Resources / Blogs

What is Petty Theft? As the name implies, petty theft encompasses acts of theft that do not rise above a certain threshold. Known also as misdemeanor theft or larceny, it is the intentional taking of property valued at $950 and below, without permission.   Petty Theft in California Petty theft laws in California have changed much over the last century. The laws have been consolidated and simplified. Starting in 1927, the legislature created a system of petty and grand theft, and when a vehicle...

In the 1990s, the California legislature started treating domestic violence very seriously. Since 1994, the law in California mandates that defendants who are convicted in a domestic violence case complete a certified Batterers’ Intervention Program as part of their terms of probation. Approximately 100,000 arrests per year are made for misdemeanor and felony domestic violence, according to a report by the Judicial Council of California. This has created a large demand for programs for...

What is Domestic Violence? Domestic violence consists of abuse or threats between people in a specific relationship. This relationship can include married or domestic partners, people who are dating, lived together, or have a child together, currently or in the past. Holding oneself out to be the spouse of the person with whom one is cohabiting is not required to constitute cohabitation.  Abuse consists of intentionally or recklessly physically hurting or attempting to hurt someone or putting...

What Does Minor in Possession Mean? Under California Law, a minor in possession is someone under the age of 21 who possesses an alcoholic beverage. They must be in a public place, including a park, beach, public street or highway. Also included in this category is a place open to the public, like a public market, mall, or zoo. We will cover defenses below, but an important point to share with underage youth is that they will not be prosecuted if they are the first person to call 911 to report...

My Son Was Arrested for Domestic Violence and I Can't Afford a Lawyer As parents, we all fear getting the dreaded phone call that delivers news of an injury or calamity. One category of bad news that we all are afraid of is that our child has been accused of a crime. Unfortunately, people make mistakes, sometimes enhanced by alcohol or drugs. Sometimes they are the victim, and the perpetrator reports them for a variety of reasons. In any scenario, an expert lawyer is needed to prevent a...

Assault and battery are serious charges that could result in significant custody time, fines, and difficulty finding work after your release. If you didn’t commit the acts required, if you were defending yourself, or feel that you are wrongly accused, contact us immediately about the consequences, self-defense, or any questions you have. What is Assault and Battery? These two crimes are generally well known, even in peaceful Santa Barbara, thanks to thousands of legal dramas on film and...

Sadly, you may be deported for a criminal offense depending on your immigration status. All non-US citizens, green card holders, F1 and H1B visa holders can be deported back to their home country by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and barred from re-entering the United States for a number of years. This risk applies to all non-United States citizens, including: Permanent residents, green card holders and other visa holders who have lived legally in the United States for decades and...

Do you feel threatened by a former spouse, landlord, or known associate?   We are experienced in handling both domestic and civil harassment restraining orders in Santa Barbara, Ventura, and San Luis Obispo. Call us to discuss your case today.   The two most common forms of restraining orders in California are Domestic Violence Restraining Orders (DVRO) and Civil Harassment Restraining Orders (CHRO). The courts handle each type differently, and have different burdens of proof.  ...

How do I make this go away? This is a common reaction many people have when they are charged with a crime.  It is possible to get your case dismissed and you may be able to have the charges dropped before the case goes to court.  This requires the assistance of an experienced criminal defense attorney.   Criminal cases are dismissed when the prosecuting attorney or deputy district attorney chooses to dismiss the case.  The victim in a case may influence the prosecutor’s decision to...