Identity theft is a serious crime. You should never use someone else’s identity for a purchase, even if you think you have permission. Doing so could come back to haunt you. Identity theft has become a more prominent issue in America because of how the way people pay...
Over 27 Years Of
Criminal Defense Experience
Newport Beach Criminal Defense Blog
Can you defend yourself at home with a firearm in California?
You legally own a handgun. You mostly use it for target practice. It’s a fun pastime with your friends, and you like seeing your accuracy get better. But you also own that gun because you want to make sure you and your family are safe. The criminals have guns, after...
When does drunk driving lead to a felony charge in California?
You can generally sort drunk driving offenses into two basic categories. The first category includes victimless crimes that involve technical infractions. An officer sees someone swerving and pulls them over, eventually arresting them because of their poor driving...
What was the most common white-collar crime in 2020?
White-collar crimes are those that involve lying or otherwise defrauding an individual or business for financial gain. These crimes are generally not violent, leading to monetary loss not physical harm. As such, some may assume that the penalties are not too severe....
3 reasons criminal charges are worse for college students
College is a time of learning and personal growth. Many college students change their majors or career plans as they develop better knowledge of the world around them. Other college students will experience hardship that results in them dropping out, meaning a future...
How does the LAPD use people’s social media information?
There has been considerable reporting recently on the Los Angeles Police Department’s gathering, monitoring and use of people’s social media information. The practice isn’t new. The LAPD had a place for “social media accounts” on its field interview (FI) cards at...
What is the definition of a homicide?
People may die of natural causes or they can die due to other factors. When a person’s death isn’t due to natural causes, the death is considered a homicide. However, just because a person dies by homicide doesn’t mean that a crime was committed. When a homicide...
Could admitting you were violent help you beat felony charges?
Most people facing violent criminal charges will base their defense strategy around disproving their involvement in a crime. Having an alibi or challenging evidence can make it much harder for a prosecutor to convince a jury that you broke the law beyond a reasonable...
What are some reasons that you might want a plea deal?
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....
What happens when your co-defendant is a snitch?
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...
