The California Health and Safety Code makes it illegal to possess a controlled substance for sale. If you have been accused of possession of a controlled substance, or possession for sale or trafficking of a controlled substance, you are facing severe penalties if you are convicted of the allegations against you. You need the assistance of a competent attorney to defend your rights immediately. You are already in a bad situation. Do not make it worse by making statements against your interest or waiting for the police to solidify their case against you. Call us today. DO NOT WAIT! Call the Houston Law of California today so we can get your case moving towards a favorable resolution now. Contact us at 714-841-3921 or email Gabe@HBLawyers.net.

Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) legend Chuck “the Ice Man” Liddell has been accused of kidnapping his own son. His ex-wife Lori Goyer filed a police report on March 27th claiming that The Ice Man picked up his son Cade from her Colorado home on March 23rd. He said he would return Cade on the 27th. However, that day she got a call from Liddell’s attorney, who said Cade was with Liddell in California by choice and would remain there until a custody hearing. There is no pending criminal action as the police have determined that no criminal activity had occurred.

Chuck Liddell, now retired, is recognized world-wide as the face of the UFC. Liddell is widely credited for bringing mixed martial arts into the mainstream of American sports and entertainment during his record-tying 23 UFC fights. On July 10, 2009, he was inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame. As a show of diversity, Liddell competed on season nine of Dancing with the Stars in 2009. Liddell retired as a fighter from the UFC and professional cage fighting on December 29, 2010. Liddell is now employed within the UFC as the Vice President of Business Development.

If you are accused of kidnapping or are facing any criminal allegations, you need the assistance of competent attorneys to protect your legal interests.  Call the criminal defense attorneys at Houston Law of California at 714-841-3921 or email Gabe@HBLawyers.net.  DO NOT WAIT!  Call today!

Hegemony (pronounced “heh-jem’-uh-knee) means leadership or predominant influence. As attorney-agents, we will use our leadership and influence to the benefit of our clients in order to maximize their return on their career investments.

The attorney-agents of Hegemony Sports Management will be able to benefit our client athletes in a myriad of ways. Such representation may include: Client contract negotiations and administration; individual athlete endorsement marketing; Sponsorship solicitation and negotiation; Multi-media branding; and Post-career planning.

Hegemony Sports Management will also be able to provide the added benefits to our client athletes in assisting them with accounting, budgeting, tax planning and preparation; financial planning, insurance and investment strategy, and brand protection into the post-career of our client athletes.

As licensed attorney’s, Hegemony Sports Management will also be able to provide assistance with any legal issues or problems that may arise. Through our agency relationship, our client athletes will have established a rapport with an attorney to be on continual retainer to consult with whenever the situation arises.

If you or someone you know is an athlete involved in mixed martial arts (MMA) and is seeking representation to assist in reaching the next level of competition, to protect your legal and financial interests and to maximize your earning potential, call the attorney agents of Hegemony Sports Management today at 714-841-3921. Also look to visit our website at www.Hegemony-Sports.com.

As a result of this new legislation, All CFTC registrants involved in soliciting and selling retail forex contracts to consumers will now have to adhere to requirements for registration, disclosure, recordkeeping, financial reporting, minimum capital and other business conduct and operational standards. FCMs and RFEDs are required to maintain net capital of $20 million plus 5 percent of the amount, if any, by which liabilities to retail forex customers exceed $10 million. Specifically, the regulations require the registration of counterparties offering retail foreign currency contracts as either futures commission merchants (FCMs) or retail foreign exchange dealers (RFEDs), a new category of registrant.

In addition, for persons who solicit orders, exercise discretionary trading authority or operate pools with respect to retail forex also will be required to register, either as introducing brokers, commodity trading advisors, commodity pool operators (as appropriate) or as associated persons of such entities. Leverage in retail forex customer accounts will be subject to a security deposit requirement to be set by the National Futures Association within limits provided by the Commission. All retail forex counterparties and intermediaries will be required to distribute forex-specific risk disclosure statements to customers and comply with comprehensive recordkeeping and reporting requirements.

“Otherwise regulated” entities, such as United States financial institutions and SEC-registered brokers or dealers, remain able to serve as counterparties in such transactions under the oversight of their primary regulators.

The final rules become effective October 18, 2010.

