James Blatt Blog

Some New 2019 California Criminal Justice Laws:

Comments off.

Senate Bill 439Joining twenty-one other U.S. states, in setting a minimum age that complies with International Human Rights Standards, unless ...

Read More

When You’re a Criminal Defendant The Truth Can Be Brutal

Comments off.

When someone who has never been in trouble with the law before is charged with a criminal offense, that person ...

Read More

Bill Proposes to Seal RAP Sheets

Comments off.

One of the least discussed issues when contemplating a plea bargain between a client and his or her attorney is ...

Read More

Pretrial Diversion for Drug Crimes in California, Part II

Comments off.

This is part II of an in-depth exploration of California’s pretrial diversion program under PC §1000 for certain drug offenses. ...

Read More

Pretrial Diversion for Drug Crimes in California, Part I

Comments off.

California offers pretrial diversion for drug crimes involving simple possession under California Penal Code §1000. Instead of jail time, certain ...

Read More

Marijuana Possession Crimes in California, Part I

Comments off.

Beginning in 1996, California’s marijuana laws changed with the decriminalization of possession of marijuana (if under 28.5 grams) and legalization ...

Read More

The California Control of Profits of Organized Crime Act

Comments off.

Criminal Profiteering in California mirrors the federal charge of Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organization (RICO), and is intended to penalize ...

Read More

How is DNA Profiling Used in California?

Comments off.

In 1953, the double helix, the twisted-ladder like structure of deoxyribonucleic acid (“DNA”) was discovered by scientists James Watson and ...

Read More

Money Bail Abolished in California

Comments off.

In late Summer 2018, California Governor Jerry Brown signed a landmark criminal justice bill, Senate Bill No. 11, abolishing cash ...

Read More

The Hertzberg-Alarcon California Prevention of Terrorism Act

Comments off.

California legislators recognised the need to combat terroristic threats, more specifically those where biological, nuclear, WMDs (weapons of mass destruction), ...

Read More

What Happens if I Fight Extradition Back to California?

Comments off.

If you have been charged with a serious felony like homicide in California, but have moved to another state, the ...

Read More

Federal Prison Population Buildup Could Spell Early Release

Comments off.

Over the last three decades, the United States has quietly increased its federal prison population by unprecedented numbers. In fact, ...

Read More

Appealing DUI Convictions in California

Comments off.

Being charged with and then sentenced for DUI ends the prosecution’s case – at least in their eyes. Sometimes, however, ...

Read More

California Kidnapping Laws and Defenses to Kidnapping

Comments off.

Under the California Penal Code, moving an individual a substantial distance by force, or fear, is considered kidnapping. Once an ...

Read More

How to Defend Against Tax Fraud

Comments off.

Investigations into tax fraud may lead to charges being brought at either the state or federal level, depending on the ...

Read More

Penalties for Unauthorized Computer Access in California

Comments off.

Part of California’s internet crime laws address unauthorized computer access, which is defined as taking control of another’s network, their ...

Read More

Is Credit Card Fraud a Felony in California?

Comments off.

Prohibited activities involving access cards, which many are accustomed to calling credit cards, are punishable in several ways in California. ...

Read More

Forgery in California is a Felony

Comments off.

Forgery can involved of a number of illicit deeds involving the alteration, signing, and creation or using of a particular ...

Read More

Potential Defenses to Voluntary Manslaughter in California

Comments off.

How prosecutors will approach manslaughter depends on the element of intent. With voluntary manslaughter, it was an individual’s intention to ...

Read More

What Constitutes Felony Embezzlement in California?

Comments off.

In California, embezzlement is the fraudulent misuse of assets by an individual to whom it has been entrusted. Misusing assets ...

Read More