Blogs

Teen Driver Laws Often Not Enforced in San Diego Like most other states, California has a system of graduated licensing for new drivers. At age 15 ½, teens can obtain a learner’s permit, which enables them to drive under the supervision of a parent, guardian, or licensed driver aged at least 25. Moreover, until they are aged 17 ½ they have passed/must be undertaking a driver’s education course. Finally, they must hold their learner’s permit for at least six months, acquire at least 40 hours of driving experience (certified by…Read More

Any Criminal Defense Attorney would agree to the fact that the incident in Las Vegas is much more than simply about the issue of gun control. It is a wakeup call for the society to deeply examine the underlying reasons and human environmental factors that are causing such rebellion and psychotic behavior being exhibited by these mass murderers. So far, there have been 270 different incidents this year and the number still counts. Looking at such a large number of incidents happening nearly every day one might think of the…Read More

A criminal defendant has a right to testify in his own defense. But exercising that right carries risks. He could make a bad impression. The government could conduct a damaging cross-examination. And if the jury’s verdict necessarily reflects a flat rejection of his testimony, he could be deemed to have sought to obstruct justice through perjury, triggering a sentence enhancement under Section 3C1.1 of the Sentencing Guidelines. But if that enhancement is too readily applied, it could “chill” defendants from giving even non-perjurious testimony, and thereby unduly infringe upon their right to testify. To…Read More

CBS News 8 - San Diego, CA News Station - KFMB Channel 8 EL CAJON (CBS 8) - A 21-year-old custodian from El Capitan High School accused of sending explicit texts to a 14-year-old girl has pleaded not guilty in court Friday. He was arrested last week after a girl turned her phone over to authorities and they arranged a meeting. Elias Morales didn't say much in court Friday, but legal documents obtained by CBS News 8 showed he had plenty of sexually explicit things to say - through text…Read More

SAN DIEGO – A man accused of leaving a threatening voice message at the San Diego office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations and sending a threatening email to the organization’s office in Washington, D.C. pleaded not guilty today to seven charges with hate crime allegations. John David Weissinger, 53, faces about five to six years in prison if convicted. He was allowed to remain free on his already posted $50,000 bail. Deputy District Attorney Oscar Garcia said a female employee came to work at CAIR’s Kearny Mesa office the…Read More

In the hours after his arrest a year ago on charges that he fixed college basketball games while at the University of San Diego, Brandon Johnson told federal agents he was informed of the point spreads, received money after games and solicited a former teammate to potentially participate in the scheme. But USD’s all-time leading scorer insisted, tearfully at times, that he never actually altered a game. “I didn’t go in no game to throw it,” Johnson told two FBI agents in an interview that lasted more than an hour.…Read More

The 85-year old doña of a female-controlled immigrant smuggling ring was sentenced in a U.S. court Thursday to 2 1/2 years in prison in case that appears out of place during a time when smuggling has been controlled by powerful and violent organizations. Felicitas Gurrola was charged with moving up to 80 people a month past border inspectors at the nation's busiest border crossing in San Diego by having them assume false identities. Her method was relatively safe compared to common and sometimes fatal smugglers' tacks like leading groups through…Read More

Virginia Kelly Found Guilty Of Grand Theft The former head of a Latino foster parents organization was sentenced Thursday to 60 days in jail, followed by 120 days of home confinement, for hoarding more than 12,000 donated toys meant for needy children. Virginia Prieto Kelly, 75, had faced a maximum of five years in prison, but San Diego County Superior Court Judge Louis Hanoian opted for a low-end term that will be followed by three years of probation. Deputy District Attorney Chris Ryan argued unsuccessfully for a 16-month prison sentence…Read More

This one has me scratching my head in puzzlement. The San Diego Union-Tribune reported yesterday that the "talk of the downtown courthouse" has been a case that alleges an inappropriate sexual relationship with a former partner at the Pacific Law Center, Alan E. Spears. The firm had been having troubles enough before now, having been dogged by complaints in recent months by former clients, former lawyers and even the Better Business Bureau. Last month, in a move aimed at shoring up its image, the firm merged with well-known San Diego…Read More

Retired Navy intelligence officer sold aircraft parts A retired Navy intelligence officer from Escondido admitted yesterday that he worked with a Pakistani arms dealer living in Mexico to export aircraft engine parts illegally. G. Charles Budenz II, 57, faces more than six years in prison after he pleaded guilty in San Diego federal court to three counts of exporting defense articles without a license. He was free on a $35,000 bond pending sentencing Jan. 9. He admitted shipping parts used for engines in F-5 fighters, T-38 military trainers and Chinook…Read More