Category: Criminal Defense

“I’m too rich” may soon be on its way out as a criminal defense, at least in California. That’s because California Assemblyman Mike Gatto has introduced a bill that would prevent attorneys from using the controversial idea of “affluenza” as a defense or mitigating factor in criminal cases.

 

Affluenza, for those who haven’t heard the buzzword, is essentially the idea that extremely wealthy young people can’t be held responsible

It is common for someone charged with shoplifting to be faced with the prospect of video evidence in his or her case, capturing the act of the alleged shoplifting – particularly when the store involved is a larger store like a supermarket, department store, or somewhere like Target or Wal Mart, as opposed to a small business.

 

Faced with video evidence, a person charged with shoplifting may understandably feel

Many storeowners, facing economic difficulties and reduced profits, have turned to spice to supplement their business incomes. Websites selling spice to these storeowners emphasize the legality of their product, which they refer to as herbal incense or herbal smoking blends, misleading storeowners into thinking that acquiring and thereafter selling the product would be a quick, easy, and safe way to earn some cash.

 

In fact, synthetic compounds commonly found

A DUI case can easily become something much more serious if there is a serious injury or even a death involved. In those cases, a DUI charge is elevated to a charge of Vehicular Assault or Vehicular Homicide.

 

Any time a DUI or DUID is elevated to a charge of Vehicular Assault or Vehicular Homicide, the legal standard that applies is one of strict liability. What that means is

I often receive calls from frustrated individuals who have been rejected for a job or housing opportunity because of the appearance of a dismissed case on their criminal record.  Since their case was dismissed, they were under the impression that it would no longer appear on their record.  Some judges contribute to this misperception by telling defendants taking deferred judgement pleas that if they successfully complete probation, their case will