Articles Posted in California

The San Francisco Chronicle reported, November 4th, that state court officials have recommended Los Angeles and San Diego counties as possible sites for the murder trial of former Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) police Officer Johannes Mehserle. Mehserle resigned as a police officer in Oakland, California, after shooting 22-year-old Oscar Grant, who was unarmed on…

California was one of the first to adopt the Three Strikes Law in 1994 – the law which can send a repeat offender to prison for 25 years to life when he/she is convicted of a third strike. The Three Strikes law significantly increases the prison sentences of persons convicted of felonies who have been…

As Angels’ fans basked in a 4-run lead against the Yankees in the American League play-offs on Thursday night, October 23rd, there was a little more action off the field. Hoping to see Angels’ left fielder Juan Rivera do some good during his at-bat an exuberant fan was seen walking around the rock fountain area…

In California a common charge involving assault is Assault with a Deadly Weapon (Penal Code Section 245); if a person points a gun (or other dangerous weapon) at another person then he can be charged with assault with a deadly weapon. Even if the gun was not loaded and even if the person holding the…

Domestic Violence occurs when one person physically strikes another person without consent and the two people are married, in a dating relationship or otherwise romantically involved. This crime can be charged as a misdemeanor or a felony. If charged as a misdemeanor the maximum jail time possible is one-year. If charged as a felony the…

Six-year old Falcon Heene, better known as “Balloon Boy”, floated away in a saucer-like balloon last Thursday in Colorado. At least that’s what his father told officials. However, two hours after the whole ordeal began, the balloon landed in a field 50 miles away without the boy inside. The six-year-old was later located in the…

As reported by the Associated Press, Deputy Attorney General David Ogden released a policy memo that outlines suggestions for state attorneys regarding prosecution of medical marijuana users and distributors. Federal law does not allow marijuana to be sold or used for medical purposes even though various states do, California among them. The memo suggests that…