You may know that courts can use aggravating factors like background and prior criminal conduct to hand down harsher sentences if convicted of a crime. Unfortunately, many defendants in a criminal case are unaware that good behavior and no prior arrests can often help...
Criminal Defense
What factors are considered in sentencing?
Anyone who’s facing a criminal charge may wonder what will happen if they’re convicted. There’s not a way to know exactly what sentence will be handed down in a case. This is because there are many factors that come together to help a judge decide. For most charges,...
Understanding your rights when being questioned by the police
If you are suspected of or charged with a crime, law enforcement will eventually question you. This can include state or local police officers and, in some criminal matters, the FBA or Immigration officers. Knowing your rights when answering questions is the best way...
Should an immigrant consider a plea bargain?
People who are facing criminal charges often want to know what type of sentence they're facing. For most, there’s a range of sentences that are possible depending on the charges. There’s usually no way that you can find out what you’re going to receive before the end...
Do you have to allow the police to search your home?
When police officers knock at your front door, you may feel nervous about the encounter. Even if you firmly believe you did not break the law, you may worry about what will happen next. Most people want to cooperate with law enforcement, which seems like a good...
How electronic monitoring can keep people out of jail
You made a mistake and committed a criminal offense. If it’s a non-violent offense like DUI or a drug-related crime, pleading guilty or being found guilty in court doesn’t have to mean spending months behind bars. Counties throughout California, including Santa Clara...
A strong defense makes a difference in a criminal case
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...
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...
