ICE Agents Must Obtain a Warrant Before Entering Courts and Other State Buildings to Make Arrests
ICE Agents Must Obtain a Warrant Before Entering Courts and Other State Buildings to Make Arrests
Federal immigration authorities recently issued a directive stating that they plan to enter federal, state and local courthouses to make arrests. In response, the California State Senate approved a bill that would keep ICE agents out of courthouses if it becomes law. Senate Bill 183 would prohibit federal immigration agents from entering state buildings to make arrests without a valid federal warrant. This means ICE agents would not be able…
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California Considers Sentence Enhancements for Murder Based on Sexual Orientation and Gender (PC 190)
While visiting his parents on break from the University of Pennsylvania, 19-year-old Blaze Bernstein, who identified as gay, was reportedly stabbed more than 20 times and left to die in a park in Lake Forest. Samuel Woodward has been charged with Bernstein’s murder, which authorities believe may have been motivated by Bernstein’s sexual orientation, and has plead not guilty. In response to this crime, California lawmakers have introduced a bill…
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Explaining California’s Proposed “Straw Law” (AB 1884)
Lawmakers introduce new bills every year meant to protect citizens. However, one recently proposed law meant to protect the environment has drawn a lot of attention. Being referred to as the “Straw Law,” Assembly Bill 1884 would reportedly punish restaurant employees for providing patrons with a plastic straw for their drinks. Would California lawmakers really punish waiters for giving out straws? Let’s explore the truth about the proposed Straw Law.…
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Minors Under 16 Must Consult with Legal Counsel Before Waiving Miranda Rights
Your child is accused of breaking the law while at school. The police arrive and begin questioning your child. Using interrogation tactics, police coerce your child into confessing to a crime he or she did not actually commit. How can this happen? Unfortunately, minors don’t have all the same rights as adults. However, a law that took effect on January 1, 2018 amended Welfare and Institutions Code Section 625.6 to…
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Pretrial Diversion is Now an Option in California (PC 1000)
Over the past several years, California lawmakers have been overhauling the state’s criminal justice system in an effort to reduce the prison population. The latest law amed to curb jail and prison overcrowding went into effect on January 1, 2018, and changed how courts deal with cases involving simple possession of drugs. Previously, if you were arrested for simple possession (in other words, possession for personal use only), the court…
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Sealing Your Arrest Record in California Just Got Easier (CARE Act)
If you are arrested, there will be a record of your arrest regardless if you are convicted of the crime. Having an arrest record could harm your chances of getting a good job, getting admitted to the college of your choice, or being able to achieve other business successes. Fortunately, a law that recently took effect in California called the Consumer Arrest Record Equity Act (CARE Act) may make it…
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Is Criminal Justice Reform Helping Lower the Crime Rate?
In 2010, California began what is being called the “justice reform era.” That is when new legislation, voter-approved initiatives, and court mandates began to make sweeping changes to the state’s justice system. So, is California starting to see the effects of these laws? Recently, a non-profit group Center on Juvenile and Criminal Justice released a study of the justice reform era to find out what impact these laws have had.…
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New California Laws Allow Marijuana Convictions to Be Expunged
California will make sales of recreational marijuana legal on Jan. 1, 2018. So, when the law takes effect, what happens to people who have been convicted of marijuana-related crimes in the past? Thanks to a provision in California’s new marijuana laws, those convicted of nearly any marijuana offense may have the opportunity to get their conviction expunged. New Marijuana Laws Allow Offenders to Expunge Criminal Record According to the Drug…
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10 New California Laws for 2018
On Jan. 1, 2018, hundreds of new laws will go into effect in California, and they will impact every citizen in our state. Here’s a look at 10 important new California laws for 2018 that you need to know. 10. AB 1008: Ban-the-Box Criminal History on Applications Companies with five or more employees are now prohibited from asking about a potential employee’s criminal history on job applications. Inquiring about or…
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U.S. Lawmakers Seek to Make “Hack Back” Laws
There’s an expression that “two wrongs don’t make a right.” However, U.S. lawmakers may not be following that old saying when it comes to “revenge hacking.” Congressman Tom Graves (R-GA) and Congresswoman Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ) have co-sponsored the Active Cyber Defense Security Act (ACDC), which would essentially allow people or companies who have been hacked for data to “hack back” the hacker. What are “Hack Back Laws?” This proposed law…
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