Being investigated for a crime is intimidating. Many people believe that the best way to clear their name is to cooperate with the police in every step of the investigation and answer any questions detectives may ask. Sometimes people worry they will look guilty if they invoke their right to silence, insist on contacting a […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
