Posts Categorized In: Uncategorized

Hearsay is a statement or some conduct that is similar to a statement or assertion that is made out of the court and is offered into evidence as truth. For example, when a police officer wants to obtain an arrest warrant he may offer the judge issuing the warrant a statement made by a confidential… Read More

One commits a hate crime when he or she commits a crime against an individual or individuals who belong to specific social groups that legislators believe deserve and need special protection (e.g., sexual orientation, religious beliefs, ethnic groups, etc.). Although hate crime laws vary state by state, a hate crime occurs, in general, when an… Read More

A search warrant is a document, or an ORDER signed by a judge, which gives police officers authorization to search for specific items or material at a specified time and location. Therefore, when a judge authorizes a police officer to search a dwelling on a date and time and for specific objects or materials a… Read More

A detention or an arrest occurs when a police officer deprives a person (suspect) of freedom. This can occur whether the person is is out on the scene of a crime, or in jail. After an arrest police will commonly question the suspect. However, the suspect has two rights granted by the U.S. Constitution: 1…. Read More

If you have not been placed under arrest should you answer questions from a police officer? Generally speaking, a police officer may stop you on the street to ask you a question. For example, if the officer believes you were involved in a crime he may ask for your identification card, but only if he… Read More

As tragic as the shooting death of Oscar Grant was, the case against Officer Mehserle was always an accidental shooting case, not a murder case. Every day in the United States innocent people are accidently killed by guns. Usually it is children who are killed while playing with the gun of an adult relative. In… Read More

California Penal Code Sections 1377 and 1378 allow for some criminal cases to be dismissed when the victim is reimbursed for damages. This underutilized defense to criminal cases is called a Civil Compromise. When the case involves property damage and no violence occured and the vicitim is cooperative, the defense can make a motion to… Read More

If you were convicted of a Felony or Misdemeanor in San Francisco and were sentenced to jail and not prison you are eligible to have your conviction “Expunged.” Some other qualifications to have your conviction expunged are that you completed your probation without any problems and that you are not currently on probation for any… Read More

Domestic Violence cases are some of the most serious crimes in our modern society. These cases range from a simple battery such as a slap in the face to first degree murder. Apart from the physical pain that the victim suffers, other consequences include: families being torn apart when the perpetrator goes to jail or… Read More

The San Francisco Chronicle reports that another key prosecution witness for hundreds of San Francisco drunk driving cases had a prior record of false testimony and according to the Washington Supreme Court was a “perpetrator of fraud.” Ann Marie Gordon who worked for the San Francisco Medical Examiner’s Office previously worked for the Washington State… Read More