Not every divorce must go to trial. It is possible to have an uncontested divorce, where the court grants the divorce filing with no need for a hearing. In uncontested divorces, there are no issues where the parties have failed to reach an agreement. Spouses have the ability to negotiate their own divorce agreement that covers all the major…
Spousal support, also known as alimony, is not something that is a part of every divorce. Everything depends on the circumstances of your own divorce and the economic position of each of the two partners. Spousal support is the court’s way of equalizing the standard of living between the two spouses when one has a greater earning power than…
Many spouses want to be done with their divorce as soon as possible, so they can turn a new page in their life. Under California law, the process will take time, even when the two spouses are able to agree on all issues. There is a minimum waiting period of six months from the time that you file for…
Certain serious crimes in California are charged as felonies. If the defendant is convicted of the crime, they can expect serious penalties, including jail time and fines. They will also face other collateral consequences of their conviction. There are several options for jail sentences, depending on the severity of the crime. The defendant could receive a low, medium, or…
In California, sole custody is when one parent has the ability to make important decisions for the child or when the child spends nearly all of their time with that parent. As a matter of policy, courts want both parents involved in the child’s life, and this is usually what is in their best interests. When a parent wants…
Nearly everyone can recite almost word-for-word what police say when arresting a suspect after years of watching police shows and Law and Order. However, they may not know why police must say these words and their meaning. These are called Miranda Rights. The name comes from a Supreme Court case that declared these to be a defendant’s constitutional rights….
In the 1990s, California followed the rest of the country in toughening its sentencing law with the intent of cutting crime. Like many of these statutes meant to show toughness, the California Three Strikes Law led to many harsh and unjust outcomes. There is still some form of that law on the books, although it was made slightly more…
This past year, California Highway Patrol officers arrested 244 people for DUI offenses on New Year’s Eve. This is in addition to arrests made by local police departments. This day has one of the highest numbers of DUI arrests because of the sheer number who are out drinking. California Highway Patrol Runs Sweeps Police officers are out in force…
If you have been arrested and charged with shoplifting, you should not try to face the legal system on your own. No matter what, you should hire an experienced lawyer to help you navigate the criminal justice system. Shoplifting is not always a minor charge. If the value of the goods was more than a certain amount, the charges…
You may not always be able to control the circumstances that could lead to divorce. Regardless, before you begin the process, you should prepare ahead of time. Preparation means making efforts to get ready, both emotionally and legally. Preparing Yourself Emotionally Divorce is not an easy process. There will be plenty of down periods where you may feel angry…
