Knife laws in California can be notoriously confusing, with multiple penal codes dictating what is and is not legal to possess and carry in the state. Additionally, many local city and county ordinances add further restrictions. Before you carry any weapon, it’s wise to learn what restrictions may apply so you do not run afoul […]
Is Suicide Illegal In California?
Suicide isn’t an easy discussion topic for most people, but it’s also subject to several myths when it comes to the law. For example, many people think it is a crime to kill yourself in California and that you can be charged with attempted suicide if your attempt fails. In actuality, suicide (and attempted suicide) […]
Understanding Vandalism Laws in Vista and North County
Vandalism and graffiti are crimes nearly everyone has committed at one point or another —whether it involves scratching your initials into a desk in high school, doodling on a bus poster, or something more drastic like spray painting your name across a wall. But just because these acts are common doesn’t mean you shouldn’t take […]
California Extortion and Blackmail Law: 518 (PC)
California’s extortion laws prohibit the obtaining of money, property, sexual favors, political actions, or anything else of value through the use of force, fear, or coercion, which could include someone threatening to reveal a secret, expose nude pictures, or provide evidence that someone committed a crime. While the state’s main extortion law is defined under […]
Your Right to a Speedy Trial in California Courts
You probably already know that the US Constitution guarantees your right to a speedy trial, but what does that actually mean? Are your rights violated if you aren’t given a trial within a week? A month? A year? Well, the answer is a little complicated as it depends on the charges and whether you are […]
Pyramid, Ponzi, and Endless Chain Schemes in California
Most people are only aware of a few types of fraud based on things they’ve seen on television. They can imagine a con man fast-talking someone into losing money, someone using identity theft to trick others into trusting them, or someone setting up a pyramid or Ponzi scheme to convince people to “invest” their money […]
186.10 (PC): Money Laundering in California
It’s pretty obvious that someone is getting income in a questionable manner when they start buying new cars, expensive tech, and luxury goods that should be totally out of their budget. Money laundering allows people to make illicitly earned funds appear to come from legitimate income sources so the money can be spent without raising […]
California Bigamy Law: 281 (PC)
California recognizes marriages between a man and a woman and two partners of the same sex. It does not, however, acknowledge marriages involving more than one person or those where one party is already married to someone else. Polygamy and bigamy are crimes in California, and if either person getting married knows that one of […]
Prison and Jail Escape Laws in California: 4530 and 4532 (PC)
It’s a TV trope seen in shows like Luke Cage, The Fugitive, Sense 8, and Prison Break; the main character is locked in prison for a crime he didn’t commit and must break out of prison to prove his innocence. But in real life, proving your innocence doesn’t mean you can just walk away after […]
The 10-20-Life Law of California
California Penal Code 12022.53 (PC), also known as the “10-20-Life” statute or “Use a Gun and You’re Done” law, adds additional penalties when you use a gun during the commission of certain crimes. When the law was originally enacted in 1998, it was very strict, and the penalty enhancements were mandatory. It has since been […]
