San Diego Criminal Defense Blog

Can a Sex Crime Conviction Ever Be Expunged in California?

Years after you completed your sentence, paid your fines, and finished probation, the punishment continues. It is a digital prison, a public shaming that follows...

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The Difference Between First-Degree and Second-Degree Murder Charges

A Deputy District Attorney inside a quiet downtown San Diego office makes a decision that will define the rest of your life. The prosecutor reviews...

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Can You Beat a DUI in California After Refusing the Breath Test?

The police officer gives you an ultimatum on the side of a dark San Diego road. Submit to a chemical test, or face the consequences....

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Common Mistakes After a Felony Domestic Violence Arrest in San Diego

The cool metal of the handcuffs is a chilling memory, but the real danger begins the moment you are released from custody. You are handed...

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Domestic Violence Investigations by the San Diego Family Justice Center

The detective’s voice on the phone is calm, almost friendly. A domestic violence report has been filed, and the detective says they need to get...

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When a California Drug Possession Charge Becomes a Felony

In a file room in the San Diego County District Attorney’s office, a prosecutor makes a decision that escalates your legal crisis from serious to...

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Serious Violent Felonies Under California’s Three Strikes Law

The prosecutor stands before a San Diego judge and says two words that fundamentally alter the gravity of your case: prior strike. With that simple...

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White Collar Crimes Rising in San Diego Tech and Biotech Sectors

San Diego’s innovation economy is the envy of the world. From the biotech labs of Torrey Pines to the software startups of Sorrento Valley, this...

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What to Expect at Your First Court Hearing for a DUI Felony Charge

The air in the courtroom is cold and still. You are sitting on a hard wooden bench, surrounded by strangers, waiting for your name to...

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Can a Felony Domestic Violence Charge Ever Be Reduced to a Misdemeanor?

The word “felony” echoes with a terrifying finality. When the San Diego District Attorney charges you with felony domestic violence, they are not just accusing...

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What Is the Difference Between State and Federal Fraud Charges?

The letter arrives in a plain government envelope. Inside, a single page informs you that you are the “target” of an investigation. Or, perhaps, two...

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Defenses Against Being Caught with an Unlicensed Firearm in Your Vehicle

The police officer shines his flashlight across your backseat, and his tone changes instantly. The routine traffic stop transforms into a high-stakes criminal investigation.  In...

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