Deferred Entry of Judgment, or DEJ, is part of Proposition 21, which was passed by California voters in 2000. DEJ is a sentencing alternative to the juvenile delinquency process. What it does is it allows minors who are charged with at least one felony to become eligible for a probation…
In California, Marijuana possession for sale is a felony. It doesn’t matter how much was sold, or whether or not the sale was witnessed. Law enforcement can base an arrest for sales on any or all of the following: 1) The amount of marijuana that was found; 2) The manner…
In California, the definition of robbery is the taking of someone else’s property from the person’s body or immediate possession, when accomplished by force or fear. This is a felony offense, punishable by two to nine years in State Prison. To be convicted of robbery, the prosecution must prove: 1)…
In California, Assault With A Deadly Weapon (ADW) is defined as an assault that is committed with any type of deadly weapon or by means of force that is likely to cause great bodily injury to another. Simple Assault is defined as an unlawful attempt, coupled with a present ability…
Possession of a controlled substance is a crime in California. However, possession with intent to sell is a much more serious crime with more severe consequences. It is unfortunate, but most people who are arrested for drug related charges are typically addicts who require some sort of treatment for their…
In the wake of the not guilty verdict of George Zimmerman, for shooting and killing Travon Martin, a young teenage boy, people are struggling to understand how the jury came to the decision that it did. To understand the jury’s decision, it is important to understand the defense of self-defense,…
The juvenile justice system is different from the adult justice system. In Orange County Juvenile Court, the focus is on treatment and rehabilitation for the juvenile while the adult justice system focuses on punishment. However, depending upon the charge, a juvenile can be prosecuted as an adult and be subject…
After the 2011 Seal Beach shootings, where a man walked into a hair salon carrying 3 guns, using at least two of them to shoot and kill 8 people, there was a resurfacing of the cry for gun control. Whether or not the man possessed the guns legally, it appeared…
Thousands are sent to California prisons every year as a result of law enforcement agencies aggressive crack down on drug trafficking. Undercover operations can last a year or longer before an actual arrest is made. This was true in an operation that lasted a year and ended with the arrest…
White Collar crimes are crimes that usually occur in a business setting. They are non-violent crimes that involve money, fraud and dishonesty. The deliberate deception for unlawful gain. Usually, someone who has been charged with this type of crime does not have a criminal history. They are doctors, CEO’s of…