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…
Being charged with a crime can markedly damage your reputation, and if you are convicted of the crime and have a record, your entire life can change. If you have a criminal case in Sacramento or Marin County, one of the experienced criminal defense attorneys from Mason Law is here to answer any questions you might have and assist…
Being charged with a drug offense can be intimidating, as you might not know what the charge entails and how it might impact your freedom now or into the future. Having a record can impact your future in many ways, and doing whatever you can to avoid a drug offense on your record is advised. This is where an experienced…
The holidays should be a time of celebration and joy, but for some, this time is disrupted by an arrest and criminal charges. Not only do certain crimes increase during the holiday season, but so does enforcement by police officers. If your holiday season comes to a halt due to an arrest, you should immediately reach out to a…
While California has liberalized drug laws, possession charges can still carry a stiff sentence. This will have consequences in the short-term and long run. Now, possession of a controlled substance is no longer a felony in California. It is a misdemeanor, punishable by up to one year in prison. This includes drugs like: Heroin Cocaine Morphine Prescription drugs In…
Anybody who has watched a television show or movie knows about the suspect being told that they have the right to remain silent. Practically every observer, even those without law degrees, can recite these lines by heart. This is also known as Miranda Rights, and there is a legal purpose behind this. These rights come from the Supreme Court…
Theft is a crime that can be charged numerous ways in California, depending on how much was allegedly taken and how. The penalties for these crimes can vary. How they are charged also depends on the prosecutor and the actions of your own attorney. Here are some of the theft crimes in California. Petty theft is the most minor…
There is no doubt that seeing flashing lights in your rearview mirror is stressful, but the situation becomes significantly more serious if the traffic stop ends with you in handcuffs. Many people would not expect to get arrested after getting pulled over, but the reality is that it happens all the time. If you get arrested, you need a…
