Knowing What to Disclose When applying for jobs in California, having a criminal past can hold you back. In today's day and age, whether or not it is fair, hiring managers frequently don't give applicants with criminal histories the time of day. Because of this, many job seekers with criminal his...
An Important Designation Among the potential criminal charges you could face, felonies are the most serious. Far more serious than infractions or misdemeanors, felonies are punishable by prison time and can revoke many rights. Felonies considered as violent are unique in that they often result in...
Facing DUI charges is stressful, confusing, and overwhelming. Aside from worrying about your future, you will be encountering many legal terms you may not understand. But to face your charges with confidence, you will need to understand the basics of DUI law. To help you do that, here are ten DUI...
Following Proper Procedure Many DUI cases hinge on the results of blood alcohol content (BAC) tests. Because these tests can have such serious consequences, they are subject to numerous regulations. These regulations ensure the tests produce legally valid and accurate results and do not violate t...
Domestic Violence and Your Domicile A domestic violence conviction can turn your life upside down. It can cost you money, time, and freedom. In conjunction with a domestic violence conviction, a judge can issue a restraining order against the defendant. Restraining order is a general term; there ...
Statutes vs. Common Law Legal terminology sometimes referred to as legalese, is complicated in part by the convoluted structure of the judicial system. Legal decisions can come from different authoritative bodies, be it a government or a judge. There are different courts that handle different typ...
Defining the Victim Abuse comes in many forms, and these forms often depend on whom the victim is. While the abuse of a domestic partner, a cohabitant, a child, or a family member are all potentially punishable offenses, they can result in different charges and thus different sentences. One of th...
The Rules of Using Evidence In a criminal trial, both the prosecution and the defense have a chance to introduce evidence in the case. The evidence helps inform the judge or jury's decision. Only certain things can be introduced as evidence in a criminal trial, and the evidence must adhere to the...
Changing Times and Changing Laws Over the years, the legal status of marijuana across the nation has changed. As we grow more tolerant, better understand how marijuana affects the body, recognize the detrimental effects from incarcerating marijuana users, and learn about how revenue can be genera...
A Key Witness In criminal trials, both sides (the prosecution and the defendant) can produce witnesses to provide information (testimony) relevant to the case. In many cases, the prosecuting attorney will call the arresting officer as a witness. Indeed, the arresting officer is sometimes the most...
Rules of the Court One of the reasons why many defendants need attorneys when facing criminal trials is because there are numerous trial rules and procedures that all involved parties must adhere to. To ensure the fairness and integrity of the judicial system, California courts set forth detailed...
Understanding Criminal Records When you are arrested, charged with a crime, or convicted of a crime, information about your case will be put on your criminal record. Criminal record is a general term. Different pieces of information and levels of detail will be included on different records, and ...
Seek Advice and Review Your Rights Law enforcement officers intimidate many people. Today we hear stories of police misconduct and police brutality, and this causes many people to distrust the police. But entering into a police encounter with this attitude can work against your interests. You hav...
Booking Then Bail After you are booked into jail, you may be able to be released from custody on the condition that you return on your court date. Posting bail is one of the ways you can be released before your court date. Bail is money you give to the court to be released. The bail works as a se...
Proving You Were Driving Under the Influence In California, you can be convicted of a DUI for driving while under the influence of alcohol or by having a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08% or higher. The prosecutor does not have to prove both of these elements to convict you, but in most c...
The Right to Representation Criminal defendants in the U.S. have a right to counsel. This means they have a right to attorney representation when facing criminal charges. Public defenders can also be appointed in juvenile cases as well as some family law matters. The right to representation is a ...
Understanding Court-Ordered Fines For many California crimes, you can face steep fines as a component of your sentencing. Your fines may be the least of your worries, especially if you are also facing a jail sentence, but they are a part of your sentence that must be fulfilled. Some people don't ...
The Phone Call Most people don't know what to do when they've been arrested. Being handcuffed and booked into jail is a demeaning experience, in the midst of which you may not be able to think clearly about how to protect yourself. For this reason, the first thing you should do after an arrest is...
Do You Have a Chance? Facing DUI charges would leave even the most grounded person in a panic. You stand to lose your license, several thousand dollars, and not to mention your dignity. The good news is many defendants are able to beat their DUI charges with the help of a skilled attorney. You sh...
Disadvantages of Domestic Violence With many crimes, you can face fines, imprisonment, and probation if convicted. Certain crimes, domestic violence crimes for instance, also result in a host of other consequences, some of which cannot be avoided. Here are five facts about domestic violence charg...
A More Progressive State Laws are always changing, especially in a progressive state like California. Like recent changes in Washington and Oregon, California's marijuana laws have recently been changed under Proposition 64, which was passed by voters in the November 2016 election. Marijuana user...
It's All in the Numbers Domestic violence offenses are aggressively prosecuted in California. California employs dedicated prosecution units to ensure every case is prosecuted and each and every guilty defendant is punished. While other criminal offenses aren't handled with this level of scrutiny...
Establishing Legal Protection Victims of domestic violence, assault, harassment and stalking, or other similar crimes often turn to the police to seek help. The police can then help a person ask the court for legal protection. If the court finds reason to believe the victim needs protection, it c...
One of the most well-known rights of criminal defendants is the right to an attorney. This right is protected under the Sixth Amendment and is one of the most important rights criminal defendants have. A criminal defendant has the right to seek legal counsel in most criminal cases. Here is where ...
Beating the Odds Job hunting is hard enough. You have to dress the right way, talk the right way, and know the right people just to get your foot in the door. Factor in a criminal record, and you can face some serious adversity in the job market, no matter the charge. We all have to work, and hav...
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.
