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 647i PC – The Crime of "Peeking While Loitering"Watch this video on YouTube California’s Peeping Tom laws make it a misdemeanor offense to spy on (or to take pictures of) someone in a private place without that person’s consent. A conviction carries a potential sentence of up to 6 months in jail and fines …
Penal Code 278 PC — What is "child stealing" in California?Watch this video on YouTube Penal Code § 278 PC defines child abduction as a situation where a person (with no right of custody) takes a child away and keeps the child from the parents or legal guardians. The offense can be charged as a …
What is "credit card fraud"? (Former DA explains)Watch this video on YouTube Penal Code Sections 484e, 484f, 484g, 484h, 484i, and 484j all make it a crime for a person to commit credit card, debit card, and/or access card fraud. These sections make it a crime to use a credit or access card to obtain money, goods …
California cyberstalking laws make it a crime to stalk someone by means of an “electronic communication device“. Stalking is defined in Penal Code 646.9 PC as harassing or threatening another person to the point where that individual fears for his or her safety or the safety of his or her family. An electronic communication device can include such media as: the …
Are Silencers Legal in California? Penal Code 33410 PCWatch this video on YouTube Silencers are illegal in California. Penal Code § 33410 PC makes it illegal for a person, firm, or corporation to have possession of a silencer. A conviction is a felony punishable by up to 3 years in jail or prison. The language …
California "Welfare Fraud" LawsWatch this video on YouTube California Welfare & Institutions Code 10980 WIC addresses two types of welfare fraud: recipient fraud and internal fraud. Recipient fraud, the more common form, is when you provide false or incomplete information in order to obtain benefits, food stamps or Medi-Cal benefits to which you are not legitimately entitled. Internal welfare …
An AB541 program is an alcohol awareness class that you must complete when: you received your first DUI within a 10-year period, and your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) was below 0.20%. Title 9 of the California Health and Safety Code sets forth the minimum curriculum for this program. In general, an AB541 program must include (at minimum): an enrollment …
California DUI School is a program of alcohol education and prevention ordered by courts and/or the California DMV. You must enroll in California DUI school if convicted of a DUI or “wet” driving offense such as: Vehicle Code 23152(a), driving under the influence, Vehicle Code 23152(b), driving with a BAC of .08% or higher, Vehicle Code 23140, underage …
An SB 38 program is an alcohol awareness class (DUI school) that you must complete when you receive a second DUI conviction within 10 years of a prior DUI or a wet reckless conviction. SB 38 – referred to as the “18-month second-time DUI offender program” – is an outpatient program and involves a total of …
In California, a medical malpractice claim is made against a healthcare provider alleging that you suffered an injury because the provider acted with professional negligence, or below the appropriate standard of care. Typical examples are when the provider misdiagnoses or fails to diagnose a condition, makes a mistake during surgery, prescribes the wrong medication or …
Compromise of a Minor's Personal Injury ClaimWatch this video on YouTube A compromise of a minor’s claim is when an adult executes a settlement agreement on behalf of a minor child. This is necessary because children under the age of 18 are not legally able to enter contracts in California. The following flowchart shows the step-by-step …
Hit by a driver with no insurance: 3 ways to still get money damagesWatch this video on YouTube Uninsured / underinsured motorist coverage (UMC/UIM) is insurance coverage that is included in your auto insurance policy in California unless you waive it in writing. UMC/UIM coverage pays when another driver: is at fault but either has …
Lime scooter accident lawsuits are personal injury claims for crashes involving one of Lime’s electric scooters, or E-scooters. Claims generally allege that Lime or a third party acted negligently and that the negligence was responsible for the E-scooter accident. Because Lime’s E-scooters are provided for ridesharing, though, there are some aspects of these lawsuits that make …
California’s statute of limitations for personal injury lawsuits is usually two years after your accident. If you file after this deadline, the court will dismiss your case unless a legal exception caused your statute of limitations to “toll” (pause).1 Here are five things to know: The statute of limitation does not begin running until you …
Legal Analysis: What is the Crime of Oral Copulation by Force or Fear?Watch this video on YouTube California law defines oral copulation by force or fear as non-consensual contact between a person’s mouth and another person’s genitals or anus . This felony carries 3 to 14 years in prison depending on the case. Plus, you …
What is a "Motion for a New Trial?" — A Former D.A. explainsWatch this video on YouTube Penal Code 1181 PC allows a person convicted of a crime in California to seek a new trial. In simple terms, a motion for a new trial is a request to set aside the conviction and to have a …
Jury Trials in CaliforniaWatch this video on YouTube In California criminal cases, a jury trial is where 12 members of the community assemble to hear the evidence and decide whether or not a defendant is guilty of the crime or crimes with which he or she is charged. All persons facing charges for misdemeanors or felonies may have a jury trial. The jurors …
Sentencing hearings in CA criminal casesWatch this video on YouTube A California sentencing hearing is where a judge imposes penalties after a criminal conviction. The hearing takes place after: you have pleaded guilty or no contest, or you have been found guilty at a jury trial or bench trial. During your sentencing hearing, you can …
Justifiable homicide – 3 times deadly force is legal in CaliforniaWatch this video on YouTube Penal Code sections 195, 196, and 197 PC set forth California state laws on excusable and justifiable homicide. “Homicide” is the act of killing another human being and typically leads to criminal charges. These laws, however, hold that homicide is …
What is the "statute of limitations" (deadline) to file my hernia mesh lawsuit?Watch this video on YouTube Each state has its own statute of limitations to bring a hernia mesh lawsuit for compensation. In most state courts, this time limit to sue is only a year or two after the victims (“plaintiffs”) discover their hernia …
California "Animal Abuse" Laws | Penal code 597 PCWatch this video on YouTube California Penal Code § 597 PC prohibits animal abuse or cruelty, defined as maliciously killing, harming, maiming, or torturing a living animal. The crime can be charged as either a misdemeanor or a felony with a sentence of up to 3 years in jail or …
The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation has a “vision” to provide “constitutionally adequate medical care to patient-inmates.”1 This is good news, surely. But why isn’t such a vision already a reality? After all, the United States Supreme Court – the highest court in the land – recognized this basic right over thirty years ago. …
Health and Safety Code § 11379.6 HS makes it a crime to manufacture (either directly or indirectly) any controlled substance. A conviction is a felony punishable by 3, 5 or 7 years in prison. The language of the code section states that: 11379.6. (a) Except as otherwise provided by law, every person who manufactures, compounds, converts, …
When is DUI a felony? In these 3 situationsWatch this video on YouTube In California, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs can be charged as a felony in only four situations: It is your 4th DUI within 10 years, You have a prior felony DUI conviction, You cause an accident in which another …
What is a SCRAM Device?Watch this video on YouTube The SCRAM Continuous Alcohol Monitoring is a tamper-resistant ankle bracelet that tests your sweat for blood alcohol concentration (“BAC”) every 30 minutes. Use of the SCRAM device is often ordered as a jail alternative or condition of probation in a DUI case. Here are four key …