Much has been made about the idea that the Super Mario Bros. game simply revolves around Mario and his brother Luigi hallucinating while doing mushrooms. It’s an interesting concept that really does change everything about the game. So assuming it’s true, what does that mean for the brothers from a legal perspective? Here’s what lawyer […]
Is Skipping School Illegal in California? Not Since 2026
Note: Updated to reflect current laws after the repeal of 270.1 (PC) in 2026. Skipping school is common—many schools have an unofficial “senior ditch day” near year’s end. In many states, though, it is actually a crime. Fortunately, as of January 1, 2026, ordinary truancy will no longer be a criminal offense in California, whether […]
Escorts Vs Prostitutes: What’s the Difference?
Prostitution is illegal in California, leaving many people to question why pornography and escort services are legal when selling sex acts is not. While we’ve already covered the fine line between prostitution and pornography, that doesn’t explain why escort businesses are legal in San Diego and the rest of California. Though escorts and prostitutes are […]
Will a Case Get Dropped if a Victim Refuses to Testify?
Many cases, particularly those involving domestic violence and sexual assault, come down to the alleged victim’s word versus the word of the accuser. Because these charges depend on the accuser’s testimony, courts have to balance the risks of further traumatizing the victim with the rights of the defendant to face their accuser in court and […]
Grand Theft Auto Charges in Vista, California: Penal Code 487(d)(1) (PC)
If you steal a car in California, you could face a grand theft auto charge (GTA) under Penal Code 487(d)(1) (PC), but you will more likely be charged with unlawful driving or taking of a vehicle, commonly known as “joyriding.” These charges are easier for the prosecution to prove and carry the same penalties, so […]
California Polygraph Law on Lie Detector Test Admissibility
Everyone has heard of polygraphs (often called “lie detectors” by the public) being used by police or prosecutors, but are these tests even admissible in court in California? As it turns out, California law about evidence admissibility makes it very unlikely that a lie detector test’s results will be admitted in court. However, police still […]
Is it Legal for Minors to Buy Kombucha and Drive?
Kombucha is a lightly fermented drink that has recently become trendy for its health benefits. But because the beverage is fermented, could it be safely consumed by a teenager, and if so, could they drink it before driving a vehicle? While it may be ok to consume due to its low alcohol content, attorney Peter […]
All About California Dash Cam Laws
Under California law, dash cams are legal, but the state does place some restrictions on the devices. Whether or not you would benefit by installing such a device in your vehicle is a personal question that depends on how you drive and what situations you are likely to find yourself in. In some cases, the […]
Do the Police Actually Hire Consultants Like They Do on TV?
Shows like Lucifer, Psych, Castle and Monk feature contractors hired by the police to help solve crimes, but is what you see on screen realistic? As it turns out, while police consultants are real, criminal attorneys would get most of the evidence the TV consultants uncover thrown out of court. Here’s a breakdown of how […]
The Concept of Imperfect Self Defense and When it Can be Used in Vista
Self-defense is considered a “perfect defense,” meaning you automatically qualify for a full acquittal if the defense succeeds. However, even with a top criminal attorney, it can be difficult to prove all of the requirements for self defense, particularly in a case involving murder. When it’s impossible to prove self defense in a murder case […]
