After a DUI arrest, most people are rightfully concerned about losing their license. Police officers will confiscate your license when arresting you for a DUI, which sets in the realization that, in just a few weeks, you'll no longer be able to drive. But before you give up hope and start plannin...
The Aftermath of Domestic Violence A domestic violence (DV) conviction can hit anyone hard. With fines, protection orders, and incarceration on the list of potential penalties, anyone convicted of domestic violence can expect a significant life change. But non-citizens face an even greater potent...
Ban the Box Protections In the Ban the Box Era, more Californians with criminal records are being treated fairly than ever before. With new laws to protect those at a disadvantage in place, people are being judged on their own merits first and their criminal histories last. This represents a shif...
How Self-Driving Cars Will Change Driving There are over 35 million registered cars in California today. That number has almost caught up to the population of California, which is over 39 million to date. With nearly as many cars as people in the Golden State, it's easy to see why DUI laws are so...
Transporting Marijuana As California's marijuana use laws continue to evolve, so do the laws regarding transport and use in vehicles. Because these laws are changing so rapidly, every year, in fact, it's hard for Californians to stay up to date and in the know about what they can and cannot do wi...
Being convicted of a crime is something most people want to move on from, and fast. But doing so can prove difficult if you don't know where to start. Moving on from a criminal conviction happens in steps, some small and some large, so here are three effective ways to move on from your criminal c...
Sex Offender Registration Laws Public debate surrounding sex offender registration laws keep this topic alive and well and the laws ever changing. Whenever the media covers a “loophole” in sex offender registration policies (e.g. an offender reoffends or fails to register), people argue the laws ...
Learning About California DUI Arrests Maybe you've never been arrested but want to be prepared. Maybe a friend or family member was arrested for a DUI, and you want to help him or her navigate the process. Or perhaps you've been arrested before and want to know how to handle the situation better ...
Your Day in Court You've been arrested and are facing criminal charges. You have at least one court appearance ahead of you before you can resolve your case and move on with your life. Unfortunately, first impressions are everything. You want the judge to go easy on you, which means you need to g...
Raising the Flag Red flag laws enable law enforcement to remove firearms from people whom the court has deemed a threat. Few states enforce these laws, but in the wake of the recent Parkland tragedy, that may change. California is among the few states that have red flag laws, including Connecticu...
A Shifting Legal Landscape As State lawmakers continue to redefine the legality of marijuana, those with prior marijuana-related convictions may see the light. A conviction for possession of a controlled substance is a serious matter. And many Californians now have a conviction for possession of ...
Facing criminal charges is something you should never do alone. But unless you know what you're up against, it can be easy to make the decision to forgo an attorney to save some money, especially if you're facing potentially steep fines. If you are considering representing yourself in court, cons...
The number one fear of many people seeking criminal defense help is jail time. Our office fields calls daily from people who will do anything to avoid jail. We can thank the media for some of this fear. But, in reality, most people have never seen the inside of a jail cell or know what exactly li...
If you've been accused of domestic violence, you could face criminal prosecution and a lifetime of consequences from a criminal conviction. But whether you are guilty or not, it's important to understand that what you do and say during this time can affect the outcome of your case. You should be ...
Influencing the Outcome Too many defendants think they can represent themselves when facing criminal charges. If they can't afford an attorney, they may reason that they can do as good a job as a public defender and try to fight their charges alone. Even if they can afford an attorney, many opt f...
A Look at a Controversial Offense Domestic violence is a politically charged category of offenses. State laws vary greatly in their treatment and definitions of domestic violence offenses, which means there is relatively little consensus on what constitutes domestic violence and how domestic viol...
What Is California's Open Container Law? California has a group of open container laws that pertain to driving with an open container of a prohibited substance in the car. Most people are familiar with the illegality of having an open container of alcohol in a car while driving. What many people ...
Changing Ways As our society changes, so do our laws. Perhaps a good example of this is California's new law on recording violent felonies, which the court can now view as an aggravating factor. The new law on recording crimes seeks to keep pace with the times, as social media is now being used t...
Just the Beginning Facing criminal charges isn't the end of the world. It is, however, the start of a potentially difficult time in your life. But you have options, and pleading guilty isn't the only way out. The best thing you can do for yourself is to speak with an attorney to learn about what ...
Possession of a Controlled Substance If you are facing drug possession charges, it's important to speak with an attorney to learn about the penalties the court can impose on you for a conviction. Penalties for drug possession vary widely. Depending on the substance and the quantity, you could fac...
When the Stakes are High If you were arrested for a domestic violence offense, the judge may have issued a domestic violence restraining order (DVRO), also called a restraining order. Restraining orders can be short-term, lasting a few days or just until the case is resolved, or long-term, lastin...
You Against Them Prosecuting attorneys may lead you to believe they hold all the cards. In reality, you have many rights and liberties you can use to your advantage when facing criminal charges. Here are five things the prosecuting attorney already knows that you might not be aware of. Not all fi...
After Your Arrest After a DUI arrest in California, it can take a few months or longer for your case to resolve. During that time your life is on hold. To help you navigate your DUI case after your arrest, here is what you can expect in the coming months. The First Hours Immediately after your ar...
The Facts Despite harsh DUI laws, drunk driving is more common than you think in California. According to the CDC, 1.8% of Californians reported driving after having too much to drink. This statistic only represents those who admitted to driving while impaired. Many people don't readily admit com...
Devices and Apps to Make Driving Safer California drivers face many risks while on the road. From construction and traffic to poor road conditions and sobriety checkpoints, you never know what obstacles you will face on your commute. To help you drive in California worry-free and in compliance wi...
We focus on defending clients accused of Domestic Violence and Driving Under the Influence (DUI), two of the most aggressively prosecuted charges in California. Every case starts with listening. We take the time to understand your situation, your concerns, and your goals so we can build a defense strategy tailored specifically to you. If you are under investigation or have already been charged, do not wait. Early action can make a critical difference in your case. Contact us today for a confidential consultation.
