While most people have heard of search and arrest warrants, fewer are familiar with the other types used in the criminal justice system. Regardless of the variety, they are all used to help keep the justice system working as smoothly as possible, making it possible for police to do their jobs while ensuring witnesses and […] The post The 7 Types of Criminal Warrants in California appeared first on Vista DUI Lawyer and Criminal Attorney Peter M. Liss ..read more

Last Updated on August 27, 2024 When emergency personnel are called to handle a fire, hostage situation, car crash, or any other situation that threatens the public’s safety, they must be able to do their jobs without interference. It is for this very reason that California has instituted multiple laws to help protect first responders […] The post Sightseeing or Unauthorized Entry into an Emergency Area appeared first on Vista DUI Lawyer and Criminal Attorney Peter M. Liss ..read more

Last Updated on August 27, 2024 The US court system recognizes that some relationships deserve legal protections so the parties can be sufficiently open with one another. For example, a client must feel comfortable with their attorney to share all information relevant to their case, spouses should be able to communicate with one another openly, Catholic priests cannot break […] The post What Happens if You Confess a Crime to a Therapist? appeared first on Vista DUI Lawyer and Criminal Attorney Peter M. Liss ..read more

It was a true tragedy when cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was killed on the set of Alec Baldwin’s Western film Rust. Whether or not it was a crime was not as immediately apparent. To determine if it was a crime, the incident was investigated by the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Department, New Mexico’s First Judicial District Attorney, New Mexico Occupational Health and Safety Bureau, and the FBI. Eventually, producer and director Alec Baldwin, assistant director David Halls, and armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed were charged for their roles in the incident. But while the latter were convicted, a ju ..read more

When emergency personnel are called to handle a fire, hostage situation, car crash, or any other situation that threatens the public’s safety, they must be able to do their jobs without interference. It is for this very reason that California has instituted multiple laws to help protect first responders while they handle dangerous situations. These laws include California Penal Codes: 148.2 (PC): Interfering with the Discharge of Duty of a Fireman 402a) (PC): Sightseeing at the Scene of an Emergency 409.5 (PC): Unauthorized Entry into a Closed Emergency Area These offenses are all misdemean ..read more

Mark Twain advised entertainers to ‘never let the truth get in the way of a good story.” Throughout the twelve seasons of HBO’s Curb Your Enthusiasm, Larry David heartily embraced those words, making a farce of his own life as he plays a fictional version of himself. Of course, he already test-drove this recipe for success in Seinfeld, which ended with a much-maligned finale depicting the characters going to jail for doing nothing. After Larry David and his fellow writers completely twisted the definition of a good Samaritan law and depicted a wholly unrealistic and illega ..read more

Overall, Americans are against the idea of statewide surveillance programs, which is why there are no nationwide camera systems complete with facial recognition like there are in many other countries. But Americans, like most people, also want police to be able to solve crimes, especially serious and violent offenses. Balancing the public’s desire for privacy and public safety can be difficult, so when a government agency installs surveillance systems, there is usually at least some level of public debate before the plans are implemented. Yet somehow, the SDPD managed to continually add new s ..read more

Skilled gardeners know the best way to avoid spending a fortune on plants is to simply propagate new plants from seeds, roots, cuttings, and discarded or damaged plant matter. While there’s typically nothing wrong with propagating your own plants or accepting propagation materials from friends, family members, and neighbors, taking plant parts without permission, sometimes called “proplifting,” is often against the law. Here’s how to propagate plants you don’t know without committing a crime. What is Proplifting? While it sounds like “proplifting” would involve shoplifting plant matter, the a ..read more

Californians love their state flower. It’s little wonder we’re so proud of them when they create a golden landscape spreading across hills and valleys in areas like Antelope Valley, Diamond Lake, and Lake Elsinore. Many residents are so enchanted by our state flower that they don’t even question it when someone tells them it is against the law to pick these blossoms. But the reality is that it is legal to pick California poppies (sometimes called golden poppies or their scientific name, Eschscholzia) —depending on the circumstances. Here’s what aspiring poppy pickers should know. Is Picking C ..read more

California state driving laws establish a very specific definition of “vehicle” under the law, explicitly defining it as something self-propelled or powered by something other than a human. As a result, while you can get a DUI while riding a horse, operating a boat, or even using a ride-on lawnmower, you cannot get one for bouncing down the street on a pogo stick. However, there are some exceptions that allow users of some self-propelled vehicles to avoid driving under the influence charges, while some human-powered transportation methods are subject to their own drunk driving laws. This ..read more