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What Happens When You Don’t Give a Police Officer Your Real Name?

By Los Angeles Criminal Defense Attorney on February 15, 2022

False identification to a police officer is illegal under California Penal Code Section 148.9. The law states, “Any person who falsely represents or identifies himself or herself as another person or as a fictitious person to any peace officer . . . upon lawful detention or arrest of the person, either to evade the process of the court, or to evade the proper identification of the person by the investigating officer is guilty of a misdemeanor. . .”

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Accused of a Hate Crime in Los Angeles?

By Los Angeles Criminal Defense Attorney on January 3, 2022

A gloved hand holding a spray can.

A “hate crime” is not a crime in itself, but penalty enhancements for a bias-driven criminal offense. A hate crime is defined as: “hate crime is a crime against a person, group, or property motivated by the victim’s real or perceived protected social group. You may be the victim of a hate crime if you have been targeted because of your actual or perceived: (1) disability, (2) gender, (3) nationality, (4) race or ethnicity, (5) religion, (6) sexual orientation, and (7) association with a person or group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics. Hate crimes are…

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How Does a Grand Jury Work?

By Los Angeles Criminal Defense Attorney on December 13, 2021

Decorative scales of justice in the courtroom.

Facing a grand jury investigation can be a deeply unsettling experience. Whether you’ve received a subpoena, you suspect you’re being investigated, or if you have already been indicted, understanding how a grand jury works is essential to protecting your rights.

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What Is Obstruction of Justice?

By Los Angeles Criminal Defense Attorney on December 6, 2021

Gavel and scales of justice on desk in law office.

Under federal law, obstruction of justice is defined as an act that “corruptly or by threats or force, or by any threatening letter or communication, influences, obstructs, or impedes, or endeavors to influence, obstruct, or impede, the due administration of justice.” California statutes do not name any particular offense as “obstruction of Justice.” However, several different crimes fall into this general category.

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What Does It Mean to Be an Accessory to a Crime?

By Los Angeles Criminal Defense Attorney on September 30, 2021

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.

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Defenses Against Brandishing a Weapon Charge

By Los Angeles Criminal Defense Attorney on September 2, 2021

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.

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False Imprisonment vs Kidnapping

By Los Angeles Criminal Defense Attorney on August 3, 2021

A two story apartment complex in Los Angeles.

The legal differences between false imprisonment and kidnapping are revealed in the California Penal Codes that describe these crimes.

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How Your Search History Can Impact a Criminal Trial

By Los Angeles Criminal Defense Attorney on July 13, 2021

Homepage of Google on the screen of a smartphone.

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.

Posted in: Criminal Defense

Fraud in the Age of COVID-19

By Los Angeles Criminal Defense Attorney on July 5, 2021

Photo of a Covid-19 test kit

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.

Posted in: Criminal Defense

Protect Yourself From a Conspiracy Conviction

By Los Angeles Criminal Defense Attorney on June 30, 2021

Men in suits shaking hands

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.

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