When police officers arrest you and then prosecutors arraign you on allegations of a criminal offense, you need to plan a defense if you want to be those charges in court. Prosecutors generally do not pursue cases without adequate evidence, so they likely have some...
The success of a prosecutor's career depends largely on their conviction rate. They need to secure election and then re-election, which can be difficult to do without having data to confirm their job performance. The more times a prosecutor brings charges and then...
While it is common in California to see everyone from the CEO to the employees wearing jeans and a hoodie, even Mark Zuckerberg wears a suit when he goes to court. No rule dictates that you must dress or wear your hair a certain way when going to court. Yet the...
If you have lived in California for a time, you know our state suffers from many out-of-control fires. Frequent drought conditions, soaring temperatures and dry plant life combine to make wildfires particularly destructive. All states take a harsh stance against arson...
Many people think of kidnapping as an elaborately planned and executed crime, involving taking someone by force or at gunpoint, hiding them and then demanding money from loved ones. Movie franchises and countless episodes of TV shows have been devoted to it. The crime...
Being accused of committing a crime is a big deal. If you have been accused of a crime, it is important that you take appropriate steps to defend yourself and have your charges either reduced or dismissed. However, while figuring out your options, it is crucial that...
Murder is, of course, a felony charge on its own. However, when someone is charged with a “felony murder,” it can be very different than what people generally think of as a murder charge. Typically, a murder charge requires intent. A person has to plan out, to some...
When the police arrest you, proving your innocence is often one of your first wishes. Entering state custody, even temporarily, can be a humbling and potentially traumatizing experience. Focusing on your innocence can help you endure this often dehumanizing process....
There’s an old adage that says there is honor among thieves, but if that were ever true, it is certainly not in the case of co-defendants that snitch, turn state’s evidence and testify against you. Here in California, however, an alleged accomplice’s testimony must be...
If you or a loved one face criminal charges and wonder how you will handle your felony case, you might feel distraught and scared. Especially if you are a first-timer, the legal system can feel especially confusing if you do not know your way around a criminal court....
