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California Criminal Law And Cannabis Law Blog
How accurate is DNA evidence?
DNA evidence is frequently used in criminal trials in California. This type of evidence can be collected from blood, bodily fluids, skin cells, hair or anything else that was left at the crime scene. Countless people have been sent to prison over DNA evidence while...
Are you required to take a field sobriety test?
Police officers in California use the standardized field sobriety tests to help determine if a motorist is driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs. But the problem with these tests is that they are not always reliable and could be used as evidence of...
An alternative to jail-time potential option for DUI offenders in CA
A conviction for driving under the influence of alcohol in the state of California can have long lasting consequences. For first time offenders, the law in California is pretty straightforward. A first-time DUI conviction carries a fine of up to $2,000. Depending on...
New California law has prosecutors worried
Several prosecutors in California have raised concerns about a bill Governor Gavin Newsom signed into law on Sept. 30. They are worried because Assembly Bill 3234 allows superior court judges to order criminal offenders to enter diversion programs even when district...
Evidentiary hearings determine if criminal cases go to trial
Before a court in California authorizes a criminal case for trial, the prosecutor will prepare an evidentiary hearing. This hearing also goes by the name preliminary hearing. A judge will evaluate the evidence presented by the prosecutor to determine if a crime...
The Clash Between Marijuana Laws and Air Travel
The evolution of legal marijuana in the United States continues. While California and other states have legalized cannabis for both recreational and medicinal use, federal law, specifically the Controlled Substances Act, still considers it illegal. Provided a resident...
An overview of sobriety tests
An officer who believes that you are driving on a California road or highway while under the influence of drugs or alcohol may conduct a traffic stop. During the traffic stop, you may be asked to take a series of tests designed to confirm or negate that belief....
California woman sentenced to prison for causing DUI crash
A California woman has been sentenced to more than 12 years in a state prison for causing an accident that killed one pedestrian and left another with life-threatening injuries. The 50-year-old Lakewood resident was sentenced after entering nolo contendere, or no...
Why you should reconsider refusing to take a sobriety test
Residents of California might want to know why it is not wise to refuse to take a Breathalyzer test when stopped roadside by police. You will probably be thinking that self-incrimination is prevented by law, so you do not need to take these tests to determine your...
Is AB 3234 a Threat to Public Safety?
While few would dispute that anyone convicted of a misdemeanor crime is entitled to a second chance, what would happen if that “first chance” was wiped from their criminal record? What if the offense committed was driving under the influence. As with anything remotely...
