More than 97% of fentanyl trafficking offenders face prison time
Trafficking fentanyl carries severe penalties due to its highly addictive and dangerous nature. Offenders caught trafficking this substance face significant legal consequences. Most also wind up facing prison time. Understanding the penalties associated with fentanyl...
What factors make a crime aggravated?
When people hear about crimes, they often come across terms like "aggravated assault" or "aggravated robbery." However, what exactly does "aggravated" mean in this context? Aggravating factors are those circumstances that increase the severity or culpability of a...
How to figure out if a plea deal is right for you
When you’re charged with a criminal offense, the potential penalties can set you on edge, leaving you worried about the future. For many who have been accused of criminal wrongdoing, their main fear is going to jail or prison, but there are collateral consequences,...
Understanding your Miranda rights
Facing criminal charges can be a daunting experience. It is important to be aware of your Miranda rights to navigate the legal process successfully. Understanding these rights ensures fair treatment and protects you during police interactions. Introduction to Miranda...
Understanding graffiti and how it’s a criminal offense
Although graffiti as an art form has a distinctive and influential style, there’s no denying that it’s also illegal to deface another person’s property. Cities can spend tens of thousands of dollars annually trying to clean up graffiti, so no matter how artistic a...
When do annoying phone calls become a crime?
Knowing that people typically have their phones within reach, someone seeking their attention might call and text them repeatedly, especially if they did not answer the first time. However, pestering the same person this way can evolve into a crime. There are many...
Agricultural equipment theft is a grave crime
Because Northern California is home to many vineyards, it’s no surprise that the region has a lot of agricultural equipment. Vineyards employ heavy equipment such as tractors, harvesters, fertilizer spreaders and spray systems. But like any expensive equipment,...
How can you defend against white-collar crime charges?
White-collar crime allegations can threaten nearly every aspect of your life. Incarceration might become a real possibility, threatening to rip you from your family and your normal life, and it can leave you with a criminal record that derails your career, renders it...
Were the police within their rights to search my vehicle?
People who are arrested for any reason need to understand the path of their case. That includes the evidence that justified the arrest, how it was accrued, its relevance to the case, how to combat it being introduced in court and whether law enforcement violated a...
Aggravating factors lead to enhanced DUI penalties
Driving under the influence (DUI) charges aren’t handed out by officers on a whim. Drivers get DUI charges because peace officers have identified them as a potential public safety risk on the road. Impaired driving can raise the risk of a collision, which endangers...