Criminal Defense
What Does It Mean to Be an Accessory to a Crime?
To be an accessory to a crime means you helped someone in the commission of a criminal act. You may be charged with this crime if you helped the criminal party before or after their criminal act.
Defenses Against Brandishing a Weapon Charge
Some defenses against a charge of brandishing a weapon include: You did not brandish any weapon that was in your possession. You were not in possession of a weapon and therefore could not have brandished one. You brandished a weapon only in self-defense, or in a non-threatening manner. Another defense may work for you. Our firm will consider your personal circumstances when creating your defense.
False Imprisonment vs Kidnapping
The legal differences between false imprisonment and kidnapping are revealed in the California Penal Codes that describe these crimes.
How Your Search History Can Impact a Criminal Trial
The internet is constantly growing and deepening, with numerous rabbit holes one can fall down when browsing search results. This widespread access to information makes most online users believe that their search histories are allowable and safe, but this is false. Even nonchalantly browsing the internet can impact your criminal record. Investigators can access a suspect’s browser history during a criminal investigation, and any evidence they find can be used against you in a court of law.
Fraud in the Age of COVID-19
The COVID-19 pandemic not only dealt a major blow to our economy, education, healthcare, and daily lives, but also led to new and serious criminal charges, particularly those surrounding vaccinations. Federal and state governments have issued warnings throughout the pandemic about healthcare fraud, fake vaccination cards, and lying about COVID-19. To ensure that you understand the full ramifications of these crimes, our team is here to explain the complex laws surrounding vaccine fraud.
Protect Yourself From a Conspiracy Conviction
Conspiracy theories are incredibly common in everyday life these days — especially online — but criminal conspiracies are a whole another beast. Being accused of conspiring to commit a crime can irreparably damage a defendant’s reputation, impacting career prospects, relationships, and future. These accusations should never be thrown around lightly, and anyone facing a conspiracy charge should only trust their case to a dedicated Los Angeles white-collar crime defense attorney.
What Are the Punishments for Attempting a Crime in CA?
Under California law, it is a crime to attempt to commit a criminal act, whether or not you succeed. In other words, it is an “attempted crime” when a person tries to break the law but fails. As stated at 664 PC, “Every person who attempts to commit any crime, but fails, or is prevented or intercepted in its perpetration, shall be punished where no provision is made by law for the punishment of those attempts… “ Criminal attempts are penalized with one half the sentence that would be imposed if the crime were completed.
Understanding a Hate Crime Charge in CA
When someone is accused of committing a hate crime, they face enhanced penalties under both federal and state law that can extend their sentence. Hate crimes are essentially any crime that involves an element of bias, such as crimes committed based on the victim’s race, gender, or sexuality. These charges not only come with harsh criminal penalties, but can forever damage your reputation if you do not have a strong legal defense.
Intent Crimes: What Do They Mean for You?
With certain crimes, to get a conviction, the prosecution must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant not only committed the criminal act but also intended to commit a certain harm.
After a Felony Conviction, What Rights Do You Lose?
As an American citizen, you have certain rights that you may assume you’ll never lose. Sadly, that may not be true. After a felony conviction, you will lose incredibly important rights. This kind of loss can leave your life in shambles.
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