Arrested in Catalina: What to Do Now

Cops on Catalina don't mess around.  If you're reading this, you probably learned that the hard way.

Every summer, hundreds of thousands of visitors flock to Catalina to enjoy everything the island has to offer.  For many, that includes alcohol.  For some, that also includes a night at the Avalon Sheriff's Station.  If you were cited or arrested while visiting Catalina Island, this blog is for you.

Our office defends more cases on Catalina every year than any other private attorney or law firm.  Only the Public Defender handles more Catalina cases than us.

Catalina court is it's own world, too.  Most visiting attorneys are shocked by how "differently" things are done there.  Among other peculiarities, the building is only open on alternating Fridays.  If you show up on a Thursday, the doors will be locked.  Plus, no case files are kept on site -- they're stored in Long Beach.  That means the judge probably can't accommodate you if you show up unexpectedly when your case is not scheduled to be heard on the day's calendar.  Adding a case onto the court's calendar (to recall a warrant or to request an extension, etc.) can be an ordeal in itself.

The court staff, including judge, prosecutor, recorder and clerk fly out by helicopter from San Pedro for each appearance.  The bailiff, defense attorneys and most of the defendants travel by boat from Long Beach.  Any sort of inclement weather on either side of the channel can completely foul up everything.  Sometimes, the helicopters are flying but the boats aren't running, so the court staff shows up but none of the defendants appear.  Sometimes the opposite happens and the judge calls in over the phone.  Either way, it doesn't take much to gum up the works.

Despite what the deputy or game warden told you, your case will not be heard in Long Beach.  All misdemeanors and infractions arising in and around Catalina are prosecuted on the island.  Felonies are filed in Long Beach, though.  The most commonly charged crimes on the island are probably drunk in public, DUI, various fishing violations, possession / under the influence of a controlled substance, assault / battery, domestic violence, fighting and shoplifting.  As I've previously written on this blog, you can be arrested for DUI on a golf cart.

Another unusual thing about the Catalina Courthouse is their general hostility toward alcohol-related offenses.  Every court in every county has its own priorities (as determined by the elected District Attorney for his own political reasons).  Some courts are lenient with firearms but harsh on domestic violence, for instance.  The Catalina court is exceedingly harsh on offenses like "drunk in public".  In most parts of California, a 647(f) arrest means a night in jail and a stern warning.  In Catalina, the DA's standard offer for a 1st-time drunk in public charge includes probation, community service, AA meetings, and fines.  Jail is even on the table for repeat offenders and exceptional cases.

About half of the defendants in Catalina court are there for some fishing-related offense.  Fishing inside a protected area is a big one, along with a million other ticky tacky minor infractions -- some of which carry disproportionate fines.  The minimum fine for an abalone violation, for instance, is over $60,000.

The good news in all this is that, for most misdemeanor cases in California, you do not need to personally appear in court.  A private attorney like myself can appear in your place for most hearings.  I can save you the time and expense of traveling all the way back to Catalina for a series of routine appearances.

If you or a loved one has been cited or arrested while visiting Catalina, call our office for a free attorney consultation.  Ask for John.  (714) 449-3335.

Catalina Island Lawyer

The Disneyland Brawl: How OC Politics Will Run the Show

Updated 7/23/19:  The OC District Attorney has charged Avery Robinson, 35, with 14 separate criminal charges, including 5 felonies.  His sister, Andrea Robinson, was charged with 5 misdemeanor counts of assault / battery.  Ms. Robinson's husband, Daman Petrie, was additionally charged with a single misdemeanor count of battery.  All charges will be prosecuted by the OCDA.  

Legal observers are curious to see how the investigation and prosecution(s) will play out after last weekend's Disneyland Brawl.  In case you missed it, take a moment, grab some popcorn, turn up your volume, click the link and watch one family turn Toon Town into "The Slappiest Place on Earth".

Now the real fists are about to fly as the OCDA and the Anaheim City Attorney slug it out over who will have jurisdiction to prosecute.  First, a little background:

All felonies in Orange County are prosecuted by the District Attorney's Office.  The DA is an elected official.  The DA also prosecutes ALMOST all of the misdemeanors arising within the county's borders.  As one notable exception, though, the City of Anaheim maintains its own local prosecutor.  The Anaheim City Attorney is responsible for prosecuting all misdemeanors that occur within the City of Anaheim.

Since the ACA reports to the Anaheim City Council and the Anaheim City Council effectively reports to Disneyland, the Disney Corporation indirectly operates its own prosecutor's office via the Anaheim City Attorney.  This arrangement essentially allows Disney's shareholders to call the shots regarding how / if misdemeanors are prosecuted in the City of Anaheim.  It's no wonder that the policies and priorities of the Anaheim City Attorney's Office sometimes seem like they're more intended to promote tourism than to promote justice.

The short version is this: if charges are filed as felonies, the cases will be prosecuted by the Orange County's elected DA.  If they're filed as misdemeanors, then the cases will be prosecuted by the Disney Corporation via the Anaheim City Attorney's Office.

The video of Sunday's brawl shows a laundry list of violent offenses, including assault, battery, criminal threats, disturbing the peace, child endangerment, and assault by means likely to induce serious injury.  Depending on the relationship of the parties, there might also be a variety of domestic violence-related charges.  Some of these charges can potentially be filed as felonies.  This is where it gets interesting.

I'm sure that the ACA would love to keep this one in-house.  If charges are filed as misdemeanors, then Disneyland can call the shots.  By aggressively prosecuting the case, the Disney Corporation could reassure potential tourists that the park is safe.  They must be eager to save some face, too.  Their security should be humiliated by their complete failure to address the situation in the video.  The fight lasts almost 4 minutes and 30 seconds.  The fact that a bystander recorded the beginning of the fight also suggests that onlookers had some warning that trouble was about to erupt.  Disneyland loves to brag that every inch of their park is covered by cameras, but they sure didn't respond to this melee in a timely manner.  At some point, security guards appear to officiate the brawl like Mills Lane, but they don't make any serious effort to intervene.

If the case is really going to be prosecuted aggressively, though, the DA must take the lead.  Only the DA can bring the kind of felony charges that might carry serious prison sentences.  Of course, the DA might not take their marching orders from Disneyland, though.  Anaheim's biggest fear is probably that the DA will claim jurisdiction by filing felony charges.  After prolonged plea negotiations, the defendants might eventually accept misdemeanor convictions and the ACA will be left completely out of the loop.  It would be ironic if the ACA lobbies the DA to reject felony charges, just so that they can file their own misdemeanor charges and "really play hardball".

Stay tuned to see how this plays out.  I expect we should see a press release by the Anaheim PD, the OC DA and / or the Anaheim City Attorney within a day or two.

If you or a loved one has questions for a criminal defense attorney in Orange County, call our office for a free consultation.  Ask for John.  (714) 449-3335.

Thanks for reading.

Orange County Criminal Defense

Fighting Domestic Violence Charges in Orange County

Domestic violence cases are emotional and complicated by nature.  If you or a loved one has been arrested for domestic violence, you probably have a lot of questions.  Today, I want to discuss the process of fighting domestic violence charges and what to expect in court.  

What Kinds of Charges Count as "Domestic Violence"? 

The most common domestic violence charges in California are "spousal battery" (PC 243(e)(1)), and "inflicting corporal injury on a spouse / cohabitant" (PC 273.5).  

To be convicted of spousal battery, the DA must prove two things: 1) that you willfully "used unlawful force or violence upon the person of another", and 2) that you and the victim had ever been married, engaged, dating or you had a child together.  You can be convicted of spousal battery even if the victim was not your spouse.  Spousal battery is a misdemeanor, but it carries some heavy penalties that I'll discuss below.

