It has been more apparent in my practice now that many people think it’s a smart idea to talk to cops instead of invoking your right to remain silent and asking to speak to an attorney. Here’s the bottom line, more often than not, talking to a cop will not help your case and will…
One of the most common traffic tickets is the classic California speeding ticket. Getting pulled over by a cop and being issued a ticket for speeding is definitely not a good feeling. Even having a close call can ruin your day. Nobody likes to see that radar gun pointed in your direction. When…
If you’ve recently received a red light camera traffic ticket, you may have some legal ammo to use if you want to fight it. The case of People v. Khaled (2010) is an Orange County Appellate case that held an appropriate witness must testify to the inner workings of the camera system and to the photographs…
This week’s news story is about the melee that went down at Carson High School, after which 3 students were arrested and 4 were hospitalized. The fight reportedly involved dozens of Samoan, black and Latino students, and it happened during the morning nutrition break and then again at lunchtime. Three students were arrested on suspicion…
This is a question I get A LOT. How do I stay out of jail on my 2nd DUI offense in California? If you have been charged with a 2nd DUI offense in California within 10 years you are subject to enhanced sentencing under the California Vehicle Code and part of the mandatory minimum sentence…
If you want to fight your traffic ticket , you can do so in writing by filing a Request for a Trial by Declaration with the court. The sweet thing about filing a Trial by Declaration, or “TBD,” is that you never have to make a personal appearance in court. Vehicle Code section 40902 allows a…
We all love good sales right? The bigger the better right? How about 50% off your unpaid tickets? Effective January 1, 2012 until June 30, 2012, the San Diego Court is offering amnesty to infraction cases that: Became delinquent and have had no payments since 1/1/2009 Failed to appear before 1/1/2009. In order…
In recent months, Los Angles Police Department (LAPD) Police Chief, Charlie Beck, has proposed a change in the way that LAPD officers impound vehicles from individuals cited for Driving a Motor Vehicle Without a Valid Driver’s License. For years, LAPD officers could impound a vehicle of an unlicensed driver and hold it for up to…
Diversion is a deferred entry of judgment. Both PC1000 and Prop 36 qualify as diversion. This means that upon successful completion, the case will be dismissed against the defendant and there will be no conviction. History behind prop 36 Prop 36 was passed in 2000 that provides people who are accused of non-violent possession or…
5 Reasons You Should Never Agree to a Police Search (Even if You Have Nothing to Hide) Posted: 02/21/2012 10:52 pm Do you know what your rights are when a police officer asks to search you? If you’re like most people I’ve met in my eight years working to educate the public on this…
