense DUI arrest, you need to take action to minimize both the near-term and long-term consequences of the event.

As a knowledgeable and experienced Beverly Hills DUI Lawyer, Jonathan Franklin can help you understand the stakes and the potential effects on your future. More importantly, he can provide strong and assertive representation designed to protect your rights and minimize the effect on your life, your lifestyle, and your future.

A DUI arrest is very serious, but it is not the end of the world. With the help of the Law Offices of Jonathan Franklin, you can overcome the difficulty you face today.

Contact us at 310.273.9600 to schedule your free consultation. Attorney Jonathan Franklin can explain the legal process and how our firm may be able to help you.

A Strong and Skillful Defense Effort
First and foremost, you need to understand that a drunk-driving arrest triggers an administrative hearing that will probably result in the loss of your driver’s license. Our firm can attempt to help you retain your license or obtain a temporary driver’s license.

A first-offense DUI is typically a misdemeanor, unless there are aggravating circumstances, such as an accident with injuries, where the DA’s office may file it as a felony DUI. Regardless of the particular circumstances of the arrest, the State of California takes any DUI, even a first offense, very seriously. The prosecutor will seek a conviction unless presented with evidence or testimony that weakens or undermines the case.

The Law Offices of Jonathan Franklin has extensive experience in DUI and other criminal defense matters. Jonathan Franklin is a former prosecutor and knows how prosecutors prepare their cases. He also knows how weak some evidence can be. Whenever possible based on the particular facts of your case, he will seek a dismissal of the charges.

In other situations, the state’s evidence may be strong and solid. When this is the case, it can make sense to negotiate a plea agreement, so that you can put the event behind you and move forward with your life. Whatever the particular circumstances of your case, the Law Offices of Jonathan Franklin will work to obtain the best result possible.

For a free consultation with the Law Offices of Jonathan Franklin regarding a first offense DUI, contact us at 310.273.9600. Our phones are answered 24 hours a day.

We accept Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover.

http://lawofficesofjonathanfranklin.blogspot.com/

Law Offices of Jonathan Franklin
Open Evenings and Weekends this Summer
Call Us Now (310) 273-9600
http://www.jonathanfranklinlaw.com

"The Large Sweep" for Labor Day Weekend - 2013 NATIONAL DUI CRACKDOWN - "Driver Sober or Get Pulled Over"

Newsflash from your Hollywood Attorney:

We Can HELP!

To schedule a free consultation and learn how we can help you, contact Beverly Hills DUI Attorney Jonathan Franklin today.
http://lawofficesofjonathanfranklin.blogspot.com/

Law Offices of Jonathan Franklin
Open Evenings and Weekends this Summer
Call Us Now (310) 273-9600
http://www.jonathanfranklinlaw.com

California by the Numbers for Marijuana Arrests

Newsflash from your Hollywood Attorney:

13,434 felony marijuana arrests in California in 2012
14,082 felony marijuana arrests in California in 2011

Hispanics were the most-arrested ethnic group, with 4,953 felony arrests, followed by whites (4,617), blacks (2,745) and other races (1,119).

Juvenile felony arrests remained stable, coming in at 1,671, or 12.4% of all felony arrests for marijuana.

Marijuana misdemeanor arrests came in at 7,768 in 2012
Marijuana misdemeanor arrests came in at 7,764 in 2011
Marijuana misdemeanor arrests came in at 54, 849 in 2010

To schedule a free consultation and learn how we can help you, contact Beverly Hills DUI Attorney Jonathan Franklin today.

http://lawofficesofjonathanfranklin.blogspot.com/

Law Offices of Jonathan Franklin
Open Evenings and Weekends this Summer
Call Us Now (310) 273-9600
http://www.jonathanfranklinlaw.com