PC 273.5 is a "wobbler", so it can be charged as either a misdemeanor or a felony.  To be convicted under this code section, the DA must prove that you and the victim had a relationship (currently or formerly married, engaged, dating, or had a child together).  Additionally, prosecutors must prove that you caused some injury that resulted in a "traumatic condition".  

"Domestic violence" also includes some crimes that we don't normally consider to be "violent", like vandalism, stalking, or even making harassing phone calls.  Since California is a community property state, anything that you have earned or purchased during your marriage is technically your spouse's property.  Even you earned the money and purchased an item for your own use, your spouse owns it (my wife technically owns some great fishing gear that she's never seen).  If you get pissed and break your own stuff, you have committed vandalism and your spouse is the victim.  

What is the Penalty for Domestic Violence?

For most misdemeanor domestic violence crimes, the maximum penalty includes a year in jail.  If the judge agrees to grant probation rather than jail time, he is required by law to impose some community service.  

If you are convicted of domestic violence, the court is also required to order a 52-week course of anger management counseling, called the "Batterer's Intervention Program".  If a judge determines that drugs or alcohol were involved, the defendant must attend additional substance abuse counseling.  

The maximum fine for most misdemeanor domestic violence offenses is $2,000.00, plus various state-imposed penalties and assessments.  Once all those court costs are tallied, you're looking at something closer to $8,000.00.  That number does not lawyer's fees, booking fees from the jail or restitution that the court may order you to pay.

A first conviction for felony domestic violence carries a maximum prison sentence of 4 years and a fine of $6,000.00.  Court costs may quadruple that number.  If you have another violent conviction within the previous 7 years, the prison time goes up to 5 years and the maximum fine goes to $10,000.00 plus court costs.  If a weapon was involved, children were present, or if the victim suffered "great bodily injury", the penalties get worse.  

If you are convicted of any felony offense, you will lose your right to purchase or possess firearms for the rest of your life.  Federal law also prohibits anyone from possessing guns if they have ever been convicted of misdemeanor domestic violence against a spouse.  California, though, goes one step farther.  If you are convicted of any misdemeanor domestic violence in California (even against a non-spouse), you will be barred from buying or possessing firearms for the next 10 years.  

Criminal Protective Orders & Restraining Orders

The judge is required by law impose a temporary Criminal Protective Order (CPO) while your domestic violence case is pending.  You will be personally served with the order when you appear for your arraignment (your first court appearance).  The terms of a CPOs can vary, depending on the seriousness of your case.  It may order you to stay away from your own house and prevent you from having contact with the accuser, or it may allow for some limited, peaceful contact.  Once you are served with a CPO, you must surrender any firearms in your possession to the local police or to a licensed firearms dealer within 48 hours.  If you are eventually convicted of domestic violence, that CPO will be extended for the duration of the time that you are on probation (usually 3-5 years).  

A CPO is a lot like a restraining order, but there are some key differences.  For one, a CPO is issued at the request of the DA during criminal proceedings.  A domestic violence restraining order is issued at the request of an individual petitioner in family court.  They have most of the same effects (stay away, have no contact, do not harass, etc.), but the procedures involved are completely different. 

Since CPOs and domestic violence restraining orders are granted by different judges in different courts, it's common to see orders that conflict with each other.  If you are facing a domestic violence case in criminal court and a related restraining order simultaneously at family court, I strongly recommend that you use the same attorney in both matters.  It's important to coordinate your defense strategy in the two separate-but-related cases.  If your attorneys aren't on the same page, it's hard to achieve the best results.

Can I Tell the Judge to Drop the Charges?

Unfortunately, the decision of whether or not to drop charges rests solely with the District Attorney.  It's very common for accusers in domestic violence cases to recant, to admit that they lied, and to ask the court to dismiss the case.  The judge will not throw it out, though, just because victim asks him to.  The victim didn't file criminal charges (the DA did), so the victim cannot simply drop them. 

In cases where the accuser recants or is uncooperative, the DA will press ahead if they believe that they have enough evidence to do so.  Prosecutors might have 911 recordings that captured events as they happened.  There are probably audio and video recordings of interviews with police at the scene, photos of injuries, statements from neighbors, medical reports, etc.  Even without the victim's testimony, the DA might still have enough evidence to put the case before a jury.  

If the accuser is changing his or her story, or if the victim does not wish to cooperate with the prosecution, speak with a qualified, local attorney to discuss your options.  You should not attempt to negotiate or coordinate with the victim on your own.  That could be considered "witness tampering", and may be a violation of the CPO.  

As I mentioned at the top, domestic violence cases are emotional and complicated by nature.  If you or a loved one is facing a domestic violence case in Orange County, call us for a free attorney consultation.  (714) 449-3335.  Ask for John. 

Thanks for reading. 

Fullerton Domestic Violence Lawyer

Can Hands Be Considered "Deadly Weapons" in California?

Is it true that Mike Tyson's hands are considered "deadly weapons"?  If Chuck Norris karate chopped someone in a bar, would Mr. Norris be charged for "assault with a deadly weapon"?  In California, the answer is "maybe".

Section 245 of California Penal Code defines aggravated assault, commonly referred to as "assault with a deadly weapon, or by force or means likely to induce a great bodily injury".  To be guilty of violating PC 245, the DA must prove that the defendant willfully performed some act that would likely injure someone else.

If the defendant uses or attempts to use a weapon against a victim (he swings a baseball bat toward someone, or throws a rock at someone's head, etc.), a jury could convict him of violating PC 245 because those actions are likely to cause injuries, regardless of whether or not the defendant actually harms anyone.  Those are both examples of "assault by force or means likely to result in a bodily injury", even when nobody actually gets hurt.

A defendant can also be guilty of violating PC 245 without actually using any weapon.  Remember, using a weapon is NOT an element of this crime.  A defendant can be convicted for PC 245 if he and a friend (or several friends) cooperate to jump someone.  Even if none of the assailants use weapons, jumping someone in an unfair fight is likely to cause serious injuries to the target of that beating.  Anyone who participates in the beating is guilty of violating PC 245.

Similarly, the DA might file PC 245 charges in a case where a fair fight devolves into a beating.  For example, imagine two men voluntarily choose to fight in a parking lot.  The fight starts fairly and the two men are evenly matched, but one man slips, drops his hands, and gets knocked out.  After he falls unconscious, the other man continues kicking and beating him on the ground.  Obviously, beating and kicking an unconscious man is likely to cause serious injuries.  Even though this confrontation began as a fair fight, and even though the victor never used a weapon, he could still be charged and convicted for violating PC 245.

Back to my example of Mike Tyson or Chuck Norris assaulting someone in a bar fight: if either world-renowned fighter took a swing at a drunken amateur, it is probably likely that the poor victim would suffer some serious injury.  If a jury agreed, then Iron Mike and Master Norris could be convicted of PC 245, commonly known as "assault with a deadly weapon", simply for punching someone with a bare fist.

In the real world, though, cases aren't usually so cut-and-dry.  There are many possible defenses to assault charges, including self-defense.  If you or a loved one has been arrested for assault in California, call us for a free attorney consultation.  714 449 3335.  Ask for John.

Thanks for reading.

Fullerton assault lawyer

Drunk in Public on Catalina Island

According to the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department, deputies arrested several individuals on suspicion of being drunk in public this month.  In my experience, this is probably the most commonly charged offense on the island, other than minor fishing violations.