If you are being investigated or have been arrested for allegations of commodities or securities fraud, you need the assistance of experienced and knowledgeable defense attorneys working to ensure your rights are protected and that you receive your constitutional due process. The criminal defense lawyers at Houston Law of California can assist with any commodities and securities fraud allegations and can handle any other criminal accusations against you. Call TODAY! DO NOT WAIT! Call the securities fraud criminal defense attorneys of Houston Law of California at 714.841.3921 or email at info@HBLawyers.net .

The U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) announced that it obtained an emergency federal court order freezing the assets of a Los Angeles based commodities trading firm. The defendants are charged with solicitation fraud and misappropriation of customer funds in connection with the operation of a commodity pool. The allegations claim they fraudulently solicited over a million dollars from roughly 100 commodity pool participants to invest in commodity futures, foreign currency (forex), gold and securities. 

The CFTC claims that the defendants did not disclose to participants that their funds would be used to trade commodity futures and foreign exchange (forex). Furthermore, the CFTC claims they failed to disclose significant risks associated with such trading. Defendants allegedly misrepresented that participants would not lose their principal, while neglecting to disclose the full exposure to trading losses.

As is customary, the CFTC seeks full restitution to defrauded customers, disgorgement of ill-gotten gains, rescission of contracts, civil monetary penalties, trading and registration bans and permanent injunctions against further violations of federal commodities laws from the defendants. These defendants can expect the Department of Justice, through the United States Attorney’s office, to file criminal charges for fraud, conspiracy and/or money laundering as the investigation continues.

If you are being investigated or have been arrested for allegations of commodities or securities fraud in Orange, Los Angeles, San Bernardino or Riverside County, you need the assistance of experienced and knowlegable defense attorneys working to ensure your rights are protected and that you receive your constitutional due process. The criminal defense lawyers at Houston Law of California can assist with any commodities and securities fraud allegations and can handle any other criminal accusations against you. Call TODAY! DO NOT WAIT! Call the securities fraud criminal defense attorneys of Houston Law of California at 714.841.3921 or email at info@HBLawyers.net .

A jury convicted a drunken driver of murder in the deaths of Angels’ pitcher Nick Adenhart and two of his friends. The driver faces 50 years to life in state prison. The D.A. charged the case as second-degree murder instead of manslaughter (a lesser charge) because the driver had a previous DUI conviction, had specific knowledge of the dangers of drinking and driving from his own experience and had signed a court form from the earlier case saying he understood he could be charged with murder if he drove drunk again and killed someone. This knowledge imputed on the driver is known in California courts as the “Watson” waiver. If you are convicted of DUI second-degree Watson murder, you face the following sentence: Fifteen (15) years to life in State Prison; a fine of up to $10,000, and a strike on your record under California Three Strike’s Law.

In order to convict of DUI murder in California, the prosecutor must prove the following three facts (otherwise known as “elements of the crime”)^, 1. The death resulted from an intentional act; 2. The natural consequences of that act are dangerous to human life, and 3. You knowingly acted with conscious disregard for that fact.

In short, in order to be found guilty, the jury had to determine that the driver intentionally drove drunk; that he acted with a conscious disregard for human life; and that he knew from his personal experience that he could kill someone. In this case, the jury was convinced that the driver satisfied these three elements and found him guilty of the charge.

This young man now faces decades in prison as a result of his lapse of judgment as a direct consequence of night out of fun with friends. For the family of the victim, they face the rest of their lives with only the memory of their loved one. It is for this reason that I slowly and deliberately go over every element of the TAHL (change of plea) form, specifically going over the Watson admonishment with my clients, so as to put them on explicit notice that 1) driving under the influence is dangerous and should be avoided, and 2) the exposure for a murder conviction lies if they are driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs and, as a result, someone is killed.

If you have been arrested for DUI and you are facing an enhanced penalty for a previous conviction of DUI, you need to hire an attorney that knows the law and understands how the law must be applied. The DUI attorneys at Houston Law of California have successfully handled numerous clients facing similar charges. Do not wait until the night before your court date to call an attorney. You need to call NOW. Call Houston Law of California now at 714-841-3921 so we can assist you with all of the issues you are facing as a result of your arrest for DUI and make sure that you are not facing improper charges from the District Attorney. Call now!

