Just imagine this scenario: you get arrested for something, are released from the police station later that day, and never hear anything from the police or district attorney’s office again. Then months or maybe years later you get pulled over for a simple speeding ticket, or try to renew your…
One of the bedrocks of our justice system is the right to have a fair trial. Part and parcel of this is your right to have a jury of your peers impartially weigh the facts of your case and decide whether they believe you broke the law or not. Sometimes…
Everyone has heard the term “hung jury”, but what exactly does it mean? In a criminal case in California, the jury verdict must be unanimous. All 12 jurors must agree that either the defendant is either guilty or not guilty. A hung jury happens when the jurors simply can’t reach…
Orange county courts don’t have a reputation for being particularly kind or understanding places. If you are looking for compassion and sensitivity to your needs, court isn’t the first place you would look. However, buried deep inside the court system there is one court that proposes to be just that…
Feel like a cop roughed you up or is lying in his police report? Contrary to popular belief, not every person who is arrested is a liar, and sometimes they’re telling the truth when they tell people the cops beat them up or are lying about what happened. That’s not…
Ever find yourself in court and totally confused on where to go? I recently sent my law clerk to file a petition at the Juvenile Court in Orange, CA. Two hours later he called me frustrated and exasperated! While all he had to do was file a petition with the…
Is the State ripping your children away from you? It’s an almost unbelievable situation. First you’re dealing with the trauma of being arrested and accused of something you didn’t do, and then all of a sudden you get released from jail and realize the State has decided to remove your…
Are you being prosecuted for a crime with hidden evidence? It is not uncommon for someone to be charged with a crime but be left wondering “How? What evidence could they possibly think shows I committed a crime?” Well, the American justice system is founded on a principle of equal…
Feel like you’re being tried in a kangaroo court? Has someone falsely accused you of committing a serious crime and then disappeared before you have a chance to defend yourself in court? It happens more often than you think. You get accused by someone in a “he said she said”…
Are you trying to get your belongings back after the police took them away? It’s an all too common situation to be in. The police have taken you into custody or searched your house. After tearing through your stuff they decide to keep certain things that are valuable to you…