Criminal Defense
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What Does “Status Conference” Mean in a California Criminal Case?
A status conference in a California criminal case is a meeting to discuss the case’s progress, exchange information, and explore plea deals. It’s a key...
What Does Unsupervised Probation Mean?
Unsupervised probation allows offenders to serve their sentence without regular check-ins with a probation officer. It’s typically given to low-risk or first-time offenders, but the...
Mandatory Sentencing Requirements
The California legislature moved from indeterminate sentencing to mandatory minimums in 1977, setting punishments based on the crime’s severity. Despite these mandatory guidelines, judges retain...
What is a Criminal Defense Attorney and When Do You Need One?
What is a Criminal Defense Attorney and When Do You Need One? A criminal defense attorney represents individuals charged with a crime, protecting their right, guiding them...
What is a Felony?
What is a Felony? Under California law, a felony is any crime punishable by one year or more in custody. If the maximum penalty is less than...
What is a Misdemeanor?
A misdemeanor is a less severe crime than a felony, punishable by up to one year in county jail and fines, with potential long-term consequences...
What is a Plea Deal?
A plea deal is an agreement between a prosecutor and a defendant to resolve a criminal case. In a plea deal, the defendant agrees to give up...
What is a Wobbler?
What is a Wobbler? Under California law, a wobbler is a crime that prosecutors can charge either as a felony or a misdemeanor. Usually, the...
What Is an Affirmative Defense?
An affirmative defense is when a defendant admits to the facts of a crime but presents a legal justification, like duress or entrapment, to avoid...