Can an adolescent’s brain development or lack thereof be a defense? Three general differences between juveniles under 18 and adults demonstrate that juvenile offenders cannot reliabl be classified among the worst offenders. First, any parent knows…juveniles lack maturity and have an underdeveolped sense of responsibility much more so than adults. Moreover, juveniles are overrepresented statistically…
It is extremely important to understand the factors in deciding bail prior to your court date. Bail is governed by the Bail Schedule for the respective county in which the crime is alleged to have occurred. Factors in the setting of bail are controlled by the California Penal Code Section 1275. Factors in reducing, increasing…
The Airport Courthouse in Los Angeles prosecutes felonies and misdemeanor cases in the surrounding community. There are several prosecuting agencies that prosecute out of the Airport Courthouse. The Santa Monica City Attorney and Los Angeles City Attorney prosecute misdemeanor cases in their respective courtrooms. If you are arrested for any misdemeanor in Santa Monica, you…
There are a number of ways to get your bail reduced in a criminal case. Often times the arresting agency will arrest a suspect for a felony. Bailing out on felony charges can be extremely expensive. I have often witnessed individuals arrested on felony cases with felony bail set by the arresting agency, only to…
If you or a loved one has been arrested for a DUI and are ordered to appear in the Metropolitan Courthouse in downtown L.A., then you need to contact an attorney as soon as possible. If arrested for a DUI you generally have 10 (TEN!) calendar days from the date of your arrest to request…
Is it worth the money to hire a Los Angeles Traffic Ticket Lawyer? This is a question I get asked everyday in my office. Some people will call and beat around the bush, others get right down to the point and just ask. If my LA traffic ticket costs $500, why would I pay…
Being charged with Domestic Violence can have devastating consequences on you and your family. False allegations of domestic violence usually arise when a couple is going through a bitter divorce or contested child custody proceeding. In California, family law courts will consider domestic violence convictions in determining which parent receives primary custody. More importantly, a domestic violence restraining order (CLETS)…
Criminal courts can be intimidating and unfamiliar to many people. In fact, the closest many people have gotten to a criminal courtroom is through television. In criminal courts each side is generally represented by a lawyer. The prosecutor is usually a City Attorney or District Attorney. The criminal defendant is usually represented by a lawyer from…
Clearing your criminal history in the current economy may give you a leg up in the employment arena. Low costs expungements are relatively easy to do depending on the charge you were convicted of. A low cost expungement is fairly simple if the charge was a mild misdemeanor and the expungement was part of the…
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…
