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When a juvenile is arrested and charged with a crime, the effects can last a lifetime. Just being questioned by a police officer is intimidating; imagine being taken into custody as a child or teenager.

When a child, under the age of 18 years is facing serious charges, it can be devastating not only to the child but to the parent as well. One of the most important questions a parent can ask himself or herself is: How do I protect my child?

Teens are still not mature enough to stop, think and really consider how serious their actions are and what the consequences might be. Especially if they have never been in trouble with the law and have never had legal consequences. For this reason, it is extremely important to consult with an experienced attorney, who has experience in not only defending criminal charges, but who is experienced in defending juveniles.

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Possession Of A Controlled Substance Now A Misdemeanor

In California, possession or a controlled substance use to be a “wobbler” meaning that it could be filed as either a misdemeanor or a felony, depending on the type of drug and other circumstances surrounding the arrest and prior criminal history. However, since the passage of Proposition 47, possession of a controlled substance is now a misdemeanor and although not as serious as a felony, being convicted of a misdemeanor drug offense can carry serious, long-lasting consequences.

I have been practicing criminal defense law in Orange County for more than 20 years and have gained extensive knowledge in defending possession cases. Knowing how the district attorney and police agencies build their cases has given me a great advantage in defending my clients and minimizing the consequences if convicted.

One of the most important pieces to the defense of a possession case is the actions of the law enforcement officer who first came in contact with my client. It is my job to review all discovery, looking for mistakes, inaccuracies and even blatant disregard for the law, on the part of the officers involved. It is not uncommon for officers to violate the law when it comes to search and seizure and it is my job to identify when this has happened.

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Penal Code Section 243.4 defines sexual battery as follows:  Any person who touches an intimate part of another person while that person is unlawfully restrained by the accused or an accomplice, and if the touching is against the will of the person touched and is for the purpose of sexual arousal, sexual gratification, or sexual abuse, is guilty of sexual battery.  The law recognizes the difference between friendly touching, a friendly touch on the arm, a gentle touch on the back, and unwanted touching.  A friend, or even someone you have just met, may walk up and gently touch the arm of another as a friendly gesture.  But, anyone who touches another on an intimate part of their body, without their permission, is an assault.  The law describes “intimate part” as follows: anus, groin, sexual organ or buttocks of anyone and the breast of a female.  This type of touching is sexual in nature and therefore characterized as “sexual assault”, which is different than assault which is described as the unwanted touching of another.  The law further explains that the unwanted touching of another’s intimate part, under Penal Code Section 243.4, is done for the purpose of sexual gratification.

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Insurance fraud is any act committed with the intent to obtain a fraudulent outcome from an insurance process. This may occur when a claimant attempts to obtain some benefit or advantage to which they are not otherwise entitled, or when an insurer knowingly denies some benefit that is due.

The most common act of insurance fraud is when an insured individual or entity makes a false or exaggerated insurance claim, seeking compensation for injuries or losses that were not actually suffered. But it’s not just individuals committing fraud against insurance companies; insurance fraud is also committed against individuals. A couple of examples of this are: (1) the sale of unlicensed or bogus insurance to an individual and (2) an insurance broker or agent’s diversion or theft of insurance premiums paid by individuals.

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There is no functional difference between temporary and permanent insanity under California law. The sole issue in California is the status of the defendant’s sanity at the time of the crime. The method of determining a defendant’s sanity is the two pronged M’Naghten rule.

1) The first prong requires a defendant to understand the nature and quality of his or her act.

2) The second prong requires the defendant to be able to distinguish between right and wrong.

A defendant who cannot satisfy both of these prongs is statutorily insane.

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As temperatures rise going into spring and summer, so does the risk of vehicular hyperthermia for children left inside hot vehicles. Each year since 1998 an average of 38 children have died in hot cars in the U.S. Although these tragedies occur nationally, California is one of only 20 states that has addressed the issue formally. The law in California (Kaitlyn’s Law) holds that leaving a child unsupervised in a motor vehicle is a violation with a fine of one hundred dollars (CAL. VEH. CODE 15620).

