Under California law, you do not need to commit the physical act of a crime to be convicted as though you had. PC 31 lets prosecutors charge, try, and convict a person as a principal offender based solely on claims that they knowingly helped, encouraged, or facilitated someone else’s criminal conduct. Because a conviction under
California Penal Code § 31 PC – Aiding and Abetting Laws Read More »
No, California is not a mutual combat state where two people can legally agree to fight without consequences. While the term mutual combat does appear in California law, it is not a free pass to throw punches in public. Even when both participants consent to a fight, either person can still be arrested and prosecuted
Is Mutual Combat Legal in California? Read More »
Vehicle Code § 21453(a) VC – Running a Red Light Under California Vehicle Code § 21453(a), a driver facing a steady red signal must come to a complete stop at the limit line, or if none, before the near crosswalk, or if none, before entering the intersection, and remain stopped until a permissive indication appears.
California Vehicle Code § 21453(a) VC – Running a Red Light Read More »
With the start of a New Year comes the enforcement of new laws. Lawmakers in California passed over 900 new laws that went into effect January 1, 2015. However, most of the time the general public is not aware of the new laws. So here are some selected new laws every Californian should know: (AB
New Laws in 2015 That Every Californian Should Know Read More »
The Los Angeles Police Department has been using technology to tell patrol officers where crime is most likely to occur and also to identify and keep track of ex-convicts and others they believe are most likely to commit crimes. Yes, you read that right; the LAPD is tracking “potential” criminals using a technology dubbed LASER.
Is the LAPD Spying on you? Read More »
On November 4, 2014, California voters approved Proposition 47 (“Prop 47”), which dramatically changed the Justice System in our State. These changes went into effect immediately. Some penalties for common drug and theft crimes in California will be reduced from potential felonies to misdemeanors, shortening the time some offenders spend behind bars to a maximum of
The Impact of Prop 47 on the California Justice System Read More »
On June 20, 2013, The Supreme Court of the United States ruled in favor of the First Amendment’s protection of free speech striking down part of a Federal law regarding funding. The law had required all groups that receive funding for fighting AIDS globally to announce policies “opposing prostitution and sex trafficking.” Several of the
Can Government Funding Regulate Speech and/or Policy? Read More »
When one thinks of the Civil Rights Movement two names might come to mind. The first, without a doubt, is Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.; and the other may be Malcolm X. These two people were both huge contributors to the movement, and moved the public with famous and powerful speeches. However, one important and
Thurgood Marshall – The First Black Supreme Court Justice Read More »
“If it doesn’t fit, you must acquit!” That line was made famous during the O.J. Simpson trial by a man who himself became a household name in America. His name was Johnnie Cochran. However, few seem to know that Johnnie Cochran was a well accomplished attorney and famous in his own right prior to the
