Criminal Defense

California does not have a specific stand-your-ground law written into its legal code. However, you may still have the legal right to stand your ground based on certain self-defense laws of the state. Here is what you need to know about them. What does the law say?...

A prior conviction can affect your eligibility for veterans court, but it does not automatically mean you cannot participate. Whether it creates a problem can depend on your criminal history, the charge you are currently facing and the requirements of the veterans...

The “fruit of the poisonous tree” is a legal doctrine that can affect evidence in criminal defense cases. In some situations, it may mean that evidence has to be omitted from court or cannot be used against the defendant. A key component of this doctrine is that an...

Your constitutional rights do not disappear when investigators walk through your business door. Most business owners in Visalia and across the Central Valley do not know what those rights are at the moment, which is exactly when it matters most. What you say and do in...

When your teenager is arrested, everything can change within minutes. Just one phone call can leave parents overwhelmed, confused and unsure of what comes next. Fear about the future often sets in immediately, especially when families have never dealt with the...

When a person is arrested for drug crimes, one of the major factors that can impact a criminal case is the Controlled Substances Act (CSA). The CSA regulates drug manufacturing and distribution.  One of the ways the CSA impacts criminal drug cases is how substances...

You have probably heard the phrase “three strikes, you are out.” But does repeated theft in California mean you could face a life sentence? The short answer is – it depends on what kind of theft and what is on your record. How the three strikes law works California’s...

Cellphones are often involved in criminal investigations. The authorities may be looking for a wide variety of different types of evidence. They may want to read a person’s text messages, for example, or look at their browser history. In most cases, the police are...

Anyone who has watched true crime television shows or movies based out of the United States has likely heard police officers telling someone that they have the right to remain silent. That right, along with having an attorney, are fundamental rights that are rooted in...

You trusted your employer’s guidance. Now the law holds you liable for actions your employer directed. Imagine approving a transfer your boss demanded, only to face charges days later. Many managers face this problem, unsure how to respond without risking their jobs....