Around 15% of all merchandise purchased from retailers ends up being returned, according to the National Retail Federation (NRF). While businesses may be willing to accommodate unhappy consumers returning low-quality items or ill-fitting clothing, few are prepared for the rising amount of return fraud. In fact, in 2008, the NRF estimated 8% of returns were […]
Filing a False Police Report in California: 148.5 (PC)
We’ve all been annoyed, angered, or scared of someone before —sometimes all three at once. However, falsely accusing someone of a crime is illegal under California Penal Code section 148.5 (PC), meaning it is a poor choice for those hoping to seek revenge or prank others. This penal code also makes it a crime to […]
What is the Penalty for Voter Fraud in California?
A democracy can only function when the electorate believes their votes will be counted accurately and fairly. To maintain the system’s integrity, voter and election fraud must be prevented, so California has instituted strong laws and punishments to prevent these crimes. If you have been accused of any crime related to interfering with an election, […]
What is a Crime Involving Moral Turpitude (CIMT)?
Under both state and federal law, some offenses are considered “crimes of moral turpitude,” meaning they involve serious dishonesty, fraud, or something morally reprehensible. While the term may sound old-fashioned and outdated, it is still very relevant when it comes to the law, as it can result in additional post-conviction consequences. Unfortunately, what crimes fall […]
Top San Diego, California Arson Attorney
California has one of the longest wildfire seasons in the country, and it continues to get longer every year, which is why the state also has some of the strictest arson laws in the nation. Those convicted of this crime can even be subjected to a statewide arson registry similar to that used to track […]
San Diego Bribery Defense Lawyer
Bribery may be most commonly associated with politicians and police, but it doesn’t have to involve shady criminal types and corrupt public officials. In fact, there are many laws covering bribery in the California State Penal Code, covering everything from workers in commercial businesses to the parties involved in the state’s justice system. Nearly everyone […]
San Diego, California Forgery Defense Attorney
While signing someone else’s signature without permission is the best-known method of forgery, it is far from the only type under California law. This crime may also be accomplished by falsifying or changing documents or forging a seal. Because forgery crimes are typically performed to defraud someone of money or property, most people charged with […]
California Extortion and Blackmail Law: 518 (PC)
California’s extortion laws prohibit the obtaining of money, property, sexual favors, political actions, or anything else of value through the use of force, fear, or coercion, which could include someone threatening to reveal a secret, expose nude pictures, or provide evidence that someone committed a crime. While the state’s main extortion law is defined under […]
Pyramid, Ponzi, and Endless Chain Schemes in California
Most people are only aware of a few types of fraud based on things they’ve seen on television. They can imagine a con man fast-talking someone into losing money, someone using identity theft to trick others into trusting them, or someone setting up a pyramid or Ponzi scheme to convince people to “invest” their money […]
186.10 (PC): Money Laundering in California
It’s pretty obvious that someone is getting income in a questionable manner when they start buying new cars, expensive tech, and luxury goods that should be totally out of their budget. Money laundering allows people to make illicitly earned funds appear to come from legitimate income sources so the money can be spent without raising […]
