• posted: Nov. 30, 2022
• community property,  community debt,  individual debt

California is a community property state, which means that, when you get divorced, you and your ex-spouse divide everything acquired during the marriage in an equal split. That includes not Read More

• posted: Nov. 20, 2022
• Tom Bane Act,  qualified immunity

An amended state law has made it easier for victims of police brutality and other civil rights violations in California to recover money damages from public entities and their employees. Read More

• posted: Nov. 10, 2022
• possession,  cannabis laws,  prop 64

Recreational marijuana use has been legal in California since late 2016. Still, if you plan on using marijuana (also called cannabis) recreationally in the state, you must be aware of Read More

• posted: Oct. 30, 2022
• collaborative divorce

Divorce is often contentious, but it doesn’t have to be that way. If the spouses can remain civil, they can pursue a collaborative divorce, a form of alternative dispute resolution Read More

• posted: Oct. 20, 2022
• premarital agreement,  postnuptial agreement,  protecting the business

With the average age of Americans getting married approaching 30, more and more newlyweds are entering into marriage with significant assets of their own, including an ownership stake in a Read More

• posted: Oct. 10, 2022
• white collar crimes,  embezzlement,  extortion,  corporate fraud

A “white collar crime” is any non-violent act that deprives rightful owners of their money or property. Examples of white collar crimes are public corruption, money laundering and fraud in Read More

• posted: Sep. 30, 2022
• remote hearings,  COVID-19

Advances in audiovisual technologies have made remote communications much more efficient and cost effective. During the COVID-19 pandemic, courts took advantage of this technology and began holding hearings via telephone Read More

• posted: Sep. 20, 2022
• waiting period,  cooling off period

Like other states, California has a “waiting period” before a married couple can officially divorce. The state favors marriage as a matter of public policy. Therefore, a waiting or “cooling Read More

• posted: Sep. 10, 2022
• possession,  drug diversion program,  rehab

Many California drug offenders need help, not prison time after getting arrested for certain drug crimes. In these cases, offenders can complete a state sanctioned drug treatment program rather than Read More

• posted: Aug. 30, 2022
• BAC level,  license suspension,  zero tolerance,  drunk driving

California operates under a “zero tolerance” policy for drivers under the legal drinking age. What this means for drivers under the age of 21 is that drinking even a single Read More

• posted: Aug. 20, 2022
• discharge from service,  domestiv abuse,  court martial

Military service puts unique pressure on both those in uniform and their families. Individuals returning from tours of duty may be contending with PTSD or have difficulty re-acclimating to home Read More

• posted: Aug. 10, 2022
• assault and battery,  self defense

If you have been charged with assault, there are several effective defenses you can raise. In addition, you may be able to offer mitigating evidence to reduce the level of Read More

• posted: Jul. 30, 2022
• white collar crimes,  felonies,  freeze order

White collar crimes are nonviolent crimes that involve some form of fraud. The state of California and federal agencies can be involved in the investigation and prosecution of white collar Read More

• posted: Jul. 20, 2022
• community property,  separate property,  reimbursement

In California, property acquired during a marriage is considered community property and is therefore subject to being divided equally in a divorce. So, what happens if a spouse used money Read More

• posted: Jul. 10, 2022
• breath test,  preliminary alcohol screening

There are two different types of breath tests that an individual may be asked to take when stopped by the police for suspicion of a DUI. What happens if you Read More

• posted: Jun. 30, 2022
• self-defense,  abuse,  domestic violence

California law makes it a crime to willfully inflict bodily injury resulting in a traumatic condition upon certain family members or close acquaintances, such as spouses, boyfriends, girlfriends, former spouses, Read More