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 […]
San Diego Commercial DUI Lawyer
DUI charges are always serious, but for those with a commercial driver’s license (CDL), these allegations can endanger their entire livelihoods. The national drunk driving laws concerning commercial drivers are much stricter than other DUI laws, and California’s are some of the most restrictive in the nation. If you are a commercial vehicle and truck […]
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 […]
Child Kidnapping Laws: 277, 278, and 278.5 (PC)
Thanks to Amber Alerts and around-the-clock news networks, it sometimes feels like kids are abducted daily. Movies and TV shows would have you believe that these children are all captured by child molesters and criminals looking for hostages, but the reality is that 90% of abducted children are actually taken by a parent. Because child […]
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 When the law was originally enacted in 1998, it was very strict, and the penalty enhancements were mandatory.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 […]
San Diego Unlawful Sodomy Attorney
Sodomy is essentially a fancy name for anal sex. While consensual sodomy is legal, when one party does not consent, it is a crime under California Penal Code 286 (PC). The consequences for forceful sodomy or the sodomy of a child are similar to those for forceful oral copulation, rape with a foreign object, and […]
1203.2 (PC): Probation Violation Lawyer in San Diego
California is increasingly turning to probation to save money over incarcerating non-violent offenders. If you have been charged with a crime in San Diego, you could be sentenced to probation in place of part or all of a potential jail or prison term, even if you are found guilty of a felony. While probation is […]
CPAC GPS and SCRAM Ankle Monitors in Vista and San Diego County
With authorities increasingly trying to find realistic solutions to jail crowding, ankle monitors are more popular than ever. But those court-ordered to use any type of ankle monitor are hardly living the easy life. Even so, this alternative to incarceration is still generally better than going to jail or prison. What Kinds of Ankle Monitors […]
What’s The Difference Between Assault and Battery In California?
Assault and battery are often mentioned together, especially in police procedurals, and some states even charge the two offenses together. In California, however, they are separate offenses—the key distinction is the use of force. Assault is the threat or attempt to use force, whereas battery involves the actual use of force. The Definition of Assault […]
Defenses and Sentences for Hate Crimes In California
People commit crimes for many reasons, but jurors are usually more sympathetic when an offense was performed out of desperation or a result of a personal conflict rather than due to biased, hateful beliefs. To help protect the civil rights of individuals and punish those who victimize others based on prejudice, California has enacted many […]
