Defending against drug charges in California
If you have been charged with drug possession or distribution, you are potentially looking at years in prison, thousands of dollars in fines and a permanent criminal record. As a result, you may have a difficult time finding employment or re-entering the community once your sentence has been served. If you are facing charges for […]
Murder or Involuntary Manslaughter?
Under California law, the crime of murder is defined as: “Murder is the unlawful killing of a human being, or a fetus, with malice aforethought.” (Pen. Code, § 187.) In order to be convicted of murder, a necessary element the prosecution must prove is that the defendant acted with malicious intent. Malice may either be […]
Why attacking witness credibility may be key to your case
The evidence being presented against you in your criminal case might be overwhelming. But regardless of what the prosecution is prepared to present against you, you might have strong criminal defense options that, if properly utilized, will better protect your interests. Among these are seemingly minor tactics, such as attacking witness credibility. Why you should be concerned […]
Is self-defense the right argument in your case?
Verbal altercations can quickly escalate, turning physical in nature. When that happens, someone can end up hurt and the police may be called. Depending on what’s said at that time, you may find yourself being accused of criminal wrongdoing. Being charged with a violent crime can not only be surprising, but it can also be […]
Two state consultants fined for allegedly submitting fraudulent invoices
California pays huge sums of money to many firms from whom it purchases specialized scientific services. Two such firms, both providing environmental consulting services, were recently found guilty of allegedly conspiring to submit false invoices to the Underground Storage Tank Cleanup Fund, a fund managed by the State Water Resources Control Board. The charges According […]
Man charged with murder in connection with fentanyl death
Can you be charged with murder in California if you supplied the drug with which someone else fatally overdosed? This question has come up many times recently amid a rash of fatal overdoses connected with an epidemic of opioid addiction. The answer is yes, but the details are complicated. Placer County man faces murder charge […]
How to defend against a false sex crime accusation
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 […]
Cannabis is still strictly regulated in California
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 […]
Five ways to defend against fraud and embezzlement allegations
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 […]
Legal penalties for domestic violence in California
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 […]