To convict you for being drunk in public under PC 647(f), the prosecutor must prove that you were so drunk that you could not reasonably care for your own safety, or that you posed a danger to people around you.  To determine whether or not you were "dangerously" drunk, the court will consider the totality of the circumstances -- the condition in which you were found, how / why you attracted attention from the police, objective and subjective observations of the arresting officers, your own statements, statements from other witnesses, audio / video recordings of the incident, etc.

There is no magic number that clearly distinguishes "fun drunk" from "criminally drunk".  The decision of whether or not to make an arrest is generally left to the officer's discretion.  You have a right to take a breath test if you are arrested for being drunk in public, but police are not required to administer one unless you demand it.  If you decide to demand a breath test, that number will be used against you in court.

If you are arrested for being drunk in public in Avalon, deputies will take you to the tiny jail on Sumner street, attached to the local courthouse.  You will be held for several hours and released in the morning.  Being polite and cooperative during this process will definitely speed up your release.  Deputies will also make a note of your attitude in the reports that they prepare.  If your arrest report shows that you were cooperative, that fact will go a long way when your attorney attempts to negotiate a reduced charge or a dismissal in court.

When you are released from custody, the deputies will give you a "notice to appear" in court at some future date.  Regardless of what the deputies told you, your case cannot simply be resolved through the mail or at the Long Beach courthouse.  All misdemeanors arising on Catalina Island are heard at the Catalina courthouse.

If you retain a local attorney, you do not need to travel back to the island for your court date -- your attorney can go for you.  Your lawyer will gather copies of the police reports and any other evidence (photos, videos, etc.), enter a "not guilty" plea, and schedule a series of future court dates to come back and discuss the case with prosecutors.

If the prosecutor recognizes that the evidence in your case is weak, you have a clean criminal record and you were cooperative during your arrest, they might make an offer that's too good to refuse.  A "good offer" might include a reduced charge or a complete dismissal.  If the evidence is strong, or if you have a history of alcohol-related offenses, or if your police report indicates that you were uncooperative, the DA's offers get less generous.  "Drunk in Public" is a misdemeanor, so penalties may include probation, fines, community service, CalTrans labor, mandatory AA meetings, or even jail time.  

Unfortunately, the Los Angeles District Attorney's Office has decided to take an aggressive stand in prosecuting "drunk in public" cases on Catalina.  Lawyers who visit Avalon from out of the area are often shocked by the harsh offers they receive on the island.  In other courthouses, 647(f) cases are routinely reduced to infractions or settled for minimal penalties.  In Avalon, though, standard offers from the DA often include dozens of AA meetings, high fines, 1-3 years of probation, 10-30 days of CalTrans service, or worse.

Our office has extensive experience defending against all types of cases that arise on Catalina Island, including drunk in public.  We offer competitive rates and affordable payments, and we never charge clients for our travel expenses.

If you or a loved one has been cited or arrested while visiting Catalina, call us for a free attorney consultation. (714) 449-3335. Ask for John.

Thanks for reading.

Catalina Island Lawyer

How Can I Drop Domestic Violence Charges?

Here's a situation that our office sees very frequently:  A couple (married, dating, etc.) has a big, blowup argument.  The police show up and one party accuses the other of domestic violence.  Someone spends the night in jail.  The police conduct an investigation and the DA files criminal charges against the party that they determine to be "the aggressor".

By the time the case ends up in court, emotions have cooled, the parties have attended some counseling and the "victim" no longer desires the involvement of the courts.  She asks prosecutors to drop the case, but they refuse.  Instead, the DA proceeds "full speed ahead", with or without cooperation from the reporting party / "victim". 

Many of my clients are surprised to learn that an alleged victim of domestic violence cannot simply "drop the charges" in California.  The decision of whether to file / drop criminal cases is made by the District Attorney's Office.  Prosecutors may consult with victims, but they're not legally required to follow a victim's wishes.  

When a victim asks to drop charges (or indicates that she will not cooperate in a prosecution), the DA must decide whether or not they believe that they have a strong case without their victim's testimony.  The evidence might include a recorded 911 call where the victim describes events as they're happening ("He's hitting me now! Help!").  The suspect might be heard in the background shouting threats.  The police might have recorded an interview with the victim near the time of the incident in which she discusses her injuries and how they occurred.  Cops might have photographed the injuries to corroborate the reporting party's story.  Maybe other witness tell police that they saw the suspect personally striking the victim, etc.  In those situations, prosecutors will aggressively follow through with a criminal prosecution even if the victim asks them to dismiss the case.  Their reasoning is easy to understand -- they can prove that the suspect has committed a serious, violent crime against the People of the State of California.  He shouldn't be allowed to intimidate his victim into recanting her story.  Prosecutors have a responsibility to protect vulnerable citizens and to seek justice against those who would do them harm.  Plus, they don't need the victim's testimony to win a conviction.  There's enough independent evidence to prove the charges even without her cooperation.  That much makes sense.  

Most cases aren't that cut and dry, though.  A fact pattern that I see more commonly goes like this: Both parties have been drinking or using drugs and arguing.  At some point, one party (or a neighbor, or a stranger) calls police to report something nebulous ("I think they're fighting or something.  I heard a loud noise", etc.).  When the police show up, one party or both accuses the other of domestic violence.  There are no injuries, witnesses or physical evidence to support the accusations, but cops take a report anyway.  By the time the case ends up in court, the accuser changes her story.  Maybe she admits that she exaggerated a little, or even that she was the aggressor.  In these situations, an ethical prosecutor should consider the interests of justice, the wishes of the parties, the cost to taxpayers, the burden to the court system, and their priorities in general.  When those considerations tilt in favor of dropping the case, they should do so. 

But these guys didn't get to be overpaid government employees by making reasonable decisions.  Often, prosecutors need a little arm-twisting to help them come to their senses.  That's where we step in.  Our professional staff can help dig you out of a hole without making the hole any deeper.  We have extensive experience defending against all types of domestic violence cases in Orange County, Los Angeles, Riverside and San Bernardino.  We can deal directly with investigators, witnesses and prosecutors to ensure that your rights are protected.  Domestic violence charges may carry harsh, mandatory penalties.  They're complicated, emotional matters and they require the attention of an expert. 

If you or a loved one has questions about domestic violence, call us for a free attorney consultation. (714) 449-3335.  Ask for John.  Thanks for reading. 

Fullerton Domestic Violence Lawyer

Buccaneer Days Returns to Catalina. Save My Number!

It's that time again!  Buccaneer Days, an alcohol-fueled weekend of "grub & grog" returns to Catalina Island September 29 - October 2.

This year's lineup includes 4 days of live bands, DJs, costume contests, food, booze and general good times. The fish are still biting in the waters around Catalina and spiny lobster season officially begins October 3.

There should be plenty of great opportunities to get yourself into trouble.  If you're planning to attend Buccaneer Days in Catalina this year, please be safe, be smart, and save my number now. (714) 449-3335.

Our firm handles more criminal defense cases on Catalina than any other private attorneys in California. We have experience defending against all the most commonly-charged crimes that arise in and around Catalina, including fishing violations, drunk in public, DUI (even in a golf cart) and assault / battery. If you're arrested or cited on the island, call us for a free attorney consultation. Ask for John.

Thanks for reading and have fun this weekend.

Catalina Lawyer

Catalina Island Court: A Nightmare in Paradise

I was back in court on Catalina Island this past Friday, May 13.

If I've learned anything from my experiences in Catalina court, it's to expect the unexpected. It doesn't take much to gum up the works at the Catalina courthouse. Delays and complications are part of the routine.

