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.
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Rule § 16 in Colorado – "What evidence is the D.A. required to provide?" Top Defense Lawyer ExplainsWatch this video on YouTube Colorado Rule of Criminal Procedure § 16 – the mandatory disclosure rule – lays out what evidence prosecutors and your defense attorneys are required to turn over to each other prior to trial. …
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What Is an “Order Decision or Award (ODA) of the Labor Commissioner”? — Top Labor Attorney ExplainsWatch this video on YouTube In California, the Order, Decision or Award (ODA) of the Labor Commissioner is the ruling of the hearing officer in a wage claim, often for wage theft. ODAs are issued after the wage claim …
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Tip pooling is lawful in California so long as the pool does not include managers who have the authority to hire or fire you. Managers can only join the tip pool if they do the same work as you. Employers can have mandatory tip pooling arrangements and must distribute funds in the tip pool fairly …
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Colorado’s mandatory minimum sentencing law requires you to serve at least the minimum allowable prison sentence for the following five high-level crime categories: Class 1 felonies, Drug felonies, Crimes of violence, Sex offenses, and Habitual criminals. The sentencing court judges in the above cases do not have the discretion to grant sentences lower than the …
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Is California a “Right-to-Work” State? Top Labor Lawyer ExplainsWatch this video on YouTube California is not a “right-to-work” state. Right-to-work states make it unlawful to require employees to join a union or pay union dues. Attempts to implement such legislation in California have failed. Therefore, private California employers may require you to join a union …
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1099 Independent Contractor vs W2 Employee — "Can I sue my boss if they misclassify me?"Watch this video on YouTube In California, if you report your income on a Form 1099, you are an independent contractor, while if you report it on a W-2 form, you are an employee. Payroll taxes are automatically withheld if …
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What Are the Overtime Rules for California Hospital Workers? — Top Labor Law Attorney ExplainsWatch this video on YouTube As a hospital worker in California, you may be subject to special overtime rules. If you are classified as an exempt worker, you are not entitled to overtime (time-and-a-half) pay unless your employer chooses to provide …
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Over 40 and Offered a Severance Agreement in California? Top Labor Attorney Says "Don't Sign it!"Watch this video on YouTube Employers who offer a severance agreement to induce you to waive your rights must follow special rules if you are at least 40. Federal law requires these severance agreements to be clearly written and explicit. …
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Colorado’s “Make My Day“ law allows you to use force and even deadly force against an intruder in your home who you reasonably believe is committing a crime and posing a physical danger. This law applies even when you are a house guest or in a hotel room. The Make My Day law is codified in …
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"Use it or Lose it" Vacation Policy — Do I lose my vacation days if I don't use them in California?Watch this video on YouTube In California, “use it or lose it” vacation policies are prohibited. However, employers are only prohibited from taking back vacation time that has already accrued. They can take other measures …
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Do You Get Paid For Vacation Days If You Quit?Watch this video on YouTube Workers may be entitled to receive compensation for any unused vacation time after they quit. In some states, workers forfeit their unused paid time off (PTO) when they separate from the company. In other states, including California, employers must pay out …
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Nevada Gun Storage Laws — Key Rules Every Nevada Gun Owner Needs to KnowWatch this video on YouTube When you buy a gun in Nevada from a licensed dealer, they must provide a locking device for the trigger. This device must preclude the gun from firing, and it can be disabled only by either: a …
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Colorado courts charge no fee to seal a criminal record for a case that results in a dismissal or acquittal. The fee to seal convictions is $65. In addition, you will end up spending up to $20 on retrieving your criminal record (the first step of getting a seal) and about $5 on postage when …
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The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) says that a normal work shift is no more than 8 consecutive hours in a day, with each shift split by at least 8 hours of rest. A normal workweek is 5 such work days.1 However, this is not binding. OSHA does not penalize employers who demand more. …
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Misclassified as an Independent Contractor? The ABC Test Explained in California Labor LawWatch this video on YouTube In California, the ABC test is one of the tests courts use to determine whether a worker or a vendor is actually an employee versus an independent contractor. Unlike independent contractors, employees have the right to the following …
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In Nevada, there are four theft crimes that are always prosecuted as felonies: Grand Larceny (NRS 205.220): Stealing property valued at $1,200 or more. Grand Larceny of a Motor Vehicle (NRS 205.228): Stealing an automobile or motorcycle, no matter its value. Grand Larceny of a Firearm (NRS 205.226): Stealing a gun, no matter its value. …
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In Nevada, neglecting a child under 18 becomes a crime when you abandon them or deprive them of sufficient: Food and water, Education, Housing, Medical care, Supervision, or Other necessities. Therefore, child neglect is a crime of inaction – of what you are not doing for a child. This is in contrast to child abuse, …
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You can lawfully own a submachine gun (SMG) in Colorado if you lawfully obtain an “NFA tax stamp” from the ATF (Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives), and the SMG was manufactured prior to May 19, 1986. To obtain an NFA tax stamp, you must pay $200 and complete and have approved an ATF Form 4, Application …
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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 …
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"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. …
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It is unlawful in Nevada to have oral sex (“oral copulation”) with a minor under 16. It does not matter if the minor initiated or wanted the oral sex because 16-year-olds are too young to consent to penetrative sex in the eyes of the law. However, lawmakers recognize that young adults “hook up” with each other …
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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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In Colorado, animal cruelty is prosecuted as “aggravated” when you either knowingly torture an animal or needlessly mutilate or kill an animal. Forgetting to feed an animal for one day – or kicking an animal out of aggravation once – would qualify as regular animal cruelty, not aggravated.1 Examples Scenarios that would qualify as aggravated …
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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 …
