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California Criminal Law Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law and Domestic Violence for California on
Q: Is there a CA Rule or Case Law for granting a DVRO to an abuser when one was already in place for the victim?

My DVRO as a victim, backed by a police report and medically noted injuries was in place first. In retaliation, the abuser filed his own DVRO in another county and the judge gave it to him.

Is this allowed? Is it illegal error? Was the judge supposed to wait for the outcome of mine before... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jan 29, 2024

In California, the issuance of a Domestic Violence Restraining Order (DVRO) is governed by the evidence presented in each specific case. It's not uncommon for both parties in a domestic dispute to seek restraining orders against each other. The law doesn't automatically preclude granting... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Civil Litigation, Civil Rights and Criminal Law for California on
Q: What do I do about a neighbor who harasses and gives me death threats constantly

He invades my privacy and constantly harasses and threatens me.

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jan 29, 2024

In California, if you are facing harassment and death threats from a neighbor, it is important to take immediate action for your safety. Start by documenting every incident of harassment and threat, including dates, times, and any witnesses. This documentation can be crucial in legal proceedings.... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law and Small Claims for California on
Q: If you lend a friend your car for an errand, they wait 3 days to return it, AND never give back the keys, is that crime?

A friend asked to borrow my car to run to Walmart, I said sure assuming it was a 1-2 hour errand. I never physically handed them the keys; they took them from the counter and left. The next morning, they were not back with the car, and I called them to immediately request the car back. At this... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jan 29, 2024

Based on the details provided, there could potentially be a few issues here legally:

1. Failure to return borrowed property (the car) in a timely manner - Your friend agreed to borrow the car for an errand, which implies a short duration. By keeping it for 3 days without permission after...
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1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law and Civil Rights for California on
Q: What can you do about, the dismissed case records that still showing up on the dojca is it anyway to have them removed

If they are dropped fought against and etcetera how do you go about it if so

Can I please get some help on direction because even though I did fight them in court it still shows up and I still get judged and sometimes It makes me feel as if I was automatically convicted of those crimes even... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jan 27, 2024

If you are in California and have had a criminal case dismissed, but it still appears on your Department of Justice records, there are steps you can take to address this issue. First, consider filing a petition for a factual innocence motion, also known as a Penal Code 851.8 PC motion, if you... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law and Personal Injury for California on
Q: A cop injured me during a search warrant.

I want to get paid for what they did. How much can I get from them ?

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jan 27, 2024

If you've been injured by a police officer during the execution of a search warrant, your ability to receive compensation depends on several factors. Firstly, it's crucial to establish if the officer's actions were unlawful or involved excessive force.

Documenting your...
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1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law for California on
Q: In 1997 & 1998 I was convicted of H&S 11350 simple possession...I did about 45 days in county jail and was released.

After being released from county jail I completed my probation and paid all fees. Since then I had no other contact with law enforcement or criminal matters. In 2015 I had one of the cases reduced via 17b but the case was not expunged. In July of 2022, I returned to court and successfully had that... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jan 27, 2024

Under California law, having a felony conviction reduced to a misdemeanor under Penal Code section 17(b) and subsequently expunged under Penal Code section 1203.4 can indeed impact your gun rights. However, it's important to understand the specific nuances of how these legal actions interact... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Consumer Law, Criminal Law, Civil Rights and Domestic Violence for California on
Q: Is it assault when emp.of Shell Gas s/ Chases me to RR I'm squatting ovr toilet places her knee my genitalia pushn me2

2 get out holding the door wide.Open4the garbage man 2 see me that was pullin up.This is a second incident that happened that I recorded a year prior. She didn't want me to use the restroom until I purchased the car wash. I went there to go get after coming out of bathroom. She calls me... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jan 26, 2024

Under California law, the situation you described may constitute assault, especially if there was intentional and unlawful physical contact or a credible threat of harm. Placing a knee on someone's genitalia, as you described, could be seen as an offensive physical contact, which is a key... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law for California on
Q: In Navarette v California, does the reporting party has to witness criminal activity to make the traffic stop valid?
James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jan 26, 2024

In the case of Navarette v. California, the U.S. Supreme Court held that a traffic stop based on an anonymous tip can be valid, even if the reporting party did not directly witness a criminal activity. The key factor is whether the tip creates reasonable suspicion of criminal activity to justify... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law and Communications Law for California on
Q: If I tell my mom not to open a specific type of mail and she does it anyway is it illegal
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answered on Jan 26, 2024

Under United States federal law, it is generally illegal for someone to open mail that is not addressed to them without permission. This is outlined in the Federal Mail Tampering Laws. If you specifically instructed your mom not to open certain types of your mail and she does so anyway, it can be... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Contracts, Criminal Law, Personal Injury and Civil Rights for California on
Q: bail bounty hunters aren't allowed to enter without announcing themselves or having a warrant /use physical force right?

bounty hunters came into home without an actual warrant, wouldn't identify themselves just kept stating that they had a warrant. They damaged my home used physical violence on my husband and myself without need to. we just wanted to know who they were. At some point they insinuated that they... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jan 25, 2024

Under California law, the conduct of bail bond agents (or bounty hunters) is subject to certain legal constraints. While they do have the authority to apprehend individuals who have skipped bail, they must operate within the law. They are typically allowed to enter a property without a warrant if... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law for California on
Q: My wife was bailed out last night, 25,000 was the bail. I tried to get a bail bondserson, but they wanted $2,500 cash.

