The Legal Battle Surrounding California’s Doctor-Assisted Suicide Law
The Legal Battle Surrounding California’s Doctor-Assisted Suicide Law
In 2016, California Governor Jerry Brown signed a landmark bill allowing doctors to assist certain patients in committing suicide. The End of Life Option Act (ELOA) gave patients who had six months or fewer to live the right to seek life-ending medication and prevented criminal and civil prosecutions against doctors for providing these patients with life-ending medication. However, since the bill was passed into law by Gov. Brown, there has…
Read More
California Lawmakers Trying to Make It Easier for Individuals with a Criminal Record to Obtain State Licenses
Everyone knows that a criminal conviction comes with consequences that could include jail or prison time and expensive fines. What most people do not realize is that having a conviction on your criminal record could prevent you from getting a state professional license, which is required for jobs such as barbers, building contractors, paramedics and social workers. However, California lawmakers may be changing that soon. A few proposed laws could…
Read More
Place Your Bets: Supreme Court Opens the Door to Legalized Sports Gambling
Every year, millions of Californians break the law. Placing bets on March Madness brackets and office Super Bowl pools violates state laws prohibiting gambling on sports. However, a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling could pave the way for legalized sports gambling in California and other states. Supreme Court Ruling Paves Way for Legal Sports Betting In 1992, Congress passed the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA)…
Read More
California Passes Law to Protect Undocumented Immigrants in Court
When Donald Trump became president, his administration made it a priority to crack down on illegal immigration and detain undocumented immigrants currently in the country. In his first eight months in office, arrests by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents have increased by 40 percent, according to reports. Under the Trump Administration, ICE agents have identified courthouses as safe places to arrest undocumented immigrants. In an effort to stop…
Read More
Are Sky Lanterns Legal in California? (HS 13001)
During various festivals in countries like China, Brazil and India, it is common to look up and see hundreds of glowing paper lanterns floating up into the night sky. These lanterns are like tiny hot air balloons that use a candle or fuel cell to heat the air inside the lantern, causing it to rise and float away. However, you need to do know that attempting to recreate these…
Read More
California Lawmakers Seek to Limit When Police Can Use Deadly Force
For many, Stephon Clark was the last straw. In March, police who were responding to a 911 call regarding a person breaking car windows fired 20 rounds at Clark because they believed he was holding a gun. According to reports, eight bullets hit Clark in the back and neck. As the facts would later show, the object Clark was not a gun – it was his cellphone. Clark’s death is…
Read More
Orange County Sheriff’s Department Finds Loophole in California Sanctuary State Law
While President Donald Trump’s Administration has taken a hardline stance against illegal immigration, the state of California has passed laws that make it difficult for federal immigration agents to find and arrest undocumented immigrants within the state. One such law is the California Values Act (Senate Bill 54), which took effect this year. This “sanctuary state” law limits how local law enforcement agencies can cooperate with federal immigration officials. However,…
Read More
Do Ring Doorbell Cameras Violate Wiretapping Laws? (PC 632)
Companies like Ring make doorbells that allow video and audio to be recorded when motion is detected near your front door. It is now easier than ever to install security cameras in different rooms of your house to keep an eye on your pets or property while you are away. This technology may help you catch a thief, but could it also result in you facing criminal charges? California is…
Read More
California Lawmakers Proposing 10 New Gun Laws
The recent school shooting at Stoneman Douglas High School in Florida has sent shockwaves throughout the country and sparked a national debate about gun control. California already has some of the strictest gun laws in the country, but lawmakers are proposing 10 new gun laws in the wake of this school shooting. Expanding the Definition of Assault Rifles in California One important proposed gun law is Assembly Bill 1135, which…
Read More
Can My Wife Drop Corporal Injury on a Spouse Charges? (PC 273.5)
Under California Penal Code Section 273.5, the crime of inflicting corporal injury on a spouse is defined as using physical force on a current or former spouse or significant other, mother or father of your child or cohabitant that results in that person suffering a traumatic condition. If you are convicted of inflicting corporal injury on a spouse under PC 273.5, you face up to four years in prison and…
Read More