Showing posts with label Criminal. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Criminal. Show all posts

Monday, April 12, 2010

Hit and Run: Criminal Accidents in Los Angeles


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There are many ways for the criminal law-abiding citizens, or to obtain problems Angeles, a city the size of the lot, never do any evil intent to damage, either One way to do this is to invest in a "hit and run" type of disorder in question. Should not be difficult for you in a scenario where you are in a crowded parking lot or driving on the road and imagine for a variety of innocent reasons of distraction or noise, fatigue or less harmless drugYou hit another vehicle.

This is a common occurrence in general insurance companies or regulated private between the parties. Sometimes, depending on the severity of the accident and the damage, and the police are called. Where things get complicated and crime is when a party leaves the scene. This is commonly referred to as a "hit and run."

No matter if the scene in the car left or left the car at the scene and fled on foot and were takenfrom a friend. If the scene without providing information or links, inaccurate or false (the "false note" option on the left).

THE PROBLEM

In California, widely believed to be "hit and run" is codified in Vehicle Code Section 2002 which reads:
t
"The driver of a vehicle in an accident only damage to property, including vehicles involved is to stop the vehicle immediately to the nearest place that do not impede traffic orotherwise jeopardize the safety of other motorists. Moving the vehicle in accordance with this subdivision does not affect the question of fault. The driver shall also immediately do either of the following:

(1) Locate and notify the owner or person in charge of that property of the name and address of the driver and owner of the vehicle involved and, upon locating the driver of any other vehicle involved or the owner or person in charge of any damaged property, upon being requested, present his or her driver's license, and vehicle registration, to the other driver, property owner, or person in charge of that property. The information presented shall include the current residence address of the driver and of the registered owner. If the registered owner of an involved vehicle is present at the scene, he or she shall also, upon request, present his or her driver's license information, if available or other valid identification to the other involved parties.

2) Leave in a conspicuous place on the vehicle or other property damaged a written notice giving the name and address of the driver and of the owner of the vehicle involved and a statement of the circumstances thereof and shall without unnecessary delay notify the police department of the city wherein the collision occurred or, if the collision occurred in unincorporated territory, the local headquarters of the Department of the California Highway Patrol.
(b) Any person who parks a vehicle which, prior drove around the vehicle is again a vehicle in flight and is in an accident involving property damage in question, manned or automatic, is responsible for the Provisions of this section concerning notification and reporting and will be sent to the conviction, the penalties do in this section for non-compliance.
(C) any person who does not meet all the requirements of this section, be guilty of a crime and sentencingthereof, shall be punished by imprisonment in county jail not exceeding six months or a fine not exceeding one hundred dollars ($ 1,000), or by both that imprisonment and fine. "

California Vehicle Code Section 2002 is to be very clear and specific. No matter whose fault it is, you must meet the requirements listed above.

A Hit and Run can also occur if the car hits a parked car, causing relatively minor damage and leaving the scene. You can not even awarethat an accident has occurred. A bystander or eye witness may take down your license plate number and call the police. It is even possible to be in busy traffic, or on the freeway, and be involved in a collision where one or both parties "takes off" or leaves the scene of the incident. You may even lose each other in to the normal flow of traffic, or due to the speed of the vehicle, or road or weather conditions such as darkness, rain or bad lighting. Even in this situation someone can be charged with a hit and run violation. Even failing to provide complete or accurate information can lead to a criminal filing and can land you in jail for up to six months.

THE SOLUTION

Perhaps you were involved in a situation that is similar to this. You may have been sent a letter by the City Attorney. You may have received a telephone call from a detective, or someone may have come around asking questions about you or your vehicle. It is important at this point not no one to speak and seek the advice of a competent attorney and lawyer who follow 's direction. An attorney try to find the information you enter on the basis of information you are looking for and can generate reports and talk with officers and stakeholders.

A lawyer can guide you through this process, keep out of trouble, and also because the civil arena guide. A civil case is one where only money is involved (evenIf you are not a criminal problem) and where a fraction and the loss of freedom of those involved in detention. A crime as cited above may carry penalties of up to six months in county jail. If injuries are involved or other issues like hitting a pedestrian or were under the influence should immediately contact a criminal defense lawyer, because this type of gear in some situations, and often classified as a crime taken, the lesions are usually involvedcan carry penalties of more than a year in the State Prison.

Over the years many people who have been involved in hit and runs have come to me and I have helped get them out of trouble. Sometimes I have been able to make sure that no charges were filed and even when charges were filed, I was able to either get them dismissed or have been able to resolve them with relatively minor consequences.

