Henry Cantor
April 26, 2024
In California, a ‘wobbler’ offense is uniquely flexible within the criminal justice system, characterized by its ability to be charged and punished either as a felony or a misdemeanor. The distinction between these two levels of charges typically depends on the specifics of the case, including the severity of the offense, the circumstances surrounding the […]
Henry Cantor
April 17, 2024
Petty theft, under California law, refers to the theft of property whose value does not exceed $950. This type of theft is classified as a misdemeanor, reflecting its lower severity compared to grand theft. California Penal Code Section 484 defines petty theft as the unlawful taking of someone else’s property when the property’s value is […]
Henry Cantor
December 5, 2023
The Impact of a DUI Conviction in California In California, driving with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.08% or higher is illegal, with stricter limits for commercial drivers and those under 21. The consequences of a DUI conviction are substantial and long-lasting, including: Significant fines. A possible jail term of up to six months. […]
Arash Hashemi
August 1, 2014
While some states restrict expungement of records to cases in which the defendant was innocent or wrongfully prosecuted, California is more willing than other states to give criminal defendants a fresh start following a criminal conviction. In People v. Parker, a June 24, 2013 decision from the Second Appellate District, the Court considered the case […]
Arash Hashemi
July 18, 2014
On March 20, 2014, the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals upheld that California’s taking and storing DNA profiles from anyone arrested on suspicion of a felony is Constitutional. This caused a bit of controversy throughout the State, because some argue that this practice should not be legal. The state of Maryland practices the same […]