What is Compassionate Release?
What is Compassionate Release? California Government Code 26605 provides for compassionate release or medical probation of prisoners who are in county jail and state prison. Eligible prisoners are suffering from medical conditions so severe that they cannot pose a danger to the public. 1 Prisoners who are eligible for compassionate release include: Prisoners who, upon examination by a physician, are determined to be so medically incapacitated that they pose no…
Read MoreThe Friends in Let’s Be Cops Could Have Ended Up in Jail - Penal Code 538d PC
The Friends in Let’s Be Cops Could Have Ended Up in Jail - Penal Code 538d PC Have you ever wanted to pretend to be a cop in the middle of traffic just so you can use the siren to speed to your destination? That’s what happens to two friends in the movie "Let’s Be Cops". The pair goes to a costume party dressed as police officers, and partygoers think…
Read MoreIs It Animal Abuse to Leave Your Pet in a Locked Car?
Is It Animal Abuse to Leave Your Pet in a Locked Car? Every year, hundreds of children are seriously injured or killed after being left in hot cars. Recently, the issue dominated the news when Justin Ross Harris was arrested and accused of murder for leaving his child in a hot, locked car. Reports alleged he spent weeks researching how long it would take for a child to die in…
Read MoreAdvantages and Disadvantages of Accepting a Plea Bargain
Advantages and Disadvantages of Accepting a Plea Bargain Most criminal cases do not go to trial. If you are facing criminal charges, the District Attorney will likely offer you a plea bargain. A plea bargain essentially involves pleading guilty to a lesser charge that carries a lighter sentence rather than risking going to trial and facing more severe penalties. If you have been accused of committing a crime, you have…
Read MorePunishment for Practicing Law without a License
Punishment for Practicing Law without a License After months of waiting, anxious California bar exam-takers finally received their results on the evening of Nov. 21. With a 48.6% pass rate, the results to this past summer's exam were among the lowest pass-rates in the past decade. 1 Even though 4,315 applicants passed the bar exam, these individuals must wait to swear-in to the Supreme Court of California before they can…
Read MoreNew Laws for 2015 in California
New Laws for 2015 in California 2014 was a busy year for legal reform in California. Now that the new year has finally come, here is a look at some new criminal laws that were put into place Jan. 1, 2015. Los Angeles County’s Program for Deferral of Sentencing (AB 2124) Assembly Bill No. 2124 allows for Los Angeles County to establish a pilot program that gives superior court judges the…
Read More8 Practical Jokes That Ended in Arrests
8 Practical Jokes That Ended in Arrests Who doesn't love a good practical joke? More often than not, the local police and district attorneys lack a sense of humor, which is why every now and then, a practical joke spirals out of control, leading to unintended consequences. Here are some pranks that started out as fun and ended with an arrest. 1. The Market Crasher Emulex, a Costa Mesa data-storage…
Read MoreWhat is Counterfeiting? (18 U.S.C. Section 2320)
What is Counterfeiting? (18 U.S.C. Section 2320) Counterfeiting is the production of fraudulent documents or goods that are fake copies of a genuine, trademark, or patent-protected product. Many people associate counterfeiting with money and documents, but counterfeiting is also making unauthorized goods and passing them off as the real brand product. Examples of counterfeit items include: Pirated CDs, Fake money, Fake IDs, Fake bonds and securities, Copies of art that…
Read MoreTop Crimes Committed During the Holidays
Top Crimes Committed During the Holidays The holiday season can be a stressful time. There’s an emphasis on consumerism and gift giving that some people can’t afford, drinking and partying at family get-togethers and holiday parties, and many people get depressed if they don’t have anybody to celebrate with. The above factors make for a season that breeds criminal activity. These are some of the types of crimes commonly committed…
Read MoreCalifornia Good Samaritan Laws (Health & Safety Code Section 1799.102)
California Good Samaritan Laws (Health & Safety Code Section 1799.102) In California, a Good Samaritan under the law is someone who renders emergency or non-emergency care at the scene of an emergency, and does not take or expect compensation for their actions. California Good Samaritan laws are meant to protect people who, out of the kindness of their own hearts, help others who are in emergency situations, even if what…
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