Most people agree that stealing is wrong, but taking ownership of something you know has been stolen can be a legal gray area. Whether the matter is ethical or not typically comes down to whether or not the individual taking the item knows if it was stolen. The law considers the issue similarly, which is […]
The 7 Types of Criminal Warrants in California
While most people have heard of search and arrest warrants, fewer are familiar with the other types used in the criminal justice system. Regardless of the variety, they are all used to help keep the justice system working as smoothly as possible, making it possible for police to do their jobs while ensuring witnesses and […]
Vista and San Diego Restraining Order Attorney: TRO & PRO
When someone you know, even love, accuses you of assault, harassment, stalking, or domestic violence, you may feel hurt and betrayed. You may not know what to do. But what you can’t afford to do is wait to hire a lawyer experienced at defending against restraining orders (sometimes called “protective orders” or “stay-away orders”). Attorney […]
The Story of Alec Baldwin’s Rust Trial
It was a true tragedy when cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was killed on the set of Alec Baldwin’s Western film Rust. Whether or not it was a crime was not as immediately apparent. To determine if it was a crime, the incident was investigated by the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Department, New Mexico’s First Judicial District […]
Sightseeing or Unauthorized Entry into an Emergency Area
When emergency personnel are called to handle a fire, hostage situation, car crash, or any other situation that threatens the public’s safety, they must be able to do their jobs without interference. It is for this very reason that California has instituted multiple laws to help protect first responders while they handle dangerous situations. These […]
What Happens if You Confess a Crime to a Therapist? Do They Have to Report It?
The US court system recognizes that some relationships deserve legal protection so the parties can be sufficiently open with one another. For example, Vista criminal defense attorney Peter M. Liss has previously written about the laws regarding: Attorney/client privilege, which ensures lawyers and clients can be open and honest with one another Spousal privilege, so […]
Larry David Has ‘No Lessons Learned’ Regarding Courtroom Proceedings
Mark Twain advised entertainers to ‘never let the truth get in the way of a good story.” Throughout the twelve seasons of HBO’s Curb Your Enthusiasm, Larry David heartily embraced those words, making a farce of his own life as he plays a fictional version of himself. Of course, he already test-drove this recipe for success […]
What is the Penalty for Voter Fraud in California?
A democracy can only function when the electorate believes their votes will be counted accurately and fairly. To maintain the system’s integrity, voter and election fraud must be prevented, so California has instituted strong laws and punishments to prevent these crimes. If you have been accused of any crime related to interfering with an election, […]
Shoplifting Laws in Vista, California: Penal Code 459.5 (PC)
Shoplifting is one of those terms, like assault, that is used differently by the public than by those in the justice system. Most people use the term to indicate that someone stole merchandise from a store, but it’s a little more complicated under the law. Similarly, many people assume the crime is not very serious […]
Fines and Fees in the California Criminal Justice System
Being poor shouldn’t be a crime, but in America, having too little income to pay court fines often leaves people behind bars when they can’t afford the penalties and fees that can frequently double or triple the original cost of the fine. California has attempted to rectify this situation by outlawing some of the most common […]
