Own recognizance means to be released without having to pay bail with the promise that the released individual will show up on their court date. Specifically, an individual will be required to sign an agreement stating that:
The following factors are taken into consideration to determine if an individual is eligible for his own recognizance:
Yes, specific offenses require a formal adversarial hearing should such offenses fall under Penal Code 1270. These offenses include:
Yes, as mentioned above, there are certain conditions that an individual must agree to should they be released on their own recognizance. These requirements are listed under Penal Code 1318. It is important to keep in mind that these conditions must remain reasonable both to the charges pending against the individual as well as taking into account the goal of public safety. Additionally, the individual may also have to agree to other conditions such as:
Yes, being released on own recognizance may trigger investigators, who are court staff members, to look into an individual to determine what the individual’s character is and whether the individual has a strong connection to their community and if they are a flight risk. However, an investigation into the individual is mandatory should the individual face charges of a violent felony or driving under the influence (DUI) that resulted in great bodily injury.
If you or someone you know has been released on your own recognizance or is currently in jail and would like to be released, please contact our Los Angeles criminal defense attorney at (310) 943-1171 for a free consultation.
Yes, under Health and Safety Code 11351, it is considered a felony in the state of California to possess controlled substances with the intent to sell them.
For purposes of Health and Safety Code 11351, a controlled substance is any drug or chemical whose manufacturing, possession, and use are regulated by the government under the Controlled Substances Act.
The Controlled Substance Act is a federal statute that enables the federal government to regulate the manufacturing, importation, possession, use, and distribution of certain substances. Additionally, controlled substances are placed under one of five schedules under this act. The placement is based on the following:
Making a false report of fire is governed under Penal Code 148.4. Under this penal code, it is illegal to do any of the following willfully and maliciously:
The penalties involved in violating the penal code for making a false report of a fire can either be prosecuted as a felony or a misdemeanor.
Violation of the penal code is considered a felony when an individual willfully and maliciously does the following:
The penalties that an individual would face here are listed under . Additionally, an individual can also pay fines of up to $10,000.
A 995 motion is another name for a Motion to Set Aside Information. This is a motion that the defendant in a criminal matter may make. In other words, this motion asks the judge to dismiss all or part of the criminal charges that are pending before an individual in a criminal matter. The argument here is that the judge in the preliminary hearing ruled incorrectly finding that there was enough evidence for the matter to go to trial. A motion to set aside information is governed by Penal Code 995.
If a 995 motion is improperly denied, the following options can be taken by the defendant:
It is important to note that an improperly denied 995 motion cannot be directly appealed.
A petition for writ of prohibition is governed by Penal Code 999a, which states that the defendant has 15 days after their 995 motion was denied to file a petition if their 995 motion was made because the defendant had been indicted without reasonable or probable cause or that the defendant had been committed on information without reasonable or probable cause. A copy also needs to be served to the District Attorney.
According to California Penal Code Section 466, it is prohibited to possess certain tools that experience by law enforcement has shown to be instruments frequently used by thieves for breaking into a home, car, or another structure. It is not unlawful to possess these tools as long as there is no evidence to show criminal intent.
Penal Code 466 lists over 15 kinds of tools that are frequently used to break into any railroad car, building, trailer coach, aircraft, vessel, or vehicle.
Yes, under Penal Code 171(b), it is a crime in California for an individual to bring or possess weapons into a public building and meetings that are open to the public.
Under the PC 171(b), it is a crime to carry the following into a public building or meetings that are open to the public:
Yes, under Penal Code 134, it is a crime to prepare any false material with the intent to produce it, or allow it to be produced for any fraudulent purpose while presenting it to be true for purposes of trial or any other proceeding.
For purposes of Penal Code 134, evidence can include writing material as well as pictures and things such as the following:
Typically, intent means that an individual knew what they were doing. Thus, intent for purposes of Penal Code 134 is defined as knowing that the document or thing they produced for purposes of trial or any other proceeding was false and that they wanted to use that false document or thing to trick or mislead the jury or judge.
For purposes of Penal Code 134, proceedings include any proceeding where evidence can be presented. Examples of typical proceedings can include the following: - Mediation - Arbitration - Trial - Pretrial hearing - Motion hearing
Yes, it is a crime in California to knowingly report a false emergency under Penal Code 148.3. Namely, it is a crime to make a report or cause a report to be made to any city, county, city, or state department, district, agency, division, commission, or board, that an emergency exists when in reality an emergency does not exist.