I didn't have the finances,at the time. But they wrote down, my wife's info.,name,b-day, etc. She was billed without me paying for services Is that possible? She wasn't O.R.'d, She didn't make any syipulations with the judge. Our concerns are getting we arrested, because... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jan 25, 2024

In California, if your wife was bailed out without your paying the bail bondsman, it's important to clarify who paid the bail. Bail bondsmen typically require payment for their services, usually a percentage of the total bail amount, before they post bail for someone. If you did not pay the... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law and Federal Crimes for California on
Q: Do generally and typically mean that a person could still be charged with felony fleeing in this response from a lawyer?

This is the response I got from a lawyer: Under California law, the charge of felony fleeing to avoid prosecution typically requires an intent to evade the legal process in a more substantial manner than merely moving within the same county. For a misdemeanor bench warrant, like one for trespassing... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jan 25, 2024

Under California law, the use of terms like "generally" and "typically" in legal advice indicates that there are common patterns or norms, but exceptions can occur. In the context of your situation, it implies that moving to a different city within the same county doesn't... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Criminal Law, Family Law, Personal Injury, Constitutional Law and Child Custody for California on
Q: what should i do if i can show proof of falsified information in a report in order to remove my children from my care?

i have as well found documented evidence of my signature forged in order to forward my mail to a address not of my own and in doing so i never was sent reports written out by social worker and supervisor and the only place this address was showing up was on the cps filed court documents that i... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jan 25, 2024

If you have evidence of falsified information in reports and your signature being forged, it’s crucial to take immediate legal action. First, gather all your evidence, including the forged documents, the recordings, and any other relevant materials that support your claims.

You should...
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2 Answers | Asked in Criminal Law, Family Law, Personal Injury, Constitutional Law and Child Custody for California on
Q: what should i do if i can show proof of falsified information in a report in order to remove my children from my care?

i have as well found documented evidence of my signature forged in order to forward my mail to a address not of my own and in doing so i never was sent reports written out by social worker and supervisor and the only place this address was showing up was on the cps filed court documents that i... View More

Padideh Seyed Jafari
Padideh Seyed Jafari
answered on Jan 25, 2024

If you have evidence of falsified information in a report that led to your children being removed from your care, and evidence of your signature being forged for mail redirection, it's crucial to take immediate and organized legal action. Here are the steps you should consider:... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law and Federal Crimes for California on
Q: Felony fleeing to avoid prosecution, if you move to city in the same county with a misdemeanor bench warrant charge?

Can you be charged with a felony fleeing to avoid prosecution, if you move to another city in the same county, where there is a misdemeanor bench warrant for a tresspassing on railroads charge for you? I am in Los Angeles metro, and want to move somewhere else in Los Angeles county, such as East LA... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jan 24, 2024

Under California law, the charge of felony fleeing to avoid prosecution typically requires an intent to evade the legal process in a more substantial manner than merely moving within the same county. For a misdemeanor bench warrant, like one for trespassing on railroads, moving to a different city... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law for California on
Q: Warrant to search my house was granted live in triplex can police search other 2 units if they are family members

I was in custody live in unit c cops searched both other units is this legal

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jan 23, 2024

No, if the police had a warrant to search only your unit (Unit C) of the triplex home, they generally cannot legally search the other two units occupied by family members unless certain exceptions apply.

A search warrant allows police to search only the specific areas and persons named in...
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2 Answers | Asked in Criminal Law, Divorce, Family Law and Domestic Violence for California on
Q: DV-115 request for continuance of DVRO hearing?

DVRO (TRO granted) hearing scheduled in 1.5 weeks. I am a petitioner and want to know what would happen if I file a DV-115 form to request a continuance of the hearing.

(1) Do I have to serve the DV-115 form to the respondent, so that the respondent will have a chance to respond?... View More

Martha Bronson
Martha Bronson
answered on Jan 24, 2024

If you are the person who is restrained and this is your first continuance, the Court will grant your request because you have the right to one continuance of the initial hearing. If you are the person who filed the DV100 and obtained the DVRO, you will be required to make a showing of "good... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Criminal Law, Divorce, Family Law and Domestic Violence for California on
Q: DV-115 request for continuance of DVRO hearing?

DVRO (TRO granted) hearing scheduled in 1.5 weeks. I am a petitioner and want to know what would happen if I file a DV-115 form to request a continuance of the hearing.

(1) Do I have to serve the DV-115 form to the respondent, so that the respondent will have a chance to respond?... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jan 23, 2024

1) Yes, if you as the petitioner file a request for continuance (form DV-115) to postpone the DVRO hearing, you must provide copies to the other party (the respondent). The instructions for form DV-115 state that you must have someone mail a copy of the filed DV-115 to the respondent and any other... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law for California on
Q: Can I as a passenger of a vehicle be searched in a parole search if I've given no probable causes and am not on parole

Car was stopped due to speeding. Driver on parole was searched and had drugs on them

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jan 23, 2024

Under California law, the rights of a passenger in a vehicle during a parole search can be complex. Generally, if you're a passenger in a vehicle and not on parole yourself, you have constitutional protections against unreasonable searches and seizures. This means that without probable cause... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Criminal Law, Divorce and Family Law for California on
Q: Need help with a Grand Theft / Robbery discovered this past week. ≈ $7500 value. A fence seems to be involved, too.

My soon-to-be-ex stole property from my home [in contention].

Background: She claims / her excuse is that she cannot afford her expenses due to injuries she sustained in a bike crash 2/2023 and a post-flight PE that supposedly left her neurologically injured and "unable to work".... View More

Martha Bronson
Martha Bronson
answered on Jan 24, 2024

Grand larceny for property valued over $950. It would not be a robbery because robbery requires a taking of property of another through force.

If ownership of the property is not in dispute and you can prove your ownership, have you considered reporting it stolen and/or asked the...
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