California law defines three categories of crimes to distinguish which type of offenses are the most serious. While criminal charges may be filed as an infraction, a misdemeanor, or a felony, few people know which is worse. In terms of both the severity of the charges and the potential penalties, a felony is more serious […]
Understanding California Statutes of Limitations Laws
It makes sense that someone could be charged with murder 30 years after the victim dies, but it wouldn’t be fair for someone to be accused of shoplifting that many years later. The statute of limitations is a legal way to ensure that those who committed heinous acts can be held responsible for their actions […]
The Difference Between Assault and Battery In California
There are many reasons that people mistakenly believe the terms assault and battery can be used interchangeably. For one thing, police procedurals often lump the two together when detectives speak with one another. But more realistically, it’s because some states lump the two acts together. In California, however, the two crimes are very distinct. When […]
California Search and Seizure Laws
For you to be charged with a crime, police must find enough evidence to indicate your guilt. For the charges to result in a conviction, the evidence must be strong enough to prove your guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. While the California and US Constitutions protect citizens from illegal and unreasonable search and seizure, police […]
Can I Legally Drive Barefoot?
For some reason, it seems everyone has heard that it is illegal to drive barefoot. Sometimes, the person spreading these rumors claims it’s an infraction. Other times, they may even say it’s a misdemeanor under the state’s reckless driving laws. But if you’re hoping you can go shoeless behind the wheel, go ahead and slip off your […]
Can Teachers Carry Guns on Campus in California?
School shootings have become a sad reality in our current world. While some people argue the solution lies in creating more gun laws to prohibit potential mass murderers from gaining access to these weapons, others believe we should instead ensure more “good guys,” such as teachers, have firearms so potential killers can be stopped before […]
How are Plea Bargains Made?
Everyone has heard the term “plea bargain,” but far fewer could give you the definition or tell you what different types of plea agreements exist. Interestingly, while the average person knows far more about criminal trials, most cases in America are settled through plea bargains. Nationwide, the Department of Justice reports that between 90 and […]
What are the Best Criminal Defenses in CA?
If you are charged with a crime, you will be asked to plead guilty or not guilty. If you plead not guilty, you and your criminal defense attorney will need to present a defense to show the prosecutor does not have enough evidence to prove your guilt. To do this, you and your criminal lawyer […]
How Does Lawyer/Client Confidentiality Work?
You have probably heard of attorney/client confidentiality, but you probably don’t know what that entails unless you’re a lawyer. While communications between a lawyer and a client are considered privileged, there are exceptions where the attorney may willingly disclose this information without any repercussions. If an attorney breaks confidentiality outside of these circumstances, they risk […]
What Rights do Felons Lose in California?
Felons in California are subject to many penalties, even after they serve their time and pay off their criminal fines. The good news is that California does not restrict the constitutional rights of felons nearly as much as other states. Unfortunately, the state still does have many restrictions on what felons are not able to […]
