People can only live once. So what’s the point of judges sentencing people to multiple life sentences? There are actually valid reasons for this strange-sounding criminal penalty, including the real meaning of “life” imprisonment and how the judicial system works. Here’s why courts in California give multiple life sentences and why it makes sense from […]
Why Judges or Attorneys Must Sometimes Recuse Themselves
But as the public may talk about recusal when it is discussed in major news stories, many don’t understand what the term means or its greater implications on the judicial system. Here’s why someone may recuse themselves from a case and what happens if someone who should have recused themselves didn’t. What Does Recuse Mean […]
What is Hearsay in Vista Under California Evidence Code 1200 (EC)
Pretty much any show or movie with a courtroom trial scene features the TV Trope of a lawyer objecting to something because it’s hearsay. But what is hearsay, exactly, and why can’t it be used in courts in Vista? Lawyer Peter M. Liss explains California Evidence Code section 1200 (EC), including the exceptions that allow […]
Court-Ordered Community Service for Misdemeanors in Vista, California
If you have been charged with a low-level misdemeanor in Vista or the rest of San Diego County, you may be eligible for an incarceration alternative, which could include community service. Not everyone is eligible for these opportunities, so speak with an alternative sentencing lawyer if you hope to perform community service as part of your […]
What Age Can You Get Married in California?
The age of consent in California is 18. Oddly, while you have to be 18 to get married without your parent’s permission, you can marry at any age as long as you have parental consent —and those who are legally married are excluded from the state’s statutory rape laws. Here’s what you should know about […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
