California

Have you suffered financial harm as a result of a crime?  If so, you are entitled to compensation for your losses, including reimbursement for: medical bills lost wages a return of stolen property But the victim restitution process isn’t always easy.  It involves paperwork, computations and court appearances. The good news is that you don’t …

The California Invasion of Privacy Act (CIPA) is a series of statutes that make it illegal to record confidential conversations without the consent of everyone involved. This includes phone conversations. Victims of an illegal wiretap can sue for statutory damages. The state can also prosecute violators of CIPA in criminal court. Violators can face: fines, jail …

California has upwards of one hundred Veterans Treatment Court locations. Veterans Treatment Court is an intensive rehabilitation program where eligible veterans who are facing criminal charges can avoid jail and possibly convictions. Below is a list of Veterans Treatment Courts throughout California. To learn more about eligilbity, application processes, and rules, see our article on …

What Are Tahl Waivers in California? 3 Rights You Give UpWatch this video on YouTube A Tahl waiver is when a defendant waives certain constitutional rights before pleading guilty or pleading no contest to a criminal charge. These waivers are used in California cases involving both misdemeanors and felonies. Tahl waivers are meant to ensure that …

The chances of winning a criminal appeal in California are low (about 20 percent of appeals are successful). But the odds of success are greater if there were errors of law and procedure at trial significant enough to have affected the outcome of the case. A guilty verdict or conviction in court is not necessarily …

Were you or a loved one convicted of a crime in federal court in the state of California? Did the court treat you unfairly or unjustly? It may be possible to reverse the court’s conviction (and/or the judge’s sentence) by way of a federal criminal appeal. We are a statewide law firm of criminal defense …

Juvenile Probation in California — Welfare and Institutions Code 725 WICWatch this video on YouTube Welfare and Institutions Code section 725 is the California statute that allows a Juvenile Court judge to place a child on probation, supervised or unsupervised, for up to six months. In particular, WIC 725 states that: “The court may place …

Level 14 Group Homes for Minors with Serious Mental Illness in California — Top Attorney ExplainsWatch this video on YouTube Level 14 group homes provide psychiatric services to seriously emotionally disturbed children. They are the most restrictive out-of-home placements in the current California foster home system. Under Welfare and Institutions 5600.3, seriously emotionally disturbed children are …

What Is "Informal Probation" for Juvenile Offenders? — Welfare & Institutions Code 654 WICWatch this video on YouTube Informal probation is a pre-filing diversion program under Welfare & Institutions Code 654 (WIC 654). With this program, a petition (a formal case) is not filed with the court. Instead, the minor is informally supervised for up …

I was injured by a police dog – Can I bring a lawsuit?Watch this video on YouTube If you have ever been attacked, bitten or chased by a ferocious dog, you know how terrifying it is. It’s no less frightening if the dog happens to work for the police. Encounters with K-9 police dogs can …

Extradition in California: How Does It Work?Watch this video on YouTube An extradition warrant allows police to arrest someone who is a fugitive in one state, such as California, but then fled to another state. If arrested elsewhere, the suspect will be extradited back to California to face charges. California’s governor issues an extradition warrant …

Doctors in California are legally obligated to report dog bites for which they provide evaluation or treatment. This is the case even if the victim was not seriously hurt, and even if the dog was vaccinated for rabies and determined not to have rabies. The report has to go to local health officials or their …

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Negligent entrustment is the principle that makes car, truck or motorcycle owners liable when they allow an incompetent, reckless, or inexperienced driver to operate their vehicle. If the driver causes an accident, the victim can sue the owner for damages. Note that relinquishing a motor vehicle to a minor who is not safe or legally …

Penal Code 484g PC — Using a credit or debit card that you know to be fake or invalidWatch this video on YouTube California Penal Code § 484g PC makes it a crime to use a credit or debit card to obtain goods, services or money when you know the card is fake, forged, expired, invalid, …

(LEGAL ANALYSIS) California Penal Code 287 PC — Illegal Oral CopulationWatch this video on YouTube Penal Code § 287 PC makes it a crime to engage in oral copulation with a minor under 18. Oral copulation is any contact between the mouth of one person with the penis, vagina, or anus of another person. Depending …