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In September 2025, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed Senate Bill 627, commonly known as the “No Secret Police Act,” into law. This legislation significantly changes how law enforcement officers may present themselves while on duty by restricting the use of masks or face coverings...

Encounters with law enforcement in California can change your life in minutes. Whether during a traffic stop, street encounter, or formal interrogation, one of the most misunderstood issues is truthfulness. Many people believe that if police can lie, so can they. That assumption is often...

No-Jail Resolution in a Serious California Sex-Crime Prosecution. Allegations of attempted rape or forcible sexual assault carry some of the harshest penalties under California law, including lengthy prison sentences, lifetime registration consequences, and permanent reputational damage....

In California, Penal Code 405a PC is a high-stakes felony charge that targets the act of forcibly removing a person from police custody during a riot.  This statute is a "straight felony," meaning it cannot be reduced to a misdemeanor, and it carries much harsher penalties than simple rioting be...

This case demonstrates how early legal intervention by a California criminal defense lawyer can prevent criminal charges from ever being filed in sensitive allegations involving sexual misconduct accusations within a family, even after law enforcement has been notified. In many cases, individual...

In California, penalties for attempted crimes under Penal Code 664 PC usually include a sentence of half the jail or prison time and a fine that would apply if the crime were completed. However, there are notable exceptions, especially for attempted murder, which can result in a possible life sentence....

In California, Penal Code 148 (PC 148) describes resisting arrest as intentionally obstructing, delaying, or otherwise resisting a peace officer or EMT in the performance of their lawful duties. This includes physical actions such as fleeing or fighting, as well as verbal acts such as providing ...

Representing defendants with mental illnesses who are accused of crimes is complex because of communication obstacles, challenges in proving facts such as mens rea, risks of coercion, fluctuating symptoms, and ethical concerns. This requires attorneys to be patient, highly specialized, and to work with experts to address...

Our firm successfully reduced a second-degree murder charge (PC 187) to voluntary manslaughter, resulting in a 1-year custody sentence instead of life in prison. Put simply, the nationally recognized defense firm Eisner Gorin represented a husband and father charged with second-degree murder...

Title 31, an essential part of the Bank Secrecy Act (BSA), was enacted in 1970 to fight money laundering and other illegal financial activities linked to organized crime and terrorism. Its importance is significant. Although Title 31 applies broadly across multiple sectors, it is especially important...

In the digital age, cell phones and computers are more than just personal devices; they hold sensitive and personal data. Consequently, digital forensic evidence has become essential in many federal investigations. This process includes gathering and analyzing data from electronic devices...

The Fourth Amendment to the US Constitution provides essential protection against unreasonable searches and seizures. Yet, this safeguard is not unlimited. The third-party doctrine, a legal principle established through court rulings, creates an exception to this rule—because individuals...

While all states have laws governing theft and robbery, bank robbery is typically charged as a federal crime because banks, credit unions, and similar financial institutions fall under federal jurisdiction. Title 18 U.S.C. § 2113 is the federal statute that governs bank robbery and similar offenses...

Shoplifting is one of the most common forms of theft in California. Under Penal Code 459.5 PC, shoplifting is a distinct offense separate from general theft or burglary. Defending California shoplifting charges requires challenging factors such as a lack of intent (no plan to steal), mistaken...

California law seeks to protect certain individuals and groups that may be targeted for violence. In particular, the Researcher Protection Act (California Penal Code 422.4 PC) criminalizes the act of publishing personal information about an academic researcher or their family with the intent...

Bribery is a serious offense in California that undermines public trust and fair business practices. While often associated with public officials, the state's bribery laws also extend to commercial transactions. Under California law, bribery generally involves offering, giving, or receiving...

Most people arrested for domestic violence are mainly concerned about the penalties they might face if convicted. California domestic violence cases encompass a variety of charges and penalties. While many are filed as misdemeanors, more severe cases can be charged as felonies...

California public officials are held to some of the strictest ethics and transparency standards in the nation. When an official’s personal financial interests intersect with their governmental decision-making authority, what may initially appear to be a technical violation can quickly escalate into serious...

In California, the crimes of assault and battery are slightly different in scope. Still, as long as no injury occurs (or if they are not committed as an act of domestic violence), they are both usually charged as misdemeanor offenses with minimal penalties. However, when the alleged victim...

Fraud is a broad legal concept involving the use of deception, misrepresentation, or dishonesty to obtain money, property, or other valuable items. Under California law, fraud is not a single crime but rather a category that encompasses numerous specific offenses. These crimes typically share...

California law treats bribery as a severe form of corruption, whether it involves public officials or private business dealings. The state enforces strict penalties to deter individuals from compromising the integrity of government institutions or fair business practices. In California, Pu...

It is one thing to pretend to be someone else; it is another thing entirely to conduct yourself under that impersonation in a way that could cause harm to the other person. Under California Penal Code 529 PC, false impersonation is a serious offense that involves more than simply pretending ...

California enforces some of the strictest regulations on pet ownership, with a lengthy list of prohibited species that many other states allow. Violating these laws can lead to hefty fines and criminal charges. All states appear to have their own unique and sometimes odd laws that may seem...

Driving above the speed limit on any California highway may lead to a traffic ticket and points on your DMV record. If you're speeding significantly over 100mph, the violation is classified under a different category under a specific law. California Vehicle Code 22348(b) VC assigns severe...

If you face a criminal charge, the type of offense and location of the alleged crime decide whether you'll be charged with a state or federal crime. This choice influences which court will hear your case and where you might serve time if convicted. Federal prisons and state prisons differ in...