(a) A parent, legal guardian, or other person responsible for a child who is 6 years of age or younger may not leave that child inside a motor vehicle without being subject to the supervision of a person who is 12 years of age or older, under either of the following circumstances:

(1) Where there are conditions that present a significant risk to the child’s health or safety.

(2) When the vehicle’s engine is running or the vehicle’s keys are in the ignition, or both.

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Penal Code Chapter 2.9C 1001.80 Pretrial Diversion For Firearm Offenses

The Legislature has introduced a new bill that will establish a pretrial diversion education program for those who are arrested for nonviolent misdemeanor or felony firearms offenses. The bill will specify the guidelines and define the criteria, application and procedures related to the diversion program. The bill will further define the procedural elements associated with a dismissal of charges and elimination of an arrest, for purposes of criminal records. Along with these parameters, the bill will authorize the imposition of any costs and fines associated with the diversion program.

In recognizing the complexity of California firearm statutes and implementing regulations and the confusion created thereby, it is being recommended that a pretrial diversion education program be created. This education program would be an alternative to prosecution for those who qualify, meaning nonviolent firearm offenses.

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Turning 18 is a very exciting time in a teenager’s life, as well as for their parents. However, for most parents, along with the excitement that a parent feels for their child, there comes the serious reality of just what that means. Privileges such as being able to vote, enter into binding contracts and being able to get married, give young adults a sense of atomy and freedom. But most young adults don’t think about the serious legal implications that come along with turning 18. They are a juvenile in the eyes of the law one day and then the next, they are adults. There is no magic light switch that flips on once a child turns eighteenth, that all of the sudden changes the way they think and act. Their impulses and behaviors are still the same because they are the same child they were the day before.

When a minor, someone under the age of 18 years, comes in contact with the police and/or court system, the consequences, depending upon the circumstances, are put in place not only to teach that child a lesson but also to help the child get back on the right track. The goal of the juvenile court system is rehabilitation and also to protect the child’s record so that their future is not affected by their mistakes. However, once that child turns 18, the whole system is different. It is much more harsh and unforgiving.

As an example, if a 17 year old is out with friends and decides to “TP” a friend or neighbor’s house, and they get caught, it is likely that the parents will be made aware of it but unlikely that they will be charged with trespassing and/or vandalism. However, if that same child turns 18 and is out with that same group of friends and decides to “TP” a friend or neighbor’s house, there is the possibility that he/she can be charged with trespassing and/or vandalism.

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Penal Code 242 – Battery Laws in California

The crime of battery is often confused with the crime of assault. This may be due to the frequently used term “assault and battery” which is most commonly used rather than just assault or just battery. There is a difference between the two and the following is an explanation of the difference.

The distinct difference between assault and battery is that, battery requires that the defendant have actual physical contact with the victim. Whereas with assault, you can be charged with assault even if you did not actually, physically touch the victim. The definition of battery is the willful and unlawful use of force or violence on someone else. My clients are often surprised to learn that you can be charged, and found guilty, of battery even if there was no injury or injuries. All that is required is that the victim was touched in an offensive way.

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California Proposition 47, Do You Qualify?

California Proposition 47 is a recently approved law, which allows many individuals who have criminal convictions, to reduce their felony conviction(s) to misdemeanor convictions. Further, it allows those who are currently being prosecuted for felonies, to have their charges reduced to misdemeanors and prosecuted as misdemeanors. It is important to note that not all felony convictions and charges are eligible and not all individuals are eligible. Below is a brief overview of Proposition 47 and who qualifies.

Simply put, the new law reduces the classification of most non-serious and non-violent crimes from wobblers or felonies to misdemeanors. Wobblers are crimes that may be prosecuted and either a misdemeanor or a felony, depending upon the circumstances. Typically, the types of crimes eligible for Prop 47 are property and drug crimes. However, individuals who have prior “disqualifying” convictions will not qualify for Prop 47. Those convictions include any felony offense, which requires Penal Code 290(c) registration or convictions under Penal Code 667(e)(2)(C), (serious, violent crimes, including murder and certain sex and gun crimes, and registered sex offenders). The following are some of the crimes eligible for reduction of penalties under Proposition 47:

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