I use many techniques based on years of negotiation and legal knowledge including California Penal Code Section 1377-1378.

California Penal Code Section 1377, 1378 provide:

"When the person injured by an act constituting a misdemeanor has a remedy by a civil action, the offense may be compromised, as provided in Section 1378, except when it is committed as follows:

(a) By or upon an officer of justice, while in the execution of the duties of his or her office.

(b) Riotously.

(c) With an intent to commit a felony.

(d) In violation of any court order, as described in Section 273.6 or 273.65.

(E) or to any family or household member or to any person if the violation of a person in section 6211 of the Code or subdivision of a family described, including (b) of section 13700 of this code.

(F) When an old man, in violation of § 368 of the Code or Section 15656 of the Welfare and Institutions Code.

(G) For a child, as described in Section 647.6 or 11165.6

An experienced Los Angeles criminalable to solve many defenders hit and run cases through the negotiation of compensation and payment for you and protects you from any criminal liability and imprisonment. Using this code section effectively an experienced lawyer can navigate to the deep sea and Muddy Waters, the criminal justice system and get to shore. As a lawyer, I think that the investigators and speak with the investigator. I can sign the other parties and draft letters for them to contact and knowthe way to present it to the District Attorney, he City Attorney and the judge so they can "sign off" on it.

Although Penal Code Sections 1377 and 1378 provide for a civil remedy thus allowing the criminal court to dismiss a case, usually a prosecutor has to agree to it and it is most certainly in the judge's discretion whether to grant a dismissal under Penal Code Section 1377-1378.
Other factors include the severity of the incident, the age of the person involved, prior criminal record, the victim's desire for prosecution, and other factors not cited here.

OTHER SOLUTIONS

There are some Justifications for leaving the scene of an accident. One of these is to seek immediate medical attention. The social policy here is self evident. We don't want an injured person to stay at the scene of an accident at the cost of their own life, limb or health. In emergencies leaving the scene of an accident may be allowed.

This justification may apply if you are injured in the accident or someone else is injured and you take them to the hospital. Perhaps you were already on the way to the hospital when the accident occurred.

Other situations may also arise. Perhaps you were a passenger who left the scene and you are afraid someone may think you are driving, or perhaps you lent your car out to a family member or friend who has a similar physical description to you. All of these scenarios can be handled by an expert in criminal defense.

What do
What measures should be adopted and the situation is "fair." You have a couple of mistakes and questionable decisions that he had been an accident and left the scene. Do not do anything, still worse decisions. It 's a mistake, and we hope to avoid the problem away. It 's also a mistake to try to address the issue of police searching, talk to the other party orlies.

There is a mistake and a crime following the report falsely that the vehicle was stolen, or make another false report. Whatever the situation, even if you have further complicated the matter, it is important to enter the solution immediately contact a criminal defense and to be with someone who is able to deal with cases of this business. You can not have the defense and the situation, if handled correctly almost as bad as you are entitledmay think. There is always a solution and help is available and just a telephone call away.

**NOTE: The above article is a legal opinion only based on California law only and should not be construed as specific legal advice. If you are not in California, you need to consult an attorney in your State to find the applicable laws. It should also be noted that every legal situation is fact specific and different. You should seek independent legal advice for your matter and not rely on the article above which is general in nature. J.R.

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Friday, April 2, 2010

Criminal Defense Careers


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Criminal defense careers offer several exciting and rewarding positions in both public and private sectors. Employment options in any legal organization would depend upon the size of the firm, specialization, and expertise. Criminal defense lawyer or attorney can specialize in areas such as DUI, DWI, disorderly conduct, kidnapping, domestic violence, weapon crimes, felonies, murder, parole violations, arrest warrants, bail hearings, or summonses. However, a great deal of trial experience is required for any criminal defense lawyer. Most of the criminal defense lawyers work for prosecutor?s or public defender?s office.

The attorneys can specialize in white collar criminal defense. Most of the large law firms consist of a white-collar criminal defense division. They can also work as solo practitioners. White collar criminal defense lawyers provide legal representation for corporate clients against regulatory boards such as the Securities and Exchange Commission or against the corporate crime division of the U.S. attorney's office. Besides crime issues, they can also specialize in embezzlement, price-fixing, fraud, bribery, and racketeering. White collar criminal defense attorneys charge relatively higher than that of large-scale civil litigation attorneys.

