New Misdemeanor Diversion Law in California – AB 3234
New Law in California Allows a Judge to Grant Diversion for Most Misdemeanor Cases Under Assembly Bill 3234 The state of California has significantly expanded an opportunity for diversion in most misdemeanor cases after Assembly Bill 3234 took effect on January 1, 2021. AB 3234 allows a defendant diversion for... View Article
New Law Shortens Probation Time in California
Probation has been reformed and changed in California and Assembly Bill 1950 provides substantial benefits to probationers in criminal cases. Specifically, Assembly Bill 1950 shortens the length of probation in most misdemeanor offenses to one year and in most felony cases to two years. In order to deal with a... View Article
What Are the Sexting Laws in California?
Sexting is normally described as exchanging sexually explicit pictures using a mobile device, but also includes stalking and harassment. When one of the people involved in the sexting is a minor, then it could lead to criminal charges. It should be noted, however, California doesn’t have specific statutes covering sexting... View Article
Speedy Trial Motions in California
Review of a Serna Motion in California to Dismiss Criminal Charges for Lack of Speedy Prosecution In California, a “Serna motion” (known as speedy trial motions) is a legal motion to dismiss misdemeanor or felony charges because you were denied your constitutional right to a speedy trial, which violates the... View Article
Consequences of a California Domestic Violence Conviction
In the state of California, domestic violence is one of the most common prosecuted crimes under various criminal law provisions. Its general definition is an attempt or threat to use physical force against an intimate partner. In Los Angeles criminal courts, domestic violence allegations are taken seriously and most defendants... View Article
Gang Sentencing Enhancement in California – Penal Code 186.22 PC
California Penal Code 186.22 PC, gang enhancement laws, says that anyone who willfully participates in gang activities or joins other members while carrying out a crime could be face additional prison time if convicted. A criminal street gang is described as any group of 3 or more people who have... View Article
Bail Hearings in California Criminal Cases
After someone is arrested by police, one of their first thoughts is whether they will be able to post bail in order to get released from custody as quickly as possible. When someone is arrested for a California state crime, they are normally allowed to post a cash bond, which is... View Article
Extradition Warrants in California
It’s a very common occurrence for a defendant in a criminal case in one jurisdiction to be arrested by law enforcement in another jurisdiction because: they fled to avoid getting prosecuted, or they simply didn’t know there was a pending warrant when they moved. Any defendant who has an active... View Article
What is a Misdemeanor Crime Under California Law?
There are different levels of crimes in the state of California, including an infraction, misdemeanor and a felony, which is the most serious crime. This article will review misdemeanor crimes and how criminal courts and prosecutors handle these types of cases. A misdemeanor is a crime where the maximum sentence... View Article
What is a Felony Crime Under California Law?
In California, any criminal offense that can result in a maximum sentence of more than one year is considered a felony crime. Also, anyone convicted of a felony crime in California can also be fined up to $10,000 and a judge has the option of imposing formal felony probation. The... View Article