Understanding Reasonable Force in Self-Defense: A Case Study from California

Photo Credit: yo_folkers In a recent incident that caught the attention of social media users, two 7-Eleven workers in Stockton, California, found themselves facing a would-be robber who attempted to steal cigarettes from the counter while making threats. What followed was a confrontation that exemplifies the concept of reasonable force in self-defense under California law. […]
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California Gun Laws and Ja Morant’s Suspension: A Closer Look

In a recent incident captured on Instagram Live, Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant, aged 23, was seen waving what appeared to be a gun from the driver’s seat of a slowly moving vehicle. This is not the first time Morant has been involved in such a situation, as he previously faced suspension for a similar […]
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Former NBA Star Shawn Kemp Fired Gun in Self-Defense.

Former NBA star Shawn Kemp made headlines recently when he was arrested by Tacoma police for investigation of a drive-by shooting. However, his attorneys claim that Kemp acted in self-defense when he exchanged gunfire in a parking lot while trying to retrieve a stolen cell phone and other items. Kemp, who is 53 years old, […]
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california murder

California Murder Conviction Overturned Due to Flawed Interpretation of Law and New Artistic Expression Act

In a recent ruling, a California appeals court overturned a murder conviction and ordered a new trial for a man accused of California murder in 2002. The court cited the state’s flawed interpretation of the law and improper use of evidence as reasons for the reversal. Additionally, the court referred to California’s new “Decriminalizing Artistic […]
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Explanation of California self-defense laws and reasonable force under Penal Code 198.5.

Reasonable Force and Self-Defense in California | Legal Overview

How is Reasonable Force Viewed in California Self-Defense Cases? Self-defense is a crucial concept in criminal law and is often used as a defense in cases involving the use of force. In California, the law permits individuals to use reasonable force to defend themselves or others from harm. However, the definition of reasonable force can […]
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Robbery Suspect Not Charged with Murder due to Self-Defense

Robbery Suspect Not Charged with Murder due to Self-Defense The recent story of a robbery suspect in California who killed a store clerk, but was not charged with murder because of self-defense, is an important reminder of the complexities involved in criminal cases. It’s natural to assume that if an individual has committed a crime […]
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Nicole Linton and the Windsor Hills Crash

On August 4, 2022, Nicole Linton was behind the wheel of her Mercedes, speeding as fast as 90 miles an hour. She ran a red light and plowed into traffic at the busy intersection of La Brea and Slauson avenues killed 6 people and hurt others. She was charged with 6 counts of murder and […]
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Kanye West Files for a Name Change. Can you?

On August 24, 2021, Kanye West officially filed a Petition for Change of Name in Los Angeles County Superior Court. After going by Ye for years, Kanye wants to make it official. He cited “personal reasons” in his Petition for wanting to change his name and now must wait for a Judge to approve the […]
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No Contest

Pleading “No Contest” – What Does it Really Mean?

If you have ever seen a TV show or a movie that involves the law, you have probably heard the term “No Contest.” But do you know what it means in legal terms and the implications that come with it? The term itself comes from the Latin word nolo contendere, which literally means No Contest, […]
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Two Arrested for Looting During Woolsey Fire

As the Woolsey Fire continues to rage through some of the most expensive real estate in Los Angeles and Ventura Counties, celebrities like Lady Gaga, Kim Kardashian, and Gerard Butler have been forced to flee their Malibu estates. The Pacific Coast Highway became the only route for safe evacuation, and quickly became jammed as a […]
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Jennifer Haymart Accused of Embezzlement from Elementary School PTO and Little League Club

On November 1, 2018, Jennifer Haymart, 39, appeared in a Sacramento, CA courtroom court. After a month-long investigation, she was accused of five felony charges, including suspicion of embezzlement, grand theft and forgery. Haymart was accused of embezzling more than $138,000 form two organizations: the Sacramento Deterding Elementary School Parent Teacher Organization (PTO), which she took around […]
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Fullerton Mayor’s Wife Accused of Stealing Campaign Signs of Rivals

Every time “Election Day” nears, the races for political and public offices start to heat up. The bombardment of vicious ads exposing scandals, failures, and personal agendas to sway electors become intensified as single votes will determine the fate of divided communities. Often times the ads are dramatic and exaggerated, but for the City of […]
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Former Beloved Comedian, Bill Cosby, Sentenced for Sexual Assault

One of America’s most recognized entertainers, Bill Cosby, was sentenced to prison for  3 to 10 years on September 25, 2018. Cosby was accused by 37 women over several years for sexual misconduct, dating back to 1964. One specific accuser, Andrea Constand, claimed that in 2004, Cosby drugged her with pills, left her incapacitated in […]
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Los Angeles Man Arrested for Scaling LAX Fence

After the September 11 attacks, Americans spend extra time preparing for travel by standing in TSA security lines which make our airports safer for the millions of daily travelers. Thankfully, it’s a rare sight to see a security breech; and even the faintest whisper of a threat, or the slightest break of the TSA ‘rules’ […]
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2nd Degree Murder Charge for Protective Father

All little girls hope for the protection of a loving father, but sometimes the cost of that protection comes at a huge legal expense, as it has become the case for one Arizona father in August of 2018 While using the restroom, Melvin Harris III’s daughter was harassed by known criminal Leevon Armstrong as he […]
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A Stolen One Million Dollar Ride

The summer of 2018 saw the worst start to the summer fire season in 10 years. California was yet again undertaking a record-breaking fight against flames engulfing the state. Over 500 square miles burned in various counties, including the Carr Fire in Shatsta County, the Ferguson Fire near Yosemite National Park, and several other fires […]
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21 Year Old Charged with Hate Crime, for Murder of 19 Year Old Student

