Perhaps the most difficult and challenging cases to fight when you are innocent are sex offenses. Once the alleged victim points the accusatory finger at you, then the public will perceive you as guilty even if you are innocent. The stigma of being wrongfully charged can cause considerable stress for you and your family. The…
Most defendants make the mistake of pleading guilty to a first time prostitution charge at arraignment because the sanctions are generally not severe without considering the defenses to the charge. There are numerous defenses to a prostitution charge. The sanctions/punishment will include probation, HIV/AIDS Testing, and other prostitution related terms. Reviewing your case with an…
Getting a job is difficult in the current economy. Employment searches are made even more difficult if you have a criminal record. This problem can be easily remedied by filing for an expungment (clearing your public criminal record). Many people erroneously believe that once an expungment is granted that your record is cleared. The truth…
Being charged with a theft-related offense can be devastating to one’s career and future employment opportunities. Theft convictions can also result in deportation, exclusion, denial of naturalization and other serious immigration consequences. Usually defendants without attorneys take the first offer (plea bargain) on the table from the prosecution or judge. Since the neither the prosecutor…
Being falsely accused of Sexual Battery can be devastating. Not only does one’s personal life become traumatized, their professional life is usually devastated. More importantly, depending on the specific type of charge, a conviction may result in a mandatory sex offender registration. Having an aggressive defense attorney who believes in you is a must. …
Clearing a criminal warrant can be as difficult as finding a needle in a haystack. Each courthouse has different procedures on recalling warrants. Some courthouses will allow a defendant to walk in at any time to recall a warrant while other courthouses require a defendant to arrive in clerk’s office before 9:00 a.m. to have…
When someone is arrested and charged with a crime, often, their first (and best) move is to call a lawyer. Many defendants believe they need a lawyer to help defend them at trial and avoid a conviction, and that is certainly one of a defense attorney’s greatest duties. But a good defense lawyer can provide…
Los Angeles’s attempt to regulate the distribution of medical marijuana appears to be coming to an end after the Los Angeles City Council voted unanimously this week to ban all marijuana dispensaries. This ban may come as a surprise to many especially since the ban also opened the door to possibly letting some dispensaries remain….
The Necessity Defense. Is it ever legal to break traffic laws? As a California criminal defense lawyer, I hear this question all the time from potential clients. I usually get a call on the 800 line at 800-797-8406 that starts with “I got a ticket but it’s a bullshit ticket…….”. And then the good…
Former Los Angeles Laker power forward Matt Barnes got hooked up yesterday by the Manhattan Beach Police Department. Barnes has posted $51,000 in bail (that’s likely about $5k to a bail bond company for those of you keeping score at home) and he is now a free man again. Barnes is also currently a…
