Burglars Use Facebook to Break into Home while Family is Gone
Burglars Use Facebook to Break into Home while Family is Gone
Many people find it exciting or even necessary to update their "friends" on their daily activities through social media outlets. Unfortunately, there can be dangerous consequences to these status updates, as one family in Fontana recently learned. ABC News reports that the Cheatheam family began preparing for their upcoming Las Vegas trip like many of us do, by posting updates on their Facebook pages. They shared photos of their hotel…
Read More
5 Things To Do – And Not To Do – If You Are Pulled Over By Police
Being pulled over by the police is not a pleasant experience. Even if you have nothing to hide, you can become anxious or agitated in the situation, which could lead to a confrontation with the police officer or even an arrest. Here are five things to do – and not to do – if you are pulled over by the police. 1. When you hear a siren blaring or emergency…
Read More
Smile, You’re on Red Light Camera
Picture this: You are driving down the street, your favorite song is on the radio and you've caught the attractive girl to your left staring at least two and a half times. "Nothing can bring me down," you naively think to yourself as you continue to fly through intersection after intersection, almost forgetting that your brake pedal even exists. You see a yellow light ahead, but decide to keep driving…
Read More
Did Actor James Franco Entice a Minor for Sex on Instagram?
35-year-old actor James Franco, famous for his roles as the gay lover of Harvey Milk in the feature film "Milk" and the villain Harry Osborn in "Spiderman 2" and "Spiderman 3," has gotten himself into a sticky situation. He may have just added "creepy old dude" to the long list of credits next to his name. Recently, Franco met a 17-year-old teenager named Lucy, a Scottish girl on vacation with…
Read More
When Police Don’t Need a Warrant to Search You
The Fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution provides you protection against unreasonable searches and seizures. Law enforcement must obtain a search warrant that is signed by a judge before entering your private property. The judge may only provide a search warrant if the police have shown: It is more likely than not that a crime has taken place; andItems connected to the crime are likely to be found in…
Read More
Sleeping on the Job – What if Your Attorney Falls Asleep During Trial?
A recent decision by the United States Court of Appeals (Murray v. Shriro D.C. No. 2:03-CV-00775-DGC) gives us a look into what can happen if your attorney dozes off during the course of a trial. Dean Morrison and Jacqueline Appelhans were found shot to death in the home they shared in Arizona. Brothers Robert and Roger Murray were indicted for first-degree murder and armed robbery. An Arizona jury convicted them…
Read More
What are Cops Allowed to Do if They Pull You Over?
Getting pulled over by the police can be a nerve-wracking experience. You can become anxious, tense and may not be able to think with a clear head. Not knowing your rights when a police officer pulls you over could lead to an unauthorized search, arrest and criminal charges. If you have been arrested for a crime after your car was searched by the police, it is important to have a…
Read More
So You Think You are Okay Having a Public Defender Representing You?
After being charged with a crime, you are often faced with making the decision between asking for a public defender to represent you or hiring a private attorney for your case. Although the cheaper option of a public defender may sound appealing at first, it is crucial that the attorney you hire is responsible, reliable and has the time to make your case a top priority. We recently read a…
Read More
Obama Administration Endorses Lower Federal Drug Sentencing Guidelines
U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder has endorsed a proposal that would lower federal sentencing guidelines for defendants convicted of certain non-violent federal drug crimes. The proposal reflects the Obama Administration's support for reducing mass incarceration in the United States. The United States incarcerates a greater proportion of its population than every other country in the world, except for the tiny archipelago nation of Seychelles. U.S. prisoners account for 25% of…
Read More
How Will Los Angeles’ E-Cigarette Restrictions Affect You?
On March 4, the Los Angeles City Council voted unanimously to ban electronic cigarettes, or e-cigarettes, in workplaces and public areas like parks and beaches. The law also bans e-cigarettes in adult establishments like bars and nightclubs. Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti is expected to sign the measure into law in the coming days. Los Angeles' e-cigarette laws will soon become as restrictive as its cigarette smoking laws, making the…
Read More