A fundamental and important aspect of the justice system in California (and the US) is the impartiality, fairness, and equal treatment the process affords to those who enter it. As such, all those involved in the justice system are bound…
On TV, in movies, or even in the news we are often confronted with stories about regular citizens arresting someone they believe has committed a crime. Many times, these citizens are hailed as heroes, but it is important to understand…
When someone is killed, the prosecution must decide on the charge they will pursue against the defendant and this will depend on the context of the crime. There are varying degrees of murder or manslaughter, but the law also accounts…
The California criminal justice system has several protections and punishments against crimes of rape. Sadly, various forms of rape can occur, and the topic of this article will be statutory rape. According to California Penal Code 261.5, statutory rape is…
When you visit a doctor, the last thing you want to worry about (while also worried about your health) is whether the doctor even has a license to work as a professional medical provider. Much like how a lawyer must…
In California, the criminal code has created different legal classifications for the unlawful death of a person. While in popular culture or casual conversations people may call the death of a person an act of murder, the law is more…
The appeal process is a legal mechanism that is essential to understand for those who believe a trial court made a legal error during the process of the trial, which then fundamentally changed the outcome of the case. A distinction…
In California, the penal code ensures the proper protection of, and safeguards against, criminal wrongdoings towards children. Laws cover the conduct of not just parents towards their children, but also third parties. Children, until the state’s legal age or emancipation,…
California has several laws regarding the rightful ownership and control of a car. Some steal cars by entering through one of the doors, trunk, or windows while the owner of the vehicle is not there. However, there are other methods…
Many people think that the only way to achieve “justice” for an assault or battery is to go through the criminal justice system. However, the circumstances and/or context of the crime can prevent the prosecution from meeting the burden of…