Fight for Your Rights For many people, having a driver's license is a necessity. Many of us need to drive to work or school, during our jobs, or to take care of our family. It's no wonder why so many people panic when they find themselves facing DUI charges. Criminal conviction aside, some people...
The Different Types of Abuse Domestic violence is one of the least understood crimes. The terms violence and abuse tend to bring to mind physical injuries, such as broken bones and bruises. In reality, domestic violence goes far beyond such injuries. All acts of domestic violence are a crime in C...
Going All the Way When being charged with a DUI, you have a few options for dealing with your case. Unfortunately, many people aren't aware of their options and plead guilty or no-contest, thinking they have no chance if they choose to fight. But there are other options. You can also hire an atto...
Facing the Penalties A domestic violence conviction will result in several harsh penalties, including jail time and large fines. California takes an aggressive stance toward domestic violence offenses. Dedicated prosecution units handle domestic violence cases, giving defendants very little chanc...
Trial Procedure The use of evidence in criminal trials is heavily regulated. We all enjoy the right to freedom from unreasonable search and seizure under the Fourth Amendment. This is a very important right to have, especially in a criminal trial. In a criminal trial, the prosecutor bears the bur...
Essential Student Aid For many students, federal financial aid is an indispensable source of support that helps them get through school. Without financial aid, many students do not have the option to go to college. Federal financial aid is indeed a valuable privilege, but students can lose that p...
Different Defenses Facing DUI charges doesn't necessarily mean you will be convicted. Successful DUI defenses are used to help people avoid convictions everyday. The prosecution must prove you were driving under the influence to convict you, and sometimes this is hard to do based off of the relat...
Petitioning for Forgiveness If you've been convicted of a felony and sentenced to state prison or otherwise put under the authority of the California Department of Corrections, your options for cleaning your record are limited. You are not eligible to have a conviction dismissed through the proce...
Trials With No Errors If you are facing DUI charges and want to fight them, you may be considering whether trial is right for you. If you decide to go to trial to fight your charges, your next decision will be whether or not to hire a trial attorney. You may not need a criminal defense attorney...
Background Check Basics One of the most cumbersome effects of a criminal conviction is having a criminal record. Long after your sentence is served and your fines are paid, you will face constant reminders of your mistake every time someone runs a criminal background check on you. And that can ha...
Collateral Consequences Serving your sentence for a criminal conviction fulfills your responsibility and duty to the court and to society. After you have completed your sentence, however, you could still suffer from the hidden consequences of a criminal conviction. These collateral consequences c...
Assessing the Injuries As with many crimes, the facts and circumstances of a domestic violence case will influence how the defendant is charged and sentenced. One of the most important influencing factors in domestic violence (DV) cases is the severity of injuries the victim sustained. More sever...
Barriers to Service Serving in the armed forces requires strong moral character both as a prerequisite for enlistment and while in service. Consequently, the recruiting process for the armed forces involves assessing the applicant for enlistment standards that demonstrate moral fitness. Each spec...
Avoiding Police Interactions DUI checkpoints are traffic stops where a police officer can stop cars without probable cause. California conducts 2,500 checkpoints annually. If you live in California, chances are good you've been inconvenienced in some way by a sobriety checkpoint. DUI checkpoints ...
Criminal Cases: From Start to Finish The criminal prosecution process can be bewildering to someone who has never faced criminal charges. From the arrest to the trial and sentencing, the defendant has to wait and be patient. Facing criminal charges can make you feel like your life is on hold, and...
Do DUIs Affect Aid? Being convicted of a crime can affect you in many areas of your life. Long after you have served your sentence, you can face discrimination and disqualification from opportunities in your life down the road. One very important opportunity is student financial aid. Certain crim...
Sealing the Past Cleaning your criminal record can be fraught with exceptions, exclusions, and requirements that may make it seem like no matter what you do, someone somewhere will be able to view your conviction history. This is true in many cases; sometimes cleaning your record alters what is o...
The Consequences of Crime A criminal conviction can affect many areas of your life. It can rob you of your freedom, it can cost you money and time, it can take away some of your rights and privileges, it can affect your status in society and your relationships with people, and it can cause you to...
Causing Damage With a DUI Getting a DUI will result in the loss of your license, a large fine, jail time, DUI school, and potentially community service and an ignition interlock device. This is a lot to deal with for what is often just a simple mistake. As if the penalties for a DUI aren't harsh ...
Does a DUI Trigger Deportation? Many Californians are not full U.S. citizens. Those without full U.S. citizenship status can be deported if convicted of certain criminal offenses in California or elsewhere. Crimes that typically trigger deportation under the Immigration and Nationality Act includ...
The Difference Between Misdemeanors and Felonies California has two main classes of criminal offenses: misdemeanors and felonies. Infractions are also technically criminal offenses, but, in practice, are handled like traffic tickets. It goes without saying; felony crimes are the most serious. The...
On the Defensive Facing DUI charges can be daunting. But before you think all the odds are stacked against you, know that there are DUI defenses that have been used successfully. In fact, DUI defense almost comes down to a science. Because most DUI cases hinge on the results of the BAC test, you ...
The Right to Defend Others Self-defense can be used as a valid legal defense to many violent crimes, such as assault or battery. We all have a right to self-defense when we need to protect ourselves. We also have the right to defend others from harm. In fact, under California law you can use the ...
The Residual Effects of a DUI Most people know that your license will be suspended if you get a DUI conviction in California. What some people don't realize, however, is that you could lose other licenses as well. A DUI is not just a criminal conviction; it's a mark on your record as a credible, ...
When Have You Crossed the Line? Arguments are common in relationships. Unfortunately, sometimes arguments can escalate to the point of domestic violence if someone is harmed. Even when no one is harmed, a neighbor or concerned third-party may call the police if it sounds as if the nature of argum...
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.
