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A pretrial hearing is a formal court hearing that takes place after the arraignment. Most misdemeanor cases will have several pretrial hearings. These hearings give an accused the opportunity to: deal with issues like illegal searches, address speedy trial rights, conduct defense investigation, obtain, test, and evaluate evidence, engage in plea bargaining. There are various motions that can …
There is no specific law in California that makes public urination a crime. However, a person who is caught urinating in a public place could be charged with public nuisance, public intoxication or indecent exposure. Penal Code 640 PC prohibits urinating or defecating in a system facility or vehicle, other than a lavatory, unless it …
Permanent residents of the United States (holders of green cards) can be deported for certain misdemeanors. These include: crimes involving moral turpitude, drug crimes, firearms offenses, failing to register as a sex offender, violating a restraining order, domestic violence offenses, and child abuse crimes. These offenses make non-citizens deportable. This includes permanent residents. All non-citizens …
The crime of assault can be either a misdemeanor or a felony in California depending upon: the amount of force used, and whether weapons were involved. A person can be accused of assault even if no one was injured. There are three types of assault under California criminal law. Simple assault. Aggravated assault. Assault with …
Under California criminal law, a statute of limitations (“SOL”) refers to the maximum time period for which a prosecutor can file criminal charges. The SOL in California for most misdemeanor cases is one year. One of the main reasons the law puts limits on when a criminal case gets filed is to preserve a sense …
Misdemeanors and infractions are two types of crimes under California law. A misdemeanor is a more serious crime than an infraction. A person guilty of this type of offense faces a maximum sentence of no more than one year in county jail. Offenders can also face a maximum fine of $1,000. A few examples of …
In dorms, rec rooms, basements, or elsewhere, you’ve probably seen highway or road signs used as decorations. But if you steal a road sign in San Diego to fill that empty spot on your wall, or deface or post something on such a sign, you are committing a crime. California Penal Code Section 602(f) makes …
People–especially children and teenagers–have been making “prank calls” since telephones were invented. But in this day and age, parents need to wonder whether their children are exposing themselves to criminal liability with this game. In fact, “annoying telephone calls” is a crime in California. Under Penal Code 653m PC, you can be charged with a …
Many people will be surprised to hear that the answer is, “Yes.” You can be charged with a crime under California law if you “steal” (some people prefer to say “borrow”) a wireless internet signal from your neighbor or the local coffeehouse (even though arrests for this crime have been very rare). Specifically, California’s unauthorized …
Public nuisances–loud music, parties, neglected lawns, run-down vacant homes, stagnant pools–are a problem in cities across California. People who live near these nuisances may have done their best to get the owner of the property to fix the situation, but without results. In these situations, neighbors may start to wonder: should I call the police? …
If you’ve been arrested for theft in California, whether you face a felony charge or a misdemeanor charge largely depends on the value of the property you are accused of stealing. Generally, if you are charged with theft of property valued at $950 or less, it will constitute “petty theft” and be prosecuted as a …
Every crime is classified as an infraction, misdemeanor or felony. How a crime is categorized is based on the penalties involved. If a crime is punishable by one year or less in jail, the crime is considered a misdemeanor. If the crime is punishable by a year or more in prison, it is considered a …