In most people’s minds, the distinction between manslaughter and murder charges is whether or not the killing was intentional or not. But in the legal system, things aren’t so simple as that. In fact, while involuntary manslaughter is usually a result of an accidental death that was caused by recklessness or criminally negligent behavior, voluntary […]
Disturbing the Peace in Vista: California Penal Code Section 415 (PC)
When people talk about disorderly conduct, if they’re in California, the behavior they are describing is actually considered disturbing the peace. There are three types of behaviors covered by California Penal Code 415 (PC), these include playing excessively loud music, getting in a fight in public, or even using certain words. While these crimes may […]
Is Mutual Combat a Defense Against Assault Charges in California?
On any given day in any given city in the US, chances are that two people will engage in a verbal disagreement that ends up in a fistfight. But can you fight someone if you both agree? It depends where you are, but in California, fist fights are technically against the law, whether or not […]
What Happens If You’re Caught With a Weapon in a California Prison?
Those sentenced to jail and prison are subject to many additional rules not applicable to those outside, particularly when it comes to what they are permitted to have in their possession. These rules can apply to things like cellphones or alcohol, but the most serious form of contraband in prison are weapons. If you or […]
California’s Willful Exposure of Disease Law: 120290 (HSC)
No one wants to be sick, but sometimes people with infectious diseases put their own needs above the needs of others and willfully expose other people to their sickness —and sometimes people even purposefully transmit their disease. When the condition is something worse than the common cold, such as herpes, tuberculosis, or chickenpox, this willful […]
What is Capital Murder in California? Special Circumstances and the Death Penalty
Have you ever wondered why some people get the death penalty for murder while others do not? The answer comes down to the specific details that make a crime a “capital murder” versus a typical first-degree murder. That’s because while capital punishment is still entirely legal, it is only applicable in a handful of murder […]
Is Mace, Pepper Spray, or Bear Spray Legal in California? 22810 (PC)
California state law defines pepper spray and mace as forms of tear gas, meaning they are covered by the same penal code, 22810 (PC). Under this law, these aerosols are considered valid forms of self-defense, and, as such, they can be carried in public for personal safety. But that doesn’t mean anyone can use these […]
Is Hiding a Body a Crime in Vista, California?
Everyone knows it’s illegal to hide the body of a murder victim, whether the person hiding the corpse is the murderer or someone aiding and abetting the murderer. But it’s also illegal to conceal a body even if the victim died due to an accident. In Vista, these charges are filed under California Penal Code 152 (PC). Contact […]
Vista, California Rioting Laws: Penal Code 404 (PC)
Vista and the rest of San Diego County are pretty laid-back, which means riots are, fortunately, a rarity here. But on occasion, they do happen. If a riot breaks out around you, avoiding the fray is not just a good idea from a safety standpoint but also from a legal perspective because participating in a […]
What is the Penalty for Hiring a Hitman? California Murder Solicitation Law
A recent article in the New York Times uncovered a strange side of the dark web, where murder-for-hire sites are plentiful, but assassins are non-existent. While the hitmen may be fake, real people do visit these sites looking to hire someone to kill another person. Though it is legal to access these types of sites, […]
