Court Upholds Controversial Jailhouse Sting Operation: What Police Can (and Cannot) Do Before Questioning You
Court Upholds Controversial Jailhouse Sting Operation: What Police Can (and Cannot) Do Before Questioning You When you are accused of a crime, law enforcement will often use every tactic available to get you to talk — even before your first formal interrogation. A recent California Court of Appeals case, People v. Michael Leslie Goehner, highlights a troubling issue: what the police can and cannot do before questioning a defendant who…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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Can the Court Order Victim Restitution 30 Years After Sentencing? The California Court Says Yes.
Can the Court Order Victim Restitution 30 Years After Sentencing? The California Court Says Yes. At Wallin & Klarich, we know that when a person is sentenced for a crime, there’s a belief that the punishment—prison, fines, restitution—is final. But a recent appellate decision in People v. Sinay makes one thing very clear: California courts can impose victim restitution decades after the original sentencing, even if it was never mentioned…
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Former OC Supervisor Gets 5 Years for $12M COVID Relief Fraud: What It Means for You
Former OC Supervisor Gets 5 Years for $12M COVID Relief Fraud: What It Means for You Former Orange County Supervisor Andrew Do was sentenced to five years in federal prison for his role in a $12 million public corruption scheme that misused COVID-19 relief funds. His conviction sends a clear message: public corruption and financial crimes are taken seriously—not just by the federal government, but also by the State of…
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Can You Be Banned from All Social Media as a Condition of Probation? The Court Says YES
Can You Be Banned from All Social Media as a Condition of Probation? The Court Says YES At Wallin & Klarich, we’re often asked: Can the court really ban me from using all social media while I’m on probation or supervision? A recent California case answers that question clearly: Yes—if social media played a role in the offense, a total ban may be legal. Our experienced criminal defense attorneys at…
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