10 Rules Businesses Selling Marijuana in California Must Follow
10 Rules Businesses Selling Marijuana in California Must Follow
Beginning Jan. 1, 2018, businesses in California will be able to apply for a license to sell marijuana. Recently, the California Bureau of Cannabis Control, Department of Food and Agriculture, and Department of Public Health released a nearly 300-page rulebook of regulations that new and established marijuana businesses will have to follow if they are issued a license to sell marijuana. Here are the 10 most important rules and regulations…
Read More
Has California Passed Too Much Criminal Justice Reform?
In recent years, California has passed several laws that essentially give people who are convicted of low-level crimes a second chance. It all started when California voters approved Prop. 47 in 2014, which reclassified several drug, theft, property and other non-violent crimes from felonies to misdemeanors. Other reforms soon followed, including changes to the Three Strikes law, realignment of the prison system, and expansion of parole opportunities under Prop. 57.…
Read More
California Removes Mandatory Sentence Enhancements for Using a Gun During a Crime
California is strict when it comes to gun laws. For instance, using a gun in any way during the commission of a felony crime carries mandatory prison time. However, this will change when a new law recently passed in California takes effect on January 1, 2018. The law will remove the mandatory prison time for using a gun during a crime. California Ends Mandatory Sentence for Using Firearm During Crime…
Read More
If You Plead Guilty to Domestic Violence, You May Never Be Able to Own or Possess a Firearm
Every day, people get arrested for domestic violence after having an argument with their spouse. Many people accused of domestic violence have no prior criminal record. The district attorney may try to take advantage of this by offering a plea bargain in which the accused avoids jail time. It is important to retain an experienced southern California domestic violence attorney who knows the law to help you with your case…
Read More
California Bail System is Unfair, According to Report
California’s bail system could soon see significant changes after a year-long study recently concluded with a recommendation that monetary bail be replaced with a risk-based assessment system and supervision programs. In October 2016, California Chief Justice Tani Cantil-Sakauye established the “Pretrial Detention Reform Workgroup.” The group recently reported the findings of its study, which include the fact that California's money bail system is "unsafe and unfair." Does this mean bail…
Read More
How a Fitbit Could Be Used to Find You Guilty of a Crime
Something about the story did not add up. That was the conclusion police came to after interviewing Richard Dabate shortly after his wife, Connie, was found dead in the couple’s basement. Dabate claimed an unidentified man broke into the home, tied him to a chair, then shot and killed his wife after she returned home from the gym. He claimed he came home from work to get his laptop to…
Read More
Unlocking the Case: Court Orders All Residents of a Home to Submit Fingerprint to Unlock Smart Device
The Fifth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution protects you from incriminating yourself. However, the Fifth Amendment does not apply to physical evidence, such as your fingerprint. So, what happens when police ask you to use your fingerprint to unlock an iPad? Do you have to provide your fingerprint to police? According to a recent court case, police have a right to ask you for your fingerprint. Why is providing your…
Read More
2 New Laws Could Help You Prove Your Innocence After Being Found Guilty (PC 1473)
Innocent people are convicted of crimes far too often. Ed Easley is one of those people. In 1993, Easley was convicted of molesting a 7-year-old girl. He served eight years in prison, five more on probation, and was required to register as a sex offender for life. Years after his conviction, the alleged victim came forward and confessed to lying about Easley’s actions to protect a family member who actually…
Read More
California Passes Prison Reform to Help Old and Young Inmates
California has been dealing with the issue of prison overcrowding for the past several years. During that time, the state has passed various laws to help reduce the prison population. With prison overcrowding still an issue, California Governor Jerry Brown recently passed two new laws that affect some of the oldest prison inmates and those who committed crimes at a young age. The Elderly Parole Program (AB 1448) One of…
Read More
Defendants Can’t Gain Access to Private Social Media of Alleged Victims, Court Rules
It is safe to say that most people have an expectation of privacy when it comes to sending messages and information on Facebook. Although posts on your wall and comments may be readily available for the public to see, you probably expect the private messages you send to remain private. So, when you’re the alleged victim of a crime, you probably have the same expectation of privacy. However, this expectation…
Read More