The lawyers can also specialize in appellate law. Appellate attorneys can work in both private and government organizations. They spend most of their time in appellate research, presentation of oral arguments, and in the preparation of records and briefs. A wide range of appellate caseload is available in both state and federal courts. State appellate criminal defense attorneys can earn a government salary. Private lawyers engaged in appellate cases can earn a huge amount as salary. Most appellate attorneys will have either prior trial experience or clerking experience for a judge.

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Criminal Defense Careers


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Criminal defense careers offer several exciting and rewarding positions in both public and private sectors. Employment options in any legal organization would depend upon the size of the firm, specialization, and expertise. Criminal defense lawyer or attorney can specialize in areas such as DUI, DWI, disorderly conduct, kidnapping, domestic violence, weapon crimes, felonies, murder, parole violations, arrest warrants, bail hearings, or summonses. However, a great deal of trial experience is required for any criminal defense lawyer. Most of the criminal defense lawyers work for prosecutor?s or public defender?s office.

The attorneys can specialize in white collar criminal defense. Most of the large law firms consist of a white-collar criminal defense division. They can also work as solo practitioners. White collar criminal defense lawyers provide legal representation for corporate clients against regulatory boards such as the Securities and Exchange Commission or against the corporate crime division of the U.S. attorney's office. Besides crime issues, they can also specialize in embezzlement, price-fixing, fraud, bribery, and racketeering. White collar criminal defense attorneys charge relatively higher than that of large-scale civil litigation attorneys.

The lawyers can also specialize in appellate law. Appellate attorneys can work in both private and government organizations. They spend most of their time in appellate research, presentation of oral arguments, and in the preparation of records and briefs. A wide range of appellate caseload is available in both state and federal courts. State appellate criminal defense attorneys can earn a government salary. Private lawyers engaged in appellate cases can earn a huge amount as salary. Most appellate attorneys will have either prior trial experience or clerking experience for a judge.

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Tuesday, March 30, 2010

California Criminal Records Prove That Los Angeles is Not a City of Angels


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Los Angeles, California has long been known as the City of Angeles. However, California criminal records prove that Los Angeles is not a city of angels. L.A. is the largest city in the state of California and the second largest city in the nation. Los Angeles has nearly four million residents, meaning that approximately one-ninth of the state's population reside in L.A. Los Angeles County is the most populated and the most diverse county in the United States. Residents hail from all over the globe - from more than 140 countries to be exact. They speak 224 different languages, including English, Spanish, Korean, Filipino, Armenian, Chinese, and Persian.

In the past decade, the number of California criminal records has steadily declined. Although crime has significantly decreased, the record low for homicides was still 392 in 2007. The murder rate is high in Los Angeles, strongly due to the number of gangs and gang members that call L.A. their home. Known as the Gang Capital of America, Los Angeles is home to many infamous gangs, such as the Bloods, the Crips, the Surenos, and the 18th Street gang. In addition to gang activity, Los Angeles is an area in which a large number of hate crimes occur. These crimes are committed against people because of their race, ethnicity, religion, or sexual orientation. Results from the 2000 Census show that Los Angeles is a minority-majority city, meaning that the majority of people living in the city differ from the national majority population. This means that the majority of Angelenos are not Non-Hispanic whites. Because Los Angeles' population is diverse, made up of Non-Hispanic whites, Hispanics, Latinos, African Americans, Asian Americas, Native Americans, Pacific Islanders, and a number of other races, with many people being bi-racial or of more than two races, crimes based on race and ethnicity are very common.

Other major cities in California include Anaheim, Fresno, Long Beach, Monterey, Napa, Oakland, Sacramento, San Diego, San Francisco, San Jose, Santa Ana, Santa Barbara, and Santa Cruz. However, California criminal records from those cities pale in comparison to those of Los Angeles. While some of the cities may have high crime rates, with some being higher than Los Angeles, the actual numbers of crimes committed in other cities are much lower than those of Los Angeles. This is due t the fact that one of the factors involved in determining crime rates is population. For example, according to a 2006 crime comparison, San Francisco had a murder rate of 11.5, while Los Angeles had a rate of 12.4. This may lead you to believe that nearly as many murders occurred in San Francisco as Los Angeles. When you examine the actual number of murders, San Francisco had 86, while Los Angeles had 480. Crime rate is found by dividing the actual number of a particular crime by the population multiplied by the number 100,000. Comparing the city to the entire state of California, Los Angeles has a violent crime rate that is more than double that of the state of California as a whole. Therefore, not all residents of Los Angeles, California are angels.

