Those charged with domestic violence are in much hotter water than they may believe. U.S. lawmakers typically take a hard stance against domestic abuse or violence and seek to punish offenders. Those accused of inflicting corporal (bodily) harm on a family member or...
From A Former Prosecutor
Year: 2023
What happens if you fail to appear in court?
Being summoned to court is not something anyone wants to experience. However, if you find yourself in this situation, there are consequences for failing to appear. In some cases, courtroom hearings may seem inconsequential or unimportant, but it's essential that you...
What are standardized field sobriety tests?
If the police suspect you of drunk driving, then may ask you to do a field sobriety test. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration uses these tests to evaluate the safety of drivers. There are several tests you may be asked to do. They include: 1. Horizontal...
Is simple drug possession serious?
Drug crimes can lead to high fines and jail terms. And like other offenses, drug crimes have classes, and one of them is simple drug possession – the possession of a small amount of a controlled substance for consumption/ personal use without the intent to sell or...
The risk people accept when they enter a guilty plea
A surprising number of people who have been accused of criminal infractions in California plead guilty. They know they have a right to defend against the charges in question and may deeply believe their own innocence, but they think that going to trial will be too...
Drunk driving with a child in the car leads to enhanced penalties
You may have heard the widespread myth that incurring a first-time driving while under the influence (DUI) conviction is “no big deal.” And perhaps, to people who grew up in tough areas, incurring up to $1,000 in fines, mandatory DUI school, 3-to-5 years of probation,...
Did a night out with friends lead to a criminal charge?
Most of us enjoy spending an evening out with our friends. Yet sometimes, nights out can end in legal problems. What happens when a harmless night out ends up with you in handcuffs, facing criminal charges for alleged violence toward someone else? The difference...
What does assault with a deadly weapon mean?
You can be charged with assault with a deadly weapon in California if you commit assault against another person with a deadly weapon, another object or force that will cause bodily injury. While most people think this charge is exclusive to guns, it is not. It can...
Understanding California’s Good Samaritan overdose immunity law
There’s no doubt that the epidemic of fatal drug overdoses is nowhere near fading. Between opioids, designer drugs and drugs mixed with toxic substances, any kind of illegal drug use can be dangerous. In an effort to get emergency medical help to people overdosing as...
Should you refuse a BAC test?
If you’re pulled over and accused of driving while impaired, the thought of taking a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) test could be frightening, insulting or both. If you’re sober, you may resist this testing effort because you have done nothing wrong and are...