In most situations, the strength of the evidence in a California criminal case will determine its outcome. Therefore, it isn't uncommon for a defense attorney to make an effort to suppress evidence in order to weaken the case against his or her client. Let's take a...

If you look at Hollywood movies and television shows, it seems that two pieces of evidence tend to always be the final nail in the coffin for the accused. These include fingerprints and dental marks. However, unlike fingerprints, there is very little confidence in...

If you're arrested for drug possession in California, your behavior could determine the outcome of your court case. Many people make costly mistakes because they don't know what to expect from an arrest. Here's a rundown of what occurs when you're arrested for...

Millions of people go through California’s penal system every year, and many of them find they’re still paying for their crimes long after they did their time. Their criminal records stop them from getting jobs, renting apartments, getting professional licenses and...

In cases in which people commit a crime in the presence of an undercover cop, their defense could include police entrapment. This defense can apply in courts everywhere from California to Florida, and it involves claiming that the police officer set up the person to...

If you are taken into custody in California, you must be notified of your right to remain silent. However, if you fail to invoke your right to do so, anything that you say may be used as evidence in court. Let's take a look at what you must do to invoke your right not...

California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a bill into law on Sept. 30 that reduces the amount of time offenders in the Golden State will spend on probation. Assembly Bill 1950 limits probation to one year for misdemeanors and two years for felonies. Under previous laws,...

In October, the governor of California signed several bills that represent the state's answer to equality from law enforcement. The specific actions facilitated by the group of assembly bills include shorter probationary terms for misdemeanor offenders, the ability of...

The criminal court system in California resembles systems in other parts of the country in that the majority of cases are resolved without the need for a judge or jury. Statistics show that 97 percent of the criminal cases in the state end in plea bargains. The plea...