When police respond to domestic violence assault incidents in Los Angeles County, one of their main responsibilities is to identify the primary aggressor. This ensures that the right individual is held accountable and victims receive protection. Police officers must make a careful balance between justice and immediate safety...
Domestic violence can happen in any relationship, regardless of income level, religion, or education. Abuse might occur between married people or between unmarried people living together or in a dating relationship. Research has revealed that some people are more likely to become victims of domestic...
To recant, meaning "take back," your domestic violence (DV) statement will not always result in the case being dropped. This is especially true when the district attorney has other evidence of guilt, such as pictures of significant injuries. Another issue to consider before recanting a domestic violence statement is the possibility...
With a legal career spanning over 30 years in Los Angeles, I have specialized in defending domestic violence and spousal abuse cases. The first step in our journey is a comprehensive discussion of the case's facts and circumstances. This initial secret is crucial in determining the best approach to handle your case. Your role in...
In California, domestic violence (DV) is typically filed as a misdemeanor rather than a felony unless certain circumstances elevate the offense to a felony. These include significant injuries, a child victim, the use of a deadly weapon, prior DV convictions, or the violation of a restraining order. If none of these circumstances exist, the...
For those people who are charged with California Penal Code 245(a)(1) PC assault with a deadly weapon (ADW), they're looking for help because it's a severe crime. If the charge is classified as a felony, it's not just a legal issue; it's a strike or a violent felony. It could remain on your record for the rest of your life, particularly in...
Those charged with burglary are looking for ways to resolve their cases. I've been doing this for over 30 years and wanted to share some of my secrets. First, you must assess whether you're dealing with a first- or second-degree burglary. A second-degree burglary involves breaking into a closed structure and stealing...
I offer some secrets and insights into defending a California Penal Code 211 PC robbery case for those charged with robbery and the family members trying to help their family member who has been accused of it. I've been handling these cases for over 30 years on the defense side. started out working for the prosecutors, then...
No California law specifically prohibits people from having sex in a car. However, having sex in a vehicle in public view could potentially result in criminal charges, such as lewd conduct in public or indecent exposure. Suppose you have sex in your car with someone in the middle of nowhere, and there are no other people...
Suppose you were accused of committing a crime in California. Getting criminal charges dismissed before trial is typically the best outcome you could obtain. Understanding the role of the district attorney (prosecutor) in the process of dropping charges is crucial. While there are several strategies for getting criminal...
An employer will often conduct criminal history checks to identify people whose criminal history might affect their ability to perform responsibly and trustworthy. Sometimes, a criminal conviction may be a huge red flag that shifts a hiring manager's perception of a potential employee. For example, suppose someone has...
Suppose you have a valid driver's license from a foreign country. In that case, you can legally drive in California without obtaining a California driver's license or international driving permit (IDP). However, your license must be lawfully issued in the country where you live, cover the vehicle you are driving, and...
All states recognize a person's right to self-defense, including the weapons you can legally possess. In California, Various self-defense weapons, such as tasers, stun guns, certain knives, specific firearms, and personal alarms are legal. These devices are typically attached to keychains and designed to release loud, deafening...
Understanding PC 1275 holds is crucial, yet many find it challenging. The process of lifting them is equally complex. I'm here to shed some light on it, but it's essential to grasp the gravity of the situation. If you or a loved one is facing a criminal case, seeking legal assistance is imperative. Together, we can navigate...
The common question is, why are prosecutors in Los Angeles County filing California Penal Code 187 PC charges related to deaths on the road? For those people who have been arrested and charged with murder about a driving-related death on the road, either they or their families are searching for answers. This is...
For those people who have been arrested and bail is set, their loved ones are usually looking to bail them out, or the person themselves is anticipating a bail being set and trying to figure out the best way to handle the bail situation. Typically, when the police arrest someone and no judges are available, they are responsible for...
Many people are excited about Humphrey's case because they think they can get out on bail or at least get their bail reduced. In some circumstances, judges can use Humphrey's case to lower somebody's bail or release them on their recognizance. But don't be fooled. The judges are lawyers. Most of them are aligned with the...
I tried a California Vehicle Code 192(c) VC vehicular manslaughter case in the Burbank courthouse against a very unreasonable prosecutor. He didn't see his case's weaknesses and ended up losing the case for the People of the State of California. My client was found not guilty. Let me tell you something, it was a war...
You must be prepared as a defense attorney when defending kidnapping cases because all the marbles are typically on the line. If your client gets convicted according to California Penal Code 209 PC aggravated kidnapping, they could face life in prison. That's not something you want as a defendant, and it's certainly not...
In the first jury I did in the early 1990s, my client was charged with California Health and Safety Code 11351 HS possession and sale of drugs, and she was facing jail time. Her most significant problem was working out a deal with the prosecutors. Even though they did have some evidence against her that she had kids, she could...
Several years ago, I had a client who was charged with California Penal Code 664/261 PC attempted rape, and he was facing 20+ years in prison because he had a prior strike on his record. He swore up and down that he was innocent and not taking any deals, even though if he lost, he was probably looking at triple the time...
Recently, I was defending my client in a jury trial with multiple defendants, and he and the other defendants were all charged with California Penal Code 187 PC murder. I’m not going to get into all of the details and facts of the case so I can protect my client’s identity, but suffice it to say, there was one shooter in the case...
I tell these stories because I've been doing domestic violence cases now for over 30 years, defending my clients. Many of my clients have been improperly charged because of facts and details that are either not true or exaggerated or in a situation where the police have not gotten all the information. They've only taken...
For those people whose relatives or family members are charged with California Penal Code 207 PC kidnapping, you're looking for answers and are trying to find an attorney who can help. A lot of the abduction charges these days carry life. So, if you're convicted of Penal Code 209, aggravated kidnapping, you face a life sentence...
Recently I had a client who was charged with California Penal Code 261 PC rape and facing many years in prison. He had met somebody on the road and got together with them at their apartment. They had drunk alcohol, and within days after they had sex, he was being accused of PC 261 rape. I took the case to trial in Pomona...
