You may be walking down the street when you run across a lost wallet. You open it up and find a few gift cards, a movie ticket and a few twenties. You think to yourself, what harm would come to you if you took the wallet - after all, someone else will just take it if...
Criminal Defense
What does decriminalization of shoplifting in California mean?
Shoplifting, in the most basic sense, means that a person deprives a store owner of the profit from the merchandise they’re selling by taking the merchandise or changing the price tags on it. People in California may have been hearing about shoplifting being...
Can intoxication be used as a defense to a criminal charge?
Alcohol tends to lower people’s inhibitions and affect their ability to reason – which is why alcohol is heavily associated with everything from bar fights and thefts to other poor choices. Can intoxication ever be used as part of your defense if you’re charged with a...
How an impulse-control disorder could mitigate a theft charge
When most of us think of reasons that people steal, we often think of people coveting items they cannot afford or stealing to resell the items elsewhere. Those kinds of motives are pretty much within people’s control. However, some reasons for stealing are linked to a...
Breathalyzer and field sobriety tests are not always accurate
Suppose your breathalyzer test results indicated that you are well above the legal limit, or you performed miserably on the field sobriety tests administered by the police. You'll definitely be arrested, but there's still no guarantee that the police will make their...
Is victim testimony necessary in domestic violence cases?
Domestic violence charges are among the most common violent offenses prosecuted in California. People can face charges because their spouse, child or roommate made a report to the police. They can also wind up arrested and charged with a crime because a neighbor or...
How do prosecutors deal with theft charges in California?
Although not a violent offense in most cases, theft charges still require a serious approach on the part of defendants. If they do not take steps to defend against these charges, they could face significant legal consequences. Those that want to fight against the...
2 possible defense strategies for those accused of assault
When one individual becomes physically violent toward another person, that other person or a witness may report the interaction to law enforcement. If the police arrest you and then charge you with assault, you could face a lifetime of consequences ranging from...
Is keeping lost property theft?
Taking something that is not yours could lead to criminal charges. Yet, sometimes people lose things, and if you do not pick them up, someone else will. If you work in a gym, a nightclub, or public transport, you may encounter lost property while on duty. Your...
Are plea deals a good option?
When you face criminal charges, it is a stressful and confusing time. On the one hand, you may want a particular outcome, but on the other, you may simply want the situation to be over. Plea deals often prey on people who want to end the situation but may not realize...