Conspiracy Charges in California: What You Need to Know
When most people hear the word “conspiracy,” they think of shadowy plots and whispered schemes. However, in California (and at the federal level), conspiracy charges don’t require any cloak-and-dagger. In fact, you can face serious criminal consequences just for agreeing with someone else to commit a crime, even if the crime itself never takes place. […]
Do Restraining Orders Appear on Background Checks?
Restraining orders are more common than many people realize. They’re court orders meant to protect one person from another, often in situations involving alleged harassment, threats, or domestic disputes. However, while they’re technically civil orders (not criminal convictions), they can still have a serious impact on your life. One of the biggest questions people have […]
What Is Aiding and Abetting? A Defense Lawyer Explains
Most people think you have to be the one committing a crime to get charged. But in California, even if you didn’t actually pull the trigger, take the money, or break into the house, you can still face serious criminal charges just for helping someone else. It’s called aiding and abetting, and you could find […]
Detained vs Arrested: What Is the Difference?
When dealing with law enforcement in California, it’s important to understand the legal difference between being detained and being arrested. In simple terms, a detention is a temporary stop where police have reasonable suspicion to investigate further, while an arrest is a formal action that involves taking someone into custody, usually based on probable cause […]
Can You Go to Jail for Self-Defense in California?
Short answer: Yes, you can go to jail for self-defense in California if the force you used was considered unreasonable or unnecessary under the law. While self-defense is a legal right, it’s not a guarantee of immunity from arrest or prosecution. California law recognizes the right to defend yourself or others from harm. However, if […]
Do Arrest Warrants Expire in California? Ask Defense Attorney
Old legal issues don’t always stay in the past. Many people in California are surprised to learn that a warrant issued years ago can still come back to haunt them, sometimes at the worst possible moment. Whether it stems from a missed court date, an unresolved charge, or forgotten citations, an arrest warrant can remain […]
California Clean Slate Law (AB 1076) | Defense Attorney Explains
Having a criminal record in California can feel like a life sentence, even if you’ve served your time, completed probation, or had your case dismissed. Background checks don’t always tell the entire story, but they do follow you into job interviews, housing applications, and college admissions. California’s Clean Slate Law, especially AB 1076, can be […]
What are the Public Intoxication Laws in California?
You had a little too much to drink. You weren’t driving. You weren’t causing a scene (at least not in your eyes). Yet, the flashing lights appeared, and now you’re being cited or arrested for being drunk in public. In California, public intoxication can sneak up quickly. It’s one of those charges that sounds minor, […]
Can Charges Be Dropped at an Arraignment Hearing?
If you or someone you love is facing criminal charges, the arraignment might feel like the first major step in what could be a long legal journey. It’s completely normal to wonder can charges be dropped at an arraignment hearing? The short answer is: yes, but it’s not common. Understanding what the arraignment involves and […]