The Catalina Courthouse, nestled in the beachside community of Avalon, is only open on alternating Fridays. The judge, prosecutor, clerk and court reporter commute by helicopter from San Pedro when the court is in session. The slightest inclement weather, however, often means that the helicopters can't fly. When that happens, cases may be postponed until the court's next available date. And since the courthouse is only open every other Friday, the next available court date might be weeks or even months away.

I usually take the Catalina Express ferry to and from the island, but it's not much more reliable than the helicopter. I've been stranded on the island for days because boats couldn't cross the channel due to high winds, rough seas, or debris in the Long Beach Harbor.

Even when the weather cooperates, the human element is an unpredictable variable. I've had cases continued (routinely) because the DA or the court staff forgot to bring a file or some important paperwork from the mainland. It's all part of the experience when you go to court in Avalon.

This week, the culprit was fog. The helicopter was grounded due to poor visibility, so the court staff was stranded in San Pedro. The courtroom in Catalina was full of attorneys and defendants with cases on calendar, but nothing happens in court until the judge shows up. So we waited. And waited. And waited a little longer for the marine layer to burn off.

The court staff appeared around 11:45. The good news is that we were able to hear our cases without unnecessary continuances. The bad news is that everybody in court missed the boat that was supposed to take us back to the mainland at 12:15.

The next boat on the day's schedule left at 3:30, so we had a few hours to kill. I made myself comfortable at the Marlin Club. There are worse places to be stranded for a day.

There are plenty of great activities to enjoy on Catalina Island, but going to court is not one of them. If you're arrested or cited on Catalina, hire a local attorney to make your court appearances so you don't have to. I can save you the time, hassle and expense of experiencing this adventure for yourself. I appear in Catalina regularly, and I even make appearances for other attorneys who are unavailable to make the trip.

If you have questions about appearing in court at the Catalina courthouse, call us for a free attorney consultation.  (714) 449-3335.  Ask for John.  Thanks for reading.

Catalina Island Lawyer

The Usual Headaches Complicate Court Appearances in Catalina

I just got back from another trip to court in Catalina.  It looks like the same old headaches are still causing complications for individuals who are cited on or around the island.

The old story goes like this:

If you are cited for some illegal fishing activity (fishing without a license, in a protected zone, in possession of the more than the daily bag limit, etc.), Fish & Wildlife wardens will give you a citation that orders you to appear in court on Catalina Island "on or before" a particular date.

If you actually make the trip back to Catalina as you were ordered to do (and as you signed a written promise to do), there's a good chance that you will receive some bad news upon arrival: the court has not yet processed your citation.  You are not on calendar and nobody at the courthouse has any information about your case.  You will be told to go home and to wait for a new "Notice to Appear" to arrive by mail.  If that new notice never arrives, it is still your responsibility to maintain contact with the court and to continue checking in regularly until your matter finally appears on the calendar.  Then, of course, you can make another trip to begin the process of fighting your case.

If you miss a court date (because the new "Notice to Appear" was mailed to an old address, or to the wrong address, or because it was never mailed at all), a warrant will be issued for your arrest. You will become a "fugitive", and then your life will really get miserable.

Once your case appears on the court's calendar, then you can appear and start the process of trying to fight it.  You might decide to cut your losses and simply plead "guilty" or "no contest" at the first appearance to save yourself from making any more costly trips to and from Catalina.  If you decide not to jump on a bad offer, though, be prepared to make several more appearances. That's when "complication #2" rears its head.

If your case requires several trips back and forth to Catalina Island, you should expect the DA to "forget" your case file at least once.  When this happens, the matter will simply be continued to the court's next available date.  That means another wasted trip. Often, I get the impression that prosecutors intentionally drag their feet to make the whole process as complicated and expensive as possible for individuals to defend themselves.  I understand why many defendants are eventually pressured into accepting bad deals because they simply cannot afford to make any more day-long trips to court. The DA understands this, too, and they will use basic economics to gain whatever strategic advantage they can.

Catalina Island is a great place to spend a day, but not in court.  If you or a loved one has been cited and given a court date on Catalina Island, save yourself the expense and the hassle of making unnecessary trips.  Have a quality, local attorney handle it for you.

I appear in Catalina more frequently than any other private attorney in California.  I can make your appearances, gather evidence and negotiate with the court and the DA on your behalf to ensure that your case receives the most favorable outcome possible.  Common matters on the island involve fishing violations, but we also deal with a lot of alcohol-related offenses (drunk in public, assault, battery, domestic violence and DUI -- yes, DUI on golf carts).

Call us for a free consultation.  (714) 449-3335.  Ask for John.  Thanks for reading.

Catalina Lawyer

DUI in a Golf Cart? And Other Surprises from Catalina Island

The Catalina Island Courthouse, Avalon, CA

Section 23152 of the California Vehicle Code makes it a misdemeanor to operate any motor vehicle while the you are "under the influence" of alcohol or drugs. Many of my clients are surprised to learn that golf carts are considered "motor vehicles" under California law. Yes, you can be arrested for DUI on a golf cart.

This situation arises frequently on Catalina Island. The island allows very few gas-powered vehicles, so most locals and tourists navigate around the town of Avalon in electric carts. Avalon is a resort town, nestled beside pristine beaches. It attracts tourists from around the world, who come to admire its natural beauty, do some fishing, rent a golf cart, and drink like it's a contest. Unfortunately, many of these visitors end up calling my office after they get arrested for DUI.

If you are convicted of DUI on Catalina, get ready for surprise #2. The city of Avalon (and the rest of Catalina Island) are part of Los Angeles County. For the past few years, LA County has been participating in a pilot program that requires all first-time DUI offenders to install Ignition Interlock Devices in their vehicles before they can reinstate their drivers' licenses. An Ignition Interlock Device, or "IID", is a little breathalyzer that a driver must blow into before his or her car will start. This rule applies regardless of where the defendant lives (even if you live outside of LA, but your DUI occurred anywhere within the county of Los Angeles). If you're convicted of a golf cart DUI on Catalina Island, your driver's license will be subject to the IID restriction.

If you are arrested for DUI on a golf cart in Catalina, call us for a free attorney consultation. In most cases, we can make your court appearances for you so that you don't need to make an expensive trip back to the island. Our goal is always to protect your rights, save you money, and make the whole process as stress-free as possible for you. 

Cited for illegal fishing on Catalina? Catalina Island and its surrounding waters are home to several "marine protected areas", including state and federal "marine reserves", "conservation areas" and "special closures". If you received a ticket from local wardens of the California Dept. of Fish & Wildlife, you probably also got some bad legal advice. You might have been told that you could simply appear at the Long Beach Courthouse at your convenience to address the matter. In most cases, this is false. If the Los Angeles District Attorney files misdemeanor charges against you for fishing in a protected area, you (or your attorney) must appear before a judge in Catalina.  

And you may not simply appear "at your convenience". The citation you received probably says that you must appear in court "on or before" a particular date. The Catalina courthouse, however, is only open on alternating Fridays. If you show up when court is not in session, you will find a dark building with a locked door.  

Fishing citations in Catalina are almost never processed by the date printed on your citation. If you invest the time and money to appear in court as instructed, there's still a significant chance that your case will not be listed on the day's calendar. Another wasted trip.  

As Catalina Island's leading private attorney, I can make your appearances so you don't have to deal with the hassle. Of course, there are worse places to spend a day, but making the trip to Catalina is an expensive hassle that you don't need.  

If you or a loved one has been cited or arrested on Catalina Island, call us to speak with a local attorney. Consultations are always free.  (714) 449 3335. Ask for John. 

