California

The federal criminal defense attorneys of Shouse Law Group represent clients across California, in matters including prefile investigations and negotiations with the United States Attorney’s office, grand juries, indictments, jury trials, and plea bargains. There are over 100 different offenses that fall under the category of federal crimes in the United States. Criminal charges may be …

Health and Safety Code § 11366.8 HS is the California statute that makes it a crime to conceal a controlled substance in a false compartment. The offense can be charged as a misdemeanor or a felony and is punishable by up to 3 years in custody. Under this statute, it is a crime for a …

What is a "fraudulent conveyance" in California? Penal Code 155 PCWatch this video on YouTube Penal Code 155 PC is the California statute that defines the offense of fraudulent conveyance by a judgment debtor. This section makes it is a crime for a person to conceal or transfer personal property in order to avoid paying damages owed as a result …

Lautenberg Amendment: Federal Ban on Gun Rights for a Domestic Violence ConvictionWatch this video on YouTube Domestic violence (DV) convictions strip you of your gun rights for life despite your Second Amendment protections. California judges issue a restraining order requiring you to surrender your firearms at the very beginning of most domestic violence cases, which …

Legal Analysis of Senior Fraud – Financial ExploitationWatch this video on YouTube Elder abuse fraud or senior fraud in California is defined as wrongfully defrauding a person age 65 or older out of money or property. The offense can be filed as a misdemeanor or a felony and can carry penalties of up to 4 years in jail or prison. California elder abuse laws include physical abuse …

Under the Influence of Narcotics: CA Health & Safety Code 11550Watch this video on YouTube Health and Safety Code § 11550 HS makes it a crime to use or to be under the influence of a controlled substance (unless you have a valid prescription). This is a misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in …

California Penal Code § 288b1 PC defines the crime of committing a lewd act on a child under the age of 14, using force or fear of bodily injury. Under Penal Code 288, a lewd act with a minor is either: touching a child for sexual purposes, or causing a child to touch him/herself or …

California Penal Code § 288b2 PC makes it a crime for a caretaker to commit a lewd act on a dependent person (or a physically impaired person aged 65 or older) by means of force or fear. The language of the statute reads as follows: “A person who is a caretaker and commits an act described in …

California penal code 347 — Poisoning food, water, drinks, medicine, or pharmaceutical productsWatch this video on YouTube California Penal Code § 347 PC makes it a crime to poison a food, drink, medicine or water supply that you know is going to be consumed by human beings. This is a felony punishable by up to 5 years in …

209 PC – Aggravated Kidnapping for Ransom – Can you get life in prison?Watch this video on YouTube California Penal Code § 209 PC prohibits aggravated kidnapping, which is kidnapping someone for ransom or a reward or to commit another crime such as robbery or rape. Aggravated kidnapping is a more serious felony charge than ordinary kidnapping …

Penal Code 488 PC — The crime of "petty theft" in CaliforniaWatch this video on YouTube Penal Code § 488 PC sets forth the California crime of petty theft – which is defined as stealing someone else’s money, property or services worth $950 or less. Note that Penal Code 484 defines theft generally. Penal Code …

California seat belt law requires all occupants of a moving motor vehicle 8 years of age and older to wear a safety belt. Children under 8 years of age must be restrained in a car seat or booster seat in the back seat of a vehicle. Children under the age of 2 must ride in …

Penal Code § 667.61 PC is the code section commonly known as California’s one-strike law. This section imposes additional prison time for a number of sex crimes when committed under specific aggravating circumstances. Depending on the case, this section could increase a prison sentence by 15 years, 25 years, or life in prison. PC 667.61 …

Vehicle Code 10853 VC — "Malicious mischief" to a vehicleWatch this video on YouTube California Vehicle Code § 10853 VC defines the crime of malicious mischief to a vehicle. This means entering or climbing onto another person’s vehicle, or tampering with the controls, in order to cause damage. Doing so is a misdemeanor punishable by …

Penal Code 20610 PC is the California statute that makes it a crime for a person to make, import, sell, give, or possess a lipstick case knife (“LCK”). An LCK is a knife that is enclosed in a lipstick case. Examples of illegal acts under this statute include: Ron sells an LCK to a neighborhood …

Penal Code § 484f PC is the California statute that makes it a crime to forge credit card information. The offense can be prosecuted as a misdemeanor or a felony, and carries a maximum sentence of up to 3 years in jail. The language of the code section reads as follows: 484f. (a) Every person …

California law makes it illegal to engage in street racing, drag racing or speed contests on public roads, streets and highways. These offenses are punished under Vehicle Code 23109 VC (speed contests) and Vehicle Code 23103 VC (reckless driving). A conviction is generally a misdemeanor that may carry jail time, probation and fines. Our California criminal defense attorneys will address …