California Criminal Defense Lawyer Blog

What began as a plot to uncover stashes of money ended with the death of a man over nothing: no money at all. Instead, Debbie Perna is rotting in prison on a life term after engineering the gang murder of her brother, David Montemayor, a man brave enough to run away from his captors so they couldn't take him home and threaten his wife and children.

Perna told the gangsters that if they killed her brother, they'd get paid with cash stuffed in coffee cans. Turns out that was a rumor. No cash. Just orphans and a widow. Murder of a sibling dates back to the old testament. It's either jealousy, greed or a combination of both. In either event, the person charged with arranging the murder has a right to due process, no matter what the freaks and weirdos who post their comments say about it. Perna could have, theoretically, had mental problems that affected her judgment. A good lawyer would explore mental defenses, particularly in a capital murder case.

To qualify for the death penalty instead of just life in prison without the possibility of parole, special circumstances need to be present. Some special circumstances include felony murder, murdering a peace officer, prosecutor or judge or multiple murders, among others. If you are convicted of murder with special circumstances, you will be on Death Row for years before being executed. If you are sentenced to murder without special circumstances, you will have to spend your life in prison. Whether you live in Santa Ana, Irvine or Anaheim, if you are charged with murder, call an experienced criminal defense attorney right away to assist you.

Continue reading " Buena Park California Sister Killer Trial Begins " »

While this isn't widely reported, animal neglect and abuse is not uncommon. It's very hard to police, though. In this case, the animal was brought to a shelter after a witness to its condition rescued it. What makes this story unique is that the defendant was an employee of...wait for it.... an animal shelter.

The owner of the shelter is going to keep paying her, saying he doesn't want to abandon her family like she did the dog. Nice guy. Orange County prosecutors usually charge these cases as misdemeanors and try to get the defendants to clean up the house. Many of the defendants are hoarders, people who cannot get rid of things and keep a very dirty home. The filth extends to the companion animals kept in the home.

Animal cruelty is the infliction of injury or harm on an animal or the neglect of an animal. Animals are helpless creatures that often cannot fight off their attackers. If you are convicted of animal cruelty, you will likely go to jail, have to take anger management classes, pay restitution and be put on probation. Whether you live in Santa Ana, Laguna Niguel or Newport Beach, if you are charged with animal cruelty, call an experienced criminal defense attorney right away to assist you.

Continue reading " Irvine California Woman Charged with Animal Abuse " »

There can be little doubt that the defendant in this case is a confused and befuddled person. There is also little doubt that the act of killing your own child is one of the most hated and troubling acts by society. Child abuse is repugnant in our society and we find ourselves wondering what it takes to commit such a heinous act. Mental illness?Poor upbringing? Drugs and alcohol? Fatigue over time? Anyone who is a parent knows about frustration. But what if you don't expect to have a child? What if you are scared and worried about the consequences? What if you think you'll be cast aside by your family should they find out you had a child out of wedlock? These are the issues one considers in this case.

Yanira Valderrama is 20 years old. She may have drowned her child in the bathroom on purpose. She may assert a claim of insanity or intoxication. In any event, she'll never be the same and the child will never grow up.

The District Attorney may seek death on this case. To qualify for the death penalty instead of just life in prison without the possibility of parole, special circumstances need to be present. Some special circumstances include felony murder, murdering a peace officer, prosecutor or judge or multiple murders, among others.

If you are convicted of murder with special circumstances, you will be on Death Row for years before being executed. If you are sentenced to murder without special circumstances, you will have to spend your life in prison. Whether you live in Santa Ana, Fullerton or Newport Beach, if you are charged with murder, call an experienced murder defense attorney right away to assist you.

Continue reading " Orange County Woman Charged in Baby Killing " »