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3 Answers | Asked in Criminal Law for California on
Q: Is assult and battery with deadly weapon a more serious crime than criminal threats?
John Karas
John Karas
answered on Apr 8, 2023

Both are "wobblers" meaning they can be charged as a misdemeanor or a felony. However, if charged with ADW, it has a higher jail sentence if charged as a felony (up to 4 years in state prison) whereas CT if charged as a felon carries a 3 year prison sentence.

Of the two, ADW is...
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2 Answers | Asked in Criminal Law, Personal Injury, Civil Rights and Constitutional Law for California on
Q: CDCr denied my 602 , CDCr set me up in their gladiator fights I got stabbed 8x's by the whole prison yard.

I was set up and survived CDCr never to this day informed my mom that I was set up got stabbed & survived. I 602 them just for them to deny it trying to cover up that they almost killed me, they are making it hard to prevent me from filing the truth on the officers that were involved that day... View More

John Karas
John Karas
answered on Feb 16, 2023

Send a letter to the Prison Law Office. They may be able to help. Unfortunately, they do hot accept phone calls.

Prison Law Office

General Delivery

San Quentin, CA 94964

The Penal Law Project does take phone calls. But, they only have student paralegals (not...
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2 Answers | Asked in Workers' Compensation and Legal Malpractice for California on
Q: multi injury from fall at work back and neck denied by w/c but QME adds them as industrial after settlement w/o consent

fall at work tore radial nerve out of my right bicep mussel lost all function of my right dominant hand fingers thumb wrist and my neck and back were denied by worker comp ins QME adds to industrial claim and worker comp ins adds as new and further when there from same industrial fall at work like... View More

John Karas
John Karas
answered on Jan 25, 2023

Your lengthy description of events really isn't an Insurance Bad Faith matter. You MAY have an malpractice case against your attorney regarding settling/dismissing some of your claims without your consent.

I suggest consulting with attorneys in your area who handle attorney...
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1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law, Civil Litigation and Small Claims for California on
Q: Can I file criminal charges against a women who lied to me about a puppy being in good health when I bought her?

She was listed as a breeder on puppies.com and I purchased a bulldog from her that she said was perfectly healthy, I have all of the messages documented just so you know. Then the morning I got her I messaged the woman to let her know that the dog wasn’t breathing normally and seem to have a lot... View More

John Karas
John Karas
answered on Jan 2, 2023

This is a civil matter, not criminal. You can sue her in Small Claims court for the purchase price of the animal and the vet bills you incurred.

2 Answers | Asked in Criminal Law and Domestic Violence for California on
Q: PCO process, also medical exception exist(?) to modify judge's NCO to PCO if dv victim health deteriorating from NCO?

Boyfriend charged dv felony - released to sober living yesterday after 40 days. I requested peaceful contact 3 times since 1st hearing, 11/21 (we had contact the week before). Not approved for my protection/safety due to severity of case, no end date yet, Judge okay w/ continued requests w/victim... View More

John Karas
John Karas
answered on Dec 22, 2022

Your BF obviously was represented by counsel, given he was charged with a felony and there were at least 3 hearings which you attended, most likely a PD (Public Defender).

Your only option, since you're not an attorney, is to have the PD file a formal motion seeking a sentence...
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2 Answers | Asked in Landlord - Tenant and Animal / Dog Law for California on
Q: Can my landlord evict me with two weeks’ notice over Service dogs he previously agreed to?

Owner of the property rental we are currently renting from pretty much owns the world/area we live in out here so he feels very powerful.

With that being said, I feel he is evicting us from a place we haven’t even been in for a month yet. I have a mental disability which allows me to... View More

John Karas
John Karas
answered on Dec 16, 2022

Despite your short tenancy, landlords are required to give 30 days notice before filing an Unlawful Detainer (eviction) action unless you are violating a lease/rental agreement term other than non-payment of rent.

I suggest you contact Legal Aid to help you with paper work or hire a...
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3 Answers | Asked in Criminal Law for California on
Q: I have been charged with felony elderly financial abuse. I have no prior charges, no arrests, no criminal record.

Do I need to get an attorney? I cannot afford to pay for one.

John Karas
John Karas
answered on Jun 17, 2023

Yes, you need an attorney. If you cannot afford one, LA county will provide you with a Public Defender.

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4 Answers | Asked in Criminal Law for California on
Q: If a criminal defendant makes a plea deal with the district attorney can the judge say no to the deal?
John Karas
John Karas
answered on Jun 7, 2023

Yes but it's very, very rare. Were you represented by an attorney or a public defender? If so, ask them what can be done.

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5 Answers | Asked in DUI / DWI for California on
Q: Hi I got a dui last year and was supposed to start my work release program on 3/1/23 but I mistaken it for a later date

What would be the procedure for something like that? Will I be going to jail?

John Karas
John Karas
answered on Mar 30, 2023

I wrote a Guide on this subject several years ago which may provide you with some guidance.

https://www.avvo.com/legal-guides/ugc/bench-warrant-violation-of-probation-diy-or-hire-a-lawyer-legal-guide-

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2 Answers | Asked in Criminal Law for California on
Q: Why is there a statute of limitations on a serious bodily head injury, that Almost caused death.
John Karas
John Karas
answered on Mar 21, 2023

This isn't a criminal law question but I'll answer it anyway. The SOL for most personal injuries cases is 2 years.

