San Diego Criminal Lawyer Blog

According to a June 19 press release, San Diego Congresswoman Susan Davis has helped to secure a guarantee $1.9 million for the City of San Diego to combat crime. The House Bill in question, HR 2847, is set to head to the Senate for review after it passed the House of Representatives by a wide margin, 259 to 157.

Representative Davis claims that the money can be used for a wide variety of San Diego crime fighting purposes. A breakdown of the monies follows:

• $350,000 earmarked for a Crime Lab Technology for the city.

• $200,000 to help the County’s DA to track gang and drug investigations and to purchase breathalyzers for police fieldwork.

• $200,000 to support a program designed to help officers in the streets coordinate anti-gang actions and to tamp down on violent crime

• $1.2 million to update data sharing systems among San Diego officers and update local, California, and Federal communication efforts.

These monies are part of a much broader Congressional package known collectively as the Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, that also include funding to combat global warming and nearly $7 billion in a National Science Foundation money.

While better technologies for San Diego law enforcement agents will hopefully lead to improved coordination and a reduction in violent crime in the city, individuals arrested for crimes in Southern California may have a more difficult time exonerating themselves in the future. If you’ve been wrongly accused or incorrectly charged, you will need resources to fight back against your charges efficiently. Fortunately, you can trust the law offices of Stephen Brodsky & Associates. Attorney Brodsky boasts tremendous and varied experience with criminal defense matters in Southern California, and he understands how to negotiate with judges and prosecutors to get his clients fair and appropriate sentence reductions. To explore more about the firm’s track record history, please visit CriminalAttorneySanDiego.com. You’re also invited to set up a free consultation with attorney Brodsky at any time regarding your criminal defense matter.

San Diego’s North County Times wire services reports that, on Saturday, June 20, a man named Albert Estrada allegedly went on a bizarre spree of armed robberies in the Logan Heights area. According to San Diego Police Sgt. Ray Patrick, the police apprehended the suspect after he had wreaked havoc with a full day of criminal activity.

Mr. Estrada’s alleged first crime occurred mid-morning, when he backed a pair of men into an alleyway at gun-point and took some of their belongings, including their mobile phones. A few hours later, the alleged suspect knocked on the door of 716 Beardsley Street and held the woman who answered hostage at gun-point. The suspect then forced his way into the women’s house and held her and two other men inside at gun-point while he rifled through their things and then stole car keys from the men. The suspect absconded in a 2004 Nissan owned by one the men. The victims alerted the police, who tracked down the suspect and pulled over the Nissan. Due to the police presence, the suspect abandond the vehicle and fled on foot. But police officers caught up with him and placed him under arrest. Several victims later identified the suspect as Albert Estrada. A handgun was found on Estrada’s person, as were some of the items taken from the victims.

It’s unclear what may have motivated this robbery spree. But the law entitles individuals arrested for crimes in San Diego to a sturdy and thorough defense. If you or a family member has recently been charged with multiple counts of robbery, assault, or other violent or theft crimes, you may required immediate and effective legal assistance to avoid the most severe penalties. Trust the San Diego Criminal Attorneys at the Law Offices of Stephen Brodsky to provide a free, confidential, and comprehensive consultation about your San Diego criminal defense matter. Learn more about attorney Brodsky’s background and excellent trial record here at CriminalAttorneySanDiego.com.

On June 22nd, R&B superstar Chris Brown arrived in Los Angeles Superior Court for a preliminary hearing regarding Brown’s widely-publicized altercation with pop-singer Rhianna prior to the Grammy Awards in February. Brown allegedly beat up the 21-year-old Rhianna while heading to a Grammy party in a rented Lamborghini. Rhianna’s brutalized image proved fodder for paparazzi and celebrity gossip purveyors like TMZ.com, US Weekly, and People Magazine.