Thanks for reading.  

Catalina Island Lawyer

Appearing in Court at the Central Orange County Courthouse in Santa Ana: What to Expect

This post in part 2 in my series about what to expect when appearing in an Orange County courthouse.  Today, I want to discuss the largest and busiest court in the Orange County criminal justice system -- Santa Ana, A.K.A. Central Orange County.

The Santa Ana courthouse is located at 700 Civic Center Dr. West.  From the 5 Freeway, exit at Santa Ana Blvd. and follow the signs to the court.  The Central Justice Center hears criminal matters from Santa Ana, Tustin, Villa Park and Orange.

There is a large parking garage, but the fee to park is $1.50 per 20 minutes (as of 11/17/15).  There is also metered parking on surrounding streets and some lots in the area that charge a flat fee.

Since the courthouse is so big and busy, make sure you allow yourself enough time to get through the security line.  Some judges are more strict than others regarding punctuality.

The Central OC Courthouse complex features a "tower" and an "annex".  The tower is obvious -- it's the tall part.  The annex is the 3-story wing that runs along the west side of the building.

Most misdemeanors in Santa Ana are heard on the second floor of the annex.  Arraignments are usually heard in department C-54, and subsequent pre-trial conferences are conducted down the hall, in department C-48.  For more information regarding what to expect at your arraignment and what happens at a pre-trial conference, see my previous post about appearing at the North Justice Center in Fullerton.

Felonies in Santa Ana are generally handled in department C-5 until they are assigned to another room for preliminary hearings and trial.  Department C-5 is located on the second floor of the tower.

Attorneys who handle felony criminal matters in Santa Ana understand the importance of proper preparation at the early stages. Because of the building's heavy volume, judges in Santa Ana are under tremendous pressure to ensure that cases are handled expeditiously and without unnecessary delays.  They expect that attorneys are working diligently to resolve their matters from day-1.  Judges will not tolerate excessive continuances or inexplicable "foot-dragging". Attorneys from out of the area are often surprised by our local judges' hard-line policies against granting continuances.

As a criminal defense attorney who practices primarily in Orange County, I understand the importance of diving in and getting to work immediately when I'm dealing with felonies in Santa Ana.  Time is of the essence in these cases.  Discovery requests must be served on the DA at the time of arraignment to avoid delays.  Investigations must be conducted expeditiously.  I try to predict issues before they arise so that I can plan our strategy accordingly.  I even prepare motions in advance so that they're ready to file on short notice.

If you or a loved one has a criminal case in or around Orange County, call us for a free consultation. (714) 449-3335.  Ask for John.

Thanks for reading.

Santa Ana Criminal Defense Attorney

How to Win a Hit & Run Case in California (VC 20002)

If you leave the scene of a collision in California without exchanging identifying information, you will be charged with the crime of "hit & run" under section 20002 of the California Vehicle Code. If only property damage is involved, then the case will likely be treated as a misdemeanor. If someone was injured or killed, you can be charged with a felony.

Hit & run cases are notoriously difficult for prosecutors to prove. It may be easy to establish that your car was involved in the collision, but the DA often has a very hard time proving that you were driving and that you knew (or should have known) that you caused property damage. If you were not driving, you have no legal obligation to "snitch" on the actual driver.

Even if the facts of your case are well-established and easily proven, you might still have an opportunity to have the charges thrown out. California law allows judges to dismiss some misdemeanor charges pursuant to a "civil compromise agreement", or "civ comp" for short. Luckily, "hit & run" is one charge that may qualify for a civ comp dismissal.

In a civ comp, the victim must appear before a judge and acknowledge that he has been compensated for whatever losses he experienced due to your crime. Usually, this means that you write a check to the victim. Often, though, the victim may simply acknowledge that he received a check from your insurance carrier.

If you are accused of hit & run, your attorney should speak with the victim and negotiate a small but reasonable sum to cover the victim's damages. I would not advise anyone to reach out to a victim or to conduct the negotiations himself for several reasons. First, you could be accused of witness intimidation. If the victim does not fully understand the law, or if you make the victim feel uncomfortable, he may complain that you attempted to influence his testimony. That can lead to more serious charges. Additionally, you could accidentally talk yourself into bigger trouble by confessing to elements of the crime that were not already well-established. By allowing your lawyer to do the talking, you can avoid these hazards.

The judge has discretion to either approve or deny a proposed civil compromise. If the court approves the agreement, then the criminal charge is dismissed against the defendant.

Judges may deny proposed civ comp agreements when they feel that a dismissal is not in the interests of justice, or when the particular charge is ineligible for such relief. Charges that may NOT be civilly compromised include felonies, crimes against police, crimes committed "riotously", any crime committed with the intent to commit a felony, domestic violence charges, and crimes against elders or children.

"Hit & run" is probably the charge that is civilly compromised the most often, but other charges may also qualify. Vandalism, assault, battery, trespassing and theft may be resolved by civ comp, as well.

Victims often agree to civilly compromise cases because accepting a civ comp may be the quickest, easiest way to recoup their losses. By accepting your proposed deal, the victim can avoid the headaches and uncertainty of going to trial, testifying as a witness, and then trying to pursue / enforce an eventual restitution award. A good defense attorney should be able to clearly explain this to process to the victim so that he or she understands and agrees to cooperate.

If you or a loved one is accused of hit & run (VC 20002) in California, call us for a free attorney consultation.  (714) 449 3335.  Ask for John.

Thanks for reading.

Orange County Hit & Run Lawyer

Buccaneer Days Returns to Catalina Island -- Retain a Good Lawyer Now

It's that time of year again!  Buccaneer Weekend will descend on Catalina Island October 1-4, 2015.  The annual festival marks the unofficial end of tourist season and the official beginning of spiny lobster season.

The holiday is traditionally celebrated with lots of alcohol and very few clothes.  The influx of weekend revelers brings a boon to local businesses, including criminal defense attorneys (such as myself).

This year's party will include 4 days of live bands, DJs, dancing, an adult costume contest, an adult treasure hunt and boatloads of beer.  With so many great ways to get yourself into trouble, you'd be smart to save this number now: (714) 505-2468.

If you are cited for any misdemeanor on or near Catalina Island, you will be given a court date and ordered to appear back on the island in a couple months for your arraignment.  You cannot simply appear in Long Beach at your convenience, despite whatever bad legal advice you might hear.

In most cases, I can make your court appearances for you.  I can save you the time, hassle and expense of traveling all the way back to Catalina for a series of hearings.  As your attorney, I will appear in court on your behalf for your arraignment (your first court appearance).  At the arraignment, the court will provide me with a copy of the police report and other discovery that the DA plans to use against you.  I will enter a plea of "not guilty" and I will schedule another court appearance 4-6 weeks later.  This gives me plenty of time to review the evidence, conduct any investigation that needs to be done, discuss the facts of the case with you, and decide on a plan of action.

When I return to court for the next scheduled appearance, the DA and I will begin the process of trying to reach a mutually-agreeable deal to resolve your matter.  Depending on the unique facts of your case, a "mutually-agreeable deal" can mean a lot of things.  I will make as many appearances as it takes to ensure that your case is handled properly.  Our priority is always to help you reach the most favorable outcome possible -- and to save you some time and money in the process.

The Catalina courthouse is completely unlike most local courts.  It consists of a single room with one judge and a small staff.  It is highly advantageous to use a lawyer who understands the strange system that they have in place and who knows "how things are done" on the island.  We have an excellent relationship with the prosecutors who are responsible for handling all criminal matters on the island.  This helps us make great deals on behalf of our clients.