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3 Answers | Asked in Criminal Law for California on
Q: In Cali- my attorney refuses to respond to me- what can I do?

Have left multiple messages with my attorney- voicemails, his secretary, emailed, texted and even through his company website. He refuses to respond or allow me to be scheduled for a meeting. Already paid his fee- is there anything I can do?

John Karas
John Karas
answered on Mar 21, 2023

You can call the California State Bar for assistance in opening a complaint against the attorney.

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2 Answers | Asked in Car Accidents, Insurance Bad Faith and Insurance Defense for California on
Q: Is there a standard minimum you can expect to get from an insurance company from a minor hit and run accident?

A year ago I was in a minor hit and run accident. I had to see a chiropractor and was out of work for a few weeks. I went straight to the emergency room, so I also had a doctor bill. Mercury insurance has had a claim specialist working on this for a while now, they just got back my medical bill,... View More

John Karas
John Karas
answered on Feb 4, 2023

Consult with a lawyer in your area. You don't make any mention of loss of earnings (LOE) so that might another component of your claim.

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2 Answers | Asked in Domestic Violence for California on
Q: I identified alters documents submitted to the court in a restraining order case as evidence. What should I do now?

altered*

John Karas
John Karas
answered on Jan 19, 2023

Hire a lawyer in your area. If you try to DIY and make a mistake, the RO may be issued and then you would need to hire a lawyer to file an appeal on your behalf which would be far more expensive.

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1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law and Appeals / Appellate Law for California on
Q: Is the failure of the prosecution to identify a primary target in a killzone instructions case be enough to reverse?

-In 2011, a Man was convicted of 4 attempted murders.

-Its a shooting in which nobody sustained an injury, nobody got hit.

-Prosecution introduced the killzone theory.

-Prosecution did not identify who the primary target was.

-Would this, in theory, be sufficient... View More

John Karas
John Karas
answered on Jul 13, 2022

No. Also, the time in which to file an appeal has already expired years ago.

1 Answer | Asked in Civil Rights and Wrongful Death for California on
Q: How can I find out which officers to name in my lawsuit if the investigation is ongoing and involves 4 police departmen?

I am trying to sue the 4 police departments who are responsible for the death of my registered domestic partner. The investigation is still ongoing, 9 months later, and even the cause of death still saying pending on his death certificate. But I am on a time limit for filing these lawsuits so I... View More

John Karas
John Karas
answered on Jul 13, 2022

You are under strict time limits to file a lawsuit for wrongful death, loss of consortium, etc. You are required to give formal, written notice of a claim within 6 MONTHS from the date of the occurrence when it involves a public/government entity. There are certain exceptions for late filing of... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Domestic Violence and Family Law for California on
Q: I have a restraining order in place. The restrained party is retaliating by filing small claims cases every two weeks

And filed a wrongful death lawsuit. 4 cases total in 2 months all lies and each getting thrown out of court. I am having to miss work to appear on these cases and fear losing my job over lies. Can I sue or get respondent in trouble for harassing me with court system?

John Karas
John Karas
answered on Jun 24, 2022

If as you say, the case were "thrown out of court" (meaning dismissed), you may be able to sue the restrained party for malicious prosecution if the dismissals were the result of a court determination that the lawsuits were without merit.

2 Answers | Asked in Criminal Law for California on
Q: withdrawing a guilty plea before sentencing .My lawyer lied. made me think i was pleaing to 452(c ) when it was 452(b)
John Karas
John Karas
answered on Jun 20, 2022

If you have not been sentenced, no judgement has been taken against you or within 6 months of a order granting probation, you can file a Motion to Withdraw your plea pursuant to Penal Code 1018.

https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?sectionNum=1018.&lawCode=PEN

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1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law and Appeals / Appellate Law for California on
Q: attempted murder adding and abetting. the Kill zone theory and the natural probable consequence ( are the same?for 775

Can the kill zone theory ( error)

Apply for sb 775 if so how?

John Karas
John Karas
answered on Jun 9, 2022

If you were the defendant, charged and convicted of the attempted murder/aiding and abetting the same, ask your lawyer.

If not, read SB 775. It provides a mechanism for filing a petition to have the conviction modified provided it is not final to challenge the its validity by appeal to...
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3 Answers | Asked in Car Accidents, Insurance Bad Faith and Personal Injury for California on
Q: Why my car insurance won’t pay the rest of my hospital bill after accident?

I was in a accident, the other driver was found 100% at fault. My hospital bill was $52,000. I was able to negotiate with the hospital to take off $14,000 leaving me with $37,000. The person Who hit me only had a bodily injury of $15,000. I have under insured bodily injury of $25,000 with AAA. My... View More

John Karas
John Karas
answered on Jun 9, 2022

I suggest that you consult with an attorney or law firm that specialize in Insurance Bad Faith in your area.

Be aware that they may or may not take on your case against your insurer on a contingency fee basis because of the relatively modest UIM policy limits but if the insurer refuses to...
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2 Answers | Asked in Criminal Law for California on
Q: There’s a bench warrant under my name because of community service I didn’t complete what can I do?

I can’t go to jail I have 4 kids under my care

John Karas
John Karas
answered on May 28, 2022

I wrote a Guide on this subject several years ago. https://www.avvo.com/legal-guides/ugc/bench-warrant-violation-of-probation-diy-or-hire-a-lawyer-legal-guide-

Copy and paste the link in a separate browser window.

You can either try to DIY or hire an attorney to get the judge to...
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