Southern California Criminal Lawyer Blog

California’s criminal justice system is constantly evolving. One of the most significant developments in recent months is the passage of Assembly Bill 1071 (AB 1071). The passage of AB 1071 reflects a broader effort in California to confront and dismantle racial disparities in the criminal legal system. The bill strengthens legal protections against racial bias…

When most people think about criminal punishment, they picture jail time, probation, or fines. Yet for those convicted of a sex-related offense in California, the real punishment often begins after the courtroom doors close. The long-term consequences of a sex crime conviction can follow an individual for life, impacting employment, housing, relationships, and even basic…

Being accused of domestic violence in California is a serious matter with potentially life-changing consequences. An accusation alone can affect your reputation, your family relationships, and even your career. California law treats domestic violence cases aggressively, and prosecutors often move forward even if the alleged victim does not want to “press charges.” Therefore, if you…

In 2016, California voters approved Proposition 57, also known as the Public Safety and Rehabilitation Act.  The goal was to reduce prison overcrowding and encourage rehabilitation by giving certain inmates more opportunities to earn early release.  If you or a loved one is currently serving time in California, understanding Proposition 57 could be crucial for…

If you’re a noncitizen living in California with a criminal conviction in your past, you may face serious immigration consequences — including deportation. This is especially true now with the Trump administration taking a hardline stance on immigration and aggressively targeting individuals with prior convictions, even for minor offenses. But there’s good news: California law…

In January 2025, the arrest of former Stockton Police Lieutenant Augustin Lorenzo Telly sent shockwaves through both local government and the wider law enforcement community.  After more than two decades in uniform, Telly now finds himself on the other side of the law.  He is facing felony charges including solicitation of assault with a deadly…

In recent years, the California Legislature has been very proactive in introducing significant changes to the state’s sentencing laws in an effort to rectify the devastating results caused by the state’s tough-on-crime policies, which have led to excessively punitive sentences and have had an extremely harmful effect on poor and minority communities. In addition, long…

Tens of thousands of residents of Los Angeles had a horrific start to the year. The devastating wildfires that swept through Los Angeles County had a profound impact on the entire community and, for several weeks, became leading topic of conversation and news across the world. The raging blazes caused mass destruction burning over 38,000…

On September 29, 2024, the Governor of California signed into law a new bill that would create a uniform resentencing procedure. In the past decade, the California legislature has passed numerous bills that have provided incarcerated individuals with the opportunity to ask courts to have their sentences recalled and reduced. Some of these ameliorative statutes…

By the early 2010s, California’s prison system was overcrowded and it cost the state billions of dollars each year. The situation was so bad that in 2011, the United States Supreme Court ruled that California has to reduce its prison population. Fortunately, in 2014, Californians voted in favor of Proposition 47, or the Criminal Sentences.…