For purposes of making a false report of an emergency, an emergency includes any condition that does, or could result in, the response of any public official to any condition that can jeopardize public safety, evacuation of an area, or activates AMBER alert.
Penalties for making a false report of an emergency may include being charged with a misdemeanor with up to one year in county jail and a maximum fine of $1,000.
Here are some examples that would likely result in making a false report of an emergency:
According to California Penal Code Section 278, child abduction is malicious taking, enticing, keeping, withholding, or concealing a child with the intention to detain or conceal the child from his legal custodian.
The prosecutor must establish the following elements to prove that defendant is guilty of PC 278 child abduction:
Penal Code 25859 PC, makes it a crime to carry a loaded firearm in either a public place, on a public street, or in a vehicle in California.
Penal Code section 25859 PC is considered a misdemeanor. Penalties for carrying a loaded firearm conviction include:
Yes, carrying a loaded firearm may be charged as a felony, should any of the following occur:
Penalities for a carrying a loaded firearm felony charges include:
Controlled substances for purposes of Health and Safety Code 11351 include the following:
Keep in mind that possession of controlled substances such as marijuana and methamphetamine for purposes of sale are considered separate offenses not covered under Health and Safety Code 11351.
For purposes of Health and Safety Code 11351, possession is established when an individual has direct and/or immediate control over the controlled substance. Typically, this is established when the individual possesses the controlled substance if they are carrying it on them. Possession can also be established if an individual has personal control over the substance such that the controlled substance was found near or around an area that the individual exercises control over, such as in the individual’s car or garage.
Under Health and Safety Code 11351, intent to sell can be established by showing the following:
As mentioned above, violating Health and Safety Code 11351 is considered a felony. Penalties include the following:
If you or someone you know has been charged with Health and Safety Code 11351, we invite you contact KAASS LAW today at (310) 943-1171 to speak to our criminal defense attorney for a free consultation.
Essentially, violation of the penal code is considered a misdemeanor when an individual does the same acts as listed above. However, the difference here is that there are no deaths or great bodily injury that results from the individual’s acts. The penalties that an individual can face include up to one year in county jail and/or paying fines of up to $1,000.
To do something willfully means that the individual intended to do the illegal act on purpose. Additionally, to do something maliciously means that the individual’s purposeful conduct was intended to either injure, annoy, or otherwise do something wrong.
A Penal Code 148.4 PC conviction can be expunged if it was charged as a misdemeanor. On the other hand, a felony conviction that resulted in serving time in state prison would not qualify for an expunged.
If you or someone you know has been charged with violating Penal Code Section 148.4, contact our Los Angeles criminal defense attorney at (310)943.1171 for a free consultation.
An arraignment is part of a criminal matter where the defendant enters a plea, whether guilty or not guilty or no contest.
A writ of habeas corpus petition works similarly to the way a petition for writ of prohibition does. However here, Penal Code 1508 states, the Supreme Court or Court of Appeals can return the matter before the issuing judge/court or to the court below it. Thus, if the trial court denies the petition, the defendant can then file a new petition in the court of appeal. However, if the court of appeal denies the petition, the defendant can then can have the Supreme Court review the petition by filing a petition for review. The defendant may also file another petition that would invoke California Supreme Court’s habeas jurisdiction.
Plea bargaining allows the defendant to negotiate and use leverage. In other words, the defendant can further poke holes in the prosecuting agency’s legal theory and further highlight how the issues found at the preliminary hearing may become an issue for the jury to return a guilty verdict.
If you or someone you know has been denied of their 995 motion, we invite you to contact our Los Angeles Criminal Defense Attorney at (310) 943-1171 for a free consultation.
The prosecutor must establish the following elements to convict the defendant of possession of burglary tools:
For being charged with possession of burglary tools there must be evidence showing that the defendant not only possessed them, but he also had criminal intent to use them to carry out a burglary. When considering all factors, everything that has been gathered gets taken into account, including physical evidence, witness testimony, and what happened when the defendant was arrested. The intent may be established in case all steps were taken to possibly complete the crime. Intent can be established through what the defendant was wearing at that time, what type of structure he was in when arrested, the hour of the day, types of tools he possessed, and statements he made before the crime.
For being convicted under PC Section 466 it is not enough to have the mentioned above tools in possession or even to alter or make the listed tools. The crime happens when a defendant possesses one or more tools and intends to unlawfully break into a rail car, structure, vessel, or vehicle. In case the defendant didn’t intend to unlawfully enter a vehicle or structure to commit a crime, he can’t be convicted of this crime.
