While out having fun, people often misjudge how much alcohol they have consumed. Considering that 26.3% of California traffic deaths involved a driver over the legal BAC limit, according to the California Office of Traffic Safety, the state conducts more than 2,500...
Dismissal. Reduced Penalties. Alternative Sentencing.
Month: August 2021
What is “overcharging” and why do prosecutors do it?
If you receive a criminal charge, you at least have the ability to defend yourself with the hope that you can emerge from the trial with your rights intact. However, you might feel despair upon finding that the prosecutor is piling up additional charges against you in...
What is drug possession with intent to distribute?
If you are currently facing criminal drug charges in California, you are probably worried about the potentially life-altering effects of a conviction. Understanding the accusations against you can help calm your anxiety and strengthen your defense moving forward. The...
Reasons forensic science changes a crime’s narrative
Anyone facing a wrongful accusation, whether significant or minor, may feel its sting and the urge to set the record straight. However, according to the National Registry of Exonerations, accusations of criminal behavior often lead to a significant number of wrongful...
Hot pursuit and warrants: What you should know about your rights
When a law enforcement officer enters your home without a warrant, exigent circumstances must exist. In 2021 the Supreme Court ruled to grant police less leeway when it comes to entering residences without warrants if in pursuit of someone they believe committed a...
What constitutes a coerced confession?
Greater coverage of police misconduct has encouraged various authorities to revisit law enforcement interrogation techniques. States like Illinois and Oregon have enacted restrictions on police lying to individuals in custody. What are the rights of residents of...
California to close state-run juvenile prisons
In recent years, many aspects of the justice system have come under increased scrutiny, and a number of states have taken a closer look at how they handle juvenile offenders. As a part of reform efforts, California legislators have passed a bill that will close the...
What are the risk factors for juvenile delinquency?
While the teenage years are a time for self-discovery and risk-taking, there is a fine line between natural teenaged rebellion and destructive behavior. There are many reasons juveniles resort to criminal activity, but because of specific cultural, economic and...
How do prosecutors prove you committed burglary?
Few life events have the potential to be more stressful and intimidating than facing criminal charges. After all, depending on the severity of the charges, you may lose your freedom, pay a steep fine and encounter major life-related consequences. While it may make...
WHEN DO POLICE HAVE TO READ YOU “YOUR RIGHTS?”
The police are only required to read you your Miranda Rights – that is advising you of your right to remain silent and to have a lawyer - during a “custodial interrogation.” CUSTODIAL What we typically think of “being in custody” is not always what the law views as...