The law concerning what California officers can and can’t do when they pull a motorist over or stop a pedestrian changed in 2024. In most cases, they now have to tell the person they’ve stopped why they did so before they can ask any questions. In other words, they...
When you are arrested or detained by law enforcement, two of the most important rights you have are the right to remain silent and the right to an attorney. These rights are known as your Miranda rights and are designed to protect you from providing information during...
If you are a non-citizen charged with a criminal offense in the United States, you may be worried about your continued stay in the country. Will a conviction automatically result in deportation? Well, not necessarily. Not all crimes are deportable, and understanding...
There are many ways for police officers in California to gather the evidence necessary to prosecute an individual. Frequently, police officers obtain evidence by searching homes or vehicles. However, some criminal cases begin with a physical search of an individual....
The United States government, through the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), has the authority to deport individuals if they are found to be in violation of immigration laws or criminal statutes. Immigrants, even those who have citizenship...
If you are facing criminal charges, there is a high probability that the prosecution will offer you a plea deal. However attractive their offer might seem, it’s important to understand the ins and outs of plea deals before you commit to one. Plea deals have...
Mitigating circumstances refers to factors or conditions that may reduce the severity of a criminal act. In California law, these circumstances can play a crucial role in the sentencing phase of a criminal trial, potentially leading to a lesser sentence than what...
Police officers utilize traffic stops not only for traffic offenses, but all sorts of criminal activities. Traffic stops allow officers to assess the situation, interview drivers and passengers, and to potentially obtain evidence of criminal conduct. Nonetheless,...
If you get pulled over by the police, it’s most likely that the officer is going to come to your window and ask for your license and registration. They may also ask for your proof of insurance. This doesn’t mean you’ve necessarily done anything wrong – other than...
Most of the time, the prosecutor can’t bring a murder charge against a defendant unless there was an element of intent involved in the crime. California law calls this “malice aforethought.” However, like many areas of the law, there are exceptions, and a Watson...