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.
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 …
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 § 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: (a) Every person who carries a loaded firearm with …
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 …
California Business and Professions Code § 6125 BP declares that only lawyers with active licenses from the State Bar of California may practice law in the state. The unauthorized practice of law can be a felony or a misdemeanor depending on the case. The full text of the statute reads as follows: Business and Professions …
Business & Professions Code § 4060 BP prohibits the possession of a controlled substance without a current and valid prescription from a health care provider. Healthcare providers may possess controlled substances in the lawful course of their work as long as the drugs are in labeled containers. The full text of the statute reads: 4060. A …
California Penal Code § 832 PC requires peace officers to complete an introductory training course and pass an exam. If they take a three-year or longer break in employment, they may need to retake the exam to work as a peace officer again. The full text of the statute reads: 832. (a) Every person described …
California Penal Code 830.5 PC allows parole officers, probation officers, and DOC correctional officers to carry firearms if authorized by their employer. As long as they meet training and qualification requirements, they generally can also carry their firearms off duty as well. The law reads: PC 830.5. The following persons are peace officers whose authority …
California Health and Safety Code 11362.3 HS specifies that it is illegal to use marijuana in public or to have an open container in a vehicle. Although recreational cannabis is now legal for adults, there are limitations such as the ones in this statute. The entirety of the statute text reads as follows: HS 11362.3. …
California Penal Code § 396 PC prohibits price gouging by more than 10% after a state of emergency has been declared. Price gouging is a misdemeanor carrying up to one year in jail and/or up to $10,000 in fines. The entirety of the statute reads: 396. (a) The Legislature hereby finds that during a state …
California Penal Code § 148d PC makes it a crime to take a firearm from a police officer’s person or immediate presence. This offense be prosecuted for a misdemeanor or a felony. The full text of the law reads: 148d. (d) Except as provided in subdivision (c) and notwithstanding subdivision (a) of Section 489, every person …
California Penal Code § 244.5 PC prohibits committing assault using a stun gun (or other less dangerous weapons). Prosecutors can press PC 244.5 charges as a misdemeanor or a felony. (Felony penalties are more severe if the victim was a police officer or firefighter.) The text of the statute is as follows: 244.5. (a) As …
California Penal Code 23900 PC makes it a crime to change or remove a firearm’s identifying information without written permission from the Department of Justice. Violating PC 23900 is charged as a felony with a sentence is 16 months, two years, or three years in county jail. The text of the statute reads: 23900. Any person …
California Penal Code 247(a) PC is the state law making it a crime to deliberately shoot a gun at an unoccupied airplane or helicopter. Violating PC 247(a) is a felony carrying 16 months, two years, or three years in prison. The statute reads as follows: 247(a). Any person who willfully and maliciously discharges a firearm …
California Penal Code 267 PC is the state law prohibiting abducting children under 18 for the purpose of prostitution. Violating PC 267 is a felony carrying up to three years in state prison, up to $2,000 in fines, and lifetime registration as a sex offender. The complete text of the code section reads as follows: …
California Penal Code 315 PC prohibits people from living in or maintaining a brothel for prostitution. This crime is prosecuted as a misdemeanor, carrying up to six months in jail and/or up to $1,000 in fines. The statute reads: 315. Every person who keeps a house of ill-fame in this state, resorted to for the …
Under California Unemployment Insurance Code § 2101, it is a criminal offense to make a false statement, fail to disclose a material fact, or use false identification to alter any benefit or payment. Unemployment insurance fraud can be prosecuted as either a felony or a misdemeanor. This is sometimes also referred to as “EDD fraud.” …
California Penal Code 186 PC is the first statute representing the “California Control of Profits of Organized Crime Act”, which outlaws criminal profiteering (also referred to as racketeering). The Act comprises nine statutes in all: Penal Codes 186 PC through 186.8 PC. The text of the code section reads: 186 . This act may be …
California Penal Code 1203.4a PC allows defendants convicted of either infractions or misdemeanors without probation to petition the court to dismiss and expunge their case. Before the defendant can apply for a dismissal and expungement, a full year must have passed since the conviction. The entire text of the law reads: 1203.4a. (a) Every defendant …
Penal Code § 71 PC makes it a crime to threaten to inflict bodily injury or property damage upon public officers, public employees, or school officials or employees. This section can be prosecuted as a felony or a misdemeanor carrying incarceration and/or up to $10,000 in fines. The full text of the statute reads as follows: …
California Penal Code § 222 PC prohibits administering drugs to another person for the purpose of then committing a felony crime. This offense is itself a felony, punishable by a prison sentence of 16 months, two years, or three years. The language of the statute reads as follows: 222. Every person guilty of administering to …
California Penal Code § 76 PC prohibits making death threats or threats of serious bodily harm to public officials with the apparent ability to carry out the threat. A first-time offense of threatening public officials can be a felony or a misdemeanor carrying incarceration and/or up to $5,000 in fines. The full text of the …
California Penal Code § 415.5. PC prohibits disturbing the peace on school and college campus grounds. Disturbing the peace at a school is prosecuted as a misdemeanor, carrying up to $1,000 in fines and/or up to six months in jail, depending on the defendant’s criminal history. The text of the statute reads as follows: 415.5. …