Fraud/Forgery
Tips for Victims of Identity Theft
The office of the attorney general has published a page on its website dedicated to those who are victims, or suspect they may be victims, of identity theft. Identity theft is currently among the fastest growing crimes in America. It affected approximately 10 million victims in 2008 (a 22% increase from 2007). During these hard economic times, it is vital that each individual protect their financial resources. A large part…
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California Non-DUI Alcohol-Related Offenses Part II
There are literally hundreds of California Vehicle code sections that you can violate every single time you get into your car. This includes some laws that don't even require you to be driving. A non-DUI alcohol-related offense can increase your car insurance premiums, cost you hundreds of dollars in fines, and even result in suspension of your license. What can you do? A good place to start is to seek…
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California Non-DUI Alcohol-Related Offenses Part I
If you've been cited for one of the many violations dealing with non-DUI alcohol-related offenses, it could end up costing you hundreds of dollars in fines, an increase in your car insurance premiums, and even a suspension of your license. However, with a skilled attorney experienced in defending traffic tickets, you can fight your traffic ticket and win. Two of the most common alcohol-related traffic violations include: Open container on…
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CA DUI Conviction Where Blood Alcohol Content is Below the Legal Limit
To obtain a conviction under California Vehicle Code 23152(a), the prosecution must prove that: (1) defendant drove a vehicle; (2) while under the influence of any alcoholic beverage or drug, or the combined influence of any alcoholic beverage and drug. First of all, "driving" under California DUI law is not as straightforward as it may appear. "Driving" requires only "volitional movement of a vehicle," no matter how slight. Where there…
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All Los Angeles County Courts to Close One Day a Month Due to Budget Crisis
It was announced on May 19, 2009 by Los Angeles Superior Court officials that all Los Angeles County Trial Courts will be closed the third Wednesday of every month commencing July 15, 2009. This order is in effect until further notice. This decision was in response to an estimated 90 million dollar shortfall to keep the courts running. All employees will be "furloughed" one day a month and that will…
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Prosecution Rates Lowered by Budget Cuts
Budget Cuts to Lower Prosecution Rates across California: What an Experienced Criminal Defense Attorney Can Tell You It the midst of America's economic downturn, even state departments and government funded agencies are feeling the heat. District attorneys all over California have been buzzing about the upcoming budget cuts in their departments explaining that basically, less money means fewer prosecutions. Contra Costa District Attorney Robert Kochly has already begun acting on…
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Hearsay and Out of Court Statements in California: What your Criminal Defense Attorney Needs to Know
You're charged with a crime. Does victim identification always have to be confirmed in court? The answer is not always. In California one of the exceptions is in California Evidence Code 1240. That allows some out of court statements of a witness where the statement was made spontaneously while the declarant was under the stress of excitement caused by such perception. The recent case of People v. Stamphill is a…
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Damaging Evidence Taken From Facebook and Myspace: Yet Another Example of Why You Need an Experienced Criminal Defense Attorney
This story is an interesting case. According to the article, it might be unethical for an attorney who represents someone to ask the opponent witness or alleged victim in a case to be a friend by using a fake friend request on What does that mean? That means your attorney can't ask to "friend" the alleged victim in a case without disclosing the fact that it's the attorney who is…
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California Prison Population Reduction
California must Reduce Prison Population by 57,000 People, Raising the Question of Whether There Will be an Increased Need for Criminal Defense Attorneys Three federal judges have ruled that California must reduce its prison population by 57,000 people over the next two or three years, which could have quite an influence on the demand for skilled criminal defense attorneys in California. The judges indicated that California state prisons are…
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California Parole Violators Right to Legal Counsel Restored by Federal Judge
The voters in California in November, 2008 approved a new "victims rights" initiative that stated that only in rare cases would a person facing a parole violation be entitled to a skilled criminal defense lawyer in Los Angeles or another city in California to defend him or her from the allegations. What this meant is that in the vast majority of cases, parolees were facing being returned to prison without…
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