Blog

Criminal cases involving sexual assault or rape charges are complex, often hinging on the collection and interpretation of physical evidence. One of the primary tools used to gather DNA evidence is the Sexual Assault Evidence Kit (SAEK), commonly referred to as a "rape kit." If someone has accused...

In the State of California, disorderly conduct is a broad term that encompasses various behaviors deemed disruptive, offensive, or inappropriate in public spaces. Penal Code 647 PC regulates these offenses, which outlines specific acts of disorderly conduct and their respective penalties. Disorderly...

If you have been charged with Penal Code 187 PC murder in California, you could be facing the most severe penalties allowed in the state if you are convicted. Second-degree murder carries a sentence of 15 years to life imprisonment, while the punishment for first-degree murder is 25 years to life...

We live in a time where online access points (including Wi-Fi) are ubiquitous. In many locations here in California, one can open their laptop and detect several Wi-Fi networks. It's too easy for someone to notice their neighbor's Wi-Fi isn't password-protected, or perhaps even "guess"...

Does growing up with financial privilege make people less aware of cause-and-effect or right and wrong? More to the point, can the fact that you were raised in an affluent household be used as a valid defense if you're charged with a crime? This phenomenon, known as the "affluenza"...

Sneaking into a movie theater without purchasing a ticket may appear to be an innocuous act. It seems part of the backstory of many aspiring actors, and most of us “wink an eye” at such activities as though everyone has done it occasionally. But in California, sneaking into a movie theater...

The terms "sexual assault" and "sexual abuse" are often used interchangeably in our everyday vocabulary. Indeed, different states have broad and differing definitions for each. However, under California law, they represent two different categories of sex crimes with distinct meanings and...

Interactions with law enforcement can be stressful and challenging, whether they pull you over for a traffic stop, approach you in public, or show up at your door. While citizens do have certain rights in these situations, many people make common mistakes during these interactions that...

If you've been arrested by law enforcement, chances are you know from police television shows that you're supposed to get "one phone call." You're entitled to up to three phone calls in California under Penal Code 851.5 PC. What you may not realize, however, is that those phone calls may...

California Penal Code 637.7 PC makes it a crime to place an electronic tracking device "to determine the location or movement of a person." The law allows tracking devices on vehicles if the owner consents. But what if the person placing the tracking device is a co-owner of the vehicle?

A preliminary hearing provides essential tools for the defense team: to cross-examine the government’s case, put on affirmative defense evidence, argue for reduced bail, and seek dismissal of charges. When appropriate, our law firm uses the “prelim” stage to position the case for...

If you're charged with a crime in California, the presiding judge will determine if bail will be required for your pre-trial release and how much that bail will be. By law, bail money in California cannot have been obtained illicitly (i.e., through criminal activity). If it is suspected that you have used...

Let’s review the signs that your child’s teacher might be engaging in sexual misconduct with them. If you're a parent with a school-aged child, you entrust your child daily to one or more teachers with the expectation that they will protect and instruct them. Unfortunately, that trust is...

If you've recently been charged with or convicted of a crime in California, that doesn't necessarily mean you will get the maximum sentence for your crime. In many cases, the judge will consider certain mitigating circumstances when determining your sentence. While these circumstances...

DNA collection has become a key to modern criminal investigations. It offers unparalleled precision and reliability, allowing law enforcement agencies to confirm or refute suspects' involvement in a crime with a high degree of certainty. However, the issue of DNA collection becomes...

In California criminal trials, let’s review what “proof beyond a reasonable doubt” means. This concept is integral to the criminal justice system in the United States, particularly in criminal law proceedings. This legal standard of proof is universal throughout the states, including in California...

In common law, there is typically a distinction between crimes committed with specific intent and those committed with general intent. In the State of California, certain criminal offenses are referred to as "specific intent crimes." If you're charged with one of these crimes, the prosecutor has...

If your criminal charges are dismissed without prejudice, it means your case is not moving forward, and you're no longer charged with a crime—but it also leaves the door open for the prosecution to refile the same charges against you if they see fit. In other words, a case dismissed...

If you're arrested and charged with a crime in California, the judge will decide whether to release you on your own recognizance or to set bail. Bail is a financial arrangement between you and the court to secure your release from jail before trial. You must promise to appear at all future...

A conviction for California Vehicle Code 23152 VC driving under the influence (DUI) can carry more than just legal ramifications; it can also profoundly impact your life and career. In California, a DUI offense can threaten your professional standing and livelihood if you hold a license...

The Fourth Amendment to the Constitution protects American citizens from "unreasonable searches and seizures," along with warrants issued "without probable cause." This raises the question about what constitutes "probable cause" and when it applies—and probing this ambiguity is...

If you’ve been charged with one or more criminal offenses in California, it can bring a massive sense of relief to find out that some or all charges have been dropped.  Having charges dropped is one of the most desirable outcomes in criminal cases, making it a common strategy for...

Being required to register as a sex offender can complicate life in many ways, limiting where you can live, work, etc. But how does it affect you if you need to travel internationally? For example, if you have business obligations overseas or plan on attending a family function in another...

In the State of California, the law acknowledges the right to self-defense, and the state permits using certain weapons for this purpose.  California has “Stand Your Ground” and “Castle Doctrine” laws. “Stand Your Ground” means that if somebody threatens you, you are not obligated...

While shoplifting is a misdemeanor offense under California Penal Code 459.5 PC, being arrested should not be taken lightly. This law makes it illegal to enter a commercial establishment intending to steal while it is open during regular business hours. The property's value must not exceed...