Human trafficking is the legal name for slavery, but these laws aren’t limited to only involuntary servitude but also include forced sexual encounters. In fact, if you break California’s pimping and pandering laws and the prostitute in question is a minor, you could also be charged with violating human trafficking laws in California under Penal […]
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 While the term may sound old-fashioned and outdated, it is still very relevant when it comes to the law, as it can result in additional post-conviction consequences.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 […]
Hazing in Vista Under California Penal Code 245.6 (PC)
One of the first things people associate with fraternities is the centuries-old tradition of hazing new pledges. Still, after multiple students died during hazing activities over the years, many states, including California, started banning dangerous initiation rituals. While not all forms of hazing are illegal, those likely to result in injuries are. If you have […]
Understanding the Gang Enhancement Law of California
California is home to some of the nation’s longest-running and most deadly street gangs. In 1988, to curb the violence associated with these criminal organizations, the state enacted Penal Code section 186.22 (PC), known as the California Street Terrorism Enforcement and Prevention (STEP) Act. Unfortunately, these measures ended up being disproportionately used against minority communities […]
The Felony Murder Rule of California: 189 (PC)
Under California law, violent offenders can be charged with murder if they kill someone while committing a felony. This section of the law is known as the felony murder rule and is detailed under California Penal Code 189 (PC). At one point, even accidental deaths that occurred during the commission of a felony could result […]
Is Spitting on Someone a Crime in California?
Spitting in someone’s face is one of the greatest insults you can make without saying a word. It also can quickly escalate a verbal argument into a physical one and cause someone to get seriously ill, which is why spitting on or at someone is a crime. Similarly, if a restaurant worker or anyone else […]
Terrorist and Criminal Threats: Penal Code Section 422 (PC)
Under California law, criminal threats of any nature, be they personal or terror-related, are charged in the same manner. That means whether you threaten to threaten to kill an ex or if you call in a bomb threat to an airport, you will still be charged with making a criminal threat. If you have been […]
The Difference Between Assault and Battery In California
There are many reasons that people mistakenly believe the terms assault and battery can be used interchangeably. For one thing, police procedurals often lump the two together when detectives speak with one another. But more realistically, it’s because some states lump the two acts together. In California, however, the two crimes are very distinct. When […]
Can You Lose Your License for Life in California?
Many crimes can result in a temporary license suspension, including drunk driving, certain juvenile crimes, violating the implied consent law, reckless driving, joyriding, and more. Most people don’t know that some offenses can also result in a lifetime license revocation of your Class A, B, or C licenses, meaning you lose this type of driver’s license forever in California. If you […]
The Most Common Misdemeanors and Felonies in Vista, California
While attorney Mr. Liss handles all types of criminal charges, he sees some types of cases far more than others. These are some of the offenses he takes the most frequently in the process of defending clients in his Vista practice, which are also some of the most common crimes as detailed by the Public […]
