Los Angeles Criminal Defense Blog
The Anatomy of an Insider Trading Case
You don’t have to be the CEO of Enron, Michael Milken (the Junk Bond King), or Martha Stewart to be charged with insider trading. In fact, some people discover after the fact that they have engaged in this illegal activity without even knowing it. If you are investing, it is important to know what constitutes insider trading and how to avoid it, and in the worst-case scenario, how to defend against the charges.
Do Higher Temperatures Mean More Domestic Violence?
Living in the Los Angeles area means we all deal with temperatures in the 90s and above during the summer and fall. CBS reports that a study conducted by researchers at the University of California has found a link between increased crime rates and high temperatures. It was discovered that on days 85 degrees Fahrenheit and higher, violent crime increased 5.75%. The problem is made worse by the fact that the police are also less active during heatwaves.
Don’t Talk About Your Case on Social Media
If you are facing charges in a criminal case, you may feel inclined to post your thoughts online or have conversations with your friends or make comments about it on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, or other social media platforms. Law enforcement and investigators use information gathered from social media to help build the case against you. A “joke” you post to amuse your friends could have a significant impact on your case. The rule is: Never speak about your case on social media – ever.
The ABCs of Fraud
When people hear the word “fraud,” their first thought may be of a businessman in a cheap suit showing up at the door to sell fake knives. While this would be one accurate depiction of a fraud crime, the reality is that fraud encompasses a wide range of different activities in many different areas. Not only can fraud occur in finances, healthcare, taxes, and virtually every other industry, but there are many ways the State can charge people with fraud.
There Are Serious Problems in California’s Jails
Since 2011, something strange has been going on in jails throughout California. For years, the California government has been struggling with the problem of incarceration overcrowding, and in 2003, under Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, the issue finally started to take priority. After several attempts to solve the crisis, including a $7.75 billion prison expansion, transferring prisoners out of state, and other measures, the governor was still finding it difficult to reach a middle ground between reducing prison populations and taking a hard line against violent offenders.
DUI Incidents Often Involve Other Serious Charges
We all know that a DUI conviction can result in fines, jail time, and the loss of your driver’s license; as well as damage to your reputation and your ability to obtain certain licenses and jobs. But, depending on the circumstances of the arrest, a DUI can lead to other serious charges. Let’s look at some of those situations.
What Is Honest Services Fraud?
Honest services fraud is defined in United States Code Title 18 Section 1346 – also known as the federal mail and wire fraud statute – as “a scheme or artifice to deprive another of the intangible right of honest services.” It is a federal crime, and it is broadly applied across the United States.
Don’t Trust the Jailhouse Informants
Jailhouse informants are notoriously unreliable and have played a role in a number of wrongful convictions. These informants usually get something in return for their testimony, which gives them incentive to lie or stretch the truth. Our skilled Los Angeles criminal defense attorneys at Werksman Jackson & Quinn LLP can work to refute incriminating, false testimony from a jailhouse informant.
When Forensic Science Is on Shaky Ground
Forensic science used to solve crimes is all the rage in television shows, books, and movies. In real life, however, the science behind forensics may not be as dependable as we have been led to believe. DNA evidence is currently exonerating people who have been wrongfully convicted and incarcerated based on faulty evidence.
Prescription Fraud: Doctors Under the Microscope
As the opioid crisis in America has escalated, with media reports about prescription drug use and abuse filling the headlines every week, doctors have come increasingly under fire. The actions of physicians and healthcare workers who can write prescriptions are under review more than ever before, and charges of prescription fraud have become increasingly common. While there have certainly been negligent, even malicious, medical practitioners who have contributed to this epidemic, there are also a lot of honest doctors caught in the blast zone of these investigations.
Contact Us
“We can handle any criminal case.
Anywhere. Anytime.”
What Our Clients Say
Previous Testimonial Next Testimonial- “Alan Jackson is hands down the best attorney we have worked with. Extremely professional, well liked in the court system and respected amongst all legal professionals. Took our calls at any given time and made himself available all the time.” - S.F. From Google Reviews
- “Perpetually impressed by the professionalism, thoroughness, follow through, and expertise that Mark Werksman, his fellow partners, and associates / admin staff all produce whenever I interact with them, professionally.” - Dru S.
- “Kelly is a brainiac. She's a certified criminal law appellate specialist - a rare achievement and qualification- and she fits into a very unique niche in criminal law. Her primary role at her firm (one of, if not THE best criminal defense firm in los angeles) is research and writer...” - Joseph W.
- “Having Alan Jackson as my lead attorney on 3 separate cases (one felony, and two misdemeanors) was the best decision of my life. I was facing 6-8 years in prison, and he was able to have all three charges dismissed. He's got the skills, connections, and the charisma to aid anyone in any situation...” - Anonymous