California Criminal Defense, Cryptocurrency, Immigration And Personal Injury Legal Blog

If the police stop you and you take a breath test, any alcohol you drank within the past few hours will show in the test reading. Most people understand that, so they generally avoid driving immediately after drinking. What many people forget is that it takes time for your body to clear out the a...

You may have heard that people make a lot of mistakes with the best of intentions. They are simply trying to help or they're trying to do the right thing, but it leads to a crucial error. In some cases, they may even end up breaking the law. One way that this can happen is if you have prescriptio...

Catfishing is sometimes done lightheartedly and sometimes done very seriously. Either way, it is the process of assuming a different identity online. People who do this will play a part and pretend to be someone else. This isn't always necessarily malicious, but it can lead to some serious compli...

The problem of fatal drug overdoses is one that's only gotten worse in recent years. That's why most states, including California, have enacted some form of “Good Samaritan” law that provides immunity in certain circumstances for those who seek emergency medical help for someone (including themse...

While it wasn't the U.S. Supreme Court's most controversial ruling last month, one decision did raise concerns and cause some confusion. Some media outlets portrayed it as chipping away at Miranda rights.  So did it? What does the decision mean for anyone who is detained, questioned and/or arrest...

In 1990, California voters approved a ballot measure allowing prosecutors to charge a person accused of a murder that occurred during the commission of another felony with first-degree murder. The underlying crime made the murder one with “special circumstances.” It's known as the “felony murder”...

Getting a charge for driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs isn't something to take lightly. And even if you know your charge is unjust, it's best not to assume that a court of law will find you innocent without a strong presentation of evidence in your favor. Immediate consequence...

A brief or long prison sentence can take a mental toll on an individual. So much can change about the world around you when you reach your release date. Depending on the type of crime you were guilty of, your family or friends may feel distanced from you, or you may be unable to continue with you...

Facing a criminal charge in California often leads to receiving a jail sentence. Spending time locked up and away from family, friends, work and life outside four walls can be brutal. In some cases, there is no need to accept a lengthy prison term. A second chance could be right around the corner...

It's very important for firearm purchases to be made properly in California. This state has very strict gun laws and some of the more complex regulations in the country. One such law revolves around straw firearm purchases. You need to be aware of what this is, how you could violate it and what t...

While it might not feel criminal to accidentally go over the speed limit or misinterpret a street parking sign, violating specific traffic rules in California can leave a mark on your record. Not only will breaking laws impact your driving record, but the penalties might also pose present-day and...

Having a casual evening with some drinks, drinking one too many or pulling over for a routine traffic stop can lead to a police officer stopping you and asking you what your beverage of choice was that night. If you've found or find yourself in a situation where you must prove you are okay to dri...

You're able to buy recreational marijuana in California, just as you are in many other states. This has led to a perception change among the general public in these states, and a large number of people now view marijuana on par with beer or wine. But not all states have recognized this change. If...

While a completely clean record may not be achievable in California, a considerable cleanup of one's record might be. Reviewing expungement eligibility and conditions can help you decide if an expungement is worth seeking in your case. State definition of expungement Before getting too deep into ...

When it comes to drunk driving laws, it's true that the general blood alcohol concentration limit is 0.08%. But different classes of drivers can have very different standards. For instance, in most states, commercial drivers have a lower BAC limit. Another way that this is applied is by using zer...

You abhor violence and have never been in a fight in your life. One day, you are attacked on the street and you felt you have no choice other than to defend yourself with force. You've been charged for this and feel that it is greatly unjustified. Is it legal to defend yourself through violence i...

An armed robbery charge isn't something to take lightly. The impact of penalties could negatively change the rest of one's life. But instead of accepting a charge at face value, putting up a fight can be the best course of action to avoid years behind bars and a negative stamp on your criminal re...

Calling for a sober ride may be easy after a few drinks, but heading out on your work commute after taking an over-the-counter medication to combat a surprise allergy attack might not. Both legal and illegal drugs have side effects that can lead to disastrous outcomes. You may be now facing a cha...

On Jan. 1, 2021, California replaced its antiquated sex offender registry law that mandated lifetime registration for people convicted of any sexual offense. Instead, the state now has a three-tier system requiring registration from 10 years to life. Under California Penal Code 290, people convic...

You may frequently listen to music, watch movies or play games you found online. There are tons of legitimate sites that provide this kind of entertainment. One wrong site, however, could spell disaster for you. While many sites let you stream music, shows and games for a small price, there are e...

Most people have a lot of ideas that they never carry out. The worst that can typically happen is that you are filled with regret when you look back and wish you had gone ahead. Yet if those ideas had a criminal element to them, you could find yourself in jail for conspiracy to commit a crime. Co...

Assault and battery constitute two distinct charges under California law. To build a viable defense, you need to understand what exactly the police say you did. This is how the California code defines the two charges: “An assault is an unlawful attempt, coupled with a present ability, to ...

The first time a California police officer pulls you over for driving under the influence (DUI), pleading guilty to the charge may seem like a quick and simple solution. Despite the possibility of a criminal record, license suspension and even incarceration, a significant portion of those accused...

A police officer stops you after a chill evening with friends, getting into the regular activities of catching up, enjoying a meal together and a few drinks. Nothing too crazy, though, because the plan was always to drive yourself home. So, after winding down and feeling ready for the drive, you ...

A chain of custody is the term used to describe how the police handle any evidence they collect. If accused of a crime, investigating the chain of custody of any evidence the prosecution hopes to present against you will be crucial. If your defense attorneys spots any broken links, they may be ab...