Most people understand that serious crimes carry serious penalties, like jail time and fines. However, many people don’t realize that certain crimes – including domestic violence – can create problems for them outside of the criminal courts. Lawyers call these non-criminal effects “collateral consequences.” A collateral consequence is a legal […]
When people think of “drugs” in a criminal context, they often think about “street” drugs like cocaine, heroin, and ecstasy. But increasingly, prescription drugs, the ones that we get from our doctors, are causing issues. Of course, it’s not illegal for the person named on the prescription bottle to take […]
Over the past several years, California and several other states have passed more lenient drug laws. Nevertheless, in most cases, drug possession, sale, and trafficking remain illegal. The laws governing these offenses are complicated. Adding to the complexity is the fact that the same conduct can violate state law, federal […]
In the California criminal code, some crimes, such as murder, are always felonies. Others, like public intoxication, are always misdemeanors. But some crimes can be either misdemeanors or felonies depending on the circumstances. California lawyers call these crimes “wobblers” because they can fall on either side of the felony/misdemeanor line. […]
When movies and television shows tell crime stories, they usually focus on the people at the crime scene. But did you know that in real life, it’s entirely possible to be charged with a crime even if you aren’t anywhere near where it happened? Most crimes require a particular result. […]