Los Angeles Criminal Defense Blog
How California Penal Code § 135 PC Works
California Penal Code 135. A person who, knowing that any book, paper, record, instrument in writing, digital image, video recording owned by another, or matter or thing, is about to be produced in evidence upon a trial, inquiry, or investigation, authorized by law, willfully destroys, erases, or conceals the same, with the intent to prevent it or its content from being produced is guilty of a misdemeanor.
DUIs with Kids in the Car
California has strict penalties for driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol. And there are several factors that may result in increased penalties, including the number of previous DUI offenses, unsafe driving, accidents, and if anyone was harmed or killed in a collision. The age of your passengers is a major factor that impacts the penalties you may be facing. If you are arrested for DUI and any of your passengers are below 18 years old, you could be facing real jail time. Judges and prosecutors take a harsh view of defendants who put children at risk. And prosecutors…
Common Defenses for Tampering or Intimidating Witnesses
Witness tampering is a serious crime that’s frequently prosecuted as a felony in California. But police and prosecutors will often get upset and file witness tampering charges when they don’t have enough evidence to convict somebody or when their case is falling apart. Witnesses and victims commonly misinterpret something somebody says and blow it out of proportion. And police and prosecutors are very aggressive when they think somebody might be interfering with an investigation. There are several legal defenses that can be used to get witness tampering charges thrown out of court. An experienced defense attorney has effective strategies to…
Is California a “Stand Your Ground” State?
In the 1980s, a group of states including Georgia, Florida, Kansas, and Idaho passed laws that were commonly referred to as “make my day” laws. Named after a line from the Dirty Harry movies, these laws explicitly state that a person who is not engaging in unlawful activity has the right to “stand your ground” and defend themselves by using deadly force against a violent attacker. On the other hand, states such as Hawaii, Maryland, Iowa, and Massachusetts have “duty to retreat” laws that require an individual to attempt to escape from imminent danger if possible before resorting to physical…
What Constitutes “False Evidence”?
Knowingly preparing false evidence or offering false evidence in a legal proceeding or investigation is a serious legal offense in California. In fact, it’s a felony that carries a maximum penalty of three years in prison. The courts have a keen interest in protecting the integrity of the judicial process. That’s why judges and prosecutors aggressively pursue defendants when they suspect that evidence has been tampered with. Defendants who are accused of submitting false evidence will want to find an experienced Los Angeles criminal defense attorney to protect your freedom.
How Money Is Laundered
When people earn money through illegal activities, they need to find ways to make it appear as though this money came from a legitimate source to avoid legal penalties. This process is known as money laundering. California has strict legal penalties against money laundering, and this offense is vigorously prosecuted by the federal government, particularly in cases involving drug trafficking, organized crime, income tax evasion, and international terrorism.
Were You Charged with DUI on St Patrick’s Day in SoCal?
You don’t have to be Irish to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. In fact, it’s become one of the biggest drinking days of the year for a lot of adults who like to get out and socialize. There are several opportunities to tie one on, including parades, pub crawls, and block parties. But there can be a downside to all that partying. During the St. Patrick’s Day period, the nation averages about 72 deaths caused by drunk driving crashes, according to the National Highways Traffic Safety Administration.
What Is a Fraudulent Insurance Claim?
Fraud allegations against you or your business can seriously harm your reputation. In addition to civil penalties, insurance fraud can also result in criminal prosecution. There are several types of activities that fall under the heading of insurance fraud. These offenses are vigorously investigated and prosecuted in California. If convicted, you face stiff fines and serious jail time. State and federal prosecutors advance their careers by getting high conviction rates. They hate to lose, and they’ll come after you with everything they’ve got to win a case.
Legal Penalties and Defenses for Fraudulent Asset Transfer
Concealing assets from creditors is the most common form of bankruptcy fraud. Hiding assets during bankruptcy proceedings is a criminal offense under federal and state law in California that carries strict penalties including jail time. If you are being investigated or facing charges for bankruptcy fraud, contact the experienced Los Angeles federal crime defense attorneys at Werksman Jackson & Quinn LLP right away. We have a proven track record of success defending clients in state and federal prosecutions.
Who Is Held Responsible for Invoice Fraud?
Invoice fraud is a type of expense fraud that involves sending fake or inflated invoices to a business. Perpetrators may intentionally invoice for more than the correct amount, prompting companies to overpay, or they may invoice for goods or services the company never received. This crime may also involve double invoicing – sending duplicate invoices for the same products or services.
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