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Q: Can I file Rule 33a petition based on new evidence after plea deal?
Recently, I discovered that my accuser, who falsely accused me of robbery, was on felony probation at the time of the accusation. My attorney missed several critical points, including impeachable witness issues and Brady violations, which coerced me into accepting a plea deal 1.5 years ago.... View More 
Mike Branum
answered on Jun 4, 2026
answered on Jun 4, 2026
Not really. Your appeal would need to be based on ineffective assistance of counsel to have the slimmest likelihood of success. Since you did accepted a plea, your appeal would not be based on actual innocence, but on the fact that you felt coerced into accepting a plea deal which goes back to your... View More
Q: How to challenge an unfair small claims judgment for uncompleted ADU in CA?
My aunt paid for an ADU (Accessory Dwelling Unit) project that was never completed, and despite this, she is being required to pay due to a small claims judgment in Van Nuys, California. The judge ruled in favor of the other party, whom we believe may have been illegally conducting business. We... View More
Leon Nazarian
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answered on Jun 4, 2026
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answered on Jun 4, 2026
Your aunt can immediately appeal this decision for a completely new trial, but she must file Form SC-140 (Notice of Appeal) within 30 days of the judgment date.
In California, a Small Claims appeal is a Trial De Novo, a total do-over in front of a brand-new Superior Court judge where the... View More
Q: Can my husband enter the US for a brief tourist visit while his immigration case is open but paused?
As a U.S. citizen, I filed an I-130 petition on behalf of my husband, which has been approved. We've requested that the petition process remain open but paused because my husband isn't ready to immigrate yet, and I'm spending time with him abroad. My husband holds a valid tourist... View More
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Patricia C. Wall-Santiago
answered on Jun 4, 2026
answered on Jun 4, 2026
Yes, your husband can legally to enter the U.S. using his valid tourist visa while his immigrant visa process is on hold, but admission is never guaranteed and rests entirely at the discretion of the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer. U.S. immigration laws and regulations do not... View More
Q: How can my grandchildren access their inheritance from a deceased custodian?
In New York, my grandchildren were each left a sum of money in their grandfather's will. A relative was named as the custodian because the grandchildren were underage, but they are now 23 and 25. The initial custodian has passed away. The will names a successor custodian, but since my... View More
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Stephen Bilkis
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answered on Jun 4, 2026
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answered on Jun 4, 2026
It makes sense that you are asking this question. If your grandchildren are now 23 and 25 years old, you would naturally wonder whether they still need a custodian involved to receive money that was left to them as minors.
In many cases, the answer is no. If the money was left to them... View More
Q: Was my rights violated during a police search for a bicycle stop in Texas?
I was stopped by a police officer in Texas due to a dim flashlight on my bicycle. Instead of focusing on the light, he began questioning me about a house nearby. He asked to search my bag, and I consented, informing him beforehand that I had paraphernalia—a pipe. Although not under arrest, he had... View More
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Vonnie Clay Dones III
answered on Jun 4, 2026
answered on Jun 4, 2026
There are a few separate issues in what you described, and the legality really depends on the details, but here’s how it generally breaks down.
The initial stop for a dim bicycle light is usually lawful in Texas, and once you’re lawfully stopped, the officer is allowed to ask questions... View More
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