Computers have only been widely used for the last half a century, and the internet has been popular for less than half that time. Even so, the number of ways a person can violate the law with a computer and an internet connection seems to grow by the day. These crimes are very complex, and […]
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 […]
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 […]
“Swatting” is the False Report of an Emergency
The SWAT (or Special Weapons and Tactics) team is an elite unit of police officers tasked with handling particularly dangerous situations. While this special team helps resolve some particularly deadly situations, their presence can sometimes escalate certain circumstances a heavily armed and aggressive force isn’t necessary. Unfortunately, the aggressive nature of the SWAT team is […]
Understanding California Statute of Limitations Laws
It makes sense that someone could be charged with murder 30 years after the victim dies, but it wouldn’t be fair for someone to be accused of shoplifting that many years later. The statute of limitations is a legal way to ensure that those who committed heinous acts can be held responsible for their actions […]
California Search and Seizure Laws
For you to be charged with a crime, police must find enough evidence to indicate your guilt. For the charges to result in a conviction, the evidence must be strong enough to prove your guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. While the California and US Constitutions protect citizens from illegal and unreasonable search and seizure, police […]
Service Animal Fraud in California
Thanks to the Americans With Disabilities Act, persons with service animals can bring their trained companion animals wherever they go, including restaurants, hotels, grocery stores, and other places where pets are prohibited. But some people falsely claim their pet is a service animal, so they can take the creature wherever they go or live in […]
Is Lying to the Police a Felony in California?
You can’t be charged with obstruction of justice if you refuse to speak with the police, no matter how many police procedurals say otherwise. But while you have the right to remain silent (as long as you do it right by properly invoking your Fifth Amendment rights) and to have a lawyer present when you […]
