Have you ever wondered why some people get the death penalty for murder while others do not? The answer comes down to the specifics of the crime. That’s because in California, while capital punishment is still fully legal, it is only applicable in a handful of murder cases involving specific special circumstances detailed in California […]
California’s Gang Database Desperately Needs to be Reformed
This week, news came out that the Los Angeles Police Department will be prohibited from using or contributing to the California gang database. Additionally, other law enforcement agencies throughout the state can no longer access the LAPD’s entries in the state gang registry (which make up nearly 25% of all the records in the […]
Human Trafficking Laws in California: Offenses and Penalties
Human trafficking is the legal name for slavery, but human trafficking laws in California aren’t limited to only involuntary servitude. In fact, if you violate 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, even if you did not […]
A Look Back at All the Crimes in Pulp Fiction -and There’s a Lot
It’s hard to believe, but Quentin Tarantino’s Pulp Fiction celebrated its 25th anniversary in May. To celebrate a legendary film full of violence, drug use and other crimes, violent crimes lawyer Peter M. Liss has taken the time to explore the full range of crimes in Pulp Fiction. The Theft That Kicks it Off While […]
The Supreme Court Determines How Much Force Makes a Crime Violent
The law frequently talks about “violent crimes,” but Oceanside violent crimes lawyers know that unless a crime is specifically defined as violent in the law itself, defining what is or is not violent can be a tricky task. That’s particularly true when trying to apply one state’s laws to another or to federal laws. A […]
Be Careful What You Post on Social Media -Even a Private Account
We previously talked about how you can’t just say whatever you want on social media if it can be taken as a criminal threat, but it’s worth noting that even if you have a private account you still need to watch what you say online. Oceanside criminal lawyer Peter M. Liss suggests either fully vetting […]
Will a Case Get Dropped if a Victim Refuses to Testify?
A common question defendants particularly those in domestic violence cases) ask is whether their case will be dropped if the victim refuses to testify. This is especially true in domestic violence and sexual assault cases where the entire case may come down to one person’s account of events versus the other’s. The answer to this […]
In California, Hazing Can be Illegal -San Diego Defense Lawyer
One of the first things many people associate with fraternities is the centuries-old tradition of hazing new pledges, but after deaths started springing up around the country related to hazing activities, many states, including California, started banning dangerous hazing rituals. If you have been charged with a crime related to hazing or want to make […]
The Most Common Juvenile Crimes in San Diego, California
We have already discussed some of the most common crimes committed in California, but juvenile offenders tend to violate different laws than their adult counterparts. Here are some of the most common charges seen in juvenile courts in San Diego. Assault and battery Teens have always resorted to violence and threats to handle conflicts, but […]
You Can’t Be Convicted for Acting in Defense of Others
It is illegal to use force against others in most cases, but one of the strongest criminal defenses to these crimes is arguing that you were acting in self defense. While most people know that you can claim that you acted in self defense in order to fight charges of violent crimes, including homicide, attempted murder, assault, […]
