As of March 29, 2022, lynching was designated a federal crime in the United States, as outlined by the Death Penalty Information Center. Lynching refers to the extrajudicial killing of an individual by a group or mob, typically as a punishment for an alleged wrongdoing, without granting the person access to a legal trial, which…
Experience When selecting an attorney, it’s important to consider their experience practicing law. Are they solely focused on criminal defense, or do they handle various practice areas? It’s crucial to have an attorney who is passionate about criminal defense work. Juggling multiple practice areas can limit their in-depth understanding of all criminal cases. While one…
1 WHAT IS IT? Proposition 64, also known as “Prop 64” or the “Adult Use of Marijuana Act,” is a significant ballot initiative approved by the residents of California in November 2016. This legislation has three important implications in terms of criminal law: Legalization of possession and use of small amounts of marijuana for individuals…
1 What is an Estes Robbery? An Estes Robbery is a situation where a Shoplifting crime can escalate into a Robbery case. This occurs when a shoplifter, pursued by a store employee or loss prevention specialist, employs force or violence to escape apprehension. The charge is upgraded from Shoplifting to Robbery due to the use…
1 Does every criminal case end up with me going to jail? The simple answer is no. Most people who are arrested for a criminal offense believe they will end up in jail. But that is not always the case. Sometimes, there are reasons why a Prosecutor, or based on the strength of the case…
I Prop 57: What is it? Proposition 57 was a ballot initiative that was passed on November 8, 2016. Proposition 57 allows inmates at a California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) facility the opportunity to advance an inmate’s release date if sentenced to a specified length, or advance an inmate’s initial parole hearing date…
1 When do these new laws affect me? New laws are generally passed several times throughout the year. However, unless it is otherwise stated, the law does not become active, binding law, until January 1st of the following year. Some laws can pass sooner, and others are delayed for various reasons. The laws listed in this…
I AB 1950: Probation Periods This is a new law that has already been signed and becomes effective starting January 1, 2021. Currently, most criminal cases where a person is not sent to a State Prison receive some type of Probation. This Probation can be Formal (for felony cases) or Informal (For misdemeanor cases). A…
1 AB 3234: Misdemeanor Diversion Laws of 2021 A new law has already been signed and becomes effective starting January 1, 2021. Currently, every county in Southern California can have their own version of a “Diversion” Program. A diversion program is a type of program where you complete some kind of classes, community service, and…
I SB 273: What is it? “This bill would authorize prosecution for that crime to be commenced within 5 years. The bill would apply to crimes that are committed on or after January 1, 2020, and to crimes for which the statute of limitations that was in effect prior to January 1, 2020, has not run…