Monday, September 30, 2013

Las Vegas Man Attempts Suicide After Drowning Wife

On Saturday, September 28th Las Vegas Metro Police responded to a home after a man called and said he had attempted suicide at the residence. At the scene, however, officers discovered the body of a woman lying next to the pool in the backyard.

Upon finding the woman’s body in the backyard, Metro Police officers surrounded the home with their weapons drawn. Soon after the husband emerged from the house with a rope around his neck and surrendered to officers. He was treated for minor injuries at UMC before being booked at Clark County Detention Center and charged with one count of murder.

According to reports, an argument between a husband and wife turned physical in the early morning. The altercation went into their backyard and the man and woman fell into their pool, where the struggle continued. Homicide detectives believe the husband drowned his wife during the altercation in the pool, and then attempted to kill himself.

Neighbors were shocked to learn of the incident, and said that they had no reason to suspect that there was trouble inside the home. Detectives will continue investigating to put together a clear picture of what led to this tragic incident.

Nevada law defines murder as “the unlawful killing of a human being with malice aforethought.” The offense is always charged as a felony and carries extreme consequences. Penalties for conviction vary depending upon whether the defendant was charged with first or second degree murder, but can include prison sentences of 25 years to life in prison, or even the death sentence.

At De Castroverde Law Group, our Las Vegas criminal defense lawyers represent clients charged with violent offenses. To learn more about Violent Crimes or Domestic Violence in Nevada, we encourage you to visit our website. 

Wednesday, September 25, 2013

Road Rage Leads to Murder in Las Vegas

According to Fox 5 News, Metro Police are investigating a shooting in the northwest part of Las Vegas that left one man dead. The Las Vegas Metro Police report that the shooting occurred around 1:45 a.m. on Saturday, across from a Santa Fe Station Casino located on Lone Mountain Road. Witnesses saw a man lying on the ground and called the authorities. When the officers arrived at the scene, the 23-year-old man had already died from multiple gunshot wounds.

Homicide detectives have learned that apparent road rage led to the violent dispute while the victim and another driver traveled down Lone Mountain Road. Witness testimony states that the other driver fired multiple times at the victim’s vehicle, fatally striking him, before speeding away. Police are currently searching for the suspect, who was driving a dark-colored vehicle that possibly has damage to the rear taillight.  

While people may joke about road rage and aggressive driving, these offenses are actually punishable by the Nevada DMV, and can even lead to criminal charges. According to the DMV, if a driver speeds, creates an immediate hazard, runs a red light, or tailgates over the course of one mile, then he can be prosecuted for aggressive driving independently of any other offenses. 

Minimum penalties for aggressive driving include a $250 fine, mandatory traffic school, and possible license suspension.  In some cases, such as in this tragic incident, road rage can lead to serious criminal charges, such as assault, battery, or weapons offenses.

If you have been charged with aggressive driving or a related criminal offense, don’t wait to retain the representation of an experienced Las Vegas criminal defense attorney. Our knowledgeable lawyers can protect your rights and advocate on your behalf before the courts. Call De Castroverde Law Group today or read our Traffic Tickets page for more information. 

Monday, September 23, 2013

Three Children Injured When Truck Crashes Into Bus Stop

Early in the morning on September 20th, a father and his three young children were struck by a Ford pickup that smashed into the bus stop where the family was waiting. The accident occurred around 5:30 a.m. on Friday morning, on North Lamb Boulevard, just north of East Bonanza Road. The three children, ages 2, 4, and 5, were intubated at the scene before being transported to the hospital in critical condition.

According to Metro Police, the accident was the result of a collision between the Ford pickup and a Dodge pickup. The Ford was traveling north on Lamb Boulevard when the back passenger side of the vehicle was struck by the Dodge pickup, which was traveling west down Bonanza Road. The impact of the collision caused the Ford to swerve and hit the Regional Transportation Commission bus stop north of the Lamb intersection.

Neither of the drivers was injured in the accident, and both claimed that they had a green light and the right of way. Metro Police were seeking video form nearby businesses to determine which driver had a green light and which driver was responsible for the collision. The negligent driver who ran the light and caused the accident could be held liable for the family’s losses and injuries under personal injury law.

When motorists drive recklessly or allow themselves to become distracted behind the wheel, they could be held legally responsible for any harm and financial damage they cause to innocent victims. Negligent driving can result in severe and even fatal injuries to other motorists and pedestrians, and victims may be entitled to generous compensation.

If you or your family has been harmed in a motor vehicle or pedestrian accident that was caused by the negligence of another driver, it is important to understand your rights and options. Visit the informative Personal Injury section on our website to learn more, or call our caring Las Vegas injury attorneys at De Castroverde Law Group to discuss your case. 

Thursday, September 19, 2013

Resisting Arrest – Possible Defenses

In the state of Nevada it is a crime to resist being apprehended by a law enforcement officer or to obstruct their ability to carry out their legal duties. Resisting arrest is a serious offense that can be charged as either a misdemeanor or a felony depending upon the factors involved in the alleged incident, and conviction will result in fines and incarceration. Learn more about the charges and penalties by visiting the Resisting Arrest page on our website.

