From A Former Prosecutor
Since Proposition 47 passed in 2014, many residents have taken advantage of the ability to reclassify theft crimes from felonies to misdemeanors. Unfortunately, the misinformation surrounding prop 47 has led some to believe they can take items that do not belong to...
Much of today’s information can be found at the touch of a finger. There are plenty of streaming services that provide a plethora of TV shows and movies. Most books and music can be found through similar internet services. Every form of entertainment is easily...
You’ve lived in California for several years and never had a run-in with the law. Now, you find yourself facing criminal charges. Law enforcement claims that you were at the scene and committed the offense in question. Later, it turns out that an eyewitness has...
If you've been drinking and you want to get sober so that you can drive home, you may decide to order a cup of coffee. People often say that a nice cup of coffee can make you feel sober, so they'll recommend it as a tactic for driving home safely and avoiding a DUI....
When the police get evidence after executing a search warrant or after making an arrest, there is a procedure they are supposed to follow when handling it for it to be admissible in court. If they make mistakes that suggest someone has tampered with the evidence, the...
Some people who are charged with criminal actions know that the chance of them being convicted of those crimes is considerable. Some may decide that they’re going to enter into a plea deal, but others may decide to continue fighting the charges. One thing that’s...
No one can dispute the fact that your chances of being arrested and how you’re treated by law enforcement and the justice system as a whole are at least partially determined by your identity. Even in California, which is one of the more progressive and diverse states,...
“Indecent exposure” doesn’t sound like a terrible crime, but a conviction can have terrible consequences. California Penal Code § 314 is the legal statute that prohibits indecent exposure. That’s broadly defined as intentionally exposing one’s private parts in a...
When you and your ex were still together, you would send each other rather risque pictures. Some of them are fairly explicit in nature. When you broke up, you didn't go through your phone and delete all of those photos. It's not illegal for you to have them. Both you...
If you're given probation, you're not just freely being released from prison with no stipulations. That probation is going to come with a number of specific terms that you must follow. If you do not meet the terms of your probation, then you may see other charges, or...