California

Parole in California "How does it work?" — Top Criminal Defense Attorney ExplainsWatch this video on YouTube In California, prison inmates serving sentences for serious or violent felonies get placed on parole upon their release. Parole is a supervisory program where “parolees” abide by various terms for a set number of years as a condition …

5 common grounds to "appeal" a criminal caseWatch this video on YouTube The most common grounds for appeal of a criminal conviction are improper admission or exclusion of evidence, insufficient evidence, ineffective assistance of counsel, prosecutorial misconduct, jury misconduct and/or abuse of discretion by the judge. Generally, the appellant must show not just that one of these …

What is a rap sheet? — Key information you need to knowWatch this video on YouTube A rap sheet is an official record of your misdemeanor and felony arrests and convictions from throughout the United States. It also goes by the terms criminal history record or Record of Arrests and Prosecutions (“RAP”). You can request …

Penal Code 647.6 PC – The crime of "annoying or molesting a child" LEGAL ANALYSISWatch this video on YouTube California Penal Code § 647.6 PC makes it a crime to annoy or molest a child under 18 while motivated by a sexual interest in the child or children generally. This offense can be a misdemeanor or …

LEGAL ANALYSIS — Arrested for sex with a minor? Advice from a former D.A.Watch this video on YouTube Penal Code § 261.5 PC prohibits statutory rape, which is having sexual intercourse with anyone other than your spouse younger than 18 years old – California’s age of consent. In court, statutory rape is more commonly called unlawful …

Playlist: Exhibition of Speed and Street TakeoversWatch this playlist on YouTube California Vehicle Code § 23109(a) VC makes it a crime to participate willfully in a speed contest. A “speed contest” is where two or more motor vehicles race on a public street, highway, or freeway. It can also refer to racing against a timing device such as a clock …

A stop-and-frisk (also called a “Terry stop“) refers to a controversial practice allowing police to temporarily detain and search you in a public place without a warrant. In California, law enforcement can conduct stop-and-frisks only if they have reasonable suspicion of criminal activity. Here are three key things to know: During a Terry stop, police …

How do "Search Warrants" work in California?Watch this video on YouTube In California, a search warrant is issued by a judge and authorizes law enforcement to search a person, a residence, a vehicle, a place of business, or any other specified area suspected of containing evidence of illegal activity. Understanding your Fourth Amendment constitutional rights …

Who Can Be Charged with "Identity Theft" in California? — Penal Code 530.5 PCWatch this video on YouTube California Penal Code § 530.5 PC prohibits identity theft, which is using someone else’s personal identifying information “for any unlawful purpose, including to obtain, or attempt to obtain, credit, goods, services, real property, or medical information without …

Playlist: Violation of Restraining Orders in CaliforniaWatch this playlist on YouTube California Penal Code 273.6 PC makes violating a valid protection order a misdemeanor, carrying up to one year in jail and/or $1,000. It does not matter if the person you were ordered to stay away from asks to meet with you. A second-time 273.6 …

Penal Code 246 – "Shooting at an Inhabited Dwelling or Occupied Vehicle"Watch this video on YouTube California Penal Code § 246 PC makes it a felony crime to discharge a firearm at an inhabited home or an occupied vehicle. Penalties include up to seven years in prison and up to $10,000 in fines, though the sentence …

Penal Code 290 PC — The crime of "failure to register as a sex offender" LEGAL ANALYSISWatch this video on YouTube California Penal Code § 290 PC requires you to register as a sex offender with local authorities if you get convicted of certain crimes, primarily sex offenses. Registration must be renewed every five years …

Penal Code 148.9 PC – Busted for giving cops a false ID?Watch this video on YouTube California Penal Code § 148.9 PC makes it a misdemeanor to provide false identification to a police officer if you are being detained or arrested. The penalties are up to six months in jail and/or a fine of up …

LEGAL ANALYSIS — Falsely accused of "Sexual Battery" in California? — Penal Code 243.4 PCWatch this video on YouTube California Penal Code § 243.4 prohibits sexual battery, which is touching another person’s intimate parts without consent and for the purpose of sexual gratification, arousal, or abuse. Also called “sexual assault,” sexual battery is usually a …

Vehicle Code 10851 VC – California's "Joyriding" LawWatch this video on YouTube California Vehicle Code § 10851 VC makes it a crime to take or drive someone else’s vehicle without their consent. Commonly called joyriding, this offense can be charged as either a misdemeanor or a felony: 10851(a) VC Penalties Misdemeanor Up to 1 year in …

Playlist: 11250(a) HS — Arrested for Possession of Controlled Substances in California?Watch this playlist on YouTube California Health and Safety Code § 11350(a) HS makes it a misdemeanor to possess controlled substances such as street drugs or medicinal narcotics without a valid prescription. 11350(a) HS is often referred to as “simple possession” or “possession for personal use.” …

Felon with a Gun | CA Penal Code 29800 PCWatch this video on YouTube California Penal Code § 29800(a)(1) PC prohibits firearm ownership or possession by convicted felons (or people with active felony warrants). This restriction also applies to drug addicts and people with two or more convictions for certain misdemeanors. Violating PC 29800(a)(1) is …