Can You Be Arrested for Flying a Drone? (PC 402)
Can You Be Arrested for Flying a Drone? (PC 402) Whether it’s taking aerial photos or video, conducting research in remote areas or just for fun, remote-controlled drones have never been more popular than they are today. For about $2,000, you can buy a drone with a mount for a camera and take to the skies. However, the popularity of drones has received the attention of lawmakers, who have passed…
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Filing Fake Tax Returns and California Tax Fraud (Revenue and Tax Code Section 19706)
Filing Fake Tax Returns and California Tax Fraud (Revenue and Tax Code Section 19706) What happens when a person decides to use a tax return to defraud the government? Recently, a California man was sentenced to 12 years in federal prison for using the identities of dead people on tax returns he filed with the IRS. He then stole the refund checks he received as a result. In addition to…
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The Dos and Don’ts at a DUI Checkpoint
The Dos and Don’ts at a DUI Checkpoint Every weekend, law enforcement agencies throughout California set up DUI checkpoints on roads that are driven on constantly. If you are being stopped at one of these checkpoints, you have rights. It is important that you understand these rights and what you should do at a DUI checkpoint because it could make a huge difference if you are accused of driving under…
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How Giving a Child a Ride Home Could Get You in Serious Trouble (PC 207, 272(b), 278, 288)
How Giving a Child a Ride Home Could Get You in Serious Trouble (PC 207, 272(b), 278, 288) You’re driving home on a rainy day. Your route takes you past the local school, and you see your neighbor’s 12-year-old son walking home in the rain. You pull over and tell the child to hop in for a lift home. Knowing his parents will not be home for another hour or…
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What is the Difference Between Watson Murder and Vehicular Manslaughter?
What is the Difference Between Watson Murder and Vehicular Manslaughter? Southern California roads are filled with drivers, so it’s no surprise that car accidents happen every day. However, repairing car damage and higher insurance rates aren’t the only thing you have to worry about when it comes to car accidents. When vehicle collisions cause the death of a driver or passenger, it could lead to serious criminal charges. You may…
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Can I Be Charged with Auto Burglary If I Broke into a Car but Stole Nothing? (PC 459)
Can I Be Charged with Auto Burglary If I Broke into a Car but Stole Nothing? (PC 459) You’re walking through a parking lot on a hot day and you see a dog left alone in a locked car with the windows up. With the car owner nowhere to be found, you decide to shatter a window to help the dog. Could you be charged with a crime? You see…
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Is It Free Speech or a Hate Crime?
Is It Free Speech or a Hate Crime? A Redwood City man told police that he punched a gas station employee because he “wanted to hit a Mexican.” Students at Monte Vista High School in Danville found the words “colored” and “whites” written over the urinals in a campus bathroom. Mosques across the country received letters that heralded the election of Donald Trump and claimed that a Muslim genocide would…
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When is it Time for File a Motion for a New Trial? (PC 1181)
When is it Time to File a Motion for a New Trial? (PC 1181) You are on trial for a crime you didn’t commit. While the jury is deliberating your fate, new evidence is discovered that proves you are not guilty. The jury has no way of knowing this, but it is too late to introduce new evidence. The jury comes back with a guilty verdict. Is there anything you…
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What is the Difference Between Robbery and Theft? (PC 211 vs PC 484)
What is the Difference Between Robbery and Theft? (PC 211 vs PC 484) The act of taking something that isn’t yours is often referred to as “stealing,” but when it comes to legal terms, the words “robbery” and “theft” are not interchangeable with stealing. Though you might think the two terms mean the same thing, they are separate crimes under California law. That is why it is important to understand…
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When Does Domestic Violence Become a Felony in California?
When Does Domestic Violence Become a Felony in California? For many crimes under California law, the prosecutor has the choice to charge the defendant with either a misdemeanor or a felony. The choice is generally based on the severity of the harm done to the victim, the use of a weapon, or other aggravating factors. This is true in domestic violence cases. Like with other crimes, whether you are charged…
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