Penal Code 272 PC — "Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor"Watch this video on YouTube California Penal Code 272 PC prohibits contributing to the delinquency of a minor. This means causing or enabling a child under 18 to either: engage in illegal or delinquent behavior, become a habitual truant, or become a dependent or …
Vehicle Code 14601.2(a) VC – Driving with a Suspended License Because of DUIWatch this video on YouTube California Vehicle Code § 14601.2(a) VC makes it a misdemeanor.crime to drive a motor vehicle while your license is suspended or revoked for driving under the influence of alcohol (DUI). Even a first-time conviction carries a minimum of …
What happens if I violate a written promise to appear in court? California Penal Code 853.7 PCWatch this video on YouTube California Penal Code § 853.7 PC makes it a misdemeanor to miss court after signing a written promise to appear. You typically sign a written agreement to appear after getting released from custody on your …
Having an active arrest warrant or bench warrant in California authorizes law enforcement officers to arrest and detain you. To clear the warrant, you or your lawyer must voluntarily appear before the judge and request that it be recalled. Meanwhile, a California search warrant authorizes police officers to search you, your residence, your vehicle, your …
Who are required "Mandatory Reporters" in California?Watch this video on YouTube In California, mandated reporters are teachers, social workers, clergy, doctors, and other professionals who are required to notify police or social services of alleged abuse or neglect of a child under 18 years old. Under California’s Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act (CANRA), mandatory …
Playlist: Sealing & Destroying Arrest Records in CaliforniaWatch this playlist on YouTube If you were arrested for a crime but never convicted, California law allows you to get your arrest records sealed and destroyed as a matter of right. Sealing a record means that it will not show up on most criminal background checks. “Arrest records” …
A background check is when an employer or other company performs a comprehensive screening of your past misdemeanor and felony convictions, negative credit report information, education history, and other public data. Background checks are lawful in California. However, employers are required to abide by several restrictions and obligations found in: California’s ban the box law (“Fair Chance Act”), …
Possession for Sale of Methamphetamine (Health & Safety Code 11378 HS)Watch this video on YouTube California Health and Safety Code § 11378 HS makes it a felony crime to possess methamphetamine with the intent to sell the drug. It carries up to 3 years of jail time and/or fines of up to $10,000. Examples of …
What can get you arrested for "check fraud"? (Penal Code 476)Watch this video on YouTube California Penal Code § 476 PC prohibits check fraud. You commit this crime by making, passing, uttering, or publishing a fake or fraudulent check in order to obtain something of value. Examples of check fraud include: forging the name of …
Former D.A. Explains "Indecent Exposure" laws — Is it Illegal to Be Naked in Public?Watch this video on YouTube California Penal Code § 314 PC prohibits indecent exposure, which is willfully exposing your naked genitals to others who could be offended or annoyed by it. Most first-time indecent exposure convictions are misdemeanors carrying up to …
What Is "Prosecutorial Misconduct"? Can It Get My Case Thrown Out? Former Prosecutor ExplainsWatch this video on YouTube Prosecutorial misconduct refers to unethical or unlawful tactics by prosecutors in a criminal case, such as withholding exculpatory evidence from you (the defendant), making false statements, or presenting inadmissible evidence to the jury. Prosecutors found to have …
Former L.A. County District Attorney — Now Top California Sex Crimes Defense AttorneyWatch this video on YouTube At Shouse Law Group, we understand that just being accused of a sex crime can upend your life. If you get convicted of a sex crime, you face jail or prison, sex offender registration, and the loss of your …
Residential Burglary — "Is it more serious than commercial burglary?" Penal Code 460 PCWatch this video on YouTube California Penal Code § 460 PC makes it a felony to commit residential burglary, which is entering any inhabited dwelling with the intent to commit grand theft, petty theft or a felony once inside. The penalties are …
How to fight a case in juvenile courtWatch this video on YouTube Every year, thousands of youths are funneled through California’s juvenile courts. Although the focus is to rehabilitate rather than punish, the state’s juvenile justice system is traumatic and can have lasting repercussions on your child’s future. However, there are many juvenile justice options …
California truancy laws require children to go to school. The state laws apply to children between the ages of 6 and 18 who attend either: elementary school, middle school, or high school. Failure to attend school carries consequences for not only the truant student but also possibly for their parents. In this article, our Los …
California Penal Code 4573 — Bringing a controlled substance into a jail or prisonWatch this video on YouTube Penal Code § 4573 PC makes it a crime to bring a controlled substance into a California jail or state prison. A conviction is a felony (as opposed to a misdemeanor or an infraction). The following table shows the penalties …
Under California law, a felony is a serious criminal offense that can result in imprisonment for more than one year. Felonies are considered more severe than misdemeanors and can have significant consequences, including loss of voting rights (while in prison), professional licenses, and the ability to own firearms. This article will explore the consequences of …
What is a Brady Motion?Watch this video on YouTube A Brady motion is a defendant’s request for the prosecution in a criminal case to turn over any potentially exculpatory evidence (which means evidence that may be favorable to the accused). Defense attorneys generally bring this motion as part of the pretrial process, or later in …
What is a motion to continue? Penal Code 1050 PCWatch this video on YouTube Penal Code § 1050 PC outlines the procedures for asking the court to continue a hearing in a California criminal case. A motion to continue is a request by either the prosecution or the defense to postpone the hearing to a …
You can sometimes defend against a criminal charge by showing that the allegedly illegal act was an accident. This legal defense will most likely succeed in situations where you had no criminal intent, were not acting with criminal negligence, and were engaged in lawful conduct at the time of the accident. If successful, the defense …
Penal Code 3455 PC — Violation of Post Release Community Supervision in CaliforniaWatch this video on YouTube California Penal Code § 3455 PC instructs courts on how to treat ex-prisoners who violate the terms of their Post Release Community Supervision (PRCS). When this happens, courts are permitted to modify or revoke PRCS or refer the person …
977 Waiver — Can my attorney appear for me in a California criminal case?Watch this video on YouTube Penal Code § 977 PC allows you in most California misdemeanor cases to waive your personal appearance and appear “by counsel only.” This means the attorney can go to court and appear on your behalf. However, you …
California drug court is an outpatient substance abuse program that allows defendants facing nonviolent drug charges to avoid jail and a criminal conviction. Treatment typically lasts nine months to three years, and meanwhile you can keep your job and go on with your life. As long as you complete rehab, your charge gets dismissed, your …
A coerced confession is an involuntary confession that comes from overbearing police conduct rather than a suspect’s free will. It is considered involuntary because the confession is not a product of the accused’s free choice. Police-induced coerced confessions have been found to lead to suspects confessing to crimes they did not commit. State and federal courts generally exclude from …
What is an "OR release"? A former DA explainsWatch this video on YouTube In California, an “own recognizance” release is when the court lets a defendant out of jail after an arrest without having to post bail, based solely on his or her promise to (a) return to court for future hearings and (b) comply …