How Does the Law Define a Gang in California

In California, sentences are enhanced and become more serious any time any criminal activity can be proven to be proven to be gang activity as well. It’s important to understand how the law might define gang activity in Los Angeles. Gang activity is covered by the Street Terrorism Enforcement and Prevention (STEP) Act. It defines…

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Can You Clear a Warrant in Los Angeles, CA Without Going to Jail?

Some warrants cannot simply be “cleared.” If you’re a suspect in a felony case, for example, and police have a warrant out for your arrest, then chances are that warrant is not going away until you are apprehended, and the charges are dealt with.  Nevertheless, there are exceptions. Warrants may be withdrawn if prosecutors and…

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Can a California Store Detain You for Shoplifting?

As the holiday shopping season is in full swing, we thought we might take a moment to discuss shoplifting laws. It’s more than possible to accidentally make a move that gets you accused of shoplifting, especially in the era of self-checkouts.  And right now, shopkeepers are on high alert as US retail theft is said…

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Does Emotional Abuse Count as Domestic Violence in California

In California, verbal abuse can sometimes be charged as a crime. While the law doesn’t cover every single instance of true emotional abuse, it does cover some specific types of emotional abuse.  The way the law handles emotional abuse changes depending whether we’re talking about an adult victim or a child victim.  Emotional Damage to…

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What is the 10-20-Life Law in California?

The 10-20-Life law refers to laws which allow judges to enhance your sentence in a felony case if it is found that you used a firearm during the course of committing that crime. You may also hear it referred to as the “use a gun and you’re done” law.  The numbers refer to the number…

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Carjacking Defenses in Los Angeles, CA

Carjacking has been in the news lately thanks to a Los Angeles landscaper who had their pick up truck stolen during a police chase. While most of these cases don’t generate as much news as the landscape case did, it’s still a very common occurrence in the city of Los Angeles.  If you’re being charged…

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How to Fight Breathalyzer Test Results in Los Angeles

Breathalyzer test results are one of the most common pieces of evidence used in a Los Angeles DWI case, but they aren’t foolproof. You might not be guilty, and a competent defense lawyer can often help you fight these test results.  One court even recently tossed every breath case in Washington state when four judges…

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Understanding Plea Bargains in Los Angeles

90% to 95% of cases are plea bargained in Los Angeles County. There are quite a few reasons for this, though one of them is that overburdened public defenders tend to push plea bargains through rather than taking cases all the way to trial.   Another reason is that prosecutors tend to try to coerce people…

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