Blog & Articles

We know that we're not supposed to provide things like our social security numbers and credit card numbers to anyone who calls us. We know that this helps us avoid becoming the victim of an identity theft scam. What we don't consider is the potential...

The sight of blue lights flashing in the rearview mirror and the realization that you are going way above the posted speed limit causes everyone to break out in a cold sweat. The faster you're going, the more likely it is that you'll find yourself...

Expungement is the process of having an arrest, conviction, and other related records sealed so that they aren't available to the general public. Most states, including California, have taken measures that allow people to have certain records expunged. The reason for this is that it...

The recent winter storms that lashed out across over twenty California counties created the perfect opportunity to address the issue of storm price gouging and the impact it has on the average person.The legal dictionary defines price gouging as:"The practice of raising the price of...

Everyone who lives in California should dedicate some time to familiarizing themselves with the California Family Act. Businesses that are required to grant leave based on this particular Act are all state governmental agencies and any California business that employs at least five people.The Act...

If you think that assault and battery are the same thing, you're mistaken. In California, assault and battery are two different crimes. The reason so many think they are the same charge is that it's not uncommon for a person to be simultaneously charged with...

You've been pulled over, and the police officer says that they suspect you've been drinking. They would like you to perform an immediate sobriety test so that they can determine if you're officially driving while under the influence. At this point, some people meekly comply....

When fentanyl was first starting to generate some media attention, the synthetic opioid was a good thing. It was a popular and extremely effective method to treat extreme pain. Doctors commonly prescribed it post-surgery, and patients with advanced cancer often used it to help control...

Did you know that you can legally jaywalk in California?That's right; you're free to cross the road whenever you feel like it, even if you're not in a crosswalk. You can even do so right in front of a police officer, and they won't be...

Being accused of a hit-and-run in California is no laughing matter. If you're convicted, you face severe legal consequences.The first thing you need to know is that the circumstances surrounding the incident determine whether you're charged with misdemeanor hit and run or if you'll...

One of the major downsides to the judicial system is how long it takes. The amount of time that passes between an initial arrest and the defendant finally getting their day in court is often incredibly long.The first time you'll see the inside of...

Finding out that there is a warrant out for your arrest is an earth-shattering revelation. Most of us don't have the first idea about what we should do in this particular situation.What You Shouldn't DoThe mistake that many people make is ignoring the situation and...

Personal protection is something everyone needs to worry about. In addition to taking self-defense classes, many people have started to explore different things that they can carry that will help them protect themselves if they're attacked.Traditionally, pepper spray has been the first choice for...

Most people would like to pretend that they were never arrested and never accused of criminal activity. They hope that if they pretend it never happened, that no one will ever learn about the incident. The understandable desire to put an arrest behind them is...

Knowing you should have both your criminal and arrest records is one thing. Knowing how to acquire these reports is a whole different matter.Since California’s arrest records are a matter of public record, you’re legally allowed access to the information, but to obtain it, you...

Social media is supposed to be a fun way to stay connected to your family and friends, and for the most part, that’s exactly what it is. However, as some people have found out, there are a few different ways that social media can cause...

Most people assume that as long as they don’t drive after they’ve been drinking, they have nothing to worry about. What they don’t realize is that in California, you can be charged with public intoxication.While it’s perfectly okay to drink in California, while you’re in...

With the Powerball jackpot soaring to over a billion dollars, people are stocking up on tickets. Even people who have never played the lotto before are purchasing a ticket and daydreaming about what they will do if they strike it big.Since there is always a...

One of the biggest decisions you have to make after you've been charged with a crime is deciding if you should hire a private criminal defense attorney or if you should take advantage of a public defender.The correct answer is going to vary from one...

One of the great things about the way our justice system is set up is that everyone is entitled to legal representation. That means that no matter what your financial situation is, you don't have to worry about navigating the criminal charges that have been...

If you're worried that someone is either stalking you or is intent on harming you, it's in your best interest to approach the California courts and secure an emergency personal protection order (PPO).The purpose of a PPO is to have a legal method of providing...

When you walk into a toy store, you will find entire shelves full of imitation guns. Some don't look even close to real, while others are surprisingly authentic looking. Looking at the authentic toys, it's easy to wonder if you could get in trouble for...

It doesn't matter if you've already been convicted of a crime or simply been arrested but not formally charged, you're not allowed to escape police custody. Doing so will only make your situation even worse.Attempting to escape from custody is a direct violation of...