By Jeffrey Vallens on 2/22/2010 10:54 AM

My client was charged with residential burglary and grand theft stemming from a classic bunco scam where she and two co-defendants conviced their victim they could "clone" his money.  The victim handed over 1.6 million dollars in cash.  The defendant's took 1.3 million in cash and left the victim holding his withdrawal receipt in his hand. 

I was able to get probation for my client...that's right, probation.  Now my question is:  Does crime pay?  The cash was never recovered. 

Call me, maybe I can help.  (818) 783-5700 or email me at vallenslaw@yahoo.com.

www.4criminaldefense.com

 

By Jeffrey Vallens on 2/1/2010 1:55 PM

I just walked a client into court in Newhall/Santa Clarita.  He bench warranted several months ago.  His public defender told him he would be going to jail for ninety days.  He walk out of court and never went back.  He came to my office and hired me on Friday.  The case was for driving on a suspended license with a prior and probation violation for the same thing.  My client is also not a U.S. citizen cannot get a driver's license and has already been deported after his last case. 

I walked out of court with my client and an offer from the judge for 45 days electronic monitoring or thirty five days in a city jail facility.  He is going to decide and go back next month for sentencing.

Sometimes I don't look forward to Mondays.  I think it is going to be a very good week. 

By Jeffrey Vallens on 1/18/2010 11:38 AM

Finding the right lawyer can be a difficult job.  It used to be considered unprofessional for lawyers to advertise.  Those days are gone.  Lawyers spend a lot of time and money looking for new clients by advertising.  It used to be that the best way to find a lawyer was by being referred by someone else who used that lawyer and was happy with their services.  This has not changed.  The best way to find a lawyer is from someone you know who has used that lawyer, or by someone you know who knows that lawyer. 

It seems like whenever I want to find some type of service these days I go to Google.  I type in a search and I get more results than I know what to do with.  The problem with this method of finding service providers is that I still know nothing about them (except that they are good at marketing). 

How then does one sort out the good lawyer from the good marketer?  I have some advice.  First, always meet with the lawyer in person.  Never hire them over the telephone.  Always make sure the lawyer...

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By Jeffrey Vallens on 1/9/2010 10:31 AM

I couldn't help but notice the LA Times today which had a long article about the Doctor in LA who pulled in front of two bikes and slammed on his brakes.  He just got sentenced to 5 years in state prison.  That's gonna suck.  I would rather share the road with a couple bicycles than share a cell with a guy named Bubba.  Maybe the doctor, and many of us for that matter, can learn a lesson from my 3 year old boy.  "Take a deep breath and count to ten".  I don't care what the bikes were doing (and I'd bet money they were doing something they shouldn't have), that still does not justify the doctor's actions. 

So to the doctor I say, take a pill, a deep breath, count to ten or do whatever it takes to keep your cool. 

To the bike riders out there I say, you guys need to share the road too, obey the traffic laws and I would bet you will piss off fewer drivers.  Incidentally, it has been a while, but I used to ride a couple hundred miles a month in college, and I know I did a few things I shouldn't have. ...

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By Jeffrey Vallens on 12/26/2009 10:25 AM

246 people were arrested for DUI in California on Christmas Eve.  71 of those were in Los Angeles.  To all of you and all of those who did not get caught I say:  Don't drink and drive. 

Please read my article on the costs of a DUI. 

For those of you who were arrested, please talk to a lawyer about your situation.  Please read all the paperwork that you got the night of the arrest.  If you don't understand it, ask a lawyer.  Please contact DMV within ten days of the arrest to set a hearing to prevent an automatic license suspension.  If you don't know how to do this, ask a lawyer. 

Please don't miss your court dates.  Ignoring this problem will only make it worse.  If you are scared or don't know what to do, ask a lawyer. 

Also, remember, alcohol impairs our judgment and makes us do things we might not ordinarily do.  If you are going to be drinking, don't drive.  Have a back-up plan.  Take a cab.  Chose a designated driver.  Walk.  Ride a bike.  Drink at home. 

Happy holidays...

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By Jeffrey Vallens on 12/18/2009 3:47 PM

Not every case result can be spectacular.  However, I can perform a valuable service for each and every client. 

Today I went to court for RC.  He had a DUI in the southbay and he blew breath results of .14 and .15.  RC was pulled over for making an illegal turn and weaving.  His breathalyzer machine was in proper working order.  I am sorry to say I was not able to get the charge dismissed, but I was still able to help my client out a great deal.

RC owns and operates his own business.  He works six days a week and going to court would cost him thousands of dollars.  I was able to go to court for RC, settle his case, get him referred to a drinking driver program and he never missed a moment of work and never set foot in a courtroom.  Likewise, I will file his proof of enrollment in the drinking driver program, and then proof of completion and pay his fine for him. 

This service saved my client thousands of dollars by not having to miss work.  This also helped my client avoid a violation of...

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By Jeffrey Vallens on 12/10/2009 3:17 PM

I just came from court in Burbank where I achieved a fantastic settelement for JC.  JC was pulled over and found to have several thousand dollars in cash and 26 baggies of cocaine in his car.  There were also four cellular phones with one wringing off the hook. 

 

Police conviced him to let them search his house where they found three pounds of cocaine, one pound of marijuana and two loaded handguns.  Did I mention that both of JC's children (ages 1 and 3) were at home? 

 

Result?  Probation and 180 days in county jail.  Another good day, and another happy client. 

By Jeffrey Vallens on 12/7/2009 12:01 PM

Another lawyer recently asked me to help out a friend of his on a DMV hearing.  The hearing was set to start in about ten minutes and I had never seen the file.  I told my friend I would do what I could.  I soon found out the the cop was under subpena and so was the blood alcohol expert for the DMV. 

I quickly reviewed the discover and went to town.  I immediately identified our issue:  Drinking after the driving.  I cross-examined the cop and their expert witness and and it went like better than I could have hoped.  I then continued the hearing to allow my friend's client to testify.  He did pretty well for our side. 

Bottom line is he took a .12, .13 BAC with and accident and won it. 

Call me.  I may be able to help you too.  Just dont wait till the day of the hearing.

By Jeffrey Vallens on 12/7/2009 11:52 AM

IC just got probation after being charged with insurance fraud stemming from four years of taking premiums and not paying for workers compensation coverage for his client.  The prosecutor alleged losses to the victim totally about $200,000.00. 

 

The California Department of Insurance found IC's acts sufficiently offenses to take away his insurance license.  I was able to get IC probation and work release and, of course, we are contesting the alleged loss amount. 

 

Just another day at the office. 

By Jeffrey Vallens on 11/27/2009 12:32 PM

When I first meet with a client (AH) to discuss his case, I never know what the outcome of the case was going to be.  I usually have an idea of a likely outcome, high hopes for a positive outcome and the client's idea of a desired outcome.  What I do know is that many criminal cases require investigation by the defense.  This usually requires utilizing an experienced private investigator. 

One of the problems with hiring a good PI is that they are expensive.  Client's often often don't have or don't want to spend extra money to pay the PI, especially after paying a defense attorney.  However, sometimes spending a few hundred, or sometimes a few thousand dollars on investigation can be invaluable. 

AH came to me several months ago regarding felony charges of furnishing narcotics to a minor and possession of narcotics.  Like many of my clients, AH had an explanation of who the drugs actually belonged to.  I didn't believe him, but that doesn't matter.  I did my job, as I always do, and had my investigator...

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