If you have been charged with resisting arrest, it is important to know that you have the opportunity to fight the allegations. There are different defenses that can often be used to challenge resisting arrest charges. Three of the most common include:

  • You did not resist. In some situations, law enforcement officers get caught up in the moment and misinterpret a defendant’s actions. For example, simply being sarcastic or rude to the officer who is taking you into custody is not the same as resisting arrest. Testimony from eye-witnesses or video footage of the incident could show that you did not commit the crime of resisting arrest.
  • You were arrested unlawfully. If a law enforcement officer tried to arrest you without grounds to do so, you are not guilty of resisting arrest. Officers cannot take an individual into custody without probable cause. If you were illegally arrested, you cannot be convicted of resisting arrest.
  • You acted in self-defense.  Under the law, individuals can defend themselves against law enforcement officers if the officers are using unreasonable physical force against them. If the officers are using excessive force against you, you can act in self-defense; however, you can only respond with a reasonable amount of force. Video footage and witness testimony could help prove that you had reason to defend yourself against the officers.

Your attorney can investigate the charges and evidence brought against you to determine if any of these or another defenses can be used for your case.

If you are charged with resisting arrest, we encourage you to call our team at De Castroverde Law Group before making any legal decisions. One of our Las Vegas criminal lawyers can evaluate the charges and evidence involved in your case to determine your defense options. We can then provide the aggressive courtroom advocacy you need and deserve. What are you waiting for? Contact us today to learn how De Castroverde Law Group can fight for you! 

Tuesday, September 17, 2013

Two Killed in Tragic Rollover Accident

The Nevada Highway Patrol confirmed that two people died Monday night when a semitrailer truck rolled onto their 2006 Nissan sedan. The accident occurred around 8:35 p.m. in a southbound lane, killing both the driver and the passenger of the sedan. The Highway Patrol believes that the impact of the initial collision was so strong that both vehicles were hurled through the air until they came to rest at the St. Rose ramp.

The Nissan was so badly damaged that rescue crews were unsure if there were any other victims inside the vehicle. The truck driver sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was taken to a hospital. The Nevada Highway Patrol is still investigating the cause of the fatal accident, and warned that several lanes would be shut down for multiple hours.

The Dangers of Vehicle Rollovers
Rollover accidents are one of the most deadly types of collisions. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that more than 280,000 rollover accidents occur annually, and typically cause approximately 10,000 fatalities each year. In 2008, a study showed that 35.7% of all fatal SUV crashes resulted in a rollover, and 15.8% of all fatal passenger car accidents were the result of vehicle rollovers.  Another study showed that in three out of every four fatal rollover accidents the victims were physically ejected from the vehicles.

Vehicle manufacturers are working hard to minimize the dangers of vehicle accidents. Manufacturers of SUVs and other top-heavy vehicles are working to improve the weight distribution on taller vehicles to minimize the likelihood of rollovers.  

You can learn more about these dangerous collisions by visiting the Rollover Accidents page on our website. If you or a loved one was harmed in a car accident caused by a negligent driver in Las Vegas, don’t hesitate to contact a personal injury attorney at De Castroverde Law Group to learn about your legal rights! 

Wednesday, September 11, 2013

Child Injured in Car Fire Possibly Set By Arsonist

An 11-year-old Henderson boy seriously injured when the car he was sitting in caught fire. Police suspect that the car was set on fire by an arsonist. While the child receives medical attention, police are trying to piece together the details of the incident. It is not known at present whether the child was in the car when the fire started, nor how the vehicle became engulfed in flames. The Henderson police say that they will continue to investigate the incident.

Law enforcement is unsure at this time if the fire was accidentally set by the boy, was caused by a defective part in the vehicle, or was the work of an arsonist. The young victim’s condition has not been released, but it is suspected that he has severe burns as a result of the accident.

Arson is a serious felony offense in the state of Nevada, and occurs when an individual deliberately or maliciously sets fire or aids another in setting fire to any home, building, or property owned by someone else or occupied by one or more person. First degree arson is charged as a Category B Felony under NRS 205.010, and conviction will result is a maximum of 15 years in state prison and heavy fines.

Want to learn more about Nevada’s arson laws and penalties? Click here to visit the arson page on our site. If you have been accused of arson, don’t wait to call our experienced Las Vegas criminal lawyers at De Castroverde Law Group to learn about your defense options!

Metro Police Install 37 Security Cameras on the Las Vegas Strip

In many criminal trials, footage from nearby security cameras can be important evidence in the prosecution’s cases. Security cameras can provide concrete evidence of a crime, or they can be used to prove that an accused individual was not at the scene of an alleged offense. Recently, the Las Vegas Metro Police Department decided to install 37 new security cameras on the Las Vegas Strip to help keep individuals accountable for their actions.

The Las Vegas Strip has always been a hotbed for crime, and the police hope that by installing these cameras they will be able to catch more offenders who are involved in violent offenses. All the new security cameras are high-definition, full-pan-tilt zoom cameras .

The captain of the LVMPD says that the cameras cover a large portion of the Strip, from the Welcome to Las Vegas sign all the way down to Sahara. The Department of Homeland Security gave the LVMPD a $300,000 grant to assist in the purchase and installation of this surveillance technology. Officers say that the new cameras have already helped them significantly in the past two months. For example, recently police were able to locate a man who planted a suspicious device in hotel landscaping by utilizing the cameras placed near the scene.

If you have been charged with a crime, utilizing the footage from these cameras could work to your advantage. Regardless of the evidence the prosecutor has against you, you need an aggressive Las Vegas criminal defense attorney to advocate for you in court. Contact De Castroverde Law Group to learn more about the benefits of hiring our experienced team!