Many domestic violence incidents involve self-defense. Unfortunately, claiming self-defense as a defense to domestic violence charges isn't foolproof. It's not enough to claim you were using self-defense, and not all acts of self-defense leave you immune from criminal liability. To help clear up ...
Calculating BAC Blood alcohol concentration or content (BAC) is a critical legal element in DUI cases. Many assume BAC defines DUI in California statute, and indeed it plays a significant role. Unfortunately, breathalyzer devices can be inaccurate, and there is no sure-fire way to accurately calc...
An arrest is a stressful experience. It can happen quickly before you even know it. Police officers don't waste time. If they have what they need to make an arrest (e.g. a warrant or probable cause), they will take action immediately. Then you're put into the squad car and taken into the station ...
States nationwide are fighting for bail reform. Proponents of bail reform argue certain bail practices disproportionately burden people of color and those with limited financial resources. When a dollar amount is all that keeps some behind bars while others walk free, the system is indeed flawed....
What CDL Drivers Should Do After a DUI Arrest Commercial drivers provide us an essential service by keeping the flow of goods across this country moving. Unfortunately, one misstep could put their entire career on the line, something most of us don't have to worry about. A DUI conviction can wrea...
A domestic violence conviction in California can change your life significantly. Unfortunately, false domestic violence allegations are all too common, and the system is designed to favor the alleged victim, not the defendant. The good news is many skilled attorneys have successfully fought charg...
The California DMV and the court can suspend your California driver's license for a number of reasons, including unpaid fines, failure to appear in court, and certain citations and convictions. While losing your license can be a significant inconvenience, driving on a suspended license is never w...
An Era of Transparency Our lives are online, whether we like it or not. Even if you don't share your personal life with friends online, chances are someone could view your personal information with just a click of a button. And the information that can be discovered is the kind that can hurt you ...
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 ...
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.
