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.
Penal Code 206 PC: What is considered "torture" in California law?Watch this video on YouTube California Penal Code § 206 PC defines the crime of torture as inflicting great bodily injury on a victim in order to cause extreme pain or suffering, when done for the purpose of revenge, persuasion, or any sadistic aim. Torture …
Garage door accident victim gets $1 million settlementWatch this video on YouTube If someone is injured by a garage door accident or malfunction, the victim can file a lawsuit to get compensated for his or her injuries. Garage door injuries can range from minor to serious and can even be fatal. A personal injury lawsuit involving …
Who Can Be Charged with "Grand Theft Auto" in California? Advice from Top Criminal Defense AttorneyWatch this video on YouTube Penal Code 487(d)(1) is the California statute that defines the offense commonly known as “grand theft auto“. This section make it a crime to take someone else’s vehicle, worth $950 or more, without permission, with the intent to deprive the true owner of …
The California Appellate Project is a nonprofit entity under contract with the State of California to represent indigent defendants, who have been convicted of criminal offenses, to appeal their convictions. In the United States, every defendant who has been charged with a misdemeanor or a felony is entitled to legal representation – even defendants who cannot otherwise afford an attorney.1 This right applies not only …
4 ways people get nailed for "unemployment (EDD) fraud"Watch this video on YouTube Unemployment insurance fraud (EDD fraud) in California is when applicants supply false or incomplete information to seek or obtain unemployment benefits to which they are not legally entitled. On the employer side, EDD fraud occurs when a company supplies false information so that current or …
Assault with a Firearm | Legal Analysis of Penal Code 245(a)(2)Watch this video on YouTube Under Penal Code 245(a)(2) PC, California law defines assault with a firearm as assaulting a victim with the use of a pistol, rifle, shotgun, semiautomatic firearm, machine gun, .50 BMG rifle, or assault weapon. The assault may take the form …
Is "Boating Under the Influence" a crime just like DUI?Watch this video on YouTube Harbors & Navigation Code 655 is the California statute that prohibits boating under the influence. This section makes it a crime to operate any boat, watercraft, jetski or vessel while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or with a BAC of .08 or …
Penal Code 270 PC – Who can be charged with "child neglect"?Watch this video on YouTube Under Penal Code § 270 PC, child neglect occurs when a parent or legal guardian willfully (and without lawful excuse) fails to provide necessities such as clothing, food, medicine, and shelter. Child neglect is generally a misdemeanor punishable by up …
Competency to Stand Trial in California: A Former D.A. ExplainsWatch this video on YouTube Federal and state law require that a person must be competent in order to stand trial for a criminal charge. Competency means that a defendant understands the nature of the court process. This includes a grasp of the charges and parties involved. Competency ensures …
"Circumstantial evidence" vs. "direct evidence" – A former DA explainsWatch this video on YouTube Circumstantial evidence is proof of a fact or set of facts from which one could infer the fact in question. For example, that a suspect is seen running away from a murder scene with a weapon in hand is circumstantial evidence he committed the murder. …
Penal Code § 503 PC is the California law that makes it a crime to commit embezzlement, which is “the fraudulent appropriation of property by a person to whom it has been entrusted.” So whereas larceny is a wrongful taking, embezzlement is a wrongful keeping. Examples of embezzlement include: a cashier at Walmart pockets some cash …
Real estate fraud is where one person or party commits fraud in connection with the purchase, sale, rental or financing of real estate property. Real estate fraud is a crime under state and federal laws and can result in jail or prison sentences. A party can commit this fraud at several different stages of a given real estate transaction. Some of …
Vehicle Code 4462.5 VC – Misuse of license plates or registrationWatch this video on YouTube Vehicle Code § 4462.5 VC is the California statute that addresses false vehicle registration. This section makes it a misdemeanor to present police with a registration card that was not issued for the vehicle that you were driving. The statute also …
"Bail Hearings" in California – What Do Judges Consider? 2020 UPDATES IN DESCRIPTIONWatch this video on YouTube A bail hearing is a court proceeding where a judge decides whether to allow a defendant to post bail and be released from custody while awaiting trial. A judge could also decide to set bail at a higher or lower amount than what is scheduled for …
California's "Carjacking" Law — Penal Code 215 PCWatch this video on YouTube California Penal Code § 215 PC makes it a felony to carjack, which is taking a vehicle from another person’s immediate possession through the use of force or fear. “Force or fear” means physical violence or threats of harm against the driver or …
Defective hernia mesh products that are the subjects of lawsuits can be identified by their product number. If you have received a hernia mesh implant and suffered chronic pain or other medical complications, you can turn to your medical records to find which type and model of mesh you received. The following listing of hernia …
When is sodomy still illegal? (Penal Code 286)Watch this video on YouTube Penal Code § 286 PC defines sodomy as any contact between the penis of one person and the anus of another. Sodomy is legal in California unless one of the parties is under 18, incarcerated, unable to consent, or forced into the sex …
How does the sex offender registry work in California? New SB 384 LawWatch this video on YouTube In California, getting removed from the sex offender registry is never automatic. Tier One sex offenders may apply for removal after 10 years, and Tier Two sex offenders may apply for removal after 20 years. Tier Three sex …
In California criminal cases, a Romero motion is where you ask the judge to remove a prior strike conviction in furtherance of justice so that it does not get used against you at sentencing. This way, you avoid a “Three Strikes and You’re Out” mandatory state prison sentence of 25 years-to-life. Here are three key …
"Doctor Shopping" – Go to jail for too many prescriptions?Watch this video on YouTube In California, doctor shopping is defined as trying to obtain controlled substances you do not medically need by giving false information to healthcare providers or by hiding material facts from them. It is a type of prescription fraud prosecuted under Health …
Judges can make bad rulings. Prosecutors can act unethically. Defense lawyers can fail to act with competence. And juries can return the wrong verdict. If any of these things happened to you, and it led to a criminal court conviction, do not despair. The law offers a second chance at justice. We’re a statewide law …
Is it a crime to lie to police during a traffic stop? (California Vehicle Code 31)Watch this video on YouTube Vehicle Code 31 VC is a California statute that makes it a misdemeanor to provide false information or documentation to a police officer. This includes a false name, driver’s license or vehicle registration. A conviction …
PPP (Paycheck Protection Program) loan fraud is obtaining money by false pretenses through the CARES Act. As of April 2020, eligible small businesses can obtain up to $10 million to cover payroll, mortgages, rent, and utilities for eight weeks. And the government will forgive the debt if the money goes towards these “qualified expenses.” Only …
Surgical staples lawsuits — How to file a claimWatch this video on YouTube A surgical stapler lawsuit is a mass tort claim by a victim against the device manufacturers. In these lawsuits, plaintiffs allege that a design defect caused the staplers to misfire. And this malfunction caused their organ damage and other complications. The frequency …
A crime to "fail to appear" for traffic court? (Vehicle Code 40508 VC)Watch this video on YouTube Vehicle Code § 40508a VC is the California statute that makes it a crime for a person to fail to appear in court for a traffic citation. A violation of the law is a misdemeanor. This is true even if the …