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 …
Sex Offender registration – Light at the end of the Tunnel?
California is only one of 4 states that have lifetime sex offender registration for any offense in which you are required to register. While there are a few very limited offenses for which it is possible to be relieved of the duty to register, the vast majority of sex offenses are specifically excluded from any relief by Penal Code section 290.5.
The California Sex Offender Management Board was developed in 2006. It is made up of primarily law enforcement persons who are tasked to review sex offender laws and develop recommendations for improvement.
In its most recent report “A Better …
Yes Means yes – Sex on Campus in 2016
In my opinion, college is a great time to experiment. You try new things, push the envelope and develop in many ways. Meeting different people and figuring out where you fit in socially is a big part of the college experience, including sexual experimentation.
Things have changed a lot since I went to college. Nowadays, kids still experiment with sex but the attitudes and policies about sex on campus, have changed dramatically. Generally, I think this is a good thing. In the past, too often young women/men were taken advantage of and no one was ever held accountable. Often, this …
The Limitations to Record Clearance, According to an Expungement Attorney
While expungement clears your previous convictions, keep in mind that expunged records are not totally erased or sealed forever. Depending on the state where you live and the reason for the request for disclosure, your expunged criminal records may be disclosed. Here are circumstances when sealed criminal records will be shown again.
Asking for another Expungement
Some states grant an expungement only once. This is why it’s best to try expunging all eligible cases at one time, since you will no longer be eligible for expungements of succeeding convictions. If you apply for another one, the court will see your …
California’s Bail System
There is growing concern in California that its bail system is unjust and many in the legal community are calling for reform. The average bail amount in California is five times that of the national median amount. This gross disparity has many in the legal community concerned that the current bail system results in undue monetary punishment and unjust guilty pleas.
The problem with having a bail amount in California that is more than five times the national average is twofold. First, high bail amounts create great pressure for even innocent people to plead guilty just so that they can …
Expungement Lawyer: When Do You Need to Disclose Expunged Records?
Expungement offers a great opportunity for people with criminal convictions to start over with their lives. Through expungement, your past criminal records will be cleaned up, and the case legally dismissed. This gives you the chance to find gainful employment without the fear of being rejected or criticized due to any past record.
Technically speaking, companies are not allowed to discriminate against convicted persons when choosing candidates for a job, as doing so is a violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act. It is, however, common practice for many companies to perform background checks, and a past record …
Reducing a Felony Conviction to a Misdemeanor Does Not Happen Automically – Proposition 47
In November of 2014 Proposition 47 passed giving certain low-level, nonviolent felony convictions the opportunity to be reduced to misdemeanors on old criminal records. The law itself reclassified several categories of theft and drug possession crimes from felonies or “wobblers” (crimes that can be charged as either a felony or misdemeanor) to straight misdemeanors. Prop 47 is a benefit to those who are facing charges, those with pending charges and those who are currently serving a sentence. Fortunately, it will also benefit those who already completed their sentences but would like to clean up their record.
There was a question …