As of December 8, 2020, the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office (LADA) is taking habeas corpus petitions much more seriously. If there is any evidence that a petitioner was denied his/her constitutional rights to a fair trial or sentence, LADA’s Habeas Corpus Litigation Unit (HABLIT) will investigate and possibly remedy the matter such as by …
No jurisdiction in the United States has a vehicle code section for falling asleep while driving. However, if a person falls asleep while driving, and causes an injury or death in doing so, he/she could be charged under a state law on reckless driving or vehicular manslaughter. Falling asleep while driving is often referred to …
While some California cities or counties may have breed-specific ordinances regarding some canines, there are no special state laws that single out Pit Bulls. State laws do, however, place special rules and restrictions on “potentially dangerous” or “vicious” dogs. For example, California law says that such dogs must be licensed and vaccinated. In addition, when …
The issue regarding the difference between a DMV suspension and a court suspension arises in DUI cases. In these types of matters, a state’s Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) can initiate the administrative suspension of a driver’s license following a DUI arrest. In addition, a court can order that a motorist’s license be suspended following …
As of December 8, 2020, people who have previously been convicted of a crime in Los Angeles County may be able to petition the court for a reduced sentence or even an immediate release. And people who are currently being held on bail may be able to get released on their own recognizance right away. …
A misdemeanor charge of driving under the influence (DUI) in California must be commenced within one year of the date it occurred. A felony DUI charge must be commenced within three years of the date it occurred. Commenced for criminal statute of limitations purposes means when one of the following events takes place: an indictment …
There are five main differences between misdemeanor probation and felony probation in the California criminal court process. Perhaps the biggest difference is that while misdemeanor probation is typically available for defendants with a misdemeanor conviction, felony probation is available to persons that were convicted of felony offenses. Other differences include that, in comparison to felony …
It is legal to have unopened alcohol in your car if you are over 21 years old. If you are under 21, it is illegal to be in possession of alcohol even if it is unopened. The only exception for under 21 drivers is the transport of unopened alcohol at the direction of a parent, …
California “employee privacy rights” refers to the rights that protect employees from employers intruding on their personal affairs and probing into their personal matters. These inalienable rights are largely guaranteed by Article 1, Section 1 of the California Constitution. They are also established via the State’s Labor Code and other similar statutes. California’s privacy laws …
California has both criminal and civil invasion of privacy laws. The civil laws include “false light” claims and cases involving the public disclosure of private facts. The laws are similar in that a person performs an act that invades the privacy of another. While the specific acts in criminal and civil cases differ – in …
If you possess a firearm in California and a child gets a hold of it in your home, you can face a number of criminal charges. This is true even if you legally possess the firearm. Sadly, there are stories in the news almost every week in which a child manages to find a gun …
An arraignment is typically the first court hearing, or a defendant’s first appearance in court, in a criminal case and it marks one of the initial stages in the pretrial process. During the hearing, the judge will inform the defendant of the charges filed against him or her and will ask how the accused pleads …
Most state laws prohibit uninsured motorist insurance (“UM”) from covering punitive damages. Some states, however, do allow for it. Punitive damages are awarded to penalize the at-fault party in an auto accident and to deter similar blameworthy conduct. These damages are sometimes referred to as “exemplary damages.” Underinsured motorist coverage (UIM) is different than UM …
Under California law, a “grand jury” refers to a group of citizens who are brought together to determine whether or not charges should be brought against a potential defendant in certain criminal cases. A preliminary hearing, by contrast, is a proceeding held before a judge in which he/she determines whether there is enough evidence in …
The basic definition of burglary is the same in California and Nevada: entering a structure or vehicle intending to commit certain crimes once inside. In Penal Code 459 PC, California burglary law draws a distinction between first-degree residential burglary, and second-degree commercial burglary. Burglarizing a home can land someone in California Prison for six years, …
Many fights can lead to California battery charges. However, if you face such charges after getting into a fight with an off-duty cop who was acting as a security guard, or with many other kinds of public workers or employees, the consequences of a conviction can be more severe. Most battery charges filed under California Penal …
Getting a DUI is an unpleasant experience, to say the least. Most people think that if they have been cited for a DUI, they are basically doomed. This is not always the case. There are many factors that can affect a DUI charge. With the help of qualified legal counsel, it is possible to sometimes …
Restraining orders are issued when someone petitions a California court to restrain the behavior of another for safety and security reasons. Restraining orders can be issued on an emergency, temporary or permanent basis. Permanent restraining orders can be issued for up to one to five years, so it is wise for defendants to consult with …
Knowing what to expect after an arrest in San Bernardino County can help make the criminal legal process a little easier. Here is what happens after you have been arrested. Once you have been arrested, you will be taken to the police station to be fingerprinted and photographed. You have a right to remain silent, …
You have the right to a speedy trial in your criminal case under both the Sixth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution and Article I, Section 15, of the California Constitution. If this right is violated, you and your attorney can file a Serna motion (aka a speedy trial motion) asking the judge to dismiss the charges. …
In California, you can be convicted of aiding and abetting anytime you encourage, facilitate or aid another person in the commission of a crime regardless of how insignificant your role. But aiding and abetting is not a crime unto itself. When the prosecutor believes that you are guilty of aiding and abetting a crime, he/she …
Most cases of driving under the influence in California are prosecuted as misdemeanors. However, if you suffer your fourth or subsequent DUI within a ten-year period or injure another person as the result of driving under the influence, then the prosecutor has the discretion to charge the offense as either a misdemeanor or a felony. …
In most cases, merely owning a counterfeit law enforcement badge – or other counterfeit law enforcement identification, such as certificates and insignias – is not a crime. But be careful. Using a fake police badge in certain ways could lead to charges of impersonating a police officer under California Penal Code 538d. This misdemeanor crime …
If you are charged with and convicted of rape in Sacramento County, you could be looking at a lifetime of serious consequences that go far beyond just prison time. Rape, as one would expect, is treated as one of the most serious crimes under California law and crimes involving rape and sexual assault are vigorously …
Child pornography in California law is, understandably, treated harshly by prosecutors. The sexual abuse and exploitation of children in pornographic pictures or videos is tragic and those who make or distribute such materials will be subject to severe punishment. But what about videos and materials such as drawings, cartoons, or animation (such as manga or …