On the 3rd of January 2018, University of Pennsylvania student, Blaze Bernstein, was visiting his family in Lake Forest, California for winter break when he went missing. Later that week Bernstein’s body was discovered in a shallow grave at a park in the surrounding areas. The 19 year old college student seemed to have been stabbed over […]
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Man Claims He Was Only Drinking “At Stop Signs” While Driving

On June 27, 2018, Vero Beach police received a call from a McDonald’s drive-thru customer who complained that a driver behind her was repeatedly bumping her car. At the scene, police found 69 year-old Earle Stevens behind the wheel with an open bottle of alcohol in a paper bag on the passenger seat. He was […]
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Local Artist Takes the Life of His Own Art Because of Vandalism

Anyone who hasn’t been living under a rock in Los Angeles knows that one of the “Black Mamba’s” greatest rivals, LeBron James, has signed with the Los Angeles Lakers for a 4 year contract– which is no doubt a historical move for a team who hasn’t managed to win an NBA Finals Championship in nearly […]
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Marijuana Honey Oil Explosion in Woodland Hills Apartment Complex

On Friday, August 4, 2017, an explosion erupted in a quiet apartment complex in Woodland Hills, California, seriously injuring one person. Residents of the gated community were shocked to find out that their neighbor was using his unit as a marijuana honey oil lab. Marijuana Honey Oil, which is a derivative of marijuana, extracts THC […]
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Couple Selling Fake Tide Detergent Ordered to Pay $1 Million in Fines

A couple in Southern California has been ordered to pay $1 million in fines for selling counterfeit Tide detergent. Husband and wife Marvin Santiago Caceres and Nancy Flores were charged with 4, 910 violations of the Unfair Competition Law by selling counterfeit Proctor & Gamble laundry detergents and dish soaps that were falsely labeled as […]
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California Woman Sentenced to Jail for Falsely Triggering Amber Alert

A woman has been sentenced to 60 days in jail for triggering a false Amber Alert. Charlene Gaston, a 26 year old from Los Angeles, plead no contest to one misdemeanor count of filing a false police report. According to Gaston, she was held at gunpoint and carjacked on July 6th, 2017, and that her stepson, Eric […]
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Criminal Defense Attorney: who is and what does he do?

WHO IS A CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEY AND WHAT DOES HE DO? When charged with a crime most people look for any lawyer they can get a hold of. While any lawyer might be able handle such cases, a criminal defense attorney has more chances of winning the case than another lawyer who usually does not […]
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OJ Simpson Could Be Released From Prison This Year

  After serving nearly a decade behind bars, OJ Simpson could be released from prison based on the decision of his upcoming parole hearing on July 20, 2017. The 70-year-old former NFL superstar is currently serving 9-33 years in prison at Lovelock Correctional Center in Nevada. If the parole hearing goes his way, Simpson could see freedom […]
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Actor Shia LeBeouf Arrested for Drunk in Public Charges

Actor Shia LeBeouf spent Saturday, July 8, 2017, in jail in Savannah, Georgia. He was arrested on charges of obstruction, disorderly conduct, and public intoxication. LeBeouf and his beard were taken into custody early Saturday morning and released on $7,000 bond. According to authorities, LeBeouf approached a person asking for a cigarette while a nearby police […]
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22 Suspects Accused of Drug Trafficking in The San Gabriel Valley

Authorities have charged 22 suspects who have been accused of operating the elaborate cross-border drug trafficking ring linked to the infamous Sinaloa Cartel (which was previously led by Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman). It was discovered that the suspects used homes in the San Gabriel Valley of Southern California as stash houses to store their illicit merchandise. […]
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High- Speed Motorcycle Chase Turns Into On-Foot Pursuit

At 1:08 AM the morning of May 15, 2017, California Highway Patrol Officers chased a motorcyclist speeding in excess of 100 mph on the 210 Freeway. The chase began near Allen Avenue in Pasadena. Officer Elizabeth Kravig recounts that the pursuit continued westbound through La Canada-Flintridge, Montrose, Glendale, and Lakeview Terrace. The motorcyclist finally exited […]
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Rapper ASAP Rocky’s L.A. Mansion Robbed

Rapper A$AP Rocky (Rakim Mayers) was robbed the night of Tuesday, May 16, 2017, at approximately 11:30 PM. The robbery took place at the celebrity’s Beverly Grove home. Authorities reported that at least $1.5 million in jewelry was stolen and at least one of the robbers was armed. Though Mayers was not home at the time, […]
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Ohio Woman Arrested for Soliciting Sex in Return for Nachos

Crystal D. Hotlosz, 36, was accused of prostitution and arrested for advertising her services on Backpage.com. According to a Beaver Township Police Department  report Crystal told an undercover police officer she would provide a sex act for $60 and nachos. Beaver Township police said the suspect met the officer in a Los Gallos Mexican Restaurant parking lot […]
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Brad Pitt Under Investigation for Child Abuse

On September 22, 2016, it was reported by TMZ.com that Brad Pitt is being investigated by the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services (“DCFS“) for child abuse. TMZ revealed that Brad Pitt allegedly “got wasted” on a private plane and “went wild, screaming and getting physical with the kids.” Witnesses claimed once the […]
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The Blood Alcohol Content Equation (Guest Post)

Commonly modern technology, such as a Breathalyzer or obtaining a blood sample from the accused, are used to calculate BAC. The purpose of this article is to help the reader understand how to calculate blood alcohol content using only a BAC Table. BAC stands for Blood Alcohol Content and refers to the amount of alcohol […]
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