What’s the Difference Between Criminal and Civil Law?
Although you’ve heard the terms criminal law and civil law, you may be wondering what the difference is. Here is an overview of criminal vs. civil law.
criminal law
4 Common Criminal Defense Strategies
During a criminal proceeding, a defendant is provided access to a public defender, unless the defendant can afford to hire representation. Either way, the criminal defense attorney’s job is to identify opportunities that signify innocence. The goal is to have the defendant found not guilty or to have the charges dropped altogether. Today, we’ll highlight…
What Happens During the Criminal Trial Process?
When you understand the criminal trial process, from arrest to sentencing, you can better prepare for your own trial. Learn more here.
How to Go About the Process of Hiring a Criminal Lawyer
The attorney you’re looking for is probably not the one who handled your tax issues or gave you a hand in getting a house. Neither is he the lawyer that helped your friend when they were involved in some accident. You need a professional criminal lawyer, who has some level of expertise, particularly in criminal…
How to Get An Arrest Off of Your Record in California
When a person gets arrested, there is an entry on their criminal record, also known as a “rap sheet”. The entry will list the date of the arrest, the location of the incident, and the code section that was reported to have been violated, such as Penal Code section 459 (a Burglary in California). If…
How Could You Defend Someone You Know Is Guilty?!
Another common question for San Diego criminal defense attorneys is, “How can you defend someone if you know they’re guilty?” Well, when a person is charged, or under investigation, they are #NOTGUILTY. Under the law, you are not guilty of any crime unless or until 1. You decide to plead guilty, or 2. You are…
How Could You Defend A Murderer?!
One of the most common questions you get as a San Diego Criminal Defense Attorney is, how can you defend someone who committed X? It’s a great question. The short answer is in the Sixth Amendment, which says in part, “In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall . . . have the Assistance of Counsel…
The Fourth Amendment: The Law That Protects You From Illegal Search and Seizure
Under the Fourth Amendment to the constitution, people have a right to be free from unreasonable searches and seizures. The Fourth Amendment requires officers to have a warrant prior to conducting a search. There are some exceptions to the warrant requirement which we will discuss as well. Over the years, The United States Supreme Court has decided cases shaping our…
What Happens When A Person Is Booked Into Custody?
When officers make an arrest, they have the option of merely issuing a citation for the person to later appear in court, or take them into custody. That decision depends on how serious the crime is. Petty offenses warrant a citation, whereas violent crimes or serious felonies will likely land a person in custody. A…
What Happens At The First Criminal Hearing?
The first hearing in a criminal case is called the arraignment. The primary purpose of an arraignment is to give the defendant (“the person accused of the crime”) written notice of the charges and for the defendant to enter a plea. Arraignments are usually held within 48 hours of a person’s arrest, if they’re in…
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