Criminal Defense
Accused of Rental Car Theft in San Diego County?
San Diego County is experiencing a rash of car thefts, including rental cars. The rise in auto thefts has led law enforcement to increase the number of personnel focused on identifying, arresting, and charging rental car thieves. Unfortunately, some people are caught in the crossfire, accused of stealing a rental car when they have been unable to return it on time, or due to an error by the car rental company. If you are charged with rental car theft in San Diego County, you are facing very serious consequences.
It’s Still Hit and Run, Even If the Accident Wasn’t Your Fault
In California, it is illegal to leave the scene of a motor vehicle accident in which you were involved. It doesn’t matter who caused the accident – you or another driver. You are still required by law to remain at the scene until certain conditions have been met. It is not a defense against hit and run if the accident was not your fault.
Even Touching Your Ex Can Be Domestic Battery in CA
Domestic battery is a criminal offense in the domestic violence category. Under California law it is defined as battery committed against an intimate partner. This offense, which involves harmful or offensive touching, is always charged as a misdemeanor. Domestic battery is different from domestic violence, a crime in which some injury is caused to the victim. Domestic violence may be charged as either a misdemeanor or a felony, depending on the level of injury and the circumstances of the case.
How Military Jurisdiction Applies to a DUI Arrest
If you are in the military and charged with DUI, it could impact your life, both on and off base. A DUI conviction can have profound consequences for a service member. Punishment for this offense can involve an interaction between both the military and civilian justice systems.
Types of Non-Monetary Bribes That Lead to Arrests
Being accused of bribery comes with hefty consequences. While your first thought may be of your public reputation and business relationships, it can also come with costly fees and jail time. You may wonder where these accusations and charges came from, especially if you never exchanged money with anyone. An important element of this charge is that it does not just involve money, and non-monetary bribes can still lead to serious charges.
Time Served With SCRAM: What You Should Know
Being convicted of a DUI with another prior conviction on your record can drastically increase your penalties. While a first-time offender may be able to avoid jail time with the right defense, second and subsequent charges can elevate your punishment and lead to additional restrictions. If you have an alcohol-dependency, the court may require you to avoid alcohol while out on probation or during a pre-trial release. In California, this may mean wearing an ankle monitor specifically designed to detect alcohol.
When Medical Conditions Lead to DUIs
In order to be charged with a DUI, a police officer must have a reasonable suspicion of that to pull you over. They may claim you were speeding, weaving between lanes, or stepping on your brakes intermittently. However, not all of these actions are the result of alcohol or drug use. Even if you fail a field sobriety test, that does not always mean that you were intoxicated. In some cases, a medical condition can result in symptoms that mimic intoxication and lead to a false positive during a traffic stop.
Can a Misdemeanor Lead to a Strike?
Three strikes laws are designed to ensure certain types of offenders are penalized substantially more severely for repeat offenses. These laws require courts to sentence people convicted of three or more felony offenses to significantly longer sentences than they would otherwise receive.
San Diego County Medical Professionals May Now Screen for Signs of Domestic Violence
The District Attorney’s Office in San Diego County is providing medical personnel with tools for identifying domestic violence, particularly strangulation, as reported on CBS8. In October 2021, they released a set of guidelines for domestic violence screening and proper response when medical professionals see suspicious injuries. This is necessary because healthcare providers are often the first people to see domestic violence victims apart from their abusers.
Are Citizen’s Arrests Legal in California?
A citizen’s arrest is an arrest made by a person who is not a police officer. A regular person can perform a lawful citizen’s arrest without being held liable in a civil case for interfering with another person’s interests in a way that may otherwise constitute assault, battery, or false imprisonment. Laws on citizen’s arrests vary from state to state. In California, it is legal to make a citizen’s arrest, but only under certain circumstances.
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- April 30, 2026
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