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Just before the end of California’s last legislative session, Gov. Jerry Brown signed a bill that would allow the possibility of parole for minors tried as adults. According to the LA Times, about 6,000 inmates could go before a parole board. Their sentences could be reduced and they could be placed on parole after serving 15 years of…

On Monday September 9, 2013, the new Governor George Deukmejian Courthouse in Long Beach had its first day on the record. The new courthouse is 65% bigger than the previous facility down the street. It has 24 courtrooms, six elevators, escalators, stairs cases and a Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf. If there is a need for more…

The Los Angeles Times reported on Monday, September 9, 2013, that California Attorney General Kamala Harris announced a computer application “app” for law enforcement. This app would be used on cell phones and tablets. The purpose would be to get an individual suspects information from state and federal databases. From the databases police officers would…

Military service members who have signed a contract and are currently on active duty in the United States Military can request a voluntary separation from their branch of service. Each service permits such a voluntary request for separation. In the Navy the individual can be separated under Section 1910-120 of the Military Personnel Manual and in…

The two most frequently charged sections of the Penal Code for Child Abuse are Penal Code Section 273(a)a and Penal Code Section 273(a)b. Penal Code Section 273(a)a covers conduct by a defendant where the individual willfully causes a child great bodily harm, suffering or death. This section carries a maximum of 6 years in prison but…

Jorge OCampo, a 21-year old documented gang member has been arrested on charges of vehicular manslaughter and felony hit and run. On August 22, 2013 he allegedly ran a stop sign and hit another vehicle killing two of the occupants. It was about 11:00 am when the accident occurred and there is no evidence that alcohol…

Mexico continues its battle with drug cartels and this past July officials captured the leader of the Zetas. Miguel Angel Treviño Morales had been the leader of the drug cartel the Zetas since October 2012. He was a member of Los Zetas during the time the group worked as an enforcement arm for the Gulf…

Many people convicted of crimes who are not American citizens find that certain convictions can prevent them from becoming citizens or at least make it much more difficult to do so. Generally, but not always, felony convictions having to do with violence, drug sales and other offenses can cause an individual to have great hardship…

Many Americans were shocked by the July 13, 2013 not guilty verdicts of the Defendant, George Zimmerman who was accused of 2nd degree murder and manslaughter of a 17 year old unarmed high school student, Trayvon Martin in February of 2012. For those unversed in the law the killing of an unarmed person who was…

Until recently, the law in California required that anyone with two prior serious or violent convictions who then picks up a third felony of any type had to be sentenced to 25 years to life. One significant exception to that was the Romero exception which referred to a case by the same name. That case…