Is Jamie Lynn Spears Boyfriend Guilty of Statutory Rape?

It has been impossible to miss the news that Britney Spears little sister, Jamie Lynn, is now pregnant. The media coverage had focused a lot on her young age -barely over 16 – and the fact her boyfriend is 18. Was this technically statutory rape because of the age difference between the two? The answer […]

Myth Debunking: Why “The Question” Doesn’t Work

A staple of cop movies and TV shows is a suspect using “the question” root out undercover officers. The Question is, “Are you a police officer or are you in any way working directly or indirectly with any law enforcement agency?” The idea is that if the person IS a cop then they […]

How California Domestic Violence Laws Work

Domestic abuse charges can be brought against more than just married
couples. Any couple living together, any dating couple, or any two
people who have a child together can be charged with domestic abuse.
This includes the ex-husband or wife and the ex-boyfriend or
girlfriend, or anyone you had a child with even if you don’t live
together.
Domestic violence […]

The Top 6 Ways Not To Get Pulled Over

We often write about how to handle yourself during contact with a law enforcement officer (LEO) during a traffic stop, but a better option is not having any contact with them at all. LEO’s only have so many resources, if you don’t present a target they will go after someone else. Here are a few […]

Getting Your Case Organized For Trial From The Get-Go

This is a special post from a friend and retired lawyer with insights, opinions, and tips for preparing a case. If you are unsatifisfied with your lawyer or you are in trouble with the law, contact Stephen G. Rodriguez and Associates for help.
When a client comes to us with a problem, we tend […]

Is It Child Abuse?

I’ve been following a Minnesota child abuse case with a kind of fascinated horror. The facts go something like this: a twelve year old boy is disobeying his father, sneaking out of the house at night and doing other naughty 12-year-old boy kinds of things. The father, at his wits end, warns his son that […]

Three Strikes and You’re Out

Three strikes and you’re out; the saying doesn’t just apply to baseball anymore. The “Three Strikes and You’re Out” statute became effective in California in March of 1994. It essentially means that if you’re convicted of three felonies, you may face up to a life-time prison sentence.
The reasoning behind the law is that […]

How to Handle Getting Pulled Over Without Losing Your Cool

Getting pulled over is a stressful experience for anyone. You will be able to handle the process better if you understand what to expect. Here is guide on what to expect from the officer and what steps you should take to make the encounter as pleasant as possible.
1. Getting Pulled Over – When you see […]

A Scanner Darkly: Why state agencies will be interested in iris scans for sex offenders

For the past months, I’ve been reading up on iris scanning and how some agencies are willing to use this technology for creating a solid national registry for sex offenders. One recent article I came across was written over a year ago in response to North Carolina’s SORIS™ program. The most significant argument […]

California DUI Laws and Your Rights

A DUI in California can cost you your driving privileges, 48 hour or more of jail time and a fine of up to $1,000. Because over 50 percent of car accidents with fatalities in California involve a drunk driver, law enforcement has stepped up to try to drive the statistics down. If you’re […]