Domestic violence crimes continue to be a major issue in California across all socio-economic and age groups. According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, 32.9% of women and 27.3% of men in California are victims of domestic violence. California Penal Code 243(e)(1) classifies domestic violence as a misdemeanor punishable by one year in county …
Continue reading “Opposing Views on Victim’s Testimony in Domestic Violence Cases in California”
In August of 2020, a divided panel of the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals decided in the case of Duncan v. Becerra that the Second Amendment bans the state of California from prohibiting (under California Penal Code section 32310) the sale of large-capacity ammunition magazines (LCM), which are defined as magazines that hold more than …
Are Gun Stores Essential During the Coronavirus Pandemic The short answer is it depends! Gun sales across the country have skyrocketed as people are panic-buying firearms during the coronavirus pandemic. With everyone trying to safely navigate new social distancing measures, there is a dispute as to whether firearms stores and gun ranges should be considered …
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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 …
Continue reading “Supreme Court Sides with Therapists on Child Pornography Reporting Law”
By: Wallin & Klarich
If a warrant has been issued in your name you may have a lot of questions. Wallin & Klarich has been helping people just like you for over 35 years to ensure that their legal rights are defended and preserved. Why was a warrant issued? A warrant was likely issued because a law enforcement officer …
Continue reading “What happens when a warrant has been issued?”
By: Wallin & Klarich
In California, crimes are classified as either an infraction, a misdemeanor, or a felony. If guilty of an infraction, you often are only required to pay a fine and face no other penalties. If you are convicted of a misdemeanor, jail time becomes a possibility but typically you would face no more than 1 year …
Continue reading “What is the Difference Between a Straight Felony and a Wobbler Offense?”
By: Wallin & Klarich
In the United States, California stands out for its expansive gun laws that constantly evolve to be forward-thinking while attempting to not harshly infringe on Second Amendment rights. The increasing frequency of mass shootings and gun-related crimes resulted in previous California governor Jerry Brown signing new laws that gave the state some of the strictest …
Continue reading “California Law Banning Gun Magazines Back in Effect”
By: Wallin & Klarich
Beverly Hills and 24 other local governments sued on Friday to overturn a ruling that allows licensed cannabis delivery statewide. The cities argue that the rule undermines Proposition 64—which guaranteed cities and counties local control over cannabis activities. Since California’s legalization of adult cannabis use in 2016 through Prop 64, it has failed to see …
Continue reading “Local Governments Challenging Door-to-Door Cannabis Delivery in California”
By: Wallin & Klarich
As one of the largest cities in the United States, Los Angeles is prone to widespread crime of varying types. That’s why it should come as no surprise that city officials will celebrate any reduction in crime. Los Angeles’ Mayor Eric Garcetti and Police Chief Michel Moore announced that crime is down in every category …
Continue reading “Crime Down in Los Angeles, According to Mayor”
By: Wallin & Klarich
One of the major changes to the law that took effect in 2019 is the revised felony murder rule. Previously, under California Penal Code Section 189, you could be convicted of murder if you were involved in a felony crime where another person committed the act of killing someone. However, under Senate Bill 1437, this …
Continue reading “Does the Change to Felony Murder Law Violate the Constitution? (PC 189)”
By: Wallin & Klarich
“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 …
Continue reading “Supreme Court Restricts Government’s Power to Seize Property (Timbs v. Indiana)”
By: Wallin & Klarich
Last year, Senate Bill 10 (SB 10) was signed into law by then-governor Jerry Brown. When it was set to become effective on October 1, 2019, the law would have eliminated California’s cash bail system and replaced it with a risk assessment system where judges determine if a person accused of a crime should be …
Continue reading “Law Eliminating Cash Bail Halted and Will Appear on 2020 Ballot”
By: Wallin & Klarich
The U.S. House of Representatives changed dramatically during the 2018 mid-term elections, leaving the Democrats as the majority. With this shift in power, Democrats are expected to push laws for causes they are passionate about. One of those causes is gun control. A new law introduced recently by Democratic leaders Nancy Pelosi, Mike Thompson and …
Continue reading “House Democrats Propose Law to Expand Background Checks for Gun Sales”
By: Wallin & Klarich
Facial recognition. Retinal scans. Fingerprint sensors. These used to be the kinds of technology you would only see in a sci-fi movie. Now, they are all ways to unlock your smartphone. Rapid changes in technology have left many important legal questions about what the police can and cannot do when it comes to searching your …
Continue reading “Court Rules Police Can’t Force You to Unlock Your Phone”
Wallin & Klarich was established in 1981. Over the past 32 years, our law firm has helped tens of thousands of families in their time of legal need. Regardless of whether our clients faced criminal or DUI charges, the loss of their driving privilege, or wanted to clean up their criminal record, we have been there to help them.