If you or a loved one is cited at Buccaneer Days on Catalina Island this year, call us for a free consultation.  The number is above, but here it is one more time:  (714) 505-2468.  Ask for John.

Thanks for reading.

Catalina Island Lawyer

Brag Board 6/1/15

It's been a while since I've posted any fresh content here and I apologize for the delay.  Since we last spoke, I've had a handful of success stories that I wanted to share, so here they are:

-People v. N.B. (Riverside):  My client was accused of attempting to kidnap a little girl in Moreno Valley.  We were able to prove that the victim had misidentified the suspect -- my client was nowhere near the scene.  Case dismissed.

-K.H. v. S.G., and C.F. v. S.G. (Orange County):  Two separate people were seeking restraining orders against my client.  We successfully mediated one case without the issuance of an order.  The other case was dismissed.  My client walked away with no restraining orders against her.

-People v. R.P. (Pomona):  Jury trial for a client who was accused of molesting his niece over a period of 10 years.  Jury was not convinced beyond a reasonable doubt that the allegations were true.  Hung jury / mistrial.

-People v. G.B. (Orange County):  My client drunkenly wandered into someone's house and refused to leave.  Case dismissed upon completion of an alcohol class.

That's sample of my current caseload.  I hope to have some more success stories posted here soon.  Until then, thanks for reading.

Cited on Catalina Island

You might be surprised to learn that Catalina Island (located just off the coast of Los Angeles and Orange County, CA), is home to small courthouse.  Pictured above, the one-room court is attached to the local Sheriff's station on Sumner Ave., right in the heart of downtown Avalon.  Most visitors probably walk right by without even noticing it's there.  The courthouse hears low-level criminal matters and is only open on alternating Fridays.

The most commonly charged offenses in the Catalina Courthouse include DUI (yes, even on golf carts), assault / battery, disturbing the peace, domestic violence, being drunk in public, possession of a controlled substance and fishing violations.

If you've been cited while visiting Catalina, you were probably given a "Notice to Appear" (that little, yellow piece of paper), instructing you to return here for an arraignment in about 8 weeks.  At your arraignment, you will have an opportunity to resolve the case by simply pleading "guilty", or you may begin the process of fighting your case by pleading "not guilty".  This is not the day for your trial.  If you intend to fight the case, you should expect to make a series of trips back to the island until your case is resolved.  This process can take several months.

As mentioned, the courthouse is only open on two days of each month, weather permitting. During rain storms, the ferries serving the island often stop running.  Intermittent ferry service can make it difficult to appear in court.  The cost of making several trips back to the island can also be prohibitive -- you're likely to spend more on travel expenses than you will on your court fines.

Save yourself the time, expense and hassle of traveling back to Catalina to appear in court -- have a local attorney do it for you.  As a private, local defense attorney, I can make most court appearances on your behalf without you being personally present.  My fees are probably less than what you would spend on travel alone.

We have extensive experience in the Catalina Courthouse and we get fantastic results for our clients. A misdemeanor conviction can follow you around and make your life difficult in many ways. Too many people are intimidated by the cost of making several trips back to the island.  Rather than fighting for the best possible resolution, they accept bad deals to settle their cases.  Don't be intimidated into accepting anything less than the best possible resolution for your matter.

If you or a loved one has been cited while visiting Catalina (Avalon, Two Harbors, or anywhere in between), call us for a free consultation.  (714) 505-2468.  Ask for John.

Thanks for reading.

How to Get an Expungement in California

If you've been convicted of a crime in California, you may be eligible to clean up your record with an expungement.  Expungements are governed by section 1203.4 of the Penal Code.  Once granted, they have the effect of dismissing a case against you after you've finished serving all your penalties.  After your record has been expunged, you can honestly tell most employers that you have no criminal convictions in your past. Like everything else in the law, though, there are some exceptions.  I'll get into those below.

In order to qualify for an expungement, you must meet the following criteria:

1) You were convicted of a crime in California (infraction, misdemeanor or felony, with a few exceptions).
2) You were NOT sentenced to state prison (county jail is OK, but state prison is not).
3) You received probation and you successfully completed your term of probation without any violations, OR you received a terminal disposition (no probation) and you've waited more than one year since the conviction, OR you violated probation, but there's a very compelling reason why the judge should make an exception for you and grant the expungement anyway.
4) You have no other active, open or pending criminal cases, and
5) You're not currently on probation or parole in any other cases.

If all of these factors are satisfied, congratulations!  You're probably eligible to petition the court for an expungement.

To start the process of your expungement petition, you (or your attorney) must complete a couple documents, called a "CR-180" and a "CR-181", available here.

After filling out those forms completely, they must both be properly served on the DA who prosecuted your case and they must be filed with the court where your case was heard.  Service must be made by someone else (you may not serve your own documents).  The person who mails or delivers the documents to the DA must also complete a "proof of service" form and include that document when the petition is filed with the court.  The court's filing fee for expungement petitions varies from $60.00-$150.00.

Once your petition packet has been served on the DA and filed with the court, the DA has 15 days to respond with any reasons that they believe the petition should not be granted (for example, if they believe that the petitioner did not successfully complete probation or if they believe that the petitioner has some other active, open cases.  The process can get complicated if the petitioner has a common name and other people with the same name have recent criminal activity).

Next, a judge will review your petition and the DA's response.  Typically, if you are clearly eligible and the DA has no opposition, the judge will simply sign the proposed expungement order and will return it to you by mail within 6-8 weeks.

If the DA opposes your expungement petition, the court will schedule a hearing for both sides to appear before a judge and to explain why the expungement should or should not be granted.

After your expungement petition is granted and signed by a judge, your criminal record will be amended to show that your old case has been dismissed.  An expungement will not completely erase the case from your record, but it will erase the fact that you pleaded "guilty" or "no contest", or that you were convicted by a jury.  For most private employers, that's as good as if the whole matter never happened.  As I mentioned above, though, there are some exceptions.  If you apply to be a police officer or if you seek to enter some profession that is licensed by the state (e.g., doctor, lawyer, nurse, dentist, notary, bail bondsman, contractor, insurance broker, Realtor, etc.), the licensing body responsible for that profession may still consider the prior conviction.  The same is true if you own a market and you apply to sell lottery tickets.  For some reason, the state lottery does not recognize California expungements.

This is the expungement process in a nutshell, but it's obviously a lot more complicated than that.  If you have questions about your eligibility for an expungement in California, call our office for a free consultation.  I'll never charge you a penny to answer your questions.  If this entire process sounds too complicated or time-consuming, let us handle everything for you.  We have extensive experience with expungements in all Southern California courts, including in Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino and San Diego Counties.  Our fees are competitive and depend on the nature of your case.

Other firms will quote you a low price to get started, then they'll bury you in hidden fees.  We never charge hidden fees.  I will quote you a fixed price up front.  I will also be personally responsible for your case until it is resolved.  You will never be handed off to an intern or a less-experienced junior partner.

Invest in your future by cleaning up your past.  Don't waste another day if your old mistakes are standing between you and a better job.  Call for a free consultation (714) 449-3335.  Ask for John.

Thanks for reading.

Orange County Expungement Attorney

Appearing in Court on Catalina Island (Avalon Courthouse)

Save yourself the time, hassle and expense of traveling back to the island for a court appearance -- Have an experienced, knowledgeable, local attorney do it for you.

Catalina Island, located approximately 22 miles off the coast of Orange County and Los Angeles, California, is home to a small, one-room courthouse. The courthouse is open on alternating Fridays. It generally hears only misdemeanor criminal cases, infractions (minor traffic matters, etc.) and restraining orders. Felony cases and more serious matters are usually sent to Long Beach.

