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Understanding the White-Collar Crime of Wire Fraud

By Joseph Low on January 20, 2014

The personal and professional consequences of a wire fraud conviction in Orange County can alter the rest of a defendant’s life. As a white-collar crime, wire fraud is almost always handled in federal court and charged as a felony offense. Typical penalties include a prison sentence of up to 20 or 30 years, millions of dollars in fines, and restitution awarded to the victims. If you are at risk of being charged with such serious crimes, you will need an aggressive and dedicated attorney to help build a strong defense on your behalf.

What is Wire Fraud?

According to 18 United States Code Section 1343, wire fraud is defined as any scheme to obtain money or property by false or fraudulent pretenses through the use of interstate telephone calls or electronic communication, which includes the Internet, radio, television, and wire transfers.

Posted in: Criminal Defense

How to Protect Your Rights during an Arrest

By Joseph Low on September 24, 2013

person being placed in handcuffs by police

No matter what the alleged crime may be, if you are being arrested, you are entitled to certain protections under the law. However, it is your responsibility to take action to ensure that your rights are upheld during an arrest. Contact a skilled Long Beach criminal defense attorney if you are facing charges in order to obtain the best possible outcome for your circumstances.

An arrest involves taking a person into custody and transporting him or her to a police station or directly to jail. At the time of arrest, it is important to understand that you do not have to answer any questions or provide any information.

Posted in: Criminal Defense

Justice Department Seeks to Ease Strict Mandatory Drug Crime Sentences

By Joseph Low on August 23, 2013

The U.S. Justice Department intends to move forward with a new policy regarding indictments for low-level drug cases in an effort to reduce the level of overcrowding in the nation’s federal prisons. According to a prepared speech by Attorney General Eric H. Holder Jr., the new policy will order prosecutors to not list the quantities of illegal substances in low-level drug cases, effectively bypassing federal laws that require mandatory minimum sentences for drug-related offenses.

In support of the new policy, Mr. Holder argues that the current justice system creates a significant economic burden on the public and an unending cycle of poverty, criminality, and incarceration that weakens too many communities.

Posted in: Criminal Defense

Joseph H. Low IV Gets Client’s Vehicle Code Misdemeanor Dismissed

By Joseph Low on July 12, 2013

Criminal defense attorney Joseph H. Low IV recently got a case dismissed in which his client had been charged with one misdemeanor count of Vehicle Code Section 14604(a), a motor vehicle owner allowing an unlicensed driver to operate a motor vehicle. As a misdemeanor offense, the charge could have resulted in penalties, such as six months in a county jail, a maximum fine of $1,000, or the loss of driving privileges. Fortunately, the misdemeanor charge against Mr. Low’s client was dismissed.

Owner’s Duty

In California, it is illegal for anyone to operate a motor vehicle without a valid driver’s license and under Vehicle Code Section 14604(a), vehicle owners are legally obligated to uphold that law, as well. The law states that “no owner of a motor vehicle may knowingly allow another person to drive,” however, the owner is not required to go beyond a reasonable effort to determine whether or not the prospective driver has a valid driver’s license. This also means that the owner is not required to contact the Department of Motor Vehicles before allowing a prospective driver behind the wheel.

Posted in: Criminal Defense

New Surveillance in Long Beach an Invasion of Privacy?

By Joseph Low on December 24, 2012

cctv security camera mounted on the ceiling

According to the Long Beach Post, the East Anaheim Street Business Alliance (EASBA) debuted two new surveillance cameras at a public event, at which they also announced the plan to install two additional surveillance cameras over the course of the next couple of years. This is the beginning of a trend in the Long Beach area.

In August 2012, the Long Beach Police Department launched the Long Beach Common Operating Picture (LBCOP) program which connects more than 400 surveillance cameras in the Long Beach area (both private and public), a resource that the Police Department can use. But the use of all these cameras has drawn concerns from the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU).

Posted in: Criminal Defense

Confused by the Difference Between Assault and Battery?

By Joseph Low on December 12, 2012

So is just about everyone else.

Here is some information to help demystify some of the most common types and commonly misunderstood crimes – assault and battery.

If you have been charged with assault in California, you are being accused of “an unlawful attempt, coupled with a present ability, to commit a violent injury” to someone else. You don’t actually have to injure the person. If you tried or threatened to, and you were able to, then you may be charged with assault. If convicted, you would face a maximum fine of $1,000 and/or up to six months in jail. Depending on the person you allegedly assaulted, these penalties may increase.

Posted in: Criminal Defense

A Look at Long Beach Crime Statistics

By Joseph Low on November 28, 2012

Being arrested for a crime can be overwhelming and confusing. All it takes for an arrest is suspicion and some level of evidence. Whether it is weak or misleading evidence, it is, nonetheless, proof of some wrongdoing which can lead to a criminal conviction if you don’t fight to protect your legal rights. Criminal statistics can be misleading in that they do not give a complete picture of the circumstances of those alleged crimes or arrests. If crime rates are high in a particular area, law enforcement may be more aggressive when it comes to making arrests, but this does not mean that they are always right.

According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) 2011 Crime in the United States report, the following offenses known to law enforcement were committed in Long Beach:

Posted in: Criminal Defense

"Joseph, Thank you for your assistance. Your understanding compassion & incredible expertise are admired & appreciated. I will be referring any of my clients who require legal help to you."
- M.D.