It’s an all too common scenario: the police make a routine traffic stop for some small infraction such as failing to use your turn signal. The next thing you know, the police are searching your car – looking under the seats, in the trunk, in the glove box, and rifling through your possessions. Then they find drugs and you’re charged with, at a minimum, possession of a controlled substance. The next thing you know, you’re being told that you could be facing jail time and a drug conviction on your permanent criminal record. Continue reading “Did the Police Find Drugs in Your Car During a Routine Traffic Stop? The Police May Have Violated Your Rights”
Category: Recent Developments in Criminal Law
Do You Need a Los Angeles Criminal Defense Lawyer for a First-Time DUI?
Many Californians – even after consuming a significant amount of alcohol – rationalize that they will be “okay” driving home from the bar or party. This is especially common when it is late at night, the person is tired, and he or she is anxious to get home. The driver may even figure that given the late hour, police officers will not be out patrolling. This can be a serious mistake and error in judgment and can result in a first-time California DUI charge or conviction. Continue reading “Do You Need a Los Angeles Criminal Defense Lawyer for a First-Time DUI?”
Eric Garner and Excessive Force
Eric Garner and his wife.
By now most people are familiar with the story of Eric Garner’s death. An unarmed black man dies after an encounter with the police where an officer (Daniel Pantaleo) puts Garner on a chokehold. The Garner story has brought up a lot of tension between the police department responsible for Garner’s death and the community. Continue reading “Eric Garner and Excessive Force”
LAPD Using New Computer Techniques to Predict Crimes
The LAPD says they are now using a new tool to help them lower the crime rate. What the LAPD is calling “predictive policing” is a technique were the police use a computer that takes data from all types of crime in a specific area.
Computer algorithms take this data and maps out 500 square Continue reading “LAPD Using New Computer Techniques to Predict Crimes”
California DNA Collection Law For Felony Arrests Upheld
Much to the dismay of various civil liberties advocates who have challenged the law, a five year old California law that permits the collection of DNA sample during a felony arrest is being upheld. The samples may be collected without a judge’s review over the matter and even if criminal charges are not pressed Continue reading “California DNA Collection Law For Felony Arrests Upheld”
Victory in the Courts for Gun Rights Advocates in California
On Thursday, the 20th, A federal appeals court overturned some restrictions that will allow gun owners to carry a concealed weapon. The majority of votes said that the restrictions imposed on gun owners are in violation of the 2nd amendments right to bear arms.
This decision is being celebrated by gun rights advocates all over, Continue reading “Victory in the Courts for Gun Rights Advocates in California”
California Punishes Sex Offenders Who Tamper With Their GPS Devices
California Governor Jerry Brown
On Saturday Governor Jerry Brown signed legislation requiring sex offenders who disarm or disable their GPS trackers while on parole to return to jail.
A recent investigation showed that because of jail crowding many sex offenders who were detained for tampering with their GPS devices were released immediately after they were Continue reading “California Punishes Sex Offenders Who Tamper With Their GPS Devices”
How the War on Drugs is Changing
Currently, the United States imprisons more people than any other country, a large portion of U.S. prisoners are there because of drug sentencing policies that are not helping people in need, instead they are throwing nonviolent drug offenders into state prisons along with violent criminals.
Because of the policies and mandatory minimums that are tied Continue reading “How the War on Drugs is Changing”
Loophole Fixed in California Rape Law
Early this year in People v. Morales, the court overturned a rape conviction of a man who posed as a woman’s boyfriend as she slept in order to have sex with the victim. The court ruled that California’s rape law covered impersonators, however the court said, only when the impersonator acts as a spouse.
Because Continue reading “Loophole Fixed in California Rape Law”
Eric Holder Proposes Changes in our Justice Department
Attorney General Eric Holder
Attorney General Eric Holder has announced a new policy in our Justice Department, under this new policy low level, nonviolent drug offenders who are not tied to gangs or drug organizations will no longer be charged with offenses that require mandatory minimum sentences.
Holder revealed this new policy at the American Continue reading “Eric Holder Proposes Changes in our Justice Department”
California Releasing Around 1,000 Inmates Early.
Overcrowding in a CA State Prison
California, currently under court orders to minimize the crowding of their prisons by the end of the year is facing a tough time figuring out how to relocate 9,600 inmates. Officials claim that they may be forced to free about 1,000 inmates before they complete their prison sentences.
Many Continue reading “California Releasing Around 1,000 Inmates Early.”