The City of Avalon, nestled on the southeast corner of the island, is only home to about 2,200 full-time residents, but the population swells between the months of April and September. Tourists, fishermen, divers, hikers, families, boaters and adventure-seekers descend upon the community to enjoy the island's temperate climate and unspoiled, scenic beauty. Each fall, the town of Two Harbors also hosts its Buccaneers Weekend pirate party, a legendary festival that marks both the unofficial end of tourist season on the island and the official beginning of lobster season statewide.

Catalina and its surrounding waters are home to world-famous fishing and diving. It also hosts several marine reserves and designated "conservation areas". These areas are not clearly marked, but fishing within one of them will result in heavy fines and possible forfeiture of your gear. Many visitors are surprised to learn that they've accidentally strayed into a protected area. They're equally surprised when Fish & Wildlife agents show up, cite them, and confiscate their valuable fishing equipment. Remember, it is the individual fisherman's responsibility to know and comply with all local laws and regulations. Ignorance of the law is no defense to the crime of fishing within a protected area.

Visitors are also responsible for correctly identifying their catches and complying with local rules regarding limits, allowable sized fish, season restrictions, etc. California fishing laws are no joke. As mentioned above, they often carry stiff penalties that may include high fines, jail time, probation, forfeiture of your equipment and an embarrassing blemish on your criminal record.

If you've been arrested or cited while visiting Catalina Island, a quality, local attorney can guide you through the process to ensure that your rights are preserved and that you walk away with the best outcome possible. Our professional staff will work with you, the court and prosecutors to beat your case or to negotiate a fair disposition. Our goal is always to make the process as painless and stress-free as possible for you.

Our firm has extensive experience in defending against all types of criminal issues that arise on Catalina Island -- Avalon, Two Harbors, and everywhere in between. The most common issues we see on the island include DUI (driving a car, a boat or a golf cart under the influence), domestic violence, assault / battery, disturbing the peace, being drunk in public, possession of drugs or paraphernalia, and various fishing violations. We can often make your appearances for you, without you having to be personally present in court. Save yourself the time, hassle and expense of traveling back to the island for a court appearance (or a series of court appearances) -- have a local attorney do it for you.

We're familiar with the local judge, court staff and prosecutors. We know "how the game is played" on Catalina Island and we typically get fantastic results for our clients. Of course, each case is unique. Past performance is no guarantee of future success. The results of your case will depend upon its specific facts and your criminal history.

You have a choice in hiring a lawyer. Many attorneys serve the Avalon courthouse and most of them tout their local knowledge and experience, but I actually know the difference between a Canary Rockfish and a Vermilion Rockfish.

If you've been cited or arrested on Catalina Island, call our office for a free attorney consultation. (714) 449 3335.

Thanks for reading.

Catalina Island Lawyer

Election 2012: What's New in Criminal Law?

Last night, voters turned out to decide the future of the country.  Here at the SoCal Law Blog, our interest was devoted to a few ballot initiatives with special implications for criminal justice in California and around the nation.  I've summarized some of these developments below:

-Prop. 34 (California): Would have abolished the death penalty in CA and replaced it with "life-
without-parole".  The measure would have also transferred $100 million from the State to local law enforcement agencies to help investigate cold cases.

Proponents of the measure argued that CA's death penalty system is expensive, dysfunctional, discriminatory, inhumane, and just plain ineffective as a deterrent.  Opponents were backed by various law-enforcement and victims' rights groups.

The measure failed by a margin of 52.8% to 47.2%.  Looks like we will have a (nominal) death penalty in the Golden State for at least 4 more years, when this issue will almost certainly come before voters again.


-Prop. 35 (California):  Increases penalties for human trafficking, requires convicted traffickers to register as sex offenders, and requires registered sex offenders to disclose details regarding their internet usage.

This one passed by a huge margin of victory.  No real surprises here.  Who votes against such a no-brainer?  This guy, for one.

Prop. 35 is a "feel-good" measure that will make people feel like they're making a positive difference (as are most criminal-justice related ballot proposals), without really making any important changes to protect children from becoming victims of sex abuse.  The activities punishable under this act were already illegal before its passage.  This measure merely represents our collective disgust with sex traffickers and not an actual policy shift to help stop that activity.

Sex offenders on probation or parole must already cooperate with any reasonable directives of their supervising probation / parole officers.  This supervision already includes monitoring of the sex offender's internet activity.

Prop. 35 requires that any person who derives income from the work of prostitutes must register as a sex offender.  The intent was to publicly "out" pimps and others who earn their livings by managing sex workers.  The lead opponent of the measure, Maxine Doogan, is a professional "erotic service provider" (her euphemism, not mine).  Since Ms. Doogan provides financial support for her adult son while he attends college, she fears that he could be prosecuted and required to register as a sex offender for life, simply for accepting support from his prostitute mom.  See how good intentions can have counter-intuitive results?


-Prop. 36 (California):  Amends the "3 Strikes" law so that a 3rd, minor felony will not automatically result in a "25-to-life" sentence.  It also passed by a comfortable margin.

California's 3 Strikes law currently works as follows:  if an individual has two prior convictions for certain, enumerated "serious or violent" felonies (e.g. rape, assault with a deadly weapon, residential burglary, etc.), ANY third felony would automatically result in a prison sentence of 25 years to life in prison, regardless of how serious or petty the third felony is.

Many people are currently serving life sentences in California for very ticky-tacky 3rd "strikes".  For example, petty theft can be charged as a felony if the defendant has a prior misdemeanor conviction for petty theft.  If you've got two prior strikes and a misdemeanor conviction for stealing a candy bar, stealing another candy bar will land you behind bars for the rest of your natural life.

Similarly, "Commercial burglary" can also be charged as a felony.  The crime of commercial burglary is defined as "entering property, other than an inhabited dwelling, with the intent to commit theft therein".  Walking into Walmart with a plan to shoplift is commercial burglary even if you don't actually steal anything.  This means that if you have two prior strikes and you walk into a Walmart with a plan to steal a pack of gum, you might as well shoot somebody in the face because the penalty for doing so would be the same (25-to-life either way).

There are many other seemingly-petty crimes that can be charged as felonies, or even as "strikes" in certain situations.  Stealing a bicycle out of an open garage, for example, can be charged as "residential burglary", which is considered a "serious or violent crime" and can be treated as a strike.

Prop. 36 amends this hyper-rigid sentencing scheme so that ALL THREE felonies must now be "serious or violent" in order to trigger the mandatory 25-to-life sentence.  A third conviction for a minor or petty felony will no longer automatically result in a life sentence.  This common sense approach will save taxpayers millions of dollars every year in prosecution and incarceration costs.  It grants more flexibility to District Attorneys and judges and it better serves the interests of justice by making the punishment fit the crime.


-Amendment 64 (Colorado):  Amends the State Constitution to allow for the personal and recreational use of marijuana by adults 21 and older.  Directs the legislature to implement a system to regulate the production, sale, and taxation of marijuana.

Congratulations to the people of Colorado!  On Tuesday, November 6 you became the first jurisdiction in the history of the world to repeal marijuana prohibition by popular vote.  Amendment 64 represents a huge step towards finally adopting a more rational policy regarding drug use in this country.  Hopefully, your achievement will soon be mirrored throughout the western states.

Cracks have begun to appear in the great dam of prohibition.  Alcohol prohibition finally failed once states began to thumb their noses at the federal government and repealed local booze bans.  When the dominoes started to fall, Uncle Sam just couldn't afford to continue his wasteful, failed War on Alcohol.  Drug policy reformers are now mimicking the strategies that worked in the 1930s.  The strategies still work, prohibition still doesn't.

