Blog

Facing criminal charges in California is a serious matter with potentially life-altering consequences. Navigating the legal system requires an advocate with specific skills and knowledge, so the legal professional you choose to represent you can significantly influence the outcome of your....

The State of California imposes potentially stiff penalties for acts of petty theft (PC 488), grand theft (PC 487), or second-degree burglary (PC 459).  If you're accused of committing one or more of these crimes during a declared state of emergency in California, you could be charged with looting...

The California Anti-Kickback Statute (AKS), a crucial law codified under Business & Professions Code 650, prohibits licensed professionals in healthcare and related fields from engaging in any form of consideration exchange for patient referrals, whether monetary or otherwise. This law is....

Obtaining pretrial release for clients subject to a criminal arrest is crucial to preparing a defense to the criminal charges. One of the defense counsel's first priorities with a new criminal matter is to immediately obtain a client's release, if possible, through the posting of a bail bond...

The Ninth Circuit held in United States v. Wilson that law enforcement's warrantless opening of electronic files provided to them by third-party internet providers to determine whether they contain child pornography violates the Fourth Amendment, provided that the third-party...

Immigration laws in 2025 have undergone dramatic shifts, introducing stricter policies that will substantially impact immigrants, especially those who may find themselves suspected of criminal activity. From the intricate web of increased funding for detentions to the labyrinth of tightened...

Let's review a case of producing records for a government subpoena of records and the privilege against self-incrimination. The District Court cannot order an attorney to provide a privilege log prior to in camera review of the client's documents. Under the Supreme Court's 1976 decision...

Being arrested in California can be a frightening experience, especially if it's your first time. Getting in touch with a lawyer or loved one when you're detained becomes a high priority, and it's a common theme in virtually every police drama on TV that a person gets one phone call in these...

In the fall of 2024, California Senate Bill 268 (SB 268) was signed into law, marking a significant shift by closing a loophole that previously limited certain cases of rape involving drugged victims to be prosecuted as misdemeanors. With the passage of this law, anyone accused of raping an...

Recent months have seen an uptick in protests across Southern California, most notably in response to increased activity by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) within the region. These demonstrations, fueled by a surge in civic engagement, have frequently drawn large crowds advocating...

Amid the continuing unrest in southern California fueled by strong reactions to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activity, many have taken to the streets in protests against this activity. While most of these protests have remained largely peaceful, some demonstrators have faced...

In California, felony charges are brought against an individual in one of two ways: through a preliminary hearing or by a grand jury. Both processes are designed to determine whether there is probable cause to bring felony charges against you. However, the two processes are quite different from ...

The rise in fentanyl distribution is reshaping how law enforcement in California prosecutes drug-related deaths. With overdose fatalities on the rise, many prosecutors are increasingly finding justification to bring homicide charges against dealers suspected of distributing the synthetic opioid...

Protests often evoke passionate and sometimes chaotic situations, particularly in densely populated areas like Los Angeles. Protests often spill into the streets, blocking traffic, and the interaction between drivers and protesters occasionally results in injury, sometimes unintentionally and ...

A great deal of public attention has been given to recent protests in Los Angeles opposing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activities over the past several weeks. While peaceful demonstration is a constitutional right under the First Amendment, local authorities have the authority to ...

The recent surge in protests against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations has placed Los Angeles at the center of a tense national discussion. Over the past month, large crowds have taken to the streets, many to voice their concerns over federal immigration practices. While most ...

Recent protests against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activity in Los Angeles have drawn significant attention. While most participants in these protests have done so peacefully, some protests have seen small pockets of violence. These moments of turbulence have led to arrests, ...

The streets of Los Angeles have been marked by unrest and confrontation over the last several weeks as ongoing ICE raids have ignited widespread protests. Demonstrators poured into the streets in June, voicing opposition to what they described as inhumane immigration enforcement tactics...

On January 1, 2025, California implemented Assembly Bill 413 (AB 413), officially adopting daylighting parking standards. This law, which aligns California with 40 other states, is a significant step towards enhancing driver visibility and intersection safety. By emphasizing the importance...

Receiving a phone call from a police officer can be intimidating, especially if you were not expecting it. Something you say innocently or without much thought can later be misinterpreted or used to support criminal charges. You are not obligated to speak to the police officer. Politely decline ...

If you've been convicted of a retail crime in California, a new law could potentially make things even more challenging for you. Signed into law in 2024, Assembly Bill 3209 authorizes the courts, in addition to sentencing you for a crime, to also issue a Retail Crime Restraining Order (RCRO)...

Facing a felony murder charge in California is one of the most severe legal challenges a person can experience. The penalties for felony murder are among the most severe in California law, including life without the possibility of parole or decades in prison. Before 2018, California's felony...

Under Penal Code 647(b) PC, prostitution in California is defined as engaging in, or agreeing to engage in, a sexual act in exchange for money or other compensation. It also encompasses soliciting such acts, meaning that not only performing the act, but also requesting, offering, or agreeing...

Pharmacies face a wide range of regulatory and contractual challenges, none more daunting than an audit from Express Scripts, Inc. (ESI). These audits, often conducted under the pretense of identifying Fraud, Waste, and Abuse (FWA), can significantly impact a pharmacy's financial standing....

The Central District of California is one of the busiest and most populous federal judicial districts in the United States. Spanning Southern California, it serves a population of over 20 million individuals across Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, Ventura, Santa Barbara, and....