Client had an unfortunate week given he was cited twice in August for speeding in the district served by Rancho Cucamonga Courthouse (San Bernardino Superior Court).  After multiple client interviews and assessing the scene of the citation, the Law Office successfully convinced the court to dismiss this citation after a trial by declaration.  Client avoided 2 potential moving violation points (and a significant insurance premium boost) since the second case resolved with reduced fine and traffic school. 

Smoke filled up the courthouse on March 2, causing Lil' Wayne's already delayed sentenced to be rescheduled.  Burning marijuana was not the cause of the blaze.  The courthouse evacuated prior to Lil' Wayne and his legal team arriving.  Lil' Wayne convinced the court on his original sentence date, February 9th, to postpone his surrender so the Grammy Award-winning Rapper could undergo a series of dental surgeries to remove his stunning diamond and platinum grill. Monday, March 8 will be Lil' Wayne's new sentencing date.  Rumors had surfaced that the court would simply delay his date by one day, the same day fellow rapper Ja Rule, aka Jeff Atkins, is in... [More]

Client is facing removal proceedings because of aggravated felony convictions over 15 years old. DHS is applying the law as written, regardless of extreme hardship on U.S. citizen children and relatives. Through motion work, presentation of hardships, and admittedly some luck, counsel successfully convinced court to modify client's sentence from 365 days to 364 days. This brings this theft offense outside of the definition of an aggravated felony and increases client's chances of defending his deportation case. [More]

Client was pulled over for bad registration tags in Riverside County.  Upon being contacted by the officer, the officer noted a strong smell of marijuana coming from inside the vehicle.  The officer then stated he saw a marijuana "cigarette" inside the passenger dashboard.  Client claimed the joint after the passenger denied possession of it.  The police arrested and then cite-released client. Arrest for: Vehicle Code section 23222(b): Possession of Marijuana While Driving.  Penalties: Misdemeanor conviction, $100 fine (not subject to booking if person does not demand to be taken to a magistrate.) Yesterday, the Law Office of Juan F. Dotson successfully negotiat... [More]

Summary: Client was identified as the person that stabbed a young man in Valley (Los Angeles).  The victim went to the hospital and received stitches. Client faced violent (and serious) felony charges: assault with a deadly weapon (knife) [Penal Code section 245(a)(1)] along with a Great Bodily Injury [Penal Code section 12022.7(1)] allegation.  Client faced up to 7 years in state prison.  The knife and great bodily injury allegations elevate any general assault charge to a violent felony pursuant to Penal Code section 667.5(c) (makes this offense a strike). After some investigation, the case proceeded to preliminary hearing since the district attorney did not make any offer... [More]

I recently answered the following question: What has to be stated on the search warrant for it to be valid? does the search warrant have to be presented to me during the time of the search?      Penal Code sections 1524 & 1525 govern search warrants. Generally, a judge will not issue a search warrant unless the warrant is supported by an affidavit: *naming or describing the person to be searched *describing the property, thing, or things and the place to be searched The affidavit must show there is probable cause to believe that the property: 1) was stolen or embezzled. (2) was used as the means of committing a felony. (3) is going to be used to commit a publi... [More]

Yesterday, Mystikal drove to Baton Rouge, Louisiana to see his family after being released (late evening January 14) from prison after serving 6 years for sexual battery and extortion charges. His one-year sentence for tax evasion was also satisfied during this isolating period, where he passed a lot of time by writing music.  Mystikal, aka Michael Lawrence Tyler, had reached success ‘beyond his dreams’ and left the hip-hop community asking for more after dropping his Grammy catapulting jams “Shake Ya Ass” and "Danger." Mystikal let his hometown know the good news by calling Wild Wayne, on Q93 FM New Orleans, on his way home.  Upon being asked if law enforc... [More]

Normal 0 WOULD HE HAVE PLED GUILTY IF HE FACED SIMILAR CHARGES IN CALIFORNIA? New York’s tough stance on guns put Weezy in a most uncomfortable position—plead guilty to a charge in return for an 8-month actual sentence or face over 2-½ in prison if he loses.  The Price is Wrong in taking that chance. He loses money anytime he is not free to record new tracks, appear at promotional events, or perform.  Furthermore, and probably most important, all felony convictions may subject him to aggravated penalties, make him ineligible for probation, increase his minimum bail, and maybe keep him from visiting or performing in some countries.   Under federal law, ... [More]

Normal 0 Updated March 3, 2010.  Last Tuesday, Lil’ Wayne appeared in a Manhattan courthouse to learn more details about his upcoming February 9 sentencing for attempted criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree.  Born in 1982 as Dwayne Michael Carter, Lil’ Wayne relied on his attorney’s advice, which likely included discussions about his liberty and maintaining his career’s momentum given the 3-½ year prison sentence he could receive if convicted at trial of this class D violent felony.  His attorney, Stacey Richman, backed her client’s decision to plead guilty in October and stated: "In the current political atmosphere a... [More]

These two clients expressed their joy and relief after learning their cases had been dismissed--the day before Thanksgiving.  A truly great way to start the Thanksgiving holiday weekend. P. v. C.Z., 27742KU. Los Angeles (Pomona) Irritated/eager CHP officer pulled over client and approached vehicle with hand on firearm.  After encounter with client and the two other passengers, client was cited for violating VC 22348(b) – driving over 100 mph.  Client’s only option was trial since this offense rendered him ineligible for traffic school.  Client also faced a steep insurance premium increase because of his young age and 3 prior moving violations within the pas... [More]