California Criminal Defense
Being arrested for a crime does not necessarily mean you will be convicted. Often we can help you get charges reduced or dismissed, and avoid jail and a criminal record.
California DUI
DUI arrests don't always lead to convictions in court. Police officer mistakes, faulty breathalyzers and crime lab errors may get your charges reduced or dismissed. Visit our California DUI page to learn more.
Lawsuits for Dangerous Drugs & Medical Devices
Shouse Law Group represents victims throughout the U.S. who suffered serious complications and injuries from dangerous drugs and failed medical devices.
California Personal Injury
If you've been injured in an accident, our personal injury lawyers will fight to get you compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and even punitive damages.
Posted on | Category: Useful information
The Crime of "Contributing to Delinquency of a Minor" — California Penal Code 272 PC ExplainedWatch this video on YouTube You commit the criminal offense of contributing to the delinquency of a minor when you: commit some act or fail to act in a certain way, and the action or inaction makes a child more …
Posted on | Category: Murder, Useful information
"Homicide" vs "Murder" — What's the Difference? Former L.A. Prosecutor ExplainsWatch this video on YouTube In California law, homicide is the killing of another human being while murder is an unlawful homicide with malice aforethought. Therefore, homicide is an umbrella term that includes all situations where someone gets killed. Murder is a type of homicide. …
Posted on | Category: DUI, Useful information
How Long Does Alcohol Stay on Your Breath? — Top California DUI Attorney ExplainsWatch this video on YouTube Alcohol can remain on your breath for up to 12 to 24 hours after consuming your last drink.1 Keep in mind, however, that everyone’s body is different, and the absorption of alcohol and its detection will vary …
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What Is the Difference Between a Lawyer and an Attorney? — Former LA District Attorney ExplainsWatch this video on YouTube There is a subtle difference between the meaning of attorney and lawyer. You are a “lawyer” if you graduate from law school. You then become an “attorney” if you pass the bar exam and enter …
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"Can I Go to Jail for Prank Calls?" — Former District Attorney ExplainsWatch this video on YouTube Prank calling can be illegal in some situations. While each state is different, most states prohibit making prank calls to annoy or harass someone. All states make it illegal to prank call 911. Recording a prank call can …
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Hung Jury in California? What Happens Next? — Top Defense Attorney ExplainsWatch this video on YouTube In California criminal trials, a hung jury is when the jurors cannot reach a unanimous agreement as to the verdict. All jurors have to agree on guilt or innocence to render a trial complete. (Hung juries can also occur …
Posted on | Category: Shoplifting, Useful information
Caught Shoplifting in California? — Criminal Defense Attorney Explains What to Do NextWatch this video on YouTube You may have just gotten arrested for shoplifting and are nervous about the consequences. While you may be facing misdemeanor charges, a criminal conviction is not necessarily inevitable. There are five effective ways to fight a shoplifting case. …
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What Is an Arraignment in the California Criminal Court Process? — Top Defense Attorney ExplainsWatch this video on YouTube An arraignment is typically the first court hearing, or a defendant’s first appearance in court, in a criminal case and it marks one of the initial stages in the pretrial process. During the hearing, the judge …
Posted on | Category: Criminal Defense
“Police Code 211” What does it mean? California's Robbery Law Explained by Top AttorneyWatch this video on YouTube In California, police code 211 is for a robbery or armed robbery, which is covered by California Penal Code section 211. There are also police codes for robbery alarms. Code 211A is for when a normal robbery …
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What Is a "Misdemeanor" Under California Law? — Common Misdemeanor Crimes and Punishments ExplainedWatch this video on YouTube Some examples of misdemeanors include assault, shoplifting, and petty theft. These are all criminal offenses that are more severe than an infraction, but less severe than a felony. Misdemeanors carry up to 1 year in county jail …
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When Is Domestic Violence a Felony in California?Watch this video on YouTube In California, domestic violence is generally charged as a misdemeanor rather than a felony unless the incident caused an injury. California has no single domestic violence law. Instead, there are a handful of different laws. Two of the most common domestic violence crimes …
Posted on | Category: Warrant
