Today, a person can easily be discriminated against for a past criminal conviction, no matter how minor the offense. Potential employers, landlords, and licensing offices may hesitate to give you the job, apartment, or license if they discover you have a criminal past. Unfortunately, this puts de...
Credit card fraud is a common white-collar crime in California. This type of crime covers a wide range of actions. Each one carries its own penalties. The type of credit card fraud you commit and the facts and circumstances of your case will influence the penalties you can face. Under California ...
Being arrested is intimidating. Having your freedom taken away while you are taken into custody can be stressful. You may not know what to expect after an arrest in California. Most people are primarily concerned about how long they will be in jail after they are arrested. Your time in jail will ...
California takes guns in domestic violence scenarios very seriously. Because of this, there are a number of domestic violence firearm restrictions that you may face if convicted of a domestic violence offense. You could face restrictions even if you did not injure or touch the other person or inv...
The blood alcohol concentration or content level, also called a BAC level, is an important part of a DUI case. The results may be needed to convict a defendant. Contrary to popular belief, BAC chemical test results can and often are challenged in court. Although the concept of blood alcohol conce...
California police officers must follow certain protocol at a domestic violence call response. Domestic violence is a concerning problem in California. Californians make more than 150,000 domestic violence calls a year. Police officers respond to many of these. When responding to a domestic violen...
Getting a California DUI charge can greatly disrupt your life. You've probably heard that DUIs are costly, especially if you have to get a DUI attorney. You may be wondering if you can handle a California DUI charge on your own if you don't want to spend that kind of money. Handling a criminal ch...
Restraining orders, also called protective orders, restrain a person from contacting or attempting to contact another person. A restraining order violation is a California crime that you can be arrested for. Not all violations will result in an arrest, but it is still a crime that can land you in...
Trying to get a conviction dismissed through the expungement process can be a challenge. The California expungement process is complicated and will require a lot of information from you. If you are thinking about getting an expungement, you are probably wondering what information you will need to...
Identity theft is taken very seriously in California. It is talked about frequently in the media and the subject of public debate. It is a high-profile crime partly because it affects so many Californians. It is also considered a fraud crime. In most cases, it is not simply stealing someone else'...
Your first question after being arrested for a DUI is likely to about what DUI penalties you face. You may have heard that California hands down harsh consequences for DUI convictions, some of which are mandatory and non-negotiable. Your driver's license will be suspended, you will face hefty fin...
Drug charges are not uncommon among California's youths today. Despite their commonality, minor drug crimes are punished much in the same way adult drug crimes are. Because of this, many minors who have drug convictions start their adult lives with a criminal record. Fortunately, there are option...
California has several domestic violence charges, each carry its own standard sentencing. California has both misdemeanor and felony domestic violence crimes. In general, misdemeanor crimes are less serious than felony crimes, and thus are punished less severely. Misdemeanor crimes are crimes pun...
Driving while under the influence is just one of California's several driving crimes. More serious than simple traffic infractions or citations, a DUI will affect your driving privileges for a significant period of time. Even with your first DUI, the California Department of Motor Vehicles will s...
Repeating a criminal offense is not an uncommon occurrence. Although domestic violence offenses often result in harsh consequences, some offenders will continue on to commit a second domestic violence offense either against the same victim or another. As with many other California crimes, repeat ...
If you are facing DUI charges, there are a few different paths you can take to handle your defense. In many cases, the defendant will make a plea of nolo contender or guilty and will be sentenced. In some cases, the defendant may have a public defender or attorney negotiate a plea bargain for the...
There are many different California drug crimes, and they vary widely in their consequences. Some drug charges are taken more seriously than others. Some simple possession offenses carry minimal punishments. Other charges such as the selling or transporting of a controlled substance are aggressiv...
California has several different domestic violence crimes. Domestic violence offenses are serious in any case, but these crimes vary significantly in their severity and their punishments. California has both misdemeanor and felony domestic violence crimes. Some may be charged as either a misdemea...
When you are pulled over for a DUI, the officer may ask you to take a chemical test to measure what your blood-alcohol content, or BAC, was at the time you were driving. The officer should advise you that you have the choice between a breath test, using a breathalyzer instrument, or a blood test,...
There are many different types of domestic violence under California law. Making threats to a spouse or someone else with whom you've have had or are in a close relationship with is one of California's domestic violence crimes. For the purposes of California criminal law, domestic violence is abu...
The Fourth Amendment protects your right to freedom from unreasonable search and seizure by the government. This right means that in order for a law enforcement officer to lawfully pull you over, he or she must have a good reason to do so. Specifically, he or she must have probable cause, or a re...
Domestic violence is a crime that typically occurs between two people who are close to each other. Ordinarily, you probably do not want your spouse being charged with a crime, but if you feel your safety is threatened you may call the police. Even if your spouse did not intend for you to be crimi...
Getting your first DUI is bad enough, but what happens when you get your second DUI? A second DUI offense will result in several mandatory punishments. These are generally more severe, cost more money, and take more time than those for a first DUI offense. Perhaps the most devastating consequence...
California is a diverse state that offers the opportunity of a better life for many immigrants. While Californians without full citizenship enjoy some of the same rights and liberties US citizens do, they are held to stricter standard of conduct. Even California residents with green cards or with...
In response to an increase in public concerns over rising DUI rates, California DMV rules on DUI offenses and license suspensions were revised in 2010. With these revisions, the ignition interlock device was added as a requirement for some offenders. As a result, those who are convicted of a DUI ...
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.
