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Criminal mischief is a common property crime often referred to as vandalism. California also refers to this crime as malicious mischief. Criminal mischief is defined under California Penal Code Section 594 as maliciously harming the property of another. In California, criminal mischief is a “wobbler” crime, meaning it can be charged as either a misdemeanor… read more

If you’ve been ordered by the court to do something (or not do something), it’s important that you follow the court’s instructions. If you don’t abide by the court’s orders, you could be faced with a “failure to comply” notice. What is a failure to comply? In general terms, it just means the court found… read more

California sex offender restrictions are not as clear-cut as other states that have simple 1000 foot rules. The quick way to determine 1000 feet in miles can be calculated by dividing 1000 feet by the number of feet in a mile. This is 1000 over 5,280, which comes out to .19 of a mile. To… read more

The best way to fight embezzlement charges in California is to enlist the help of an experienced criminal defense lawyer. You are innocent until proven guilty. Therefore, the state has the burden of proving that you are guilty of embezzlement charges. However, fighting embezzlement charges requires that you present defenses that raise sufficient doubt about… read more

If you ask someone about the best states for responsible gun owners, the list may vary. Some people prefer strong gun laws, while other people prefer more freedom for gun owners. Most gun owners choose states that have less restrictive laws. For example, California tops the list on the Gun Law Scorecard for the Giffords… read more

Capital punishment in California continues to be a controversial topic. It is intended to act as a deterrent to criminal activity. The thought is that a person will reconsider their criminal behavior if they know that they could be put to death. Studies about the effectiveness of the death penalty are mixed. California’s death penalty… read more

No lawyer can guarantee a dismissal of your criminal case. Most criminal cases are not dismissed. Instead, about 90% of criminal cases end in some form of plea bargain, 8% end with dismissal, and 2% go to a jury verdict. But every case is different, and prosecutors have no choice except dismissal for some cases…. read more

Having an outstanding bench warrant against you can make life very stressful. You never know when a police officer might show up at your home or work to arrest you. A police officer could pull you over while your children are in the car, which could be a disaster if the officer arrests you on… read more

If you have been accused of a crime, you may experience a range of emotions. It makes sense for those accused of crimes to feel angry, sad, scared, hopeless, or helpless. If someone has been accused of domestic violence, they may feel ashamed or embarrassed. But when you have been accused of a crime, you… read more

Although there is a heated debate around presidential candidates’ tax returns, they are not required by law to release them to the public. Like anyone else, presidential candidates can exercise their constitutional right to privacy regarding tax returns. There is ongoing contention about whether presidential candidates should have to release their tax statements. One senator… read more