News & Information
What You Need to Know About the Elder Abuse Act Expansion
In order to protect elderly persons and dependent adults, the Elder Abuse and Dependent Adult Civil Protection Act was expanded at the beginning of this year. Specifically, the Act was broadened to reduce abuse in the form of isolation, which was made worse by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Act allows petitioners to obtain an order enjoining a party from abusing an elder or dependent adult by isolating them. Below, our…
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Legally Recording a Police Officer in Southern California
Due to concerns over police brutality and misconduct in recent years, many civilians have taken to recording interactions with law enforcement. Although recording an officer can be illegal under certain circumstances, this can be helpful information in any subsequent investigation into the officer's conduct. For example, if you believe that you have been wrongly stopped or feel that your rights have been violated, or if you witness an officer using…
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Supreme Court Sides with Therapists on Child Pornography Reporting Law
A California Supreme Court decision could have major implications for a law requiring psychotherapists to crireport patients who, in the course of therapy, admit to having viewed or downloaded child pornography. Since 2014, the Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act (CANRA) requires therapistds to contact law enforcement anytime a patient admits to these acts--due to the expansion of the definition of “sexual exploitation” with Assembly Bill 1775. A group of…
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California’s Cash Bail Phase Out Is On Hold
Sixty percent of people arrested in California never face a criminal charge. According to one study, as many as 48,000 county jail inmates have not been convicted of anything. In many cases, those people are serving time in jail because they could not afford to pay for bail to secure their release. A recent change to California’s bail system aims to end that problem by eliminating the favoritism towards those…
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Supreme Court Restricts Government’s Power to Seize Property (Timbs v. Indiana)
“Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.” The Eighth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution is only sixteen words and one sentence but it is one of the most powerful protections in our nation. It essentially means that the punishment must fit the crime. So, what happens when a fine is excessive? Does it violate the Eighth Amendment? These questions were recently…
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How to Locate an Inmate in Jail and Post Bail
When your loved one is arrested, you will probably be worried and it may be difficult to think straight. You are probably wondering where your loved one is being held and what you can do to help him or her. The first thing you should do is contact an experienced criminal defense lawyer who can speak to the police and attempt to help your loved one. The next thing you…
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Dead Men Tell No Tales: Is It Illegal to Spread a Loved One’s Ashes at Disneyland? (HS 7054(a))
For many people in southern California and across the world, Disneyland holds a special place in their heart. Thousands of individuals and families create memories at Disneyland each day. Some of those people dream of having Disneyland be their final resting place. That is why attempting to spread a loved one’s ashes at the theme park is reportedly not uncommon. However, if you scatter your loved one’s ashes at Disneyland,…
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California Governor Signs Many Criminal Justice Changes into Law
California Governor Jerry Brown only has a few months left in office, but he is using his remaining time to continue his goal to pass criminal justice reform. Recently, he signed several bills into law that will overhaul the state’s criminal and juvenile justice system. Let’s take a look at what these new laws will do. Gov. Brown Passes Criminal Justice Reform Laws Gov. Brown signed into law not one,…
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Is the LAPD Surveilling “Probable” Offenders?
What is the job of a police officer? Is it to arrest those who commit crimes or is it to protect people from potential criminals? Is it both? A recent report by The Appeal, which cites a public records request lawsuit claiming that the Los Angeles Police Department is using data and analysts to monitor select neighborhoods, has sparked a controversy over how far the police should go in “protecting”…
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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)…
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