Civil vs. Criminal Cases: What Happens When They Collide?
Civil vs. Criminal Cases: What Happens When They Collide? When you are accused of a crime, the nightmare doesn’t always stop in criminal court. The same conduct can also trigger a civil lawsuit—a situation known as parallel proceedings. At Wallin & Klarich, we want you to understand how these two very different systems work, and more importantly, how they can impact your future. Our experienced criminal defense attorneys at Wallin…
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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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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.…
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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…
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…
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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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