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California Criminal Records Prove That Los Angeles is Not a City of Angels


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Los Angeles, California has long been known as the City of Angeles. However, California criminal records prove that Los Angeles is not a city of angels. L.A. is the largest city in the state of California and the second largest city in the nation. Los Angeles has nearly four million residents, meaning that approximately one-ninth of the state's population reside in L.A. Los Angeles County is the most populated and the most diverse county in the United States. Residents hail from all over the globe - from more than 140 countries to be exact. They speak 224 different languages, including English, Spanish, Korean, Filipino, Armenian, Chinese, and Persian.

In the past decade, the number of California criminal records has steadily declined. Although crime has significantly decreased, the record low for homicides was still 392 in 2007. The murder rate is high in Los Angeles, strongly due to the number of gangs and gang members that call L.A. their home. Known as the Gang Capital of America, Los Angeles is home to many infamous gangs, such as the Bloods, the Crips, the Surenos, and the 18th Street gang. In addition to gang activity, Los Angeles is an area in which a large number of hate crimes occur. These crimes are committed against people because of their race, ethnicity, religion, or sexual orientation. Results from the 2000 Census show that Los Angeles is a minority-majority city, meaning that the majority of people living in the city differ from the national majority population. This means that the majority of Angelenos are not Non-Hispanic whites. Because Los Angeles' population is diverse, made up of Non-Hispanic whites, Hispanics, Latinos, African Americans, Asian Americas, Native Americans, Pacific Islanders, and a number of other races, with many people being bi-racial or of more than two races, crimes based on race and ethnicity are very common.

Other major cities in California include Anaheim, Fresno, Long Beach, Monterey, Napa, Oakland, Sacramento, San Diego, San Francisco, San Jose, Santa Ana, Santa Barbara, and Santa Cruz. However, California criminal records from those cities pale in comparison to those of Los Angeles. While some of the cities may have high crime rates, with some being higher than Los Angeles, the actual numbers of crimes committed in other cities are much lower than those of Los Angeles. This is due t the fact that one of the factors involved in determining crime rates is population. For example, according to a 2006 crime comparison, San Francisco had a murder rate of 11.5, while Los Angeles had a rate of 12.4. This may lead you to believe that nearly as many murders occurred in San Francisco as Los Angeles. When you examine the actual number of murders, San Francisco had 86, while Los Angeles had 480. Crime rate is found by dividing the actual number of a particular crime by the population multiplied by the number 100,000. Comparing the city to the entire state of California, Los Angeles has a violent crime rate that is more than double that of the state of California as a whole. Therefore, not all residents of Los Angeles, California are angels.

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Thursday, March 25, 2010

Assault & Battery - Criminal Law


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Each year there are over 800,000 assaults reported to local law enforcement agencies. Assault is typically defined as trying to strike an individual when the individual is aware of the danger being presented. A 'felonious' assault is an attack, or attempt to attack, through force, in order to cause physical injury to an individual. Even if the individual doesn't get hurt, but a weapon is involved, then it still falls under the category of a felony.

Assault & Battery is an incident where actual contact was made and resulted in the need for medical treatment. This is also a felony. The consequences of an assault crime can be imprisonment, probation, fines, anger management classes and more. The punishment usually has to do with the circumstances of the situation and the background of the offender. If the offender has a prior history of assault these punishments will most likely be inflated.

Not every instance of an assault crime is straight forward and clear-cut. For instance, an assault may have been committed due to self-defense or defending another person or property. This is why it is so important to hire a professional assault attorney. A qualified attorney will be able to complete an extensive investigation and use their professional expertise to help dismiss or minimize the sentence.

Assault & Battery - Criminal Law

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Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Criminal Misdemeanor Law in Rhode Island (RI) - Plea Agreements - Sentencing & What is a Conviction?


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A misdemeanor is any offense punishable by up to one year in Jail. Typical misdemeanors are: driving under the influence of alcohol / drunk driving (dui / dwi), shoplifting, domestic assault, Second (2nd) offense refusal to take the breathalyzer, driving on a suspended license, writing bad checks, domestic vandalism, simple assault and battery, domestic disorderly, reckless driving, disorderly conduct, etc. There are different rules that apply to driving with suspended licenses and this article does not fully address those provisions.

If you cannot afford an attorney to represent you then you should contact the Public Defender. The Rhode Island Office of the Public Defender represents eligible clients in criminal law matters (misdemeanors / felony) for no charge. Do not use this article as a substitute for seeking independent legal advice from a lawyer.

It is a very bad idea for a person to represent themselves (pro-se) in a criminal case. Please note that this article only applies to Rhode Island misdemeanor offenses and does not apply to any other states!

