All lawyers can agree that law school can be a grueling experience and studying for the bar can be downright painful. Future lawyer take numerous courses on the law, legal analysis and trial advocacy. However, there are few if any courses on what really goes on in a courtroom….especially in criminal courts. Here are just…
If you’re reading this blog post, you’re probably trying to figure out what to do about your Los Angeles County Bench warrant. You’re obviously worried about it. You must be tired of that feeling of dread every time you see a cop. But understandably, you’re afraid to go to court. Are they going to slap…
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…
I practice criminal defense in Los Angeles, Orange County, and everywhere else in Southern California. Like a true Sureno, I handle everything south of Bako. A question that comes up quite is bit deals with clients facing a probation violation in connection with a new case. The most common scenario involves…
Celebrities and Special Court Treatment If you have been following the court trials of the rich and famous over the past couple of years, you may feel that being a celebrity allows a defendant special treatment because of their status in popular culture. Often times, media reports suggest that because of a defendants perceived…
California Penal Code section 148. (a) (1) says in relevant part that every person who willfully resists, delays, or obstructs any public officer, peace officer, or an emergency medical technician, in the discharge or attempt to discharge any duty of his or her office or employment, shall be punished by a fine not exceeding one thousand…
Do you have a case where you are stuck with a straight felony? Check again, you may have a “stealth wobbler” on your hands. We all know of Penal Code 17(b) reducing wobblers from felonies to misdemeanors, but many people don’t know about Penal Code 18(b), introducing the “stealth wobbler.” Now, if you would have…
Many people choose to represent themselves in criminal courts due to a lack of money. Often times these “Pro Per” litigants will convince themselves that they are just as good and just as competent as any criminal lawyer. I have seen Pro Per criminal defendants time and time again all the while cringing at their blatant lack of…
The Holiday Season is here….and so are the Loss Prevention Officers (LPO’s). LPO’s are casing stores in search of shoplifters. In many cases, they are evaluated based on the number of alleged shoplifters they detain during their shift. The result is a hyper-aggressive team of LPO’s looking for anyone who may have mistakenly forgot to…
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)…