The defendant should not be convicted of possessing burglary tools in case he wasn’t aware that the tools were used or were to be used in a crime of burglary.
All search and seizure operations must be carried out within the boundaries of the law. In case the tools were found during an unlawful search, the defendant may be able to have evidence obtained during the search kept out of court. That can lead to acquittal or dismissal. There are various factors involved that can determine whether a search was lawful or unlawful.
In California possession of burglary tools is a misdemeanor offense with the following penalties:
If you or a loved one has been charged with possession of burglary tools, you should immediately contact an experienced criminal defense attorney today at (310) 943-1171 for a free consultation and case review.
This penal code can be prosecuted as either a felony or misdemeanor and is therefore considered a wobbler. If charged as a misdemeanor, the misconduct is punishable by up to one year in county jail. If charged as a felony, an individual can face imprisonment of either 16 months, 2 years, or 3 years.
A building owned or leased by the state or local government where public employees regularly are present to perform their official duties is considered a public building. An example of a public building is a courthouse.
Yes, there are several exceptions under Penal Code 171(b), which are as follows:
If you or someone you know is being charged with Penal Code 171(b), call KAASS LAW today and speak to an experienced criminal defense attorney today at (310) 943.1171.
Violation of Penal Code 134 is charged as a felony. Thus, an individual can face up to three years in state prison as well as the possibility of facing formal probation.
Yes, an individual who is convicted of a felony loses their right to own or purchase a gun. Thus, because Penal Code 134 is prosecuted as a felony, an individual will lose their right to own or purchase a gun should they be convicted.
Yes, an individual can face deportation or be deemed inadmissible should they be convicted of the crime.
Inadmissible for purposes of immigration consequences means that an individual may not re-enter the country once they leave the United States or that they are ineligible to receive benefits from the United States. This is true even if the individual is deemed a legal immigrant.
If you or someone you know has been charged with violation of Penal Code 134, please contact KAASS LAW today at (310) 943-1171 to speak to our criminal defense attorneys for a free consultation.
Yes, there are instances where making a false report of an emergency can be charged as a felony should the false alarm result in someone suffering great bodily injury or death.
Great bodily injury is determined by how severe the injury to the person is. Thus, the following factors are typically considered:
Have you or someone you know has been charged with making a false report of an emergency? If so, experienced attorneys at KAASS Law are here to help protect your rights. Get in touch with us to go over the details of your case by contacting (310) 943-1171
Crimes of child abduction and kidnapping should not be interpreted as the same. Kidnapping is a crime against the kidnapped person while child abduction is a crime against both the child abducted and the parent of the abducted child.
In case the defendant is a lawful custodian of the child, he cannot be found guilty of this offense. A parent entitled to custody cannot be liable for abducting his own child.
Taking a child from a person who is not the lawful custodian of the child is not considered a violation of California PC Section 278. However, depending on the case circumstances, the defendant may face charges for kidnapping.
A child can only be detained or taken in violation of custody or visitation order only if there is a reasonable belief and good faith that the child may suffer bodily injury or emotional harm by staying with a parent or legal guardian. In case the defendant detains a child for protection he must immediately contact the local District Attorney’s Child Abduction Unit and follow reporting instructions for escaping punishment.
California PC Section 278 is a wobbler and can either be charged as a misdemeanor or a felony, depending on the case circumstances and the defendant’s criminal history.
Penalties for a PC 278 misdemeanor conviction include the following:
Penalties for a PC 278 felony conviction include the following:
Additionally, the defendant may be subject to pay restitution to the prosecuting agency, the victim or to any person acting on the victim's behalf, for any costs reasonably incurred in locating and returning the child to the victim.
The court will determine the penalty based on mitigating or aggravating factors presented by the prosecutor.
If you or a loved one has been arrested for Penal Code Section 278, child abduction we invite you to contact KAASS LAW (310) 943-1171 for a free consultation with our criminal defense attorney.
A firearm is defined as, "any device designed to be used as a weapon and from which a bullet is discharged through a barrel by an explosion". Common examples of firearms include:
The law in California deems a loaded firearm if the firearm:
An defendant that has been convicted of felony possession of a loaded firearm is prohibited from acquiring or possessing a gun in California. In other words, an individual will lose their rights to own and possess a firearm.
Yes, in some instances, there are exemptions that make it legal to carry a loaded firearm. These exemptions include:
If you or someone you know has been charged with carrying a loaded firearm, contact our Los Angeles criminal defense attorneys at (310) 943-1171 for a free consultation. Our attorneys will evaluate the details of your case and let you know what to expect and how you can proceed.