An Orange County jury reached a verdict awarding $259,400 for a woman and her husband for unlawful acts, namely excessive force, committed against them by Orange County Sheriff Deputies. The jury found against Orange County Sheriff Deputies Jennifer Macias and Allan Waters on unreasonable search and seizure, excessive force, and false arrest. In addition, the jury found against another Deputy, Sgt. Timothy Jansen, on false arrest.

In July 2007 four Orange County sheriff’s deputies and a Mission Viejo animal control officer arrived at the woman’s home after a report that her dog bit a trespasser in Mission Viejo. The deputies arrived and demanded that the dog be surrendered for quarantine. The woman’s husband inquired about other options for quarantine besides seizing the dog; In addition, he asked if the officers had a search warrant. When the officers said no, he tried to close the front door.

The animal control officer stuck his foot into the door stop him from closing it. One of the sheriff’s deputies claimed that the woman was “resisting”, which inspired three deputies to apprehend the woman, slamming her head and left side into the stone flooring.

It should be noted this is not the first complaint involving one of the offending officers; namely Deputy Allan Waters. That prior instance cost the county $32,000. As a result, Deputy Waters is no longer employed with the Orange County Sheriff. Shortly after he turned in his uniform, Waters was arrested for DUI and on suspicion of being a drug dealer who traded fake drugs and cash in exchange for real prescription drugs.

If you are the victim of police misconduct or the recipient of excessive force used by police in Huntington Beach, or anywhere in Orange County, you need the assistance of a competent and experienced defense attorney working to ensure your rights are protected and that you receive your constitutional due process. The criminal defense lawyers at Houston Law of California can assist with your case against unlawful police misconduct. The lawyers at Houston Law of California can handle any other criminal accusations against you that always accompany accusations against officers for misconduct. Call TODAY! DO NOT WAIT! Call the criminal defense attorneys of Houston Law of California at 714.841.3921 or email at info@HBLawyers.net.

A woman accused of conspiring to sell secrets about finances at The Walt Disney Co. has pleaded guilty to conspiring to commit securities fraud and wire fraud charges. Prosecutors said a female employee of Disney fed information such as Disney’s quarterly earnings to her boyfriend, who tried to sell the inside tips to 33 investment companies She faces between four and 10 months. Her boyfriend already pleaded guilty in a deal that recommends he serve two to three years in federal prison. For the full story, see http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5g23jpBpdrnSTOtM9F8rQIFMaJluwD9ICIDRG0

Insider trading in securities may occur when a person in possession of material nonpublic information about a company trades in the company’s securities and makes a profit or avoids a loss. Two federal statutes have provisions which forbid insider trading: the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Insider Trading Sanctions Act of 1984. One provision of the 1934 Act requires the disgorgement of short-swing profits by named insiders. The Insider Trading Sanctions Act of 1984 provides that, if the Commission believes that any person has bought or sold a security while in possession of material nonpublic information, the Commission may bring an action in United States district court to seek a civil penalty. The penalty may be up to three times the profit gained or loss avoided.

An “insider” is defined as any “person who is directly or indirectly the beneficial owner of more than 10 per cent of any class of any equity security…which is registered…or who is a director or an officer of the issuer.” There are reporting and registration requirements imposed on every insider within a corporation regarding trading or the exchange of his equity shares.

To prevent the unfair use of inside information, section 16(b) permits the company or any security holder suing on behalf of the company to recover any profit which the person realizes from any purchase and sale or sale and purchase of any equity security of the company within a period of less than six months.

The Insider Trading and Securities Fraud Enforcement Act of 1988 expanded the scope of civil penalties to insiders who fail to take adequate steps to prevent insider trading. The current penalties include an increase in the maximum jail term from five to ten years; maximum criminal fines were increased from $100,000 to $1,000,000 (for nonnatural persons from $500,000 to $2,500,000); the SEC now has discretion to reward informants (whistleblowers) who provide assistance to the agency.

If you are being investigated or have been arrested for allegations of insider trading in Orange, Los Angeles, Riverside or San Bernardino County, you need the assistance of competent white collar criminal defense attorneys working to ensure your rights are protected and that you receive constitutional due process. The white collar criminal defense attorney’s at Houston Law of California can assist with any insider trading allegations and can handle any other criminal accusations against you. Call TODAY! Do NOT WAIT! The difference between an acquittal and a conviction depends on responding early and conducting a thorough and timely investigation. Call the white collar criminal defense attorneys at Houston Law of California at 714.841.3921 or email at info@HBLawyers.net.

