Local News in Brief : Lawyer Steers Into Even More Trouble

A Van Nuys lawyer on probation for driving with a suspended license was arrested at his home Tuesday after a bailiff said that he observed him driving away from the San Fernando courthouse.

Daniel Webster Bowles III, 36, was ordered arrested Monday by the same judge who had previously declared Bowles in contempt for lying about why he was late to his own trial on the driving offense.

Bowles appeared before San Fernando Municipal Court Judge Michael S. Luros Monday and received a delay in the five-day County Jail sentence on the contempt charge. After the hearing, Luros’ courtroom bailiff, F. Albert Zamacona, said he saw Bowles drive away.

Luros then revoked Bowles’ probation and issued a warrant for his arrest. The attorney was arrested at his Chatsworth home Tuesday morning by Los Angeles County marshals.

Bowles was charged with contempt June 11 after he told Luros that he was late to his trial on the driving citation because of a pending case in Van Nuys. After Luros called the Van Nuys courthouse and found there was no such case, Bowles admitted he had lied.

Bowles then pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of driving with a suspended license, served five days in County Jail on the driving violation and was placed on probation. One of the conditions of probation was the Bowles not drive until his license is reinstated by the Department of Motor Vehicles.

After his arrest Tuesday, Bowles appeared again before Luros and asked that his case be heard by another judge. Luros denied the request, but he agreed to lower Bowles’ bail from $25,000 to $10,000.

Bowles faces six months in County Jail and a fine of $1,000 on the original driving conviction, Deputy City Atty. Susan Lopez said. For the charge of driving on a suspended license while on probation, Bowles faces an additional year in County Jail and a $2,000 fine, Lopez said.

A hearing on the charges is set for June 27.