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.
"Receiving a Stolen Vehicle" in California — When is it a crime? — Penal Code 496d PCWatch this video on YouTube California Penal Code § 496d PC prohibits buying, receiving, selling, or hiding a vehicle you know is stolen. This crime is a wobbler, which means it can be charged as either a: misdemeanor carrying …
Is Being Drunk or High a Defense to a Crime? — Voluntary vs. Involuntary Intoxication DefensesWatch this video on YouTube Voluntary and involuntary intoxication are both possible defenses in California criminal cases. If successful, the defenses may work to get a criminal charge reduced or even dropped altogether. However, involuntary intoxication (such as by being …
Having an active arrest warrant or bench warrant in California authorizes law enforcement officers to arrest and detain you. To clear the warrant, you or your lawyer must voluntarily appear before the judge and request that it be recalled. Meanwhile, a California search warrant authorizes police officers to search you, your residence, your vehicle, your …
Possession for Sale of Methamphetamine (Health & Safety Code 11378 HS)Watch this video on YouTube California Health and Safety Code § 11378 HS makes it a felony crime to possess methamphetamine with the intent to sell the drug. It carries up to 3 years of jail time and/or fines of up to $10,000. Examples of …
You can sometimes defend against a criminal charge by showing that the allegedly illegal act was an accident. This legal defense will most likely succeed in situations where you had no criminal intent, were not acting with criminal negligence, and were engaged in lawful conduct at the time of the accident. If successful, the defense …
When Can I Do Electronic Monitoring Instead of Jail?Watch this video on YouTube Electronic monitoring is the procedure courts and law enforcement use in criminal cases to monitor you if sentenced to any type of home confinement or house arrest program. The procedure uses an ankle bracelet that you wear to help tell authorities whether …
Battery with Serious Bodily Injury — Legal Analysis of Penal Code 243d PCWatch this video on YouTube California Penal Code § 243 d PC prohibits battery causing serious bodily injury, also called “aggravated battery.” Depending on the case, battery causing serious bodily injury can be a misdemeanor carrying up to one year in jail or …
Penal Code 186.22 – The "Gang Enhancement" in CaliforniaWatch this video on YouTube Penal Code § 186.22 PC prohibits criminal street gang activity in California. Gangs are groups of three or more people who have a common name and commit crimes as one of their primary activities. Under 186.22(a) PC, participating in a gang can …
California Penal Code 30305(a)(1) PC – Possession of Ammunition by a Person ProhibitedWatch this video on YouTube California Penal Code § 30305(a)(1) PC prohibits you from possessing ammunition if you are a convicted felon or otherwise banned from having firearms. Unlawful possession of ammunition can be charged as a misdemeanor or a felony with the …
Nevada Revised Statute 207.030 makes it a misdemeanor to commit vagrancy, which comprises: lewd conduct in public; solicitation of prostitution; pimping or pandering; trying to enter a house to see what is inside; keeping a place for hiding lost/stolen property; loitering in public restrooms for unlawful purposes; and/or lodging somewhere without the owner’s permission.1 The …
California Penal Code § 496.6 PC prohibits unlawful deprivation of a retail business opportunity, which is possessing stolen retail property valued over $950 with intent to sell, exchange, or return it. This crime can be a misdemeanor or a felony. Statute Text California Penal Code § 496.6 PC (a) Any person who possesses property unlawfully that …
California Penal Code § 496.5 PC defines the crime of automotive property theft for resale as unlawfully possessing property acquired through vehicle-related theft with the intent to sell or exchange it when the value exceeds $950. Automotive property theft for resale can be a misdemeanor or a felony. Statute Text California Penal Code § 496.5 …
California Penal Code § 4600 PC makes it a crime to vandalize jail or prison property. If the damage amounts to $950 or less, the state can only bring misdemeanor charges carrying up to six months in jail and/or $1,000. Otherwise, damaging prison or jail property is a felony punishable by 16 months, 2 years, …
It is against Nevada law to knowingly install, conceal or otherwise place a mobile tracking device in or on the motor vehicle of another person without the knowledge and consent of its owner or lessor. A first-time offense is a misdemeanor carrying up to six months in jail and/or $1,000 in fines. In this article, …
Most California drug possession misdemeanors can be dismissed without jail time through a diversion program. Even for felony-level drug charges like possession for sale or trafficking, judges will usually impose formal probation instead of incarceration unless aggravating factors apply. In this article, our Los Angeles criminal defense attorneys answer these frequently-asked-questions about California drug sentencing …
Penal Code Sections 211, 459, 484, 487, 496, and 503 are California’s six primary theft crimes. Petty theft (PC 484) is stealing up to $950 in cash or personal property. A petty theft charge is a misdemeanor carrying up to 6 months of county jail time and/or $1,000. Grand theft (PC 487) is stealing more …
NRS § 200.481 makes it a crime in Nevada to commit a battery with a deadly weapon. This is a category B felony that carries a prison term of two to 15 years if the victim sustains substantial bodily harm. If there are no major injuries, the maximum sentence is 10 years. The court can …
Nevada Revised Statute § 463.350 makes it a misdemeanor 1) for a person under 21 to gamble or loiter in a casino, or 2) for a gaming company to have employees age 18 to 20 years old unless they are working on the gaming devices’ software or hardware. The text of the statute reads: NRS …
California Penal Code § 1181 PC permits courts to overturn a guilty verdict and grant a new trial on such grounds as newly discovered evidence or misconduct by the jury, prosecutors, or judge. The entire text of the statute is: 1181. When a verdict has been rendered or a finding made against the defendant, the …
California Penal Code § 1385 PC gives California judges wide discretion to dismiss unfair criminal charges and sentencing enhancements “in furtherance of justice.” This judicial power is a safeguard against: frivolous cases and frivolous punishments. Can I file a PC 1385 motion with the court? No. You (and your defense attorneys) are not allowed to …
Colorado Revised Statute § 18-6.5-103 CRS imposes enhanced criminal sentences for defendants convicted of committing certain offenses against victims who are at least 70 years old and/or have physical or intellectual disabilities. The full text of the statute reads as follows: CRS 18-6.5-103. (1) Crimes against at-risk persons are as prescribed in this section. (2) Any …
California Penal Code § 245c PC makes it a felony offense to commit assault with a deadly weapon (other than a gun) on a police officer or firefighter. This is a felony punishable by three, four, or five years in prison. The statute reads: 245(c). Any person who commits an assault with a deadly weapon or …
California Penal Code § 95 PC makes it a felony to attempt to influence a juror or arbitrator to change their verdicts through persuasion, threats, or bribes. Penalties for the unlawful attempt to influence a juror include up to three years behind bars or $10,000 in fines. The language of the statute reads: 95. Every …
California Penal Code § 25800 PC defines the crime of “armed criminal action” as carrying a loaded gun with the intention of committing a felony. Armed criminal action can be prosecuted as a felony or a misdemeanor. The full text of the law is as follows: 25800. (a) Every person who carries a loaded firearm …
Updated June 25, 2023 California Penal Code § 851.91 PC allows you to petition the court to seal your arrest records if you are never charged, your charges get dismissed, or you are acquitted. Once your arrest record gets sealed, the arrest is deemed not to have occurred. However, it is not necessary in California …