Once again, way to go, Colorado!


-I-502 (Washington):  Three short hours after Colorado passed Amendment 64, Washington voters approved I-502, effectively legalizing marijuana in that state, too.

Like Amendment 64 in Colorado, I-502 removes criminal and civil penalties for the adult possession of limited quantities of marijuana and marijuana-laced products.  It also directs the state's Liquor Control Board to draft regulations regarding licensing for growers and distributors.

I-502 generated a lot of debate and contention within the marijuana legalization community because it includes a very controversial provision regarding driving under the influence of marijuana.  Under I-502, the state will impose a threshold "per se" blood-level for delta-9 THC, marijuana's psychoactive ingredient.  Any person caught operating a motor vehicle with greater than 5 ng / ml of THC in his or her blood will be deemed guilty of "driving under the influence of marijuana".

We all agree that driving while stoned is certainly dangerous and could impair one's ability to safely operate a vehicle, but many activists and experts feel that the 5 ng / ml limit is arbitrary, ridiculously low, and really not based on any reliable science.  Most studies indicate that a person would remain well above that level for 12-24 hours after smoking.  If you take a toke before bed, you could be arrested for DUI while driving to work the next day.  Daily smokers would almost never fall under the legal threshold to drive a car.

It will be interesting to see how this all plays out!  Watch for updates as the feds almost certainly sue to prevent the full implementation of Amendment 64 and I-502.

Vigilante Justice, Part II: The Citizen's Arrest

Update:  http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2012/08/lancaster-residents-help-nab-suspected-serial-burglar.html  This article was posted in today's Los Angeles Times.

I had so much fun with my previous post on "Vigilantism and the Law" that I've decided to devote a series of posts to some of the legal issues surrounding vigilantism.  For part II in my series, I've chosen to write a little bit about the legalities of the "citizen's arrest".  As a case study, I've selected a recent incident that took place aboard a subway train in Brooklyn, New York (*Disclaimer:  I am licensed to practice law in California, but not in New York.  Legal analysis of the subway incident will apply CA law, even though I understand that it did not occur in CA).  Today's course materials are available for your viewing pleasure here.

Here's the factual scenario: Around 9:30 PM on Friday, July 13, two women followed a young man as he boarded a train car at Brooklyn's Lorimer station.  They were pointing and yelling at the man, who they accused of sexually assaulting them on the train platform moments before the doors of the train car opened.  The women demanded that he exit the train and wait for police to arrive. Other passengers quickly joined in and helped the women physically drag the suspect from the train. Bystanders restrained him until arresting officers arrived.

This is the classic, textbook example of the "citizen's arrest".  By definition, a citizen's arrest occurs when a private person (rather than a police officer) takes another person into custody on suspicion of having committed some crime.

In the year 1872, the California State Legislature bestowed upon us sections 837, et seq., of the California Penal Code.  That series of laws provides a system by which non-sworn, private citizens may lawfully detain and arrest their peers if certain conditions are met.  Under PC 837, a citizen may arrest a suspect in any of the following situations:

-When the private person has actually witnessed a suspect commit or attempt to commit any crime (felony or misdemeanor) in his or her presence,
-When the person being arrested has actually committed a felony (regardless of whether or not it occurs in the presence of the arresting citizen), or
-When a felony has actually been committed (regardless of whether or not it occurs within the presence of the arresting citizen) and the person making the arrest has reasonable suspicion to believe that the suspect committed it.

"The person making the arrest must, on request of the person being arrested, inform the latter of the offense for which he is being arrested" (PC 841)

Penal Code section 839 further provides, "Any person making an arrest may orally summon as many persons as he deems necessary to aid him therein" ("Hey, y'all, help me hold this guy!"). 

It gets even better.  "To make an arrest, a private person...may break open the door or window of the house in which the person to be arrested is, or in which they have reasonable grounds for believing the person to be, after having demanded admittance and explained the purpose for which admittance is desired." (PC 844)

...And if you get locked INSIDE a suspect's house while making a citizen's arrest, PC 845 says that you may break open a door or window if necessary to get OUT.  Apparently, there was a time when California must have had a real problem with private citizens becoming trapped inside the homes of people that they had been attempting to arrest because the arresting citizen was reluctant to break down the door for fear of legal repercussions.  This problem must have become so dire that the legislature felt it necessary to pass a law authorizing such entrapped citizens to break doors or windows to escape.

Sworn peace officers DO enjoy a few more protections than the average man-on-the-street when making arrests, however.  For example, a peace officer cannot be held personally liable in a civil suit for false arrest if the officer acts with "reasonable cause" to believe that the arrest is lawful. You and I do not enjoy this qualified immunity.  If you or I attempt a citizen's arrest and we nab the wrong guy, we can expect to get sued.  Peace officers may also use "all necessary means" of force to effect arrests in certain limited situations, whereas private citizens may only use "such restraint as is reasonable".

Now, let's take what we've just learned and apply it to the above-mentioned subway incident. When the camera starts rolling, the two female victims have just witnessed a crime occur in their presence.  They had been sexually assaulted and they were attempting to restrain the suspect until police could be summoned.  Unfortunately for the women, they were physically unable to restrain the man because of his relative size and strength.  Fortunately for the women, however, Penal Code section 839 permitted them to summon "as many persons as [they deemed] reasonably necessary to aid [them]" in effecting the arrest.  They hollered and other subway riders sprung into action.  Several men physically dragged the suspect onto the train platform and held him until subway police responded to the scene and took the man into custody.

One thing that immediately jumped out at me about the incident is the surprising lack of force used to effect the arrest.  Several men grab the suspect by the torso and neck, but I did not see the degree of violence that might be expected in a "lynch mob-type" environment such as this. The suspect is manhandled and thrown to the ground, where he is restrained by strangers, but I could not discern a single punch thrown or any sign that excessive force was applied.  My impression was that the arresting citizens employed only a "reasonable" degree of restraint and did not apply anything near "excessive force".  As always, please feel free to comment and to tell me that I'm an idiot if you disagree.

Thanks for reading! Stay tuned for more fun and exciting legal news and analysis.  And remember, if you or a loved is arrested (by police or citizens), call us for a free attorney consultation.  (714) 505-2468.  Ask for John.

Orange County Criminal Defense Attorney

Welcome to John Bussman's SoCal Law Blog!

Welcome to the newest law blog serving all of Southern California.

My name is John Bussman and I'm a licensed attorney focusing primarily on criminal defense.  I work with the Law Offices of Rizio & Nelson.  We have offices conveniently located in the Counties of Orange, Los Angeles, Riverside and San Bernardino.

The attorneys at Rizio & Nelson have extensive experience defending against all types of criminal charges, including (but not limited to) DUI / Drunk Driving (including DMV hearings), drug charges (possession, cultivation / manufacturing, sales, medical marijuana, trafficking / transportation, etc.), violent crimes (assault, battery, murder), domestic violence and sex crimes.  We offer convenient payment plans with affordable monthly payments for any budget.  If you or a loved one is accused of a crime, call me any time at (888) 292-8888 or email me at jbussman@rizioandnelson.com for a free consultation. 

This blog is devoted to matters of criminal justice and the legal system here in Southern California.  I'll be regularly updating the site with news, analysis, advice, pearls of wisdom and anything else relevant to local justice.  Check back frequently for the latest updates and feel free to submit any questions to the email address above.  I'll do my best to answer those in a timely manner.