Los Angeles Criminal Lawyer Blog

The legislation, releasing many low level offenders from California’s jails and prisons, has finally gone into effect. Out of approximately 6,500 low level offenders, more than 1500 inmates already have been released from custody. So far San Bernardino County has released 648 inmates. Riverside County has released approximately 170 inmates. Orange County has released more than 300 inmates. Sacramento County has released approximately 200 inmates. In the next few weeks Ventura County is slated to release over 200 inmates, with more than 400 additional inmates to follow.

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Posted In: General Criminal Law

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Lets say that you are involved in a fight. When the LAPD arrive at the scene, you inform them that this was more of a pushing contest. Nevertheless, the police determine that you are at fault. You are arrested, booked, and told to appear in court on a certain date. When you do appear in the Los Angeles Superior Court you do not have an attorney, and yet, after the judge reads you the charges, he asks you to enter a plea: "guilty," "not guilty," or "no contest." What do you do?

Before I answer this question let me tell you a little about the criminal process in California. There are two types of offenses. A felony is a crime punishable by a minimum of one year in jail, or $1,000.00 fine, or both. A misdemeanor, which is our example above, is a crime punishable by a maximum of one year in jail, or $1,000.00 fine, or both. In misdemeanor proceedings there are usually four stages: (1) arraignment, (2) pre-trial hearing, (3) trial, and (4) sentencing.

Continue reading "FIRST TIME IN THE LOS ANGELES CRIMINAL COURT SYSTEM" »

Posted by Gurovich, Berk & Associates | Permalink | Email This Post

Posted In: General Criminal Law

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