What Kinds of Court Mistakes Can Be Appealed?
As we noted in our November 3 post, courts do sometimes make mistakes. Criminal defendants have a constitutional right to appeal their conviction. Through the appellate process, a higher court — the Court of Appeals — reviews court proceedings and sentences. If a judicial error has been made, the Court of Appeals can correct the […]
Appeals Can Overturn Criminal Convictions
The American justice system isn’t perfect. Sometimes errors are made during the court process that can result in unfair criminal convictions. The California criminal appeals process can correct court errors and overturn wrongful criminal convictions.
In the United States, a convicted criminal defendant has the right to challenge that conviction. This challenge is called an appeal. […]
Will Economic Troubles Increase Crime Rate?
Financial desperation often leads to desperate acts. In California, an unemployed money manager lost a fortune and killed his family in a tragic murder-suicide. In Ohio, a 90-year-old widow shot herself as deputies arrived to evict her from her home of 38 years.
The first wave of violent fallout from the current economic crisis seems to be […]
A Tale of Two Lawyers
Recently I blogged about my nephew’s frightening experience with the court system. A couple of beers with his high school friends before going off to college turned into a nightmare when he was stopped for DUI by a no-nonsense Virginia cop. (See our Oct. 10 post.) My 18-year-old nephew was lucky. His folks hired an […]
AG Brown Goes After Prescription Drug Addicts
Prescription drug abuse is reaching epidemic proportions in the U.S. The National Survey on Drug Use and Health estimates that 20% to 30% of California’s drug abusers are addicted to prescription drugs. The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) estimates that 48 million Americans have used prescription drugs for non-medical reasons. Abuse of prescription drugs like […]
Will Criminals Receive Due Process If Marsy’s Law Passes?
Victims’ rights are a hot political issue in California this election. Proponents of California Proposition 9, also called Marsy’s Law and the Crime Victims’ Bill of Rights, say it will give crime victims the same rights as accused and convicted criminals (see our Sept. 24 post). But crime victims in California already have most of […]
Marsy’s Law Would Give Crime Victims Equal Rights
Crime victims advocates, law enforcement leaders and numerous politicians have united in support of California Proposition 9, also called Marsy’s Law. If approved by voters on the November ballot, the ”Crime Victims’ Bill of Rights Act of 2008″ will provide crime victims with the same constitutional rights as accused and convicted criminals.
“California’s constitution guarantees rights for […]
California Leads National Decrease in Drunk Driving Stats
California posted the greatest decrease in drunken driving deaths last year according to data released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Nationwide alcohol-related traffic fatalities decreased by 4% from 2006 with fatality rates falling in 32 states.
California had 117 fewer alcohol-impaired driving deaths in 2007. A driver is considered drunk when he has a […]
Red Light Districts Could Go Legit Under San Fran’s Prop K
In November, San Francisco residents could give Red Light districts the green light if they approve Proposition K. Being heralded as the legalization of prostitution, Prop K would decriminalize prostitution and change the way the city enforces prostitution laws.
Parties on both sides of the debate have been vocal in their arguments. Proponents say Prop K would improve […]
Los Angeles Considers Anti-Graffiti Law
Some youths consider graffiti a rite of passage. They’re enticed by the thrill of sneaking around in the middle of the night to leave their mark where all can see. Victims of their vandalism, however, are more than annoyed by the time and expense required to remove these questionable “works of art” which often convey […]
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