California Criminal Defense & Family Law Blog

Category Archives: Criminal Defense

What if police officers have indiscriminately enforced the law against me?

November 22, 2009

by LA Attorney

Is There Anything I Can Do When The Law Has Indiscriminately Enforced Against Me? A court cannot preclude from the discovery process evidence of discriminatory enforcement of the law against defendants and can be a valid defense in state and … Continue reading

Posted in Criminal Defense, Felony, Misdemeanor | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

If I’m convicted of a drug charge, will that affect my immigration status?

November 20, 2009

by LA Attorney

Controlled substance convictions may affect immigration status In Bermudez v. Holder, a court recently ruled that possessing “a pipe and/or packets” that are used with the drug methamphetamine is a violation of the state law “relating to a controlled substance.” … Continue reading

Posted in Criminal Defense, Drug Charges, Marijuana Charges | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Police must know of parole search condition before conducting a search

November 15, 2009

by LA Attorney

When can the police conduct a search? Searches conducted by police officers are lawful if the police have a legitimate reason to conduct the search. To determine if a search is lawful, a court will base its decision on circumstances … Continue reading

Posted in Criminal Defense, parole, Warrantless Searches | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Is it necessary to be handcuffed?

November 8, 2009

by LA Attorney

Generally, handcuffing a suspect during an arrest is allowed when the police officer has a reasonable basis for believing the suspect poses a present physical threat or might flee. Circumstances in which handcuffing is considered necessary include when: (1) the … Continue reading

Posted in Criminal Defense, Felony, Misdemeanor | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Police need reason to suspect that a person is armed and dangerous to conduct pat down search

November 7, 2009

by LA Attorney

In order to conduct a pat down search of a person, the police must have a clear reason or suspicion that the person is armed and dangerous. If a person is only sitting in front of house where officers intended … Continue reading

Posted in Criminal Defense, Warrantless Searches | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

What if I’m facing a misdemeanor drunk in public charge?

November 6, 2009

by LA Attorney

Intoxicated in a Public Place? A person may not be convicted of being drunk in public based on a police officer’s order that the person come out to a public place or if the person agrees to a police request … Continue reading

Posted in Criminal Defense, Misdemeanor, Public Intoxication | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Terms of probation cannot limit entry into the United States for a US Citizen

November 5, 2009

by LA Attorney

As a condition of a minor’s probation, a juvenile court cannot restrict or limit a United States citizen minor’s ability to enter the United States. In the recent case of Alex O. v. Superior Court, a minor who was a … Continue reading

Posted in Criminal Defense, probation | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

If I’m a minor, can I be searched and patted down by police officers for any reason?

November 4, 2009

by LA Attorney

When can a minor be searched and patted down by police: The police need specific facts to justify their suspicion that a minor is armed and dangerous before they conduct a pat-down or search of the minor. Case law, including … Continue reading

Posted in Criminal Defense, Warrantless Searches | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

If I’m a minor on probation can I be searched for any reason?

October 27, 2009

by LA Attorney

Minor on Probation Cannot be Searched Unless Police Have a Reason In order to conduct a search of the minor on probation who has not given the police a reason to search him, the officer must already know of the … Continue reading

Posted in Criminal Defense, probation, Warrantless Searches | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Case Gets Dismissed After 26 Years Because Of A Denial of The Defendant’s Right to a Speedy Trial

June 18, 2009

by LA Attorney

In People v. Mirenda, the court found that a defendant was denied his right to a speedy trial and his case was dismissed because criminal charges had been filed 26 years before prosecution actually had begun on the case. There, … Continue reading

Posted in Assault, Criminal Defense, Violent Crimes | Tagged , , | Leave a comment