A motion to quash a warrant is a request for a court to find a warrant, or part of a warrant, to be invalid. “Quash” means to nullify, void or declare invalid. If a search warrant of your property is quashed, evidence found through the defective warrant can be suppressed or thrown out of court. …
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Taking back (“recanting”) your domestic violence statement will not automatically cause the criminal case to be dropped – especially if prosecutors have other evidence that abuse occurred. Plus, the police may then arrest you for giving false statements, obstructing justice, perjury, or even contempt if you fail to show up to trial. To reduce the …
Posted on | Category: Felony, Murder, Useful information
Most states say that you are guilty of the crime of conspiracy to commit murder if: you agree with one or more other people to intentionally and unlawfully kill someone, and at least one of the persons involved commits some act to further the agreement. Depending on your case, you may face the same penalties …
Posted on | Category: Laws
Advantages of Waiving a Preliminary Hearing Pros of waiving your right to a preliminary hearing include to: avoid preserving testimony by hostile witnesses that could later be used at trial, stall the examination of state witnesses in the hopes they will be unavailable to testify at trial (perhaps because they are sick or will be …
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Attempted murder is a serious felony that, depending on the facts of your case and the state in which your crime took place, could result in a sentence of life in prison. Like it sounds, an attempted murder is trying – and failing – to kill a human being. Note that if the victim dies …
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An arraignment is the first formal court proceeding in a criminal case. For felony charges, an arraignment must generally occur within 48 hours of your arrest if you are held in custody. If you are not kept in custody, then the proceeding must typically take place “without unnecessary delay.” In terms of a trial date, …
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Registered sex offenders are generally free to obtain a passport and travel internationally. That said, there may be restrictions as to where they can go. While U.S. law does not forbid them from traveling out of the country, other countries may restrict registered sex offenders from entering once customs agents see the “sex offender” identifier …
Posted on | Category: Criminal Defense, Felony, Useful information
What Happens in a Felony Arraignment Hearing? 4 Things to KnowWatch this video on YouTube A felony arraignment hearing is normally the first formal court appearance in criminal cases where you are charged with a felony offense. At the arraignment, the court will inform you of the crime(s) filed against you, advise you as to …
Posted on | Category: DUI, Useful information
You will likely face more severe DUI penalties if you drive drunk and contribute to a car accident (as opposed to if you drive while intoxicated and avoid a collision). DUI penalties will also likely grow more severe if you help cause a DUI accident and the accident results in someone getting injured or killed. …
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You are under no lawful obligation to sign a severance (also called a separation) agreement. Five examples of when you may not want to do so are when: you intend to sue your employer after your termination, the severance package is not sufficient, you do not have legal representation, it would unduly restrict your professional …
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After a violation of felony probation in California, there are three things that can happen. The judge can: reinstate probation under the original terms, modify the terms of probation to make them stricter, or revoke probation and send you to prison to serve the rest of your sentence. California judges at the probation violation …
Posted on | Category: Criminal Defense
Specific intent crimes are misdemeanors or felonies where a prosecutor must prove (and beyond a reasonable doubt) that you intended to commit a certain harm. This means a specific intent is a necessary element of the crime itself. Examples of specific intent crimes are: burglary, forgery, and robbery. In contrast, general intent crimes are offenses …
Posted on | Category: Criminal Defense, Useful information
Five lawful self-defense weapons in California are: pepper spray, stun guns or tasers, certain knives (such as a pocketknife or non-switchblade folding knife), personal alarms, and certain guns (such as handguns or shotguns). Some self-defense weapons that are unlawful under California law include: weapons that are prohibited under California Penal Code 16590 PC, concealed dirks and …
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As long as the relationship is not sexual, it is generally not unlawful merely to date a minor. If the relationship is sexual or involves any sexual contact, the ages of the parties will matter. So will where they live, as each state has its own age of consent law and statutory rape law, its own …
