When you’re arrested for drunk driving, the police aren’t about to let you get back in the vehicle and drive it back to the station. So what happens to your car after a DUI arrest? Well, that depends on a few things, but when you are arrested for driving under the influence, your vehicle could […]
Fines and Fees in the California Criminal Justice System
al Being poor shouldn’t be a crime, but in America, having too little income to pay court fines often leaves people behind bars when they can’t afford the penalties and fees that can frequently double or triple the original cost of the fine. California has attempted to rectify this situation by outlawing some of the most […]
Prison and Jail Escape Laws in California: 4530 and 4532 (PC)
It’s a TV trope seen in shows like Luke Cage, The Fugitive, Sense 8, and Prison Break; the main character is locked in prison for a crime he didn’t commit and must break out of prison to prove his innocence. But in real life, proving your innocence doesn’t mean you can just walk away after […]
1203.2 (PC): Probation Violation Lawyer in San Diego
California is increasingly turning to probation to save money over incarcerating non-violent offenders. If you have been charged with a crime in San Diego, you could be sentenced to probation in place of part or all of a potential jail or prison term, even if you are found guilty of a felony. While probation is […]
Why Attorneys are Unlikely to Use an Insanity Plea in California
In movies and TV shows, lawyers are constantly arguing that their clients are not guilty by reason of insanity to allow their obviously guilty clients to spend time in an institution before quickly being shuffled back into the public. In reality, though, the insanity defense is used in less than one percent of criminal trials […]
What You Should Know About Victim Restitution Payments in Vista
If you are convicted of a crime, you may be required to pay compensation to the victim or be ordered to pay a fine, particularly if a victim was injured or suffered financial losses as a result of your actions. Here’s what you should know about victim restitution and criminal fines and how the two […]
How is Sentencing Determined by Judges in Vista, California Courts?
State and local law sets out specific punishments for each type of crime, but ultimately, the judge still does decide the final sentence given to a defendant. After a defendant is found guilty of a crime, they go through a sentencing hearing where they will learn the punishment they will serve for the crime they […]
Pay-to-Stay Jail Programs in California
No one wants to be locked up, but those sentenced to time in a California jail facility may make their stay more comfortable by opting to pay to stay in a private jail. These alternatives to traditional incarceration allow you more privacy and a little less risk than conventional public jails. They can even provide you a […]
What is Capital Murder in California? Special Circumstances and the Death Penalty
Have you ever wondered why some people get the death penalty for murder while others do not? The answer comes down to the specific details that make a crime a “capital murder” versus a typical first-degree murder. That’s because while capital punishment is still entirely legal, it is only applicable in a handful of murder […]
Mothers Against Drunk Driving Victim Impact Panels (MADD VIP) in Vista
Judges and prosecutors have a lot of options when putting together the terms of a probation agreement or plea deal. When it comes to DUI probation, some of the most common aspects of probation agreements include DUI classes, ignition interlock devices, and participation in a Mothers Against Drunk Driving Victim Impact Panel (MADD VIP) session. What […]
