DUI Penalties

Unless expunged, DUI convictions are misdemeanor convictions and are part of your permanent criminal record. A DUI conviction, even a wet-reckless, will be part of your DMV record for at least 10 years. A record of a criminal conviction could jeopardize your current and future employment. Professional licensing and certifications can also be affected if you are a lawyer, doctor, nurse, medical technician, police officer, pilot, or are employed in the financial services sector. People convicted of DUI may face jail time, fines, mandatory DUI school, professional license suspension, and/or probation.  Read More on Attorney Cook

Lawyers & Negotiation Skills

Hiring a lawyer with a great education and poor negotiation skills is no better than representing yourself in court.  It is well understood that a favorable outcome for you depends on your attorney's ability to know the legal issues, the strengths and weaknesses of the prosecution's case and their ability to articulate your position in court.  Superior negotiation skills and thorough case evaluation often times results in the charges being dismissed or reduced.   Read More on Attorney Cook

Theft Charges & Future Employment

A theft conviction is very serious and can have a considerable impact on your future employment prospects or on your immigration status.   A theft conviction that is not expunged an cause you to fail most background checksor even lose your current job.  Regarding immigration consequences, sometimes a difference in being sentenced to 364 days in jail  versus 365 days in jail may have significant consequences for you and your loved ones.  
Read More About Theft Conviction Consequences

Theft Convictiosn & Job Prospects

A misdemeanor conviction can be a major problem and hurdle for those seeking a job.  Most background checks today use the most advanced search engines which will reveal a conviction on a petty theft or shoplifting charge.  Most employers will be very reuluctant to hire an individual with a theft conviction fearing that they may be a financial risk or who may even steal from the company.  Fighting to dismiss these charges is very important and the defense should begin developing a strategy as soon as possible after the arrest. 

http://www.southerncaliforniacriminattorney.com/

Hiring A Criminal Defense Lawyer

Defending Criminal Charges in L.A.

The choice of who to hire as your defense lawyer is a crucial decision in criminal cases in the Los Angeles and Orange Counties.  The talent and skill of a criminal defense lawyer has a significant impact on the outcome of a criminal cases in L.A. and Beverly Hills.  Often times large law firms do not provide the personal service and attention to the client's case that is part of this firm's approach to criminal charges. 
Read More on Attorney Cook

USC Students Shot

LOS ANGELES, CA — A 21-year-old defendant from Signal Hill is being held without bail following his eing arrested for shooting two USC students.

The  two students who were shot and wounded apparently interrupted a residential burglary in progress during a party at which about 60 students were in attendance.The suspect, Tyson Tyree Smith, was arrested Wednesday by LAPD and Signal Hill officers,.


Errol Cook, Esq.

Long Beach Wrestling Coach Attacked

LONG BEACH , CALIFORNIA — Three defendants, a father and his two(2) sons pleaded no contest Monday to battery charges.  The charges stemmed from an attack by the family members against an  assistant wrestling coach at Long Beach Poly High School.  The attack left students, parents and school staff outraged..

The school district was granted a three-year restraining order against the Preciados, (the defendants) the longest term allowed by law.

The attack occurred about 7:35 p.m. on Jan. 6, in the gym at Poly, 1600 Atlantic Ave., in front of a crowd of about 200 people, according to police and witnesses.
Errol Cook, Esq.

Long Beach Jury Trial Postponed

LONG BEACH , CALIFORNIA--  The JuryTrial for a Belmont Shore resident who is accused of killing another Long Beach local during a fight outside a very popular pool hall and bar has been postponed until October 2011. 

Law Offices of Errol Cook
877-737-2004

JUVENILE PROBATION OFFICERS

JUVENILE PROBATION OFFICERS

Many juvenile courts have formal and informal diversion through the district attorney's office or probation department.  Many probation departments will request to interview the minor prior to requesting charges be filed.  If you and your child proceed to be interviewed without an attorney the consequences can be problematic. Certain words by your child to a probation officer can be taken out of context during the interview and later used against your child in juvenile court.  Also, some juvenile diversion programs are worse than the consequences of formally fighting the charges in juvenile court.  Knowing your options is key to ensuring the best outcome for your child.

