How to defend against a false sex crime accusation

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As we’ve seen in recent times, a sex crime accusation can ruin a person’s entire life. Accusations, with little evidence, have caused people to lose their jobs, families and reputations.

If sex crime charges are filed, the situation becomes even more serious. A sex crime conviction can mean that you never work in your chosen career again or rebuild relationships. You also face major penalties such as fines and even prison time.

California’s sex crime statute of limitations

The statute of limitations for sex crimes in California is rather long, which means a false accusation could come as a surprise. …

How to Post Bail

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There has been a lot of recent confusion over the issue of bail in California. In the past several years there have been a number of movements to abolish the use of bail.

In some ways the movement is short-sighted and fails to address the real issue – that the bail amounts are set too high.Despite new case law (See, In re Humphrey and In re White). Proposition 25 and Senate Bill 10, practically, not much has changed.

In California, if you are arrested or know that you are going to be, in the majority of cases you are …

Cannabis is still strictly regulated in California

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California law and societal attitudes about drugs have changed in recent years, but drugs are still strictly controlled under state law. If you have been accused of drug-related crimes, the exact charges against you will depend on the exact circumstances of your case. The type of drug, the quantity of the drugs and many other factors can make the difference between misdemeanor charges and serious felonies.

Different drug classes and consequences

Like federal law, California law classifies drugs into schedules, with Schedule I drugs the most heavily regulated. Schedule I drugs include substances such as cocaine, heroin and cannabis. Charges …

Five ways to defend against fraud and embezzlement allegations

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Allegations of embezzlement or financial fraud can threaten to ruin your future. A conviction, if one is obtained, may hit you with a significant amount of incarceration, financially ruinous fines and restitution, and damage to your reputation that can haunt you for the rest of your life. We don’t say that to scare you, but rather to let you know that the stakes are high and stress the importance of putting forth the best criminal defense possible in your case.

What are your defense options?

This is going to depend, in large part, on the facts of your case. However, …

Legal penalties for domestic violence in California

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If you find yourself facing any manner of criminal charge, it can be a stressful and uncertain time. However, domestic violence charges come with a plethora of unique legal and social challenges, even if you did nothing wrong. Plus, because California law treats relationship violence differently, the law compounds the consequences for a subsequent offense.

Domestic violence in California

A lot of actions qualify as domestic violence. In California, state law defines domestic violence in terms of relationships. Spouses or former spouses, a parent of your child or anyone you are or were engaged to all qualify for domestic …

Beverly Hills MD pleads guilty to stealing nearly $38 million

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Medical fraud, specifically fraud against Medicare and various insurers, may be a tempting target because the financial resources appear to be almost unlimited and because the enormous bureaucracy makes discovering theft and identifying the perpetrators of the fraud very difficult. However, as a recent case from Orange County demonstrates, an initial success may lead investigators to a person who is attempting to defraud the system on a large scale.

The scheme

The defendant in the case was an anesthesiologist who worked in Beverly Hills. He was recently sentenced to 10 years in prison after pleading guilty to eight counts of …

California’s Clean Slate Act – AB 1076 – Expungements Without Petitions?

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California has recently adopted legislation that claims to meaningfully address post-conviction relief. For those convicted of a criminal offense, having a criminal record can be an enduring punishment beyond the direct consequences of a conviction. California’s Clean Slate Act goes further than other post-conviction relief options to truly give those with a criminal record a fresh start.

Subject to budget constraints, the California Clean Slate Act provides automatic post-conviction relief to qualifying convictions.

You may qualify if:

  • You are not required to register as a sex offender,
  • You are not on supervision, probation, or parole,
  • You are not serving

Ley de Borrón y Cuenta Nueva de California – AB 1076 – ¿Expurgaciones sin peticiones?

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California ha adoptado recientemente una legislación que pretende abordar de manera significativa el alivio posterior a la condena. Para los condenados por un delito penal, tener antecedentes penales puede ser un castigo duradero más allá de las consecuencias directas de una condena. La Ley de Borrón y Cuenta Nueva de California va más allá que otras opciones de alivio posteriores a la condena para realmente brindarles a las personas con antecedentes penales un nuevo comienzo.

Sujeto a las limitaciones presupuestarias, la Ley de Borrón y Cuenta Nueva de California brinda un alivio automático posterior a la condena para las …

Do police have the right to search my house?

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Police raids are back in the headlines again, and if there was even a doubt about who can be raided, we should all know now, it can be anyone. That was always the case, but everyone is on notice now. Do police generally have the right to search you house?

Is there a general right to search your home?

No. In the United States, our homes are protected against unreasonable searches and seizures, and no law enforcement officer has the right to access our home, generally. Of course, there are exigent circumstances that may give them the right to …

Federal embezzlement and what makes it unique

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Being investigated for or accused of committing a crime can be a terrifying experience. After all, the outcome will have an enormous impact on your life, your family and your career. Embezzlement is a crime that most have heard of but they don’t necessarily understand, particularly at the federal level.

It’s a theft, but more than that

Embezzlement is basically theft. The alleged embezzler is accused of taking something that is not theirs. However, embezzlement is different because of the relationship between the person accused and the money or allegedly stolen property.

Embezzlement only happens when the alleged embezzler is …