From A Former Prosecutor
In California, police can pull over a vehicle, but there must be a valid reason for doing so. They cannot stop a car at random. However, certain situations and exceptions allow for a stop, even if the driver isn’t doing anything suspicious. Below are some important...
In California, a wobbler offense is a crime that can be charged as either a felony or a misdemeanor. The decision depends on the details of the case, the defendant’s criminal history, and how the prosecution and court handle the charges. Wobbler offenses give the...
You can get a DUI at any age. Often, it happens to those in their early 20s, specifically because they are now legally allowed to drink. They start going to bars, clubs and restaurants, and then they inevitably have to drive home. In some ways, though, it’s actually...
California enacted the 'three strikes' law to deter repeat offenders of serious crimes by imposing increasingly severe penalties after each conviction. While the law primarily applies to violent felonies, a key question arises: does it apply to DUI offenses? To...
A domestic violence restraining order offers protection from abuse or threats of abuse by someone close to the petitioner. This is often a spouse, partner, family member or roommate. In California, the length of a restraining order depends on the type issued by the...
A DUI conviction in California extends beyond the legal system and significantly influences your financial obligations, particularly regarding auto insurance. One of the most enduring repercussions is the substantial increase in your insurance premiums. Why insurance...
A domestic violence charge can have serious consequences for an individual’s future, affecting employment opportunities, housing applications, and other aspects of life. In California, the process of expunging a domestic violence charge from one’s criminal record can...
Ignition interlock devices (IIDs) prevent a vehicle from starting if the driver has alcohol in their system. These small breath-test devices connect to a car’s ignition and require a breath sample before operation. If the device detects alcohol above a preset limit,...
Emotional abuse can hurt just as much as physical violence, but proving it in court is harder. California law says emotional abuse is a type of domestic violence under the Domestic Violence Prevention Act (DVPA). If someone is accused of this, it's important to know...
Drinking and driving under the age of 21 carries serious consequences in California. The state has strict laws to discourage underage drinking and driving, even for those with a small amount of alcohol in their system. If you or someone you know is facing an underage...