Help in Juvenile Court

Juvenile Cases - Before the Hearing

When a minor (child under 18 years of age) is charged with a crime in juvenile court, the life-long consequences can be devastating. Whether your child is charged with petty theft or a more serious charge, the juvenile justice system can be both confusing, time-consuming and simply unfair.  YOU and your child need to understand the juvenile justice system PRIOR to going to court.  Not hiring an attorney before a juvenile detention hearing  may be the difference between your child being incarcerated or your child going home with you.
More on Juvenile Cases

Crimes at School

Fighting at School

When your son or daughter is involved in a school fight, either as a witness or as a suspect, the results may be devastating.  Aside from your child possibly being arrested, suspension and expulsion proceedings may also be initiated.  Lastly,their academic record may be negatively impacted thereby reducing their chances of being accepted into a college of their choice.

 
Investigating School Fights

Often times school officials and employees may have little or no time to competently investigate criminal activity in and around their schools.  With budget cuts and added responsibilities, administrators have little time to play the role of detective.   School administrators often times have certain students on their "list" of trouble-makers.  A built bias may already be present against your child before they have a chance to tell their side of the story.  

Consulting a seasoned criminal defense attorney and former educator can help even the playing field.

Errol Cook, Esq.

Defending Your Child 

Criminal Defense Investigators

Investigation in a criminal case is critical to a fair trial for the accused and the victim.  An seasoned investigator may uncover the actual culprit and minimize the chances of an unnecessary jury trial.  The challenge that most individuals face when seeking the services of a private attorney is affordability.  A good attorney that hires an effective investigator requires reasonable payment.  A client must expect to invest a reasonable sum of money to ensure their attorney allocates the time, energy and investigative power to fight their case.

Criminal Defense Investigators

Representing Yourself

Pro Per status can cause a criminal defendant many unanticipated problems.  For example, in a DUI case, a defendant may not know that jail time may be allocated towards their fine.  Pro Per criminal defendants may not know that the Blood Alcohol Level (BAC) may be good grounds for a wet reckless.  They also may not know that the court system and the DMV are entirely separate agencies with a different set of rules.  Pro Pers also don't have easy access to their own police report and witness statements that may actually provide a valid defense in their case.http://www.southerncaliforniacriminalattorney.com/pro-per-advice.html


Errol Cook, Esq.
(877) 737-2004

Law Offices of Errol Cook
 
Sentencing on Pimp Case Delayed
LONG BEACH - Sentencing was postponed this week for two Long Beach defendants and one Long Beach woman who were convicted of multiple counts of rape, robbery and assault. Authorities said was a bid to take over Long Beach Boulevard as pimps

Couple who burned down home sentenced for man's death
A couple pleaded no contest Wednesday to charges including manslaughter and insurance fraud for the death of their handyman, who was engulfed in a fireball after he was paid to burn down their home

Fraud Charges

The crimes of fraud and embezzlement are on the rise.  These White-Collar crimes are usually the result of desperate financial circumstances and poor decisions.  Whether the amount of theft is relatively small (in the hundreds) or relatively large (over $100,000), you shouldn't go into court alone.  The primary goal of the victim in these cases is to be compensated for their losses.  The secondary goal of the victim and the court is punishment.  Often compensation is directly related to punishment.  I have had many cases where the defendant was simply required to pay back (restitution) the loss incurred from the theft in order to receive a reduced sentence and/or reduced charge.http://www.southerncaliforniacriminalattorney.com/embezzlement-defense.html

Long Beach DUI Checkpoint

DUI CHECKPOINT IN LONG BEACH THIS WEEKEND

LONG BEACH - The Long Beach Police Department will conduct a checkpoint targeting people driving under the influence and to check for drivers' licenses this weekend.

Fabricated Domestic Violence Charges

Domestic Violence Charges
If you are under investigation for domestic violensce, call us now before you speak to anyone else.  Often times, your voluntary statements to investigating officers can be misconstrued and used against you. Remember, police will often arrest the accused even if the accuser retracts his or her statement.  Even if police suspect that the charges are fabricated and the evidence may have been planted, you are likely to get arrested.  Fabricated charges of domestic violence are very prevalent in divorce and child custody proceedings.  Don't rely on the accuser to drop the charges, you need legal representation.


southerncaliforniacriminalattorney.com