Understanding Disorderly Conduct in California
Disorderly conduct, also known as disturbing the peace, involves actions done in public that may be disruptive or offensive. Depending on the state, public intoxication may be considered as part of disorderly conduct or the state may have separate laws specific to being drunk in public.
Still, alcohol and drugs are often a common factor in disorderly conduct, as well as many other felonies including assault, drug crimes, violent crimes, drunk driving, and domestic violence. Take note, however, that in many states, one does not have to be intoxicated to be charged with disorderly conduct.
This area of the …
Records Expungement in California
Getting a job nowadays is very hard. Get a criminal offense and it becomes next to impossible. Fortunately, under the California Penal Code and criminal justice system, persons charged with criminal offenses can apply for expungement which can wipe out their criminal history and the associated penalties and disabilities.
The main benefit of this is that once a person has his criminal conviction expunged, he no longer has to reveal it to potential employers when he applies for a job, even after his employer has given a conditional offer of employment. This is in contrast to existing criminal convictions which …
California Criminal Background Check
Job hunting has never been easy, having a criminal record certainly does nothing to help it make it any easier. Studies have shown that most employers actively perform background checks to screen potential employees. They often also ask about applicants’ criminal histories during interviews.
Unfortunately, this is bad news to the roughly 8 million California residents out there, which is around 1 in 3 people in California. On the bright side, several California State Laws protect people with criminal records.
Antidiscrimination Laws
Under U.S. Federal laws, as well as California laws, it is illegal for employers to deny an applicant …
Legal defenses against Domestic Violence in California
Domestic abuse allegations occur in different circumstances. Domestic violence may pertain to assault and battery, spousal abuse, or violation of a restraining or order of protection.
Keep in mind that it is not necessary for an accused to cause bodily injury to the victim to be charged with domestic abuse. Some are not aware that there are criminal cases that are classified as misdemeanors.
Charges of domestic violence in California are generally filed as either a misdemeanor or a felony offense. A misdemeanor offense may be aggravated if the offender intentionally committed family violence and has used a firearm …
How to Contest an Assault Charge in California
An assault is a violent crime. It may involve threatening or attempting to cause serious physical injury or even the act of causing bodily harm or unwanted physical contact on another individual. This may range from touching or stalking to sexual assault or harassment. In some instances, endangerment of human life involves intentional assault with the use of a dangerous weapon.
A simple assault may be aggravated depending on the severity of the criminal violation. If the perpetrator, for example, assaulted a police officer, firefighter, or law enforcement officer, the charges of assault may be raised into a felony offense. …
Violent Crimes in California
In California, violent crimes are not just misdemeanor offenses. It is classified as a felony when any violent act is committed with intent to harm or inflict injury upon the victim. Violent crimes wherein the violent act is the objective will definitely lead to felony charges. Such violent acts include murders, involuntary manslaughter, assault and battery, rapes or sexual assault, and sodomy. Other acts that use violence as a form of coercion or even lewd sexual conduct can also constitute a felony.
The specific charges are based on the actions committed. Most violent crimes happen during robberies because there …
COVID-19 And Court Appearances
At Chastaine Jones Criminal Defense Attorneys, we are doing everything we can to stay on top of the changing situation to keep everyone informed. For up-to-the-minute information, please call our office and we can answer any questions. We are open and available during normal office hours, 9:00am to 5:00pm. We will do our best to keep updating this blog as things change.
Supreme Court
On April 29, 2020, Chief Justice Tani G. Cantil-Sakauye issued a statewide order extending criminal trial deadlines for an additional 30 days. This will cause jury trials that have already been continued to be continued out at …
Special Guest Topo Padilla – Changes to the Bail Bonds Industry
Mike and special guest Topo Padilla discuss the changes to the Bail Bonds Industry, what it hopes to achieve and the truth about what will actually happen. There is much to be concerned about if this bill passes. Topo comes from a generational bail bond business and has a unique perspective on the truth of what is going on.
For more information visit us at www.chastainelaw.com…
COVID 19 Criminal Court Update
Sacramento Valley as of 3/26/20
With the current COVID-19 situation, there is a lot of uncertainty with the courts and the criminal justice system as a whole.Chastaine Jones Criminal Defense Attorneys is doing everything we can to stay on top of the situation to keep everyone informed. Be aware that the situation is changing on a daily basis. For up-to-the-minute information, you can call our office to answer any questions specific to your case. We are open and available during normal office hours, 9:00am to 5:00pm. We will do our best to keep updating this blog as things change.
Timeline for
…BAIL REFORM??
With very few exceptions, anyone who is arrested is entitled to be released with some sort of bail. The purpose of bail is to assure that the accused will appear in court and to protect the community from a potentially dangerous person. While I have always understood how posting bail assures that people come to court, I have never really understood how simply posting a money bond protects the community. For instance, if a person has been arrested for repeated drunk driving, putting up money for bail does not do anything to address the drinking issue that may be present …