Mental Health Diversion Can Be Available Even When Diagnosis Comes After the Crime
Mental Health Diversion Can Be Available Even When Diagnosis Comes After the Crime If you or a loved one is facing criminal charges in California and struggling with mental health issues, a recent appellate court decision could significantly impact your case. The ruling in People v. Harlow has clarified and expanded access to mental health diversion programs, potentially offering a path to treatment rather than incarceration for thousands of Californians.…
Read More
Orange County Jailhouse Informant Scandal: DOJ Agreement Signals the End of Unconstitutional Practices
Orange County Jailhouse Informant Scandal: DOJ Agreement Signals the End of Unconstitutional Practices The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has officially announced that it has completed its reform agreement with the Orange County Sheriff’s Department (OCSD) to end the unconstitutional use of jailhouse informants — a practice that, for nearly a decade, violated the constitutional rights of defendants in Orange County. The agreement, signed in January 2025, followed DOJ findings…
Read More
Federal Immigration Conviction Overturned Due to Weak Evidence: Why Strong Legal Representation Matters Now More Than Ever
Federal Immigration Conviction Overturned Due to Weak Evidence: Why Strong Legal Representation Matters Now More Than Ever In a recent case, a federal appeals court reversed the conviction of Wardy Liberato, a Dominican national who had been charged with illegal reentry under 8 U.S.C. § 1326(a). His case serves as a powerful reminder that even in serious federal prosecutions, the government must meet a strict burden of proof—and when they…
Read More
Appeals Court Allows Man to Withdraw Guilty Plea After Lawyer Failed to Explain Immigration Consequences
Appeals Court Allows Man to Withdraw Guilty Plea After Lawyer Failed to Explain Immigration Consequences At Wallin & Klarich, we know how devastating it can be when a guilty plea leads to unexpected immigration consequences. Recently, a man won his appeal after the court found that his original attorney failed to properly advise him about the risk of deportation before pleading guilty to a felony. Our experienced criminal defense attorneys…
Read More
It May Not Be Too Late to Appeal Your Criminal Conviction
It May Not Be Too Late to Appeal Your Criminal Conviction At Wallin & Klarich, we’ve represented thousands of clients who feared their criminal case was over after a conviction. Many of them asked: Is it too late to appeal? The truth is, as the recent reversal in the Etan Patz case shows—sometimes, it’s not too late at all. Our experienced criminal defense attorneys at Wallin & Klarich can guide…
Read More
When Probation Conditions Go Too Far: California Court Protects Rights While Upholding Public Safety
When Probation Conditions Go Too Far: California Court Protects Rights While Upholding Public Safety At Wallin & Klarich, we understand that even after a conviction, the rights of individuals must still be respected. A recent California Court of Appeal decision involving Daniel Bray illustrates how courts balance public safety with constitutional protections—and why having experienced criminal defense attorneys is so critical, especially in cases involving probation conditions. Our experienced criminal…
Read MoreCalifornia’s “One-Gun-a-Month” Law Struck Down: What This Means for Gun Owners
California's "One-Gun-a-Month" Law Struck Down: What This Means for Gun Owners California has long been known for having some of the nation's strictest gun laws, but a recent federal court decision has dealt a significant blow to one of the state's key firearm regulations. The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals recently affirmed a lower court's decision striking down California's "one-gun-a-month" law, ruling that it violates the Second Amendment to the…
Read More
Even in the Most Serious Sex Crime Cases, the Law Still Controls
Even in the Most Serious Sex Crime Cases, the Law Still Controls When someone is convicted of a serious sex crime — especially one involving a child — it’s natural to assume the courts will impose the harshest penalties available. But even in these emotionally charged cases, California law sets clear limits, and courts must follow those limits. This principle was put to the test in the case of Mark…
Read More
How the Right Lawyer Can Overturn an Unjust Conviction
How the Right Lawyer Can Overturn an Unjust Conviction When a loved one is convicted of a crime, it can feel like the end of the road. The verdict has been delivered, the sentence pronounced, and hope may seem lost. However, a criminal conviction is not always the final word. The appellate process exists precisely because our justice system recognizes that trials are not perfect, and errors can lead to…
Read More
Setting Aside a Guilty Plea Due to Mental Unfitness: What You Need to Know
Setting Aside a Guilty Plea Due to Mental Unfitness: What You Need to Know Plea bargains are common practice in our legal system, but there are circumstances where a guilty plea might be deemed invalid or unjust. One such circumstance involves mental unfitness or impairment that prevented the defendant from fully understanding the consequences of their plea. Our skilled criminal defense attorneys at Wallin & Klarich can guide you through…
Read More