California

California Workplace Leave Laws Explained | Shouse California Law GroupWatch this video on YouTube Under California leave laws, employees have the right to take an unpaid leave of absence for certain events, including: caring for a family member, bonding with a new child, or to obtain a domestic violence restraining order. Federal and state leave laws generally …

Workday and Workweek — "What Are the Rules in California?"Watch this video on YouTube Under California wage and hour laws, a “workday” is a 24-hour period beginning at the same time each calendar day. A “workweek” is a 7-day period starting on the same calendar day each week. If you are a non-exempt employee, you …

What Are “Survival Action” Claims? — California Wrongful Death Attorney ExplainsWatch this video on YouTube When someone dies in California due to another person’s wrongful act, that person may be sued as a defendant in two types of lawsuits: The first is a “survival” cause of action, which compensates the victim’s estate for losses they …

Playlist: Wrongful Death LawsuitsWatch this playlist on YouTube If you are reading this because a family member was wrongfully taken from you too soon, we are so sorry. In this article we explain what you need to know about California wrongful death laws and how you may have grounds to seek justice through a large …

When a dangerous condition causes you to fall, you may have grounds for a “slip and fall” case. Under California premises liability law, the owner or manager of the property could be liable for your damages. For you to win a slip and fall lawsuit, you need to prove that the defendants (at-fault parties) were …

California pedestrian laws require drivers to yield the right-of-way to pedestrians crossing the road within any marked or unmarked crosswalk. The term “pedestrian” applies not only to people walking on foot but also people wearing skates or riding skateboards. In 2023 alone, there were 1,057 pedestrians killed by vehicles in California. According to the Governors Highway Safety …

Realtor Arrested? — "Can I Lose My Real Estate License?"Watch this video on YouTube If you hold a real estate license in California, the California Department of Real Estate (DRE) has the authority to discipline you for picking up certain misdemeanor or felony criminal convictions. Disciplinary action can include a real estate license suspension or …

California police officers may face criminal and civil liability for illegal acts and instances of misconduct. For example, a peace officer may experience criminal charges for unlawful assault, DUI, and instances of domestic violence. A cop may also have to defend him-/herself in a Section 1983 civil lawsuit. If an officer is suspected of committing …

"Can I Be a Teacher with a Criminal Record?" — Suspensions by Commission on Teacher CredentialingWatch this video on YouTube California’s Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) automatically suspends or revokes the teaching credential for a person is convicted of sex crimes requiring registration under Penal Code § 290; serious felonies or violent felonies such as …

Criminal convictions & CA professional licensesWatch this video on YouTube If you’re a licensed professional in California (such as a doctor or teacher or real estate broker) your state licensing board can potentially suspend or revoke your license for criminal convictions that are “substantially related to the qualifications, functions, or duties of the business or …

A California State agency can dismiss, suspend, demote, or reduce the salary of a state employee who gets convicted of a felony or misdemeanor that is a “crime involving moral turpitude.” An agency can take the same actions in certain other instances, such as when a state employee is drunk on duty, inefficient, guilty of …

California attorneys convicted of a misdemeanor or felony offense involving moral turpitude or “other misconduct warranting discipline” face possible reproval, license suspension, or even disbarment by the State Bar of California. Moral turpitude offenses typically comprise crimes of violence, theft, or fraud. The California State Bar may also deny licenses to aspiring California lawyers who have …

"Can social workers have a criminal record?" — Discipline by the CA Board of Behavioral SciencesWatch this video on YouTube The California Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS) can discipline social workers and marriage therapists for certain misdemeanor or felony convictions. In serious cases, discipline can include a career-ending license suspension or revocation. Here are five …

California Health and Safety Code § 11375.5 HS makes it a crime either to sell or give synthetic stimulants to someone or to use or possess synthetic stimulants. The sale of synthetic stimulants is a misdemeanor (as opposed to a felony). The penalties include: up to 6 months in county jail (or summary probation) and/or …

Health and Safety Code § 11375 HS makes it a crime to possess, possess for sale, or sell certain prescription sedatives and benzodiazepine drugs (such as Valium, Xanax, Ativan, and Klonopin). Possessing these drugs without a prescription is a misdemeanor or an infraction. Selling or intending to sell these drugs can be a misdemeanor or a …

Health & Safety Code 11370.1 HS – "Possession of a controlled substance while armed"Watch this video on YouTube California Health and Safety Code 11370.1 HS makes it a crime to possess a controlled substance while being armed with an operable firearm. This is a felony punishable by up to four years behind bars and $10,000 …

CA Possession of Methamphetamine (Health & Safety Code 11377)Watch this video on YouTube California Health & Safety Code § 11377(a) HS makes it a misdemeanor to possess methamphetamine for personal use (“simple possession”). If eligible, you can even get your charges dismissed by completing a diversion treatment program. However, simple meth possession can be a …

Playlist: PC 1000 Drug Diversion or Deferred Entry of Judgement after a drug possession convictionWatch this playlist on YouTube Penal Code § 1000 PC sets forth California’s pretrial diversion program for drug crimes involving simple possession for personal use. The program allows many non-violent drug offenders to receive treatment and education in lieu of jail time. …

Playlist: California Trespassing LawsWatch this playlist on YouTube California Penal Code § 602 PC prohibits trespassing, which is entering someone else’s property without permission or a right to do so. Trespass also comprises remaining on another’s property after being asked to leave. Examples of trespassing include: Camping on a field that is marked with “no …

DUI vs Wet Reckless? A Former District Attorney Explains the LawWatch this video on YouTube Wet reckless is the crime that California prosecutors reduce a misdemeanor DUI charge down to as part of a plea agreement. Wet reckless (often called “wet and reckless”) is a nickname for a reckless driving charge that includes a note …