When members of our Armed Forces get arrested for DUI off-base, there are additional penalties they are facing as a result of their employment as a member of the military. The primary DUI laws and penalties imposed on members of the military are established in the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) and the Manual for Court Martial (MCM). These military enhanced consequences are IN ADDITION to the civilian penalties and consequences if the military member is convicted of DUI.

Military regulations often subject its members to enhanced Non-Judicial Punishment (NJP), which go above and beyond the punishments allowed by civilian law. Defending clients against DUI charges requires engaging in all three battles; the civilian charges in criminal court, the admin per se sanctions imposed by the California DMV (as well as the DMV in the state of residence of the military member, as many are not California permanent residents or California licensed drivers), and the military base and/or court martial proceedings.

It should be noted that being arrested for DUI on base is VERY different than being arrested off base, mainly because of the difference between state jurisdiction over a person whereas the military base falls under FEDERAL jurisdiction. A member of the military could be excluded from civilian prosecution if the DUI offense occurs within the federal jurisdiction of a military base.

Each branch of the armed services has its own specific disciplinary actions and loss of privileges for DUI & alcohol related misconduct by its members. For example, Marines stationed in Camp Pendleton who are arrested for DUI in Oceanside, San Diego or other surrounding areas will face a military administrative hearing to determine whether they will be able to keep their on-base driving privileges. Often the base commander will revoke such privileges in the hope of encouraging the member to stay on base, or alternatively, to get someone else to drive if they will be leaving base for a night out. Such revocation of driving privileges can have drastic affect on the client whose primary job may be driving heavy machinery or other military transportation vehicles. In fact, some Marines have been discharged as unable to perform their duty as a result of their driving privileges being suspended.

If you are a Marine on active duty in Camp Pendleton and have recently been arrested for DUI in Oceanside, San Diego, or anywhere in Orange County, you are potentially facing discharge from the Marine Corps due to these allegations. You need the help of an experienced DUI attorney that knows how to best protect your rights and privileges and can increase the odds of retaining employment. Call the experienced DUI lawyers at Houston Law of California TODAY to evaluate your case and plan for your defense. The military process will happen much more quickly than the DMV and criminal action. DO NOT WAIT! We are available 24 hours per day, 7 days per week at 714-841-3921 or email us at Info@HBLawyers.net for a prompt and confidential response.

These “authorities” (note the sarcasm) are relying on California Vehicle Code §23578 which states “…if a person is convicted of [DUI], the court shall consider a concentration of alcohol in the person’s blood of 0.15 percent or more … as a special factor that may justify enhancing the penalties in sentencing, in determining whether to grant probation, and, if probation is granted, in determining additional or enhanced terms and conditions of probation.” Note that there is no MANDATE for the judge to do so. It merely states that the judge “may” justify enhancing a penalty by considering an increased BAC above 0.15%. It should also be noted that this provision ONLY APPLIES TO FIRST TIME DUI OFFENDERS! There is no such provision for repeat or multiple offenders.

In 2007 the California legislature attempted to get the MANDATORY enhancement, under the previous §23578, reduced from a .20% BAC down to a .15% BAC. Unfortunately they did not have enough votes. The result is that a compromise was worked out which has become the amended CVC §23578. The point to make with the court is that since the LEGISLATIVE branch was not able to pass a law requiring enhanced penalties for BAC in excess of 0.15%, it is improper for the Judiciary and/or the EXECUTIVE to try and pass it themselves by imposing such “enhancement’s” for BAC’s above 0.15% without specific authorities to do so.

If you have been arrested for DUI and you are facing an enhanced penalty for a BAC greater than 0.15%, you need to hire an attorney that knows the law and understands how the law must be applied. The DUI attorneys at Houston Law of California have successfully handled numerous clients facing similar charges. Do not wait until the night before your court date to call an attorney. You need to call NOW. Call Houston Law of California now at 714-841-3921 so we can assist you with all of the issues you are facing as a result of your arrest for DUI and make sure that you are not facing improper charges from the District Attorney. Call now!