As soon as the red lights come on behind you, the officer is looking for signs you are Driving Under the Influence. He is trained to document the reason for the stop. He is also looking to document anything unusual that happens from the time the officer activates his red…
The cops just arrested you in Orange County, CA,and never read you your rights. How can that be? We’ve all seen how on television the Right to Remain Silent is rushed through and said by the cops through clenched teeth just as they are slapping the cuffs on the suspect.…
If a client gives his California lawyer stolen property, does the attorney client privilege shield him from getting prosecuted? This straight forward question, of course, has many answers, depending on the circumstances. In general, a lawyer cannot knowingly take possession of the “fruits” of a crime. In other words, a…
Child abuse charges are usually thought to involve sexual molestation. However, this is just one of many ways someone can be charged with child abuse. Of course, someone who is alleged to have sexually abused a child will be charged with a violation of Penal Code section 288(a) or other…
This question comes up a lot. Defendant A comes into my office and says, “I’m guilty. I did it. Do I really need a lawyer? Maybe I should just throw myself on the mercy of the court and get it over with.” The question then becomes, how does that usually…
If you are in trouble with the police you need to hire the best lawyer you can find. The State Bar of California has established a system that recognizes experts in the various fields of the law. If the police come knocking at your door, you had better have someone…
Often times I hear, “Well, if I hire a lawyer, won’t it look like I’m guilty?” The clear and simple answer is “No“. It’s just plain smart. Who is telling you that you don’t need a lawyer? It’s law enforcement. Who is telling you that, “I just want to hear…
DNA stands for deoxyribonucleic acid. It is the genetic material found in nearly every cell in the human body. It is as unique to each person as a fingerprint, and can be used to exclude a suspect in a crime, or indicate that the person is guilty. DNA can be…
A good criminal defense attorney connects with his clients on more than one level. There is the objective analysis of the facts that must be done without regard to emotions. In order to evaluate a case properly, a good attorney needs to look dispassionately at all the facts and circumstances…
Drunk in Public is defined by California Penal Code Section 647(f). In general the definition is that a person is drunk in public if he is too intoxicated to care for his own safety or the safety of others. This is a very high standard. Many times the police use…