I have been asked many times to explain the difference between a misdemeanor and felony offense. There are significant differences between the two. Misdemeanor convictions, such as DUI, simple drug possession or petty theft, carry less strict consequences than those for felony crimes.
A misdemeanor conviction, such as a traffic violation, is usually punishable by a fine and/or county jail time for less than a year while a felony conviction carries a higher fine and more jail time in a California prison. California’s ‘three strikes’ law says that if an individual has been convicted of two prior felony convictions, he or she could be looking at life in prison.
Being convicted of either charge can impact your life forever. If you have been arrested for a misdemeanor or felony crime, contact an experienced Riverside Criminal Law attorney to get the help and protection you need at this time.
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\\ tags: arrest, attorney, conviction, Criminal Law, Felony charges, fines, jail time, misdemeanor
Rodney King is facing misdemeanor drunken driving charges in Riverside.
A few months ago King was pulled over by Moreno Valley Sheriff’s deputies for allegedly committing several traffic violations. After taking a field sobriety test, King was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence. He admitted to using marijuana under a doctor’s care.
King is not in jail and waits for his arraignment in November. This is not his first time with a DUI arrest; he has been arrested several times for illegal drug use. He also has a conviction for reckless and impaired driving on his record.
Criminal DUI charges are extremely serious and come with severe consequences. If you have been arrested for DUI, contact an experienced Riverside Criminal Law attorney who has been successful in alcohol-related cases and will fight for your rights.
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\\ tags: alcohol & drugs, arrest, attorney, Criminal Law, DUI, jail time, misdemeanor, Riverside, Rodney King, traffic violations
The communities in and around Palm Springs attract many tourists and young people, especially during school break time. Public intoxication arrests can be overwhelming for first-time offenders or young students.
Too often, young students are unfairly targeted for alcohol offenses – resulting in consequences such as loss of financial aid, driver’s license and jail time. A public intoxication arrest can lead to severe consequences in your future - Don’t let it ruin your life.
Public intoxication is a misdemeanor offense, but can be reduced to an infraction with the help of an experienced Riverside Criminal Law attorney – one who will fight for your rights and save you the humiliation and embarrassment you do not need at this time.
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\\ tags: alcohol, arrest, attorney, Criminal Law, jail time, misdemeanor, Public intoxication, students
Have you been charged with shoplifting?
Shoplifting is a serious criminal offense in California. It is when a person intentionally takes or attempts to take merchandise without paying for it. It can result in a misdemeanor or felony conviction on your criminal record. It can result in jail, fines, a criminal record and even loss of your job.
If you have been charged with shoplifting, it is critical to contact an experienced Riverside Criminal Law attorney as soon as possible to protect your future and get the best resolution possible for your predicament.
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\\ tags: arrest, attorney, Criminal Law, Felony, fines, jail, merchandise, misdemeanor, Shoplifting, stealing
According to the California Highway Patrol in Indio, there was a 111 percent increase in the number of DUI-related arrests over the Labor Day weekend.
Police were out and about the Coachella Valley arresting drivers on suspicion of drinking and driving – 19 drivers were arrested this year versus only 9 last year. The good news, however, was that alcohol-related accidents were down this year.
California Vehicle Code Section 23152(a) and (b) state, “It is a misdemeanor to drive under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs and it is a misdemeanor to drive with .08% or more of alcohol in your blood.”
If you have been arrested for drunk driving, you could be facing serious jail time and fines, depending on prior arrests. It is in your best interests to contact an experienced Riverside Criminal Law attorney because DUI charges are not only serious, they can be extremely stressful.
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\\ tags: alcohol, arrested, attorney, Criminal Law, Driver negligence, DUI, fines, misdemeanor, traffic violations, vehicle accident
Has a store employee asked you to return to the store because he or she thinks you stole an item? You are not obligated to give store personnel any information.
Shoplifting is a type of theft crime. It is taking or concealing another’s property without their permission. If the item costs under $150, you will be charged with a misdemeanor crime; if it is more than $150, the charge is a felony.
If the police are called and you are arrested, contact a Riverside Criminal Law attorney who is experienced in defending people accused of retail theft – who will work on your behalf to help you avoid a criminal conviction and record for shoplifting. Shoplifting may have a lasting impact on you and your family – complete with heavy fines, jail time and probation.
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\\ tags: arrest, attorney, Criminal Law, Felony, fines, misdemeanor, Police, Shoplifting, theft crime
If you have been convicted of a DUI, you were probably given probation in lieu of jail time. Probation requires you to abide by specific conditions and fulfill certain requirements.
If you do not abide by these conditions and requirements, it may result in a DUI probation violation. If this happens, the judge may revoke your probation and sentence you to jail time, depending on whether your charge was a misdemeanor or a felony.
Most probably you will be ordered to stay away from alcohol and/or drugs. Make sure you do so. Other conditions include:
· Three to five years of informal probation where you do not have to report to a probation officer
· Stay out of trouble
· If you are again arrested on suspicion of drunk driving, you must submit to a chemical test
· Learn the ‘zero tolerance’ law – California Vehicle Code Section 23600, “prohibits driving with any measurable amount of alcohol in your system if you are on probation for DUI”.
If you have been convicted of a DUI and are stopped afterwards for suspicion of being under the influence, contact a Riverside Criminal Law attorney who is experienced in DUI cases. This is a serious crime.
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\\ tags: attorney, Criminal Law, DUI, Felony, jail time, misdemeanor, probation violations
Actress Mira Sorvino’s husband, Christopher Backus, was arrested on a charge of public intoxication recently while the couple was staying in a San Diego hotel. Apparently the couple was having an argument when he started pacing around the hotel with a bat – yelling at anyone close by – allegedly drunk.
Backus was arrested on a misdemeanor count of being drunk in public and was booked into jail around midnight.
California Penal Code 647(f) prohibits being drunk in public. It defines drunk in public when, “Your level of intoxication makes you unable to exercise care for your safety or for the safety of others, or when it interferes with, obstructs, or prevents others from using streets, sidewalks or other public areas.”
A conviction is usually accompanied by fines, jail time and probation. In addition, it goes onto your permanent criminal record. If you are arrested for being drunk in public, contact a skilled California Criminal Law attorney who can investigate and work to possibly reduce or dismiss the charges.
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\\ tags: alcohol, arrested, attorney, Christopher Backus, Criminal Law, husband, Mira Sorvino, misdemeanor, Public intoxication
Recently as part of a DUI warrant sweep, the Palm Desert Police Traffic Team arrested 18 people in the Palm Desert area for misdemeanor DUI warrants. This operation was set up to apprehend local residents who have active warrants for driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.
If you know of someone riding around town with an active DUI warrant on their record, the Palm Desert Police Department urges you to contact them or call Crime Stoppers at 760-341-7867.
This is an excellent way to keep drunk drivers off our roads and keep our communities safe.
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\\ tags: alcohol & drugs, attorney, Criminal Law, DUI warrant sweep, misdemeanor, Palm Desert Police Traffic Team
The City of Rancho Mirage is cracking down on people who falsify applications for permits and licenses. Anyone who lies on a city application faces punishment. The new city ordinance allows revocation of anything obtained through a false application; misdemeanor charges will be filed against the applicant. Misdemeanor fines can range up to $1,000 and/or up to six months in jail.
This new ordinance is rare in the Coachella Valley. I would advise anyone applying for a city application to double-check their information and make sure it is 100% accurate.
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\\ tags: attorney, City ordinance, Criminal Law, misdemeanor, Permits and licenses, punishment, Rancho Mirage
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