Three offices across Los Angeles County, all reachable on the same 24-hour line. Consultations are free and confidential, in person or by phone.
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Can a Confidential Informant’s Testimony Alone Lead to a Drug Conviction?
Confidential Informants. Can Their Testimony Convict You in California? Sometimes, confidential informants play a significant role in criminal prosecutions, often providing law enforcement with critical information that leads to arrests and charges. However, informant testimony raises serious concerns about reliability, credibility, and fairness. Understanding how informants are used in criminal cases, the weight courts give…
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What Are Brady Motions?
Brady Motions in California A Brady motion is a formal request filed by a criminal defendant asking the court to compel the prosecution to disclose any exculpatory evidence or material information favorable to the defense in California criminal proceedings. The motion originates from the landmark United States Supreme Court decision in Brady v. Maryland (1963),…
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What is a Pitchess Motion?
Pitchess Motions A Pitchess motion is a formal request made by defendants in California criminal cases to access a law enforcement officer’s personnel records for evidence of misconduct. Named after the landmark California Supreme Court case Pitchess v. Superior Court (1974) 11 Cal.3d 531, this legal mechanism enables defendants to inspect personnel files when alleging…
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Can You Be Charged for Possessing a Gun That Doesn’t Work?
Possession of a Firearm in California: Can a Broken Gun Still Get You Charged? Possession of a firearm charges in California don’t require the weapon to actually fire. Many people assume a broken or inoperable gun can’t lead to criminal charges, but California law tells a different story. Prosecutors can pursue serious charges even when…
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Motion for Mental Health Diversion
What is Mental Health Diversion (PC 1001.36)? Mental Health Diversion under California Penal Code 1001.36 is a pretrial court diversion program that allows defendants diagnosed with qualifying mental disorders to receive mental health treatment instead of proceeding through traditional criminal prosecution. Pretrial diversion refers to the postponement of prosecution, either temporarily or permanently, at any…
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Early Intervention (AKA Pre-Filing Intervention)
What is Early Intervention (Pre-Filing Intervention)? Early intervention, also known as pre-filing intervention, refers to legal representation that begins before formal charges are filed in a criminal court. This proactive legal strategy occurs during the window between the start of a criminal investigation and the formal filing of charges by a prosecutor, as outlined under…
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When Does Illegal Gun Possession Become a Felony in California?
Unlawful Possession of a Firearm in California: When It’s a Felony Unlawful possession of a firearm in California carries serious legal consequences that can dramatically impact your future. What many don’t realize is that certain aggravating factors can elevate a misdemeanor charge to a felony, resulting in substantial prison time and permanent loss of rights.…
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What Happens If Police Lie to You During a Criminal Investigation?
Can the Police Lie to You During Interrogations? Can the police lie to you during an interrogation? The answer may surprise you: in reality, law enforcement officers in California are legally permitted to use deceptive tactics when questioning suspects. This includes fabricating evidence, claiming witnesses have implicated you, and misrepresenting the strength of their case.…
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What Happens When Police Find Drugs in a Storage Unit?
What Happens When Police Find Drugs in Your Storage Unit: Unreasonable Search or Seizure in California? Police discovering drugs in your storage unit can trigger serious criminal charges, but not every search is legal. California law protects you against unreasonable search or seizure under the Fourth Amendment, even in rented storage spaces. However, understanding when…
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Ghost Gun Charges: What Prosecutors Must Prove
California Ghost Gun Law: What Prosecutors Must Prove to Secure a Conviction California’s ghost gun law creates serious criminal exposure for anyone possessing, manufacturing, or transferring unserialized firearms. Prosecutors face strict evidentiary requirements when pursuing these cases, particularly when establishing knowledge, possession, and intent. Understanding what the state must prove to secure a conviction is…