Criminal Defense

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...

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...

Although the Second Amendment extends the right to possess and bear arms, there are numerous federal and state restrictions on that right. Certain criminal activity can affect the legality of your firearm ownership. In California, felons typically cannot legally own a...

You got into an altercation with another person, and now you’re facing battery charges. What does this mean for you? Under California law, “battery” is defined as any kind of “willful and unlawful use of force or violence” against another person. It does not require...

Any criminal conviction will have an adverse effect for years to come, damaging your chance of employment or housing when it shows up in a background check. Yet, a conviction for a sex offense will place additional limits on your future. The criminal justice system is...

People often assume that an assault means physically harming someone else. Legally speaking, though, this is often referred to as "battery." That’s why you hear of people being picked up for assault and battery -- so what is the assault component?  An assault may be a...