SCRAM (secure continuous remote alcohol monitoring) bracelets are becoming more and more widely used in jurisdictions across the state and within Los Angeles County. This bracelet provides continuous monitoring for alcohol consumption around the clock, 24 hours a day and 7 days a week. Courts are using these bracelets with great frequency when it comes […]
At Okabe & Haushalter, we see many clients charged with criminal offenses—some relatively minor and others quite significant. One of the most commonly fielded questions from our clients and their family members is whether or not they should go for a plea deal that they have been offered by the prosecution in their case. The short […]
In today’s fast-paced, always-on, digital world, finding romance is often as easy as creating an online dating profile and interacting with others in cyberspace. Unfortunately, the people that you meet in the digital realm are not always who they appear to be. It is oftentimes the case that minors attempt to “hook up” with people […]
Being falsely accused of domestic violence can be devastating for defendants. But unfortunately, it is all too common. A report from the organization Stop Abusive and Violent Environments notes that more than 700,000 people in the United States are falsely accused of and arrested for domestic violence each year. What’s more, up to 70 percent […]
A false allegation of sexual assault can destroy your life. With the recent advent of the “Me Too” movement, more and more women are coming forth with allegations of unwanted touching, sexual assault and rape. Unfortunately, many of these allegations may shake out to be true, but many others may prove to be false. There […]
If you are facing a charge of domestic violence, chances are you’re frustrated and maybe even a bit frightened by the potential outcome of your pending case. And that’s understandable since the state of California takes accusations of domestic violence very seriously. Unfortunately, many innocent people are accused of domestic violence every day. Being convicted […]
In California, a DUI can be a felony charge, but that’s not always the case. Most DUIs, including first, second, and even third-time offenses of DUI, are classified as misdemeanor offenses under California Vehicle Code Section 23153 (a) and (b). However, there are some circumstances that cause the enhancement of a DUI misdemeanor to a […]
California has an implied consent law that makes drivers subject to being breathalyzed if they are stopped by a law enforcement officer for a valid reason. As our Los Angeles DUI defense attorney will tell you, if you refuse to take a breathalyzer test, you will be fined, lose your driving privileges, and face potential jail time if […]
If you have been following the HBO documentary “The Case Against Adnan Syed,” then you may still be reeling about the shocking finale, which played out last week. During the finale, it was revealed that Syed was offered a resentencing deal, which he refused to take. He has been behind bars for 20 years for […]
Eyewitness misidentification is one of the main causes of wrongful convictions in the United States, according to the California Innocence Project. Even so, eyewitness identification is still considered one of the most powerful types of evidence that can be used against a criminal defendant in a court of law. This flies in the face of […]
The Golden State Killer left havoc behind wherever he went in the 1970s and 80s in California. Last year, police said they had their guy, nearly 50 years after his first known crime, bringing closure to a string of cold cases including hundreds of home invasions, dozens of rapes, and more than a dozen murders. […]
Back in 1983, Archie Williams was convicted in a Louisiana court for a brutal attack on a housewife in Baton Rouge. Now the courts say they got the wrong man, and Williams has been freed after spending 36 years behind bars for a crime he did not commit. On the fateful day so many years […]