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.
California Penal Code 214 PC defines the crime of train robbery, which is boarding a train – or otherwise interfering with the train – with the intention of robbing someone on the train. Train robbery is prosecuted as a felony in California. If you are convicted, you face 16 months, two years, or three years in …
California Penal Code 4570 PC makes it a crime to communicate with a jail or prison inmate without the permission of the warden or other officer in charge. As a misdemeanor, unlawfully communicating with an inmate carries up to six months in jail and/or up to $1,000 in fines. The full text of the statute …
California Penal Code 653y PC imposes punishments for knowingly using 911 for non-emergency reasons. This offense is usually an infraction, but it can be charged as a misdemeanor if your intent was to harass someone. Legal Analysis California Penal Code 653y PC prohibits knowingly using 911 for any reason other than an emergency. Example: Betty …
California Penal Code § 4532 PC makes it a felony to escape from custody if you have been arrested, charged, or convicted of a crime. The penalties depend on the underlying crime you were in custody for and whether you used force or violence in the escape attempt. In this article, our California criminal defense …
California Penal Code § 37 PC defines the crime of treason as warring against the state or adhering to its enemies. As a felony, treason carries the death penalty or life in prison without the possibility of parole. The entire text of the code section reads as follows: 37. (a) Treason against this state consists …
California Evidence Code § 971 EC is the “spousal privilege” rule, which means a husband or wife cannot be forced to testify in court against their spouse if they do not wish to. It does not matter whether the case is criminal or civil. The entire text of the statute reads: 971. Except as otherwise …
The California criminal statute of limitations is generally one year for misdemeanors and three years for felonies. Though for more serious cases, prosecutors have additional time to press charges. For the most serious crimes such as rape and murder, there is no statute of limitations at all. California criminal offense Criminal statute of limitations Most …
California Penal Code 241.6 PC makes it a misdemeanor to assault a school employee engaged in performing his or her duties. Penalties include up to $2,000 in fines and/or up to one year in county jail. The full text of the statute reads as follows: 241.6. When an assault is committed against a school employee …
Nevada Revised Statute 484E.040 makes it a misdemeanor to leave the scene of an accident that caused property damage to an unattended vehicle or other property. Hit and run damaging unattended property carries up to six months in jail and/or $1,000 in fines. The full text of the statute reads as follows: NRS 484E.040. 1. Except as otherwise …
Nevada Revised Statute 484E.030 makes it a misdemeanor to leave the scene of an accident without first exchanging names, addresses, and registration numbers with the other involved drivers. Hit and run carries up to six months in jail and/or $1,000 in fines. The full text of the statute reads as follows: NRS 484E.030. 1. The driver …
Nevada Revised Statute 484E.020 makes it a misdemeanor to leave the scene of an accident that resulted only in damage to another vehicle or other property. Hit and run with property damage carries up to six months in jail and/or $1,000 in fines. The full text of the statute reads as follows: NRS 484E.020. 1. The …
Nevada Revised Statute 484E.010 makes it a category B felony to leave the scene of a car accident that caused bodily injury or death. Penalties for hit and run with injury or death include two to 20 years in prison and $2,000 to $5,000 in fines. The full text of the statute reads as follows: …
California Penal Code § 18.5 PC specifies that the maximum misdemeanor jail sentence is 364 days. When a statute for a misdemeanor crime claims that the maximum penalty is one year, the most the defendant can be jailed for is 364 days – not 365 days. The full text of the statute reads as follows: …
Evidence Code § 970 EC sets forth the marital privilege in California evidence law. Also called “spousal privilege”, the marital privilege allows spouses not to testify against one another in court or other legal proceedings. But the marital privilege cannot stop spouses from testifying against each other if they choose to do so. The full text …
California Evidence Code § 1103 permits the defendant in a criminal case to introduce evidence attacking the victim’s character to prove that the victim’s conduct aligns with their character. Though defendants in sex assault cases cannot introduce evidence of victims’ sexual past as proof that they consented to the sex acts. The full text of …
Evidence Code § 782 EC is an exception to California’s Rape Shield Law in which defendants are permitted to attack their accusers’ credibility with evidence of their past sexual conduct. But before this evidence can be admitted, the defendant must file a written motion under seal, and the judge must hold a hearing to determine …
Penal Code § 193 PC defines the California penalties for manslaughter. Voluntary manslaughter carries 3, 6, or 11 years in prison. Involuntary manslaughter carries 2, 3, or 4 years in prison. Vehicular manslaughter carries up to 10 years, depending on the case. The full text of the statute reads as follows: 193. (a) Voluntary manslaughter …
Updated March 1, 2022 Civil infractions in Colorado carry a maximum fine of $100 and no jail time. The District Attorney has six months after the alleged infraction to file charges. And defendants charged with civil infractions are eligible for a bench trial but not a jury trial. The law creating civil infractions took effect …
Now repealed, NRS § 201.358 was the Nevada law making it a category B felony for people who knew they are HIV-positive to solicit or engage in prostitution. The punishment included two to 10 years in prison and/or up to $10,000 in fines. Instead under NRS § 441A.180, it is now a misdemeanor for anyone …
Arrested for Aggravated Witness Intimidation in Colorado? 3 DefensesWatch this video on YouTube CRS 18-8-705 is the Colorado law that prohibits aggravated intimidation of a witness or victim, defined as using a deadly weapon to frighten a witness or victim in a legal case. Aggravated intimidation of a witness or victim is a class 3 …
California Business & Professions Code 7028 BP makes it a misdemeanor to contract without a valid contractor’s license. A first-time conviction is punishable by up to six months in jail and/or $5,000 in fines. And defendants are liable to their victims for any economic losses and restitution. The full text of the statute reads as …
California Vehicle Code 27360.5 VC requires automobile drivers to ensure that their child passengers ages eight to 15 have seat belts on. But if the child’s parents or guardians are passengers in the car, the responsibility falls on them – and not the driver – to ensure the children are strapped in. The full text …
Colorado Revised Statute 18-4-505 CRS makes it a class 2 misdemeanor to commit first degree criminal tampering, which is tampering with public utilities or institutions providing health or safety protection with the intention to interrupt their services. Penalties for 1st-degree criminal tampering include up to 120 days in jail and/or up to $750 in fines. …
California Penal Code § 17235 PC defines a switchblade as a knife that resembles a pocketknife with a blade of 2 inches or longer that releases automatically by a flick of a button, pressure on the handle, a flip of the wrist, weight of the blade, or any other mechanism. It is a misdemeanor to …
Penal Code § 12020 PC is a repealed California statute that made it a crime to possess, sell, import, or manufacture certain generally prohibited weapons such as short-barreled rifles, ballistic knives, metal knuckles, and nunchucks. Although PC 12020 has been repealed, its laws have been re-codified as PC sections 16000 through 34370.1 The full text of …