Blog Posts in 2018
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7 Ways to Keep a California Criminal Charge From Ruining Your Life
Posted By Christopher MartensJust the Beginning Facing criminal charges isn’t the end of the world. It is, however, the start of a potentially difficult time in your life. But you have options, and pleading guilty isn’t the only way out. The best thing you can do for yourself is to speak with an attorney to learn about what will and what can happen in your case. To help you do that, here are seven ways to keep a California ...
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7 Useful Tips for Those Facing California Drug Possession Charges
Posted By Christopher MartensPossession of a Controlled Substance If you are facing drug possession charges, it’s important to speak with an attorney to learn about the penalties the court can impose on you for a conviction. Penalties for drug possession vary widely. Depending on the substance and the quantity, you could face stiff penalties such as jail or prison time and exorbitant fines . A drug conviction can even affect ...
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Top Tips for Following Your California Restraining Order
Posted By Christopher MartensWhen the Stakes are High If you were arrested for a domestic violence offense, the judge may have issued a domestic violence restraining order (DVRO), also called a restraining order. Restraining orders can be short-term, lasting a few days or just until the case is resolved, or long-term, lasting a few years. You should take a restraining order seriously. Violating a restraining order can result ...
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5 Things the Prosecuting Attorney Knows That You Might Not
Posted By Christopher MartensYou Against Them Prosecuting attorneys may lead you to believe they hold all the cards. In reality, you have many rights and liberties you can use to your advantage when facing criminal charges. Here are five things the prosecuting attorney already knows that you might not be aware of. Not all first-time offenders face the maximum sentence. The prosecuting attorney knows that just because you are ...
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Arrested for a DUI? What to Expect in the Coming Months
Posted By Christopher MartensAfter Your Arrest After a DUI arrest in California , it can take a few months or longer for your case to resolve. During that time your life is on hold. To help you navigate your DUI case after your arrest, here is what you can expect in the coming months. The First Hours Immediately after your arrest, you will be taken into a station or the jail. In many cases, you will be given a blood or breath ...
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Drunk Driving in California? 5 Facts to Make You Think Twice
Posted By Christopher MartensThe Facts Despite harsh DUI laws, drunk driving is more common than you think in California. According to the CDC, 1.8% of Californians reported driving after having too much to drink. This statistic only represents those who admitted to driving while impaired. Many people don’t readily admit committing this crime, and too many others simply don’t know when they’ve had too much to drink before ...
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Top Must Haves for California Drivers in 2018
Posted By Christopher MartensDevices and Apps to Make Driving Safer California drivers face many risks while on the road. From construction and traffic to poor road conditions and sobriety checkpoints, you never know what obstacles you will face on your commute. To help you drive in California worry-free and in compliance with the law, here is our list of top must-haves for California drivers. Hands-Free Capable Devices ...
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The Future of California Driving in 50 Years
Posted By Christopher MartensA Look to the Future The State of California is dynamic, innovative, and home to groundbreaking technology. It should come as no surprise that the future of driving in California would be largely autonomous. From driverless cargo trucks to autonomous pods that zip you around the city, Californians can expect to do less driving and more riding in 50 years. But what does this mean for you, and how ...
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10 Criminal Defense Strategies That Could Clear Your Name
Posted By Christopher MartensYour Life on Hold Facing criminal charges can leave you with a lot of uncertainty. You don’t know what your future will hold. You may be anticipating steep fines , a criminal record, and even incarceration. When faced with these consequences, it’s normal to feel overwhelmed. The good news is there are steps you can take to fight your criminal charges. Not all of these strategies will work for you; ...
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California Arrests: What to Expect and What to Avoid
Posted By Christopher MartensThe Arrest Experience Being arrested for a crime is a stressful experience. But knowing what to expect (and what to avoid) can help you feel better prepared to defend your rights. Read on to learn about what an arrest in California entails and what you should and shouldn’t do during the process. How an Arrest Is Made Typically, a law enforcement officer must have probable cause to make a lawful ...
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5 Common Misconceptions About Criminal Records
Posted By Christopher MartensClearing the Misconceptions Having a criminal record is a liability. It can hold you back and cause others to judge you. Thus, it’s important to clear up some common misconceptions about criminal records so you better understand what is on yours, who can see it , and what they can do with that information. A background check company can pull up a record of every crime you’ve committed. For-profit ...
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Americans With Criminal Records Are a Growing Minority
Posted By Christopher MartensThe Group No One Wants to Join If you think your criminal record is holding you back, you’re not alone. In fact, you’re just one of almost one-third of working-age Americans with a criminal record. But is being part of this growing group of Americans a good thing? Perhaps it is, but let’s explore why. The Rising Minority Studies have shown the number of Americans with criminal records nearly ...
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Three Reasons Why False Allegations of Domestic Violence Are on the Rise
Posted By Christopher MartensFalse Allegations Are Becoming More Common Domestic violence offenses are unique because they often involve the victim’s word against the defendant. Eyewitnesses are less common, as these types of crimes are frequently perpetrated inside the home. And if the victim doesn’t seek medical care for injuries, there might not even be any hard evidence to offer in court. Thus, false allegations of ...
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Forceful Entry: Do Police Need a California Search Warrant to Enter My Home?
Posted By Christopher MartensFreedom from Forceful Entry We like to think we have a right to privacy in our own home. Indeed, in the majority of cases, police need a California search warrant to enter your home. A search warrant is a court order issued by a judge. Police need a court order to enter and search your home because you have a constitutional right to privacy. The Fourth Amendment of the Constitution protects that ...
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Facing DUI Charges? Here’s the Worst Advice We’ve Heard
Posted By Christopher MartensSeeking DUI Advice If you are facing DUI charges, you might be looking for advice on how to handle your case. Unfortunately, not all advice is good advice. Family, friends, and even attorneys can give you bad advice about DUI charges. But a good attorney will tell you every case is different, and taking the advice of others might not be a wise decision. Our firm is experienced in DUI defense, and ...
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