A democracy can only function when the electorate believes their votes will be counted accurately and fairly. To maintain the system’s integrity, voter and election fraud must be prevented, so California has instituted strong laws and punishments to prevent these crimes. If you have been accused of any crime related to interfering with an election, […]
What is Work Furlough in San Diego County?
To help minimize the populations of prisons and jails, state and county lawmakers have developed many alternatives to incarceration for non-violent offenders. One such program in California is the San Diego County Probation Department’s “Work Furlough (WF) and Residential Re-entry Center (RRC)” program, which allows inmates an opportunity to work and apply for jobs before they are […]
Shoplifting Laws in Vista, California: Penal Code 459.5 (PC)
Shoplifting is one of those terms, like assault, that is used differently by the public than by those in the justice system. Most people use the term to indicate that someone stole merchandise from a store, but it’s a little more complicated under the law. Similarly, many people assume the crime is not very serious […]
Fines and Fees in the California Criminal Justice System
Being poor shouldn’t be a crime, but in America, having too little income to pay court fines often leaves people behind bars when they can’t afford the penalties and fees that can frequently double or triple the original cost of the fine. California has attempted to rectify this situation by outlawing some of the most common […]
Where Can You Travel While on Misdemeanor or Felony Probation?
Those on both felony and misdemeanor probation are subjected to many limitations. Whether or not someone can travel while on probation depends on the terms of their release agreement, but typically, there are different rules for those on summary (misdemeanor) probation and those on formal (felony) probation. Even the terms listed on your probation agreement […]
The Statute of Limitations on Sexual Assault Crimes in California
The statute of limitations is how long prosecutors can take to file charges against someone who has committed a crime. In most cases, this deadline is based on the date the crime occurred, but it sometimes can be based on when the victim discovered that a crime occurred —in the event of a forgery, for […]
What is a Crime Involving Moral Turpitude (CIMT)?
Under both state and federal law, some offenses are considered “crimes of moral turpitude,” meaning they involve serious dishonesty, fraud, or something morally reprehensible. While the term may sound old-fashioned and outdated, it is still very relevant when it comes to the law, as it can result in additional post-conviction consequences. Unfortunately, what crimes fall […]
What Surveillance Tools do Police in San Diego County Use?
Overall, Americans are against the idea of statewide surveillance programs, which is why there are no nationwide camera systems complete with facial recognition like there are in many other countries. But Americans, like most people, also want police to be able to solve crimes, especially serious and violent offenses. Balancing the public’s desire for privacy […]
Can Gum Throw Off a Breathalyzer?
There are a lot of rumors about how gum may affect breathalyzer test results. Some people think chewing it before providing a breath test will help cover the odor of the alcohol, helping to lower their BAC. Others believe that the artificial sugars in gum contain alcohol and will, therefore, cause them to appear drunk, […]
What You Should Know About Gun Storage Laws in CA
Note: California firearm laws change frequently. This article was updated to reflect current gun storage laws enacted on January 1, 2026. New changes to the law after this date may not be included. Everytown Research estimates that an average of 150 people are killed in unintentional shootings by children. To minimize the dangers of children […]
