Though assault and battery are frequently confused with one another, assault typically only involves the threat or attempt to use violence, not the actual use of force. When someone elevates this threat or attempts to use force, the assault is considered to be aggravated, making it a potential felony offense filed under California Penal Code section […]
Human Trafficking Laws in California: 236.1 (PC)
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 […]
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 […]
The Difference Between Assault and Battery In California
Many people mistakenly believe the terms assault and battery can always be used interchangeably, but under California, the two crimes are very distinct. When it comes to assault versus battery, the difference is that assault involves a threat or an attempt to use violence, but battery actually involves the use of of force. What is […]
Assault and Battery on a Peace Officer in CA
Police officers, firefighters, EMTs, and other first responders are a protected group under California assault and battery laws. When someone knowingly commits assault or battery against one of these individuals, they can face additional penalties for these crimes under Penal Codes 241(c), 243(c), and 243(b) (PC). There are many ways to fight these charges, but […]
Understanding Self-Defense Laws in California
In most cases, it is illegal to use force against others, but one of the strongest criminal defenses to these charges is arguing that you were acting in self-defense. California is known as a “stand your ground” state, which means you have the right to use force to defend yourself or another person without first […]
Hazing Under California Penal Code 245.6 (PC)
One of the first things many people associate with fraternities is the centuries-old tradition of hazing new pledges. Still, after multiple student deaths related to hazing activities occurred throughout the country, many states, including California, started banning dangerous initiation rituals. Hazing has a lot of different meanings, but for most people, it brings to mind […]
Kidnapping Charges in CA: San Diego Criminal Lawyer
When most people envision kidnapping, they imagine a person snatching a young child off the street, but the actual criminal charge of kidnapping is quite different. In many cases, kidnapping does not involve the abduction of a child at all. When it does, the offense is an enhanced charge punishable by even more substantial penalties. […]
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 minorities by allowing […]
The Most Common Misdemeanors and Felonies in 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 San Diego practice, which are also some of the most common crimes as detailed by the […]