In California, it is illegal to have sex with someone under the age of 18 unless you are married to them (yes, the marriage part is actually written into the law). Statutory rape can be charged as a misdemeanor or a felony, depending on the circumstances. If your ages...
Ahmaud Arbery was 25 years old when he was shot and killed in Georgia on February 23, 2020. Arbery had been jogging in his hometown when a father-son pair armed themselves, got in their truck, and began chasing Arbery and cutting off his running route. A third man...
Much of the world came to a screeching halt at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the criminal justice system was no exception. Criminal courts shut down almost entirely for several weeks before slowly beginning to open back up. Among the vulnerable...
A situation we see and hear a lot as criminal defense attorneys is one where an alleged crime is reported to law enforcement, but the initial complainant later does not wish to pursue criminal charges against the suspect. Unfortunately, it is not that simple. This...
No one wants an unexpected call from a loved one saying they are in jail and need to be bailed out of custody. For many, this could be their first time trying to navigate the bail process. So, if you ever do get that dreaded call, what are your options? Bail is an...
We have all seen or heard of situations where relationships turn sour, and one person may have a hard time letting go. However, there is a fine line between normal breakup behavior and criminal stalking, and that line may not always be all that clear. Sometimes, you...
If you have ever been completely shocked to learn you have an active warrant for your arrest, you are not alone. Unfortunately, it’s not uncommon to find out you have a warrant days, weeks, or even years after the fact. Maybe it is for a brand-new case and you...
2021 has brought some slow—albeit steady—progress toward true criminal justice reform. Among the new laws that took effect in January were California’s Assembly Bill 3234, which offers good news for some individuals facing misdemeanor cases: it gives courts the option...
California’s Assembly Bill 1950 went into effect on January 1, 2021, shortening the probation periods for many offenses statewide. And AB 1950, which amends sections 1203a and 1203.1 of the Penal Code, might come as a pleasant surprise to some California probationers....
Freshly sworn-in George Gascón has taken the reins at the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office after getting elected earlier this year. This week, the career law enforcement officer and prosecutor got to work. His first order of business? Sending his office a...
