Forensic science is best known for solving murders, but forensics can also be used during a rape examination to collect proof that a sexual assault occurred. These examinations reveal evidence, including DNA samples, fiber fragments, fingerprints, and more. But just because the rape kit indicates that sexual intercourse occurred between two people doesn’t always mean […]
The Toxic Relationship Between Jan Levinson and Michael Scott
The Office was highly praised for the way it approached domestic abuse. Whereas most shows either portray a woman victim or make light of a man being abused, often even questioning his masculinity or even going so far as to imply that he deserves it for letting a woman abuse him, The Office showed Michael […]
What are the Best Criminal Defenses in CA?
If you are charged with a crime, you will be asked to plead guilty or not guilty. If you plead not guilty, you and your criminal defense attorney will need to present a defense to show the prosecutor does not have enough evidence to prove your guilt. To do this, you and your criminal lawyer […]
Will a Case Get Dropped if a Victim Refuses to Testify?
Many cases, particularly those involving domestic violence and sexual assault, come down to the alleged victim’s word versus the word of the accuser. Because these charges depend on the accuser’s testimony, courts have to balance the risks of further traumatizing the victim with the rights of the defendant to face their accuser in court and […]
Is Jury Nullification Legal in California?
Sometimes the law is unjust. The law itself may be morally reprehensible, the penalties may be too harsh for the crime, or an ordinarily reasonable law may seem unfair in a particular case. In these cases, jurors may sometimes resort to a practice known as jury nullification, meaning they base their verdict not on the […]
When is Evidence Admissible Vs. Inadmissible?
Criminal cases are based on evidence. Because the U.S. Constitution guarantees that defendants are innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, the evidence presented by the prosecution must be enough to outweigh that offered by the defense. Not everything can be used as evidence though, and many rules determine the admissibility of evidence in […]
Can a Diary be Used as Evidence? Are Diaries Admissible in Court?
Diaries and journals can be written for many reasons, but one thing most of these writers have in common is the expectation that their private thoughts and observations will be kept confidential. Unfortunately, the US legal system doesn’t hold diaries as a protected source of speech that can’t be used against their writer later on. […]
All About California Dash Cam Laws
Under California law, dash cams are legal, but the state does place some restrictions on the devices. Whether or not you would benefit by installing such a device in your vehicle is a personal question that depends on how you drive and what situations you are likely to find yourself in. In some cases, the […]
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 […]
Evidence Tampering Laws in Vista, California: 132 (PC), 134 (PC), 135 (PC), and 141 (PC)
Evidence integrity in the court system is critical, especially as the US justice system requires prosecutors to prove the defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. Unreliable or missing evidence could result in great injustices. To protect evidence accuracy, California has passed many laws prohibiting its destruction, concealment, or alteration. If you have been accused of […]
