Any time you are accused of a crime, you need to know that you have the opportunity to fight back and defend yourself. You should be aware that you’re not automatically guilty just because you’ve been accused, and you won’t necessarily be convicted just because of an...
Criminal Defense
A brief overview of California’s petty and grand theft laws
Although you should view any theft charge as a serious matter, some thefts are more severe than others in California. Many of the differences in theft laws are clear. For example, if someone takes headphones (petty theft) from their neighbor, it probably will not lead...
Do passengers need to give police ID during a traffic stop?
California laws are very clear about how drivers need to present identification during a traffic stop. When a police officer pulls a driver over for a traffic infraction, they will demand state-issued identification along with registration paperwork and proof of valid...
3 things to do when you’re pulled over and don’t speak English
If you are stopped by the police, you may already know that you need to present your license and registration. If you don’t speak English, this may be where the difficulties increase. When you can’t speak English well or don’t at all, it may be hard to follow an...
Does a Miranda warning count if you don’t speak English?
Native English speakers are pretty familiar with the “Miranda” warning that starts out, “You have the right to remain silent…” They generally have little trouble understanding those rights once they are spelled out by the police. But what if English isn’t your first...
What you should know about the new assault weapons law
California has some of the strictest gun laws in the country. Lawmakers have been particularly concerned with curtailing the use of assault weapons. A little over a year ago, Senate Bill (SB) 118 expanded the definition of assault weapons. Although the bill was passed...
Are you facing criminal charges after a hit-and-run accident?
California law requires that you stop any time you have an accident to exchange contact and insurance information with the other driver(s) involved. It’s critically important to stop when someone else has suffered injuries in the incident. California Vehicle Code §...
Should you consider a plea deal?
Many criminal cases don’t ever go to trial, partly because so many defendants are able to work out plea deals with the prosecution. This enables the person to have a little say in the penalties they will face, and it helps to free up resources for the prosecutor to...
How can an aggravated felony affect your immigration status?
In most jurisdictions here in the U.S., there are two types of felony crimes: Both "simple" offenses and "aggravated" ones. There are at least 30 crimes that now fall into the category of aggravated felonies. Some of these include battery, theft, robbery, murder and...
Can parents avoid deportation because their child is a US citizen?
Family units are the building blocks of a happy, healthy and stable society. This is true even more so with families who have immigrated. What happens, however, when undocumented immigrants give birth to a child in the United States? Does that child’s citizenship...
