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 […]
Can You be Convicted of Domestic Violence and Still be in the Military?
We have already discussed how a domestic violence conviction can prevent you from being able to possess a firearm and how felonies can prohibit you from entering the military without a wavier, but what what happens if you get a domestic violence charge while in the military? Unfortunately, the outlook for military careers isn’t good […]
The Simpsons Are America’s Most Loved Cartoon Criminals
With nearly 30 seasons of episodes and characters that are recognized worldwide, The Simpsons is considered a cultural staple. Part of what makes the namesake family so popular is the simple fact that they’re so darn flawed. But in real life, these flaws would probably leave the parents behind bars and most of the kids […]
Why Frank Castle Deserves a New Trial in Daredevil
One of the defining character-building moments of Netflix’s Daredevil series is the complete and utter failure of Matt Murdock as a defense lawyer in the courtroom trial of Frank Castle, a.k.a. The Punisher. While Murdock and his legal partner, Foggy Nelson, always had the deck stacked against them in this case (Frank Castle is undoubtedly […]
The Pros and Cons of Eliminating Cash Bail
Like most things, cash bail has pros and cons, but when you look at the data, evidence suggests eliminating it would benefit society overall. In California, we were lucky to get a chance to see how putting an end to cash bail could work when the state instituted a zero bail policy in an effort […]
Evidence Tampering Laws in Vista, California: 132 (PC), 134 (PC), 135 (PC), and 141 (PC)
Evidence integrity in the court system is critical, especially as the US justice system requires prosecutors to prove the defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. Unreliable or missing evidence could result in great injustices. To protect evidence accuracy, California has passed many laws prohibiting its destruction, concealment, or alteration. If you have been accused of […]
Debunking the 10 Most Commonly Believed Legal Myths
Many shows, books, and movies depict the legal system, but because writers need to be concerned with conciseness and ratings, they often fall back on common misconceptions. Unfortunately, when myths spread enough, the public starts to accept them as accurate, but no matter how much people believe these ideas, it doesn’t change how the criminal […]
Is it Illegal to Spank Your Child in California?
It is against the law to beat a child, but many people mistakenly believe that all forms of corporal punishment are illegal in California. The line between discipline and abuse can be blurry though, so while spanking is legal, it must fall under what the law defines as “reasonable discipline.” If you have been accused […]
