A police officer asks you for your identification. You have it on you, but being stopped and asked like this still rubs you the wrong way. It feels like a violation of your right to freely live your life. So, what do you have to do, in a legal sense? Are you required...
How do reasonable suspicion and probable cause differ?
When you’re facing any kind of criminal charge, understanding everything you can about your defense options is important. One critical component of many defense strategies is looking at whether or not the police actually broke the law during their investigation. This...
Does jail time actually help those with drug addictions?
The response to drug use in the United States has been fairly simple. The government made most drugs illegal, and they set up strict ramifications for breaking these laws. Drug use can often lead to at least some time behind bars. But is this actually the best...
Can you get home detention instead of jail time in California?
After a criminal conviction in San Diego, California, you might have sentencing options you never knew existed. For example, home detention (or house arrest) may be a possibility. Before you decide that house arrest is for you, it is wise to learn more about this...
Do you need a jury consultant for your criminal trial?
You’re in serious trouble. You’ve been charged with a felony -- or maybe a string of them -- and you’re looking at significant time behind bars if you’re convicted. You’ve heard the statement before that “trials can be won or lost at jury selection,” so you’re...
When stopped by the police, learn to ask, “Am I being detained?”
You do not have to stay and talk to the police just because they’d like to talk to you. As a citizen, you often have the right to simply go about your business. The United States is not intended to be a police state where officers can just stop people on a whim. If...
Permanent injury isn’t necessary for domestic violence charges
Confusion about what constitutes assault can lead to people making bad legal decisions. Especially when it comes to domestic assault or domestic violence allegations, there is a lot of misinformation that can trick people. For example, people might think that they...
Why silence is golden if arrested
If the police arrest you, they must read you your Miranda rights before questioning you. Yet, even before that, you can get yourself in trouble if you say too much. What are the Miranda rights? This is what the questioning officers must tell you before they start: You...
Why evidence might be suppressed in a case
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...
Reliability of dental evidence
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...
