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 § 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 …
Vehicle Code § 2814.2 requires all drivers in California to stop when going through a sobriety checkpoint and submit to a DUI inspection. If your only violation is driving without a license, the police will not impound your vehicle as long as you have the permission of the registered owner to drive it. The full text …
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 Evidence Code § 669 EC defines negligence per se as failing to exercise due care by violating a law (such as a traffic ordinance), which results in property damage or physical injury. Plaintiffs who sue on negligence per se grounds do not have to prove that the defendant failed to exercise due care: The …
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 Penal Code § 830.3 PC lists which state agencies’ employees are considered peace officers with the authority to arrest suspects who commit dangerous public offenses. That said, only some of these peace officers are authorized to carry firearms. Legal Analysis California Penal Code 830.3 PC specifies which state employees are considered “peace officers” for …
California Labor Code § 227.3 requires employers to pay terminated employees for their unused paid vacation time at their final rate of pay. If an employee is fired or laid off, the final paycheck should include payment for this unused vested vacation time. The text of the Labor Code section is as follows: 227.3. Unless …
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 Labor Code 218.5 LC allows employees to recover reasonable attorney’s fees and costs if they win a legal action against their employer for nonpayment of wages, fringe benefits, or health/welfare/pension fund contributions. The language of the statute reads as follows: 218.5. (a) In any action brought for the nonpayment of wages, fringe benefits, or …
California Labor Code Section § 2810.5 LC requires employers to provide any new, non-exempt employees a written wage theft notice outlining such essential information as their regular rate of pay, sick leave laws, and workers’ compensation contact information. The text of the statute reads as follows: LC 2810.5. (a)(1) At the time of hiring, an …
California Labor Code § 226.7 requires companies to pay non-exempt workers an extra hour of wages (at their regular rate of pay) for each day they are made to perform work during rest periods, meal breaks, or recovery periods. Legal Analysis California Labor Code 226.7 LC prohibits employers from making non-exempt employees work during meal …
California Vehicle Code § 16056 VC requires motor vehicles registered in the state to carry liability insurance with a minimum coverage of: $30,000 for bodily injury of one person, $60,000 for bodily injury or more than two people, and $15,000 for property damage to others. The full language of the statute reads: VC 16056. (a) …
INFO for "Alameda County Juvenile Hall"Watch this video on YouTube The Alameda County Juvenile Hall is part and parcel of the Alameda County Juvenile Justice Center. It functions as a detention facility and provides rehabilitation for minors who have been arrested for criminal activities. The Alameda County Juvenile Hall is mandated by the Alameda Juvenile …
An Ethylene Oxide (EtO) lawsuit is a claim against companies that manufacture and pump EtO into the air, causing people with chronic exposure to the gas to develop cancer. Shouse Law Group represents EtO victims all around the United States and is fighting for the largest financial settlement possible under the law. To qualify for …
Wage theft occurs when employers intentionally fail to pay you for your work. In California alone, each year employees and independent contractors lose about $2 billion through wage theft.1 Yet California workers file only about 30,000 wage theft claims a year, seeking just $320 million. Ultimately, workers recover about only $40 million – just two …
California Government Code 12945.8 (formerly Labor Code 230) requires all employers with more than 25 employees to provide domestic violence victim leave. This is time off work for victims of domestic violence. Meanwhile, employers of any size must let employees use paid sick days who need time to acquire: temporary restraining orders, restraining orders, mental …
California Labor Code 515 LC is the state’s “administrative exemption.” It excludes the majority of white-collar workers from receiving time-and-a-half pay when they work overtime hours. The entirety of the statute text reads as follows: LC 515. (a) The Industrial Welfare Commission may establish exemptions from the requirement that an overtime rate of compensation be …
Homeowners insurance can cover a dog bite in California. However, it does not always cover one. Some insurance policies require homeowners to opt in to dog bite coverage. Some deny coverage to certain dog breeds. Reviewing the language of your homeowners insurance policy is the best way to see if it covers dog bites. Buying …
California Government Code § 12940 forbids employers from harassing or discriminating against employees or job applicants based on their race, sex, and other protected characteristics. Aggrieved employees may file complaints with the state or file lawsuits against their employer. Government Code 12940 prohibits employers from disqualifying, firing, discriminating against, or harassing an employee (or potential …
California Labor Code § 1102.5 prohibits employers from retaliating against whistleblower employees who inform the government or police about the employer breaking the law. Employers face civil fines of up to $10,000 for each act of retaliation. The entire statute text reads: 1102.5. (a) An employer, or any person acting on behalf of the employer, shall …
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 …