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 § 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. …
California Penal Code 529.5 PC makes it a misdemeanor to knowingly possess, sell, make, or transfer fake government-issued driver’s licenses or IDs that a reasonable person would presume are real. Depending on the case, the punishment includes fines and/or up to one year in jail. The text of the law reads: 529.5. (a) Every person …
California Penal Code 16470 PC defines dirks and daggers as knives which can be used as stabbing weapons. It does not matter whether the dirk or dagger has a handguard or how long the blade is. The entire statute reads as follows: 16470. As used in this part, “dirk” or “dagger” means a knife or …
California Penal Code § 243.6 PC makes it a misdemeanor to commit battery against school employees. If the victim suffers injuries, however, then battery on a school employee can be charged as a misdemeanor or a felony. The full language of the code section reads as follows: 243.6. When a battery is committed against a …
California Penal Code § 653x PC prohibits contacting 911 for the purpose of harassing someone else. As a misdemeanor, misusing 911 with the intent to harass carries up to six months in jail and/or $1,000 in fines (plus any unnecessary emergency response costs). The full language of the statute reads as follows: 653x. (a) A …
California Penal Code 555 PC is the statute that prohibits trespassing on posted property. This offense is a misdemeanor that carries up to six months in county jail and/or up to $1,000 in fines. The full text of the statute reads as follows: 555. It is unlawful to enter or remain upon any posted property …
California Penal Code § 243.1 PC makes it a crime to commit battery on a jail or prison guard. Battery on a custodial officer is a felony carrying 16 months, two years, or three years in county jail. The full language of the statute reads as follows: 243.1. When a battery is committed against the …
California Penal Code 4530 PC prohibits state prison inmates from attempting to escape. Escape from prison is a felony offense carrying up to three or six more years behind bars depending on whether the defendant used force or violence. The full language of the code section states that: 4530. (a) Every prisoner confined in a …
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 Penal Code § 218 PC makes it a felony offense to engage in “train wrecking“, which means to obstruct or set fire to railroad tracks in an attempt to derail or otherwise damage the train. A conviction is punishable by life in prison with no parole. The full text of the statute reads as follows: …