Criminal Defense
Los Angeles County Deputies Implements New Guidelines
A panel of veteran deputy officers has recommended that officers take a more conservative approach when dealing with armed suspects. This recommendation comes as a response to an increase in police shootings in Los Angeles County. Los Angeles County Sheriff Lee Baca stated that the report, "Split second decision: The dynamics of the chase in today's society," outlines eight scenarios, in which deputy caution and the increase use of calling…
Read More
Potential Sentence for Conviction for Assault with a Deadly Weapon
A Lifetime Revocation of Driving Privileges and How an Experienced Southern California Criminal Defense Attorney Can Help You Retain This Privilege - California Penal Code 245 The punishments associated with being convicted with a crime can lead to prison time, fines, probation, rehabilitation programs, and the loss of certain privileges. For many people, the most significant potential privilege to be lost is their driving privilege. Under California law, the Department…
Read More
Nonmutual Collateral Estoppel Does Not Apply to Verdicts in Criminal Cases
The California Supreme Court has overruled a 35-year-old court precedent that allowed defendants in criminal trials to assert nonmutual collateral estoppel. (People v. Sparks, Feb. 8, 2010, No. S164614.) The high court ruled that a verdict regarding one defendant has no effect on the trial of a different defendant because courts should determine the propriety of a prosecution based on that prosecution's own record, not a different record from another…
Read More
Drug Charges – California Health and Safety Code 11358
According to a report by KTLA, Shaun Rothwell, 30, Shane Dearth, 29, and Thomas Nichols, 30, all of Los Angeles, were arrested in Torrance, California. The three were taken into custody after a marijuana hydroponics farm was found by police in a building located on the 17100 block of Figueroa Street in Gardena. Rothwell, Dearth, and Nichols were each charged with "marijuana cultivation, possession of marijuana for sale and theft…
Read More
Someone I Love is in Jail: How Can I Bail Them Out of Jail? – Part 2 of 2
This is the second part of a two part article explaining how bail works in California. The bail process can be intimidating because your loved one is in jail and you may not know what to do or who to turn to for proper advice. There are also several bail bond companies which can make things more confusing. This article will explain the different types of bail bonds available, and…
Read More
Someone I Love is in Jail: How Can I Bail Them Out of Jail? – Part 1 of 2
There are 3 ways in which to "post bail" in California for someone who is in jail. This article is designed to explain these options to you and provide you with how "bail works" so you can make an informed decision on making bail and helping to get a loved one out of jail as soon as possible. In every county in California, the judges must, by law, prepare a…
Read More
Former U.S. District Judge Resigned From San Diego Bench to Protest Federal Mandatory Minimum Sentencing Guidelines – How an Experienced Southern California Criminal Defense Firm Can Help You
In 1990, U.S. District Judge Lawrence Irving resigned from his San Diego Bench to protest Congress' decision to pass mandatory minimum sentencing guidelines that removed judges' discretion to impose sentences. Irving considered his position to be his "dream job," but found the federal mandatory sentencing guidelines "unconscionable." The case behind his decision to resign stemmed from an enormous drug cartel prosecution in which he deemed many of the 98 defendants…
Read More
Irvine Assault and Battery Defense Lawyers
Located in Orange County, Irvine is a highly recognized city and is home to an estimated 207,500 individuals. Irvine draws numerous visitors and new residents throughout the year due to being a friendly community that is close to beaches like Laguna and Newport. even named Irvine the fourth best place to live in the United States for its quality of schools, housing, and job opportunities. In any case, similar to…
Read More
Identifying the “Primary Aggressor” in a Domestic Violence Context – Part 3 of 3 – California Penal Code 13701
Have you been accused of domestic violence? Is it alleged that you caused injury to your current or former spouse or cohabitant? If so, you need an experienced advocate by your side, starting now. Police officers are trained to arrest the "primary aggressor" when responding to a domestic dispute. In making such a critical determination, several relevant inquiries arise. First, who is the 911 reporting party? Who in the relationship…
Read More
Identifying the “Primary Aggressor” in a Domestic Violence Context – Part 2 of 3 – California Penal Code 13701
In identifying the "primary aggressor" of a domestic violence dispute, law enforcement will consider the intent of the law to protect victims of domestic abuse from continuing abuse, any threats giving rise to fear of physical injury, the history of domestic violence between the parties involved, and whether either part was acting in self-defense. If you have been accused of causing injury to a spouse, former spouse, or cohabitant, you…
Read More