Although carjacking and grand theft involve taking a vehicle from its owner, the California Penal Code views them as very different crimes, and the penalties reflect that. If you face carjacking charges, case details are critical in the type of charges brought against...
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Racketeering and the RICO Act
Most criminal charges have a definition that is easy for ordinary people to understand. The intentional damage or destruction of property is vandalism. Taking property belonging to someone else is theft. Misdirecting assets entrusted to a person's care is...
How drug traffickers travel into California
As a border state, California has a higher incidence of drug trafficking from outside the country than inland states. Because of this, it requires more intensive patrolling and law enforcement actions to keep drugs out of the country. According to USA Today,...
Can one felony conviction impact your future?
California residents like you may end up with a felony conviction for one reason or another. Once convicted, the important part is not how you got there. It is how this matter may affect you moving forward in life. While the impact of felonies differ from state to...
What are the penalties for mail fraud?
In California, the penalties for federal crimes and felonies are often harsh. This goes for anyone facing a conviction, even if it is your first-time offense. The crime itself can change the sort of penalty you face, but it will almost always have severe...
What is Senate Bill 145?
A new bill that the governor of California signed has been creating a lot of controversy. Supporters state that the bill's intention is to protect the LGBTQ community, while the opposition says it is a way to legalize pedophilia. The Los Angeles Times reports that the...
What are the differences between felonies and misdemeanors?
Going through the criminal justice system can be frustrating, and it is important to understand basic terms related to the law. For the most part, crimes fall into two major groups: felonies and misdemeanors. There are several differences between these two categories....
The health risks ‘drug mules’ face
When people think of ‘drug mules,’ they often think of people looking to get rich quick who then get caught or lose their lives in the process. This might prove true for many, but there are several people who others forced into the lifestyle. There are stories of...
What is the difference between mail and wire fraud?
In California, wire fraud and mail fraud are some of the most common charges for white collar crime. They share similarities. In some cases, committing one means you are also committing the other. But in the end, they are two different crimes. Today we will take a...
Signs you should take a plea deal
When it comes to a plea bargain, the first thing you should always keep in mind is that it is optional. You never have to take one, and no one can do anything to force you into accepting a deal. With that in mind, there are some situations in which taking the plea...
