In California, there are two main statutes criminalizing conduct that results in a fire. An individual may be prosecuted for committing the crime of arson or the crime of recklessly causing a fire. A person is guilty of arson when he or she willfully and maliciously sets a fire, burns, “Supreme Court Explains the Mental State Requirement for Arson in California”
Sentencing: California Felony Convictions Increase Punishment under Federal Law
It is a federal crime for a convicted felon to be in unlawful possession of a firearm, and the ordinary maximum sentence for that crime is 10 years of imprisonment. However, under the Armed Career Criminal Act (Act), a convicted felon unlawfully in possession of a firearm is subject to “Sentencing: California Felony Convictions Increase Punishment under Federal Law”
Supreme Court: BAC Reports Subject to the Sixth Amendment Scrutiny
Recently, the United States Supreme Court has ruled that the prosecution is prohibited from introducing a forensic laboratory report containing a BAC (blood alcohol concentration) certification through the in-court testimony of a scientist who did not sign the certification or perform or observe the test reported in the certification. The “Supreme Court: BAC Reports Subject to the Sixth Amendment Scrutiny”
California Allows Prison Inmates to Earn Work Time Credits While Incarcerated
In California, defendants convicted of a crime and sentenced to a determinate term in the state prison are generally required to serve their entire sentence imposed by the court except for a reduction in the time served as a result of their performance in work, training or education programs organized “California Allows Prison Inmates to Earn Work Time Credits While Incarcerated”
Defending Wobbler Offenses in San Diego
There are three categories of offenses in California: those that are punished as a felony, misdemeanor, or an infraction. A felony is a crime which is punishable by death or imprisonment in the state prison. Every other crime or public offense is a misdemeanor except those offenses that are classified “Defending Wobbler Offenses in San Diego”
Indeterminate Commitment on Certain Sexually Violent Offenders
In California, the Sexually Violent Predators Act provides for the involuntary indeterminate civil commitment of certain sex offenders who are found to be sexually violent predators. A “SVP” is a person who has been convicted of a sexually violent offense against one or more victims, and who has a diagnosed “Indeterminate Commitment on Certain Sexually Violent Offenders”
California Imposes Life Sentences for Specified Sex Crimes
In California, many people are familiar with the terms “three strikes” or “multiple strikes” convictions. Such terms refer to a California law that has dramatically increased punishment for individuals convicted of felony offenses who have previously been convicted of one or more serious or violent felonies. Persons with two or “California Imposes Life Sentences for Specified Sex Crimes”
Supreme Court Allows Warrantless Search of Apartment That Smelled of Marijuana
Police officers who followed a suspect into his apartment complex were legally justified to knock down the door of an apartment that belonged to a different individual, when they detected a strong odor of marijuana emanating from the apartment and heard sounds of evidence being destroyed after announcing their presence, “Supreme Court Allows Warrantless Search of Apartment That Smelled of Marijuana”
Internet Protocol Numbers may be Disclosed to Police
A computer hacker unlawfully enters a computer network of one of the San Diego school districts. The hacker then gains control of the district’s routers, and transmits the data located on the district’s network to the hacker’s computer. As a result, the hacker obtains access to payroll and employee records, “Internet Protocol Numbers may be Disclosed to Police”
Former Illinois Governor Convicted of Trying to Sell Obama’s Senate Seat
Rod R. Blagojevich, the former governor of Illinois, has been found guilty of wide range of corruption charges including wire fraud, bribery, attempted extortion, extortion and bribery conspiracy, and of trying to sell Obama’s Senate seat in exchange for personal gain. A jury deliberated for 10 days and convicted the “Former Illinois Governor Convicted of Trying to Sell Obama’s Senate Seat”