Attorney Ariel Rief's Legal Cases

Criminal defense

People v. I.S.

Dec 14, 2017

OUTCOME: 3 charges dismissed. Case reduced to Disturbing the Peace. Client released from jail.

My client was in jail for violating a restraining order, punching a former landlord, and kicking an officer in his knee while in custody. I argued the circumstances that discredited the landlord's stor ... y and mitigated the battery on the officer. The case was negotiated for a simple disturbing the peace charge (all other charges dismissed) and my client was released from jail that day.

Criminal defense

People v. A.N.

Dec 01, 2017

OUTCOME: Case dismissed.

Five years ago, my client, a resident of Los Angeles, was charged in San Mateo County with making harassing phone calls in violation of Penal Code section 653m. I challenged the fact that client was ne ... ver properly notified of the pending Bay Area case and filed a Serna motion asserting that my client's 6th Amendment speedy trial rights were violated. The motion resulted in the case being dismissed.

Criminal defense

People v. S.H.

Nov 27, 2017

OUTCOME: Dismissed the day of trial.

My client faced three counts of Possession of a Controlled Substance (Health and Safety Code section 11350) for various painkillers. I argued client had prescriptions in the past and, although incomple ... te, missing, or outdated, they justified the current possession of the pills. How many jurors themselves probably have some outdated prescription pills? Does that make them criminals? On the day of jury trial, the DA dismissed the case.

Criminal defense

People v. A.M.

Nov 21, 2017

OUTCOME: No prison, probation only.

My client was arrested with 22 baggies of cocaine (.5 grams in each) and a lot of cash. Client was charged with violating Health & Safety Code section 11351, possession for sale of a controlled substan ... ce and faced up to 4 years prison. Instead, client received a 3-year probation sentence and only had to serve 16 actual days in county jail (for which client could have served with the Sheriff's work program). Additionally, client's misdemeanor case of driving on a suspended license with prior violations (an offense with over $2,000 in fines and jail time) was dismissed in the plea deal.

Criminal defense

People v. E.B.

Nov 16, 2017

OUTCOME: Dismissed.

Client was arrested and put in custody because of a warrant stemming from a petty theft case from last year. After digging into the court's records, I showed the DA and judge how the case should not ha ... ve been filed in the first place. The case was dismissed and my client was released from jail that day.

Criminal defense

People v. C.M.

Nov 15, 2017

OUTCOME: Dismissed. No jail or fines.

My client matched the description of a suspect stealing various packages from homes. During a traffic stop, officers found stolen Amazon packages in the car and client was charged with having stolen pr ... operty (Penal Code section 496) and petty theft (Penal Code section 484). I argued that client, who was the passenger, wasn't near the stolen packages in the car and that the vague description of an African-American individual was insufficient identification to link client to the thefts. All charges were dismissed.

Criminal defense

People v. L.E.

Nov 08, 2017

OUTCOME: Dismissed. No jail, fines, or immigration consequences.

Police find my client drunk inside a car. Client avoided arrest for DUI because they couldn't prove client was the driver. However, client was instead arrested for public intoxication (Penal Code secti ... on 647(f)), which requires proof a person cannot care for the safety of himself or others-in other words, falling down drunk. I argued the police lacked sufficient proof. Also, because client was in a private apartment lot, I argued client was not drunk in public as required. The DA dismissed the case and my client thus avoided any potential negative immigration consequences.

Criminal defense

People v. R.M.

Nov 06, 2017

OUTCOME: Dismissed the day of trial.

After getting a ride home from an ex, client and ex got into an argument. Client took ex's car keys, went home and passed out. Ex ultimately called police and the DA charged client with petty theft (Pe ... nal Code section 490.2). My investigation revealed holes in the ex's story. Also, even if it were all true, theft requires proof, essentially, that client had the specific intent to steal. Client's level of intoxication made it hard to prove actual intent to steal ex's keys. The day of trial, the DA dismissed the case.

Ariel Rief's Legal Cases (8)

People v. I.S.

People v. A.N.

People v. S.H.

People v. A.M.

People v. E.B.

People v. C.M.

People v. L.E.

People v. R.M.