Although the Superior Court Judge did not permit cameras in the courtroom to observe the proceedings, reporters could listen in via a closed-circuit broadcast. In preliminary hearings of this kind, prosecutors need only establish “probably cause” to get the go ahead to proceed to trial. Assuming the Brown-Rhianna matter does in fact move on to trial, the prosecution will then face a much stiffer burden of proof and will have to demonstrate Brown’s guilt “beyond a reasonable doubt.”

Whether you've been accused of a crime in San Diego that’s vaulted you unexpectedly into the spotlight, or you’re simply overwhelmed by the criminal charges pending against you, the law entitles you to a sound defense. Trust the Law Offices of Stephen Brodsky to provide excellent counsel and deliver results. Find out more about one of San Diego County's most highly-regarded criminal defense attorneys today at www.CriminalAttorneySanDiego.com.

The San Diego Union-Tribune has reported that Ron deHarte, the Executive Director of San Diego’s LGBT Pride Festival, suffered minor injuries after being attacked in Lemon Grove, while marching in a Gay Pride Parade.

According to deHarte and others, the event occurred as the victim was marching in the Equality Torch Relay – a commemoration of the 40th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots. All told, more than 2,000 gay activists participated in the march throughout San Diego.

DeHarte allegedly had been standing peaceably by a statue in Lemon Grove waving a rainbow colored flag when a visibly angry man approached him and demanded that deHarte and his fellow marchers leave Lemon Grove promptly. The unidentified assailant then tried to wrestle the flag away from deHarte. When deHarte resisted, the man punched him in the face and slapped him around. The entire attack lasted only about a minute and half to unfold. A local TV cameraman taped the final few seconds of the confrontation and later broadcast the footage on San Diego news stations.

Despite suffering a sore jaw, a swollen lip, and some bruising, deHarte was not seriously hurt. The suspect was later caught and arrested by police. It is unclear whether the San Diego District Attorney will press for hate crimes charges in addition to assault and battery charges. The Union Tribune reported that the assailant does have a minor criminal history, including outstanding warrants for illegal weapons possession and a restraining order violation.

Sometimes, for whatever reasons, our emotions get the best of us, and we take our aggressions out on innocent people. If you or a loved one has been arrested for assault, battery or other physical crimes, you may benefit tremendously from getting good legal counsel. The law offices of San Diego attorney Steven Brodsky may be able to help you. Connect with us here at CriminalAttorneySanDiego.com to schedule your free consultation.

Per a report from TV station KTLA, two OC citizens have been arrested and charged with 106 felony counts for a massive workers compensation scam valued at $38 million--a California state record.

The husband and wife defendants--Devon Kile and Michael Petronella--own and operate two large area roofing companies. According to allegations, the couple underreported how many people worked for them and actively discouraged injured employees from filing for workers comp. Additional counts against the couple include "filing false tax returns" and "grand theft."

An investigation of the couple's home and assets revealed a luxurious lifestyle. Officers found ½ million dollars worth of jewelry; luxury name-brand shoes, bags, and other artifacts; and a veritable convoy of top-end cars, including a Range Rover, a Bentley, and two Ferraris. Investigators also found Kile's application to be featured on the next season of "The Real Housewives of Orange County."

Petronella's attorney, Joe Angelo, stated that the couple will likely plead "not guilty" to the charges pending. The state has seized the couple's personal and business assets, so "Real Housewives" wannabe Kile will rely on a public defender provided by the state.

Meanwhile, business interests throughout the state reacted with predictable outrage to the charges. California's State Insurance Commissioner, Steve Poizner, lambasted the alleged scheme, citing the fact that insurance premiums for workers comp are already sky-high and that the couple's actions likely constituted "unfair practices" because legitimate competitors have had to pay full price for their insurance.

If you or a family member has been accused of a crime in Orange County, you may feel like the entire world--particularly the press--has turned against you. Instead of making rash and impetuous decisions which could affect your future, get council from the Law Offices of Stephen Brodsky. Peruse www.CriminalAttorneySanDiego.com today for help, or call or e-mail us for information about how to handle your criminal charges.