California is home to some of the nation’s longest-running and most deadly street gangs. In 1988, to curb the violence associated with these criminal organizations, the state enacted Penal Code section 186.22 (PC), known as the California Street Terrorism Enforcement and Prevention (STEP) Act. Unfortunately, these measures ended up being disproportionately used against minority communities […]
Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor Defense Attorney
Contributing to the delinquency of a minor is a rather broad charge that can cover all sorts of activities that involve aiding or abetting someone under 18 to commit a crime. While the most common actions that result in this charge are giving cigarettes or alcohol to a minor, these are by no means the […]
Making Harassing, Threatening or Obscene Phone Calls in California
Most people have prank called at least a few phone numbers in their lifetimes. And realistically, there’s no real harm in asking someone if their refrigerator is running. But when prank phone calls get out of hand and start involving threats, obscenity or repeated calls to the same victim, they become a form of harassment […]
Is Bullying a Crime? It Depends on the Circumstances
There have been a lot of efforts to reduce bullying over the last few decades, with more teens facing serious consequences for doing what was once considered simply hazing or typical schoolhouse fun. But even today, most forms of bullying, while problematic, are still not a crime. That being said, there are many activities that […]
Vehicle Code 10852 (VC): Auto Tampering in Vista
In Vista, California, tampering with another person’s vehicle is illegal, whether you mess with the car as a whole or just a part of the vehicle or its contents. The good news is that in many cases, this offense serves as a substitute for vehicle burglary charges, allowing these offenders to face a much lighter sentence. […]
The Crimes Committed in Home Alone: Harry and Marv are Destined for Prison
Home Alone is considered a Christmas classic these days, and it’s no wonder when the plot revolves around a scared little boy fighting off two seriously bad dudes while trying to make the most of the holiday season. As a tribute to this holiday staple, lawyer Peter M. Liss is taking the opportunity to explore […]
Court-Ordered Community Service for Misdemeanors in Vista, California
If you have been charged with a low-level misdemeanor in Vista or the rest of San Diego County, you may be eligible for an incarceration alternative, which could include community service. Not everyone is eligible for these opportunities, so speak with an alternative sentencing lawyer if you hope to perform community service as part of your […]
Is Throwing Something at a Car Illegal? Yes, Throughout Vista and the Rest of California
Everyone knows it’s dangerous to throw rocks at a car, so it makes sense that doing so is illegal. You might not realize that throwing something at a car is illegal even seemingly innocent items like empty water bottles. So why is throwing something at a car illegal even if it is seemingly harmless? While […]
Is Skipping School Illegal in California?
Skipping school is something most students do at one point or another —most schools even have an unofficial “senior ditch day” where students cut class near the end of the year. But it turns out that under California Penal Code section 270.1(a) (PC), when a minor misses too much school, they can be labeled […]
Is it Legal for Minors to Buy Kombucha and Drive?
Kombucha is a lightly fermented drink that has recently become trendy for its health benefits. But because the beverage is fermented, could it be safely consumed by a teenager, and if so, could they drink it before driving a vehicle? While it may be ok to consume due to its low alcohol content, attorney Peter […]
