Tag: dumb

Defendant Puts Nude Selfies, Sex Toys, and Cocaine in Her Purse Before Reporting for Jail

"Court Case Friday" I was presiding over a misdemeanor DUI jury trial. On the first day of trial, the female defendant showed up late after lunch and after each recess, inconveniencing the jurors. When I adjourned for the evening, I warned her that if she showed up late the following morning, I was going to revoke her … Continue reading Defendant Puts Nude Selfies, Sex Toys, and Cocaine in Her Purse Before Reporting for Jail →

My Case of the YouTube Star Who Jumped off Hotel Balconies

"Court Case Friday" YouTube Star Hotel Jumper I presided over an interesting case involving a YouTube “Star.”  The young man filmed himself jumping off very high balconies or roofs of hotels into their swimming pools.  Apparently, when he posted the videos on YouTube, he had so many “views” and “likes” that advertisers were eager to … Continue reading My Case of the YouTube Star Who Jumped off Hotel Balconies →

Criminals Aren’t the Only “Dumb” People in Court

My criminal law professor started each class by bellowing: “Criminals Are Stupid.”  He then shared a dumb-criminal account from the media. This is one reason criminal defense attorneys are reluctant to put their clients on the witness stand during trial.  The experienced prosecutor can’t wait to cross-examine them.  As a young prosecutor, I was prepared … Continue reading Criminals Aren’t the Only “Dumb” People in Court →

Man Taunts Police Dog and Pays the Price

I prosecuted a man for misdemeanor obstructing police. (PC 148(a)) The dumb defendant walked up to a canine police officer on the Huntington Beach pier and declared: “Your dog doesn’t scare me!”  He then bent down, grabbed the police German Shepherd by both ears, went nose-to-nose with the dog, and yelled, “Growl!”  The police dog … Continue reading Man Taunts Police Dog and Pays the Price →

Caught and Convicted Because of His Misspelled Tattoo

I was involved in the prosecution of a serial rape case.  The “perp” wore a knit ski mask making eye witness identification impossible.  (This was before DNA).  As he was committing the crime, the victim noticed a homemade prison tattoo on the inside of his bicep. The tattoo stuck in her mind because it said, … Continue reading Caught and Convicted Because of His Misspelled Tattoo →

Dumb Criminal Tries to Steal Undercover Police Van with Cops Inside

Some criminals are dumber than others. I prosecuted some of the dumbest ones. An Orange County city had a problem with drug sales in a high-density area. So, the police decided to do a surveillance using their unmarked old beat up surveillance van.  Three officers drove in the van to the target location. There was the … Continue reading Dumb Criminal Tries to Steal Undercover Police Van with Cops Inside →

More Entertaining Dumb Criminals

"We don't catch the smart ones." “Dumb and Dumber” and “Dumbest” Under California’s “three strikes” law at the time, if a defendant committed two serious or violent felonies in the past, if he commits a new felony, no matter how minor, he faces a mandatory 25 years to life in prison.  (Some California DA’s Offices … Continue reading More Entertaining Dumb Criminals →