You may know that courts can use aggravating factors like background and prior criminal conduct to hand down harsher sentences if convicted of a crime. Unfortunately, many defendants in a criminal case are unaware that good behavior and no prior arrests can often help you avoid the harshest sentence. These are known as mitigating factors, and courts typically account for them the same way they account for aggravating factors when deciding a sentence. Your outcome could improve significantly if your case involves special circumstances. Defendant-related factors Several circumstances unique to y ..read more

If you are looking to become a fully-fledged United States citizen, you need to go through the naturalization process. One area that gets many people worried is the civics test. If you never enjoyed exams at school or work, it is only natural to have concerns about this, especially if English is not your first language. The test is passable Each year thousands of people pass it without much problem.  Think of it like any other exam – if you want it enough, you need to prioritize studying for it. The answers are not all general knowledge Maybe you have heard people who have lived in the U ..read more

As the end of the year approaches, you’re likely to see some sobriety checkpoints on the roads. California law does allow them. Law enforcement agencies set up these checkpoints – typically more so around holidays, weekends and other times and places when there are likely to be a lot of drunk drivers on the road. There have been complaints that these checkpoints are a violation of Americans’ Fourth Amendment’s protections against “unreasonable searches and seizures,” since requiring a driver to pull over is in a sense a seizure of the vehicle. However, the right to set up checkpoints that eith ..read more

The American dream is based on the idea that people of all backgrounds should be granted equal opportunities to thrive in the United States. Many individuals have made this dream a reality, which in turn inspires others to do the same. Some research suggests that up to a million people immigrate to the U.S. every year, and they do so for various reasons. What exactly makes the U.S. such a popular destination for immigrants? The jobs Some of the largest and most successful companies in the world were founded in and operate out of the U.S.. For some, this inspires them to try and start their own ..read more

Officers have a host of powers at their disposal but these are counterbalanced by the rights of free citizens. As a law-abiding citizen, law enforcement is not entitled to interfere with your life without justification. This includes when you are driving your motor vehicle. To legitimately pull you over on suspicion of DUI, law enforcement must have reasonable suspicion. But what does this mean? Outlined below are a few important things to remember.  What is reasonable suspicion?  Essentially, reasonable suspicion means that law enforcement has a legitimate reason to believe that you ..read more

When police officers knock at your front door, you may feel nervous about the encounter. Even if you firmly believe you did not break the law, you may worry about what will happen next. Most people want to cooperate with law enforcement, which seems like a good approach to the situation on the surface. However, police officers could find things that you don’t expect when they go through your property and will continue searching without your permission if they find anything that gives them probable cause to suspect criminal activity. Do you have to allow police officers to search your home when ..read more

Immigrating to the United States is a dream for many, but it’s one that might have some unexpected effects. Many people see the wonder and opportunities of life in the U.S. While these are considerable benefits for immigrants, culture shock is something they might not think too much about – until it happens. Finding ways to deal with the culture shock might help you. Here are some suggestions that you can adjust to your unique situation: Immerse yourself in the local culture Enjoying the local culture may help you to adjust to life in the U.S. Try out different foods. Go to sporting events. Jo ..read more

Field sobriety tests play an important role in many California driving under the influence (DUI) cases. Police officers who think someone has had too much to drink could ask that driver to perform field sobriety tests to justify later requesting a chemical breath test. The performance of a driver on field sobriety tests can play become an important part of the evidence against them in criminal court. There are three standardized field sobriety tests that officers typically perform, although they may engage in other testing as well when trying to determine if someone is under the influence of m ..read more

The EAD card, also known as an employment authorization document, is vital for many immigrants living in the United States. However, not everyone needs to apply for one.  If you are considering applying for one, it’s important to understand what they are and how they can benefit you.  What is an EAD? The Employment Authorization Document (EAD) is a document that authorizes a foreign national to work in the United States. To be eligible for an EAD, you must have a valid immigration status that allows you to work in the United States. For example, you may qualify for an EAD if you have ..read more

Anyone who’s facing a criminal charge may wonder what will happen if they’re convicted. There’s not a way to know exactly what sentence will be handed down in a case. This is because there are many factors that come together to help a judge decide.  For most charges, there are sentencing guidelines in place that include a range of possible sentences for specific convictions. These are typically set by the state so there’s some measure of uniformity, but judges also have a lot of discretion when it comes to sentencing. They still have to respect the constitutional rights of defendants, inc ..read more