At the arraignment, A person should almost always say not guilty and hire an attorney. If a person cannot afford a lawyer then the person should go to the Public Defender. After the arraignment the matter will be set for a pretrial conference a couple of weeks later. In some very limited circumstances a person can work out a plea deal at the arraignment. It is usually a very bad idea for a person to enter into a plea agreement without an attorney.

At the pretrial conference a person can change their plea after meeting with the prosecutor and or the judge and after finding out what the prosecutor is offering for a a sentence. A defendant can negotiate with the prosecutor through their lawyer. If a plea agreement cannot be worked out at the pretrial conferences the matter will be set for trial. The matter also could be scheduled for motions prior to the trial if motions are requested.

A person should never change their plea from not guilty to nolo contendere or guilty without a plea deal from the prosecutor.

In Rhode Island, a defendant can enter one of four pleas: guilty, not guilty, nolo contendere or an "alfred plea".

Guilty and Not Guilty Pleas

The pleas of guilty and not guilty are obvious. If the plea is not guilty then the matter will be scheduled for a trial on the merits in which the prosecution must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the person is guilty of the alleged offense. The person will be presumed innocent and it is the prosecutions burden to prove that the person is guilty. Usually, it is a very very bad idea to take a guilty plea! Guilty pleas or a finding of guilt after a trial is always a criminal conviction in Rhode Island.

Nolo Contendere Plea

Nolo contendere means a person is not contesting the charges. When a defendant takes a nolo contendere plea in Rhode island, the defendant is indicting that he does not want to contest the charges but is also essentially admitting to the charges.

What is the difference between a guilty plea and a nolo contendere plea in rhode Island? There is a huge difference! A guilty plea is always a criminal conviction under Rhode Island law. A criminal conviction has major negative implications especially when a person applies for employment. A plea of nolo contendere may not constitute a criminal conviction in Rhode Island. A plea of nolo contendere is only a conviction in Rhode Island if there is a sentence of confinement (such as the ACI or home confinement), a suspended sentence or a fine imposed.

For example, A plea of nolo contendere with a sentence of probation and a contribution to the violent crimes indemnity fund or court costs will not constitute a conviction under Rhode Island law! For example, A plea of nolo contendere with a sentence of a filing and a contribution to the violent crimes indemnity fund (vcif) will not constitute a conviction under Rhode Island law.

However, anything with a fine attached to it will be a conviction under Rhode Island law. Therefore, it is important that the defendant gets either no fine or a contribution to the victims fund or court costs rather then a fine.

All misdeameanor plea agreements in Rhode lsland should be nolo contendere with court costs or a contribution towards the victims indemnity fund rather then guilty pleas!

Alfred Pleas

Alfred Pleas are strongly disfavored by judges in Rhode Island (RI) and are difficult to get. Alfred pleas derive from a United States Supreme Court case. In an Alfred plea, a defendant will admit that the state has sufficient evidence to convict him or her if the case went to trial but will not admit to anything.

DUI / Drunk Driving charges

In Rhode Island, any plea to drunk driving, driving under the influence, DUI/ DWI is a conviction under Rhode Island law. A breathalyzer refusal plea of guilty or "admitting to sufficient facts" is not a criminal conviction because a breathalyzer refusal is a civil case. For more information concerning Rhode Island drunk driving / dui and breathalyzer refusal law please see => http://ezinearticles.com/?Rhode-Island-DUI---DWI-Law-Should-I-Refuse-The-Breathalyzer?&id=486659

Guilty Finding after Trial and appeals de novo

If the defendant is found guilty after trial the sentence will constitute a conviction. If a person is found guilty at trial in district court they can appeal de novo (of new) to the Superior Court and the conviction will be erased and the case will essentially start all over again in the Superior Court.

Obviously, the defendants best result is either a dismissal by the prosecution or an acquittal.
A defendant has five days to file an appeal of a guilty finding after trial or appeal a plea agreement that he / she is unhappy with. In the Superior Court appeal, the defendant has a right to a trial by jury. Whereas, in The District Court a person waives their right to a trial by jury but in exchange for their waiver of their right to a trial by jury has the right to appeal any guilty finding de novo (of new) to the Superior Court. A person charged with a misdemeanor essentially has two bites of the apple so to speak. A defendant can attempt to win at a judge decided trial in District Court and then if they lose they can do it all over again with a jury trial in Superior Court.

What is a "filing" in Rhode Island?

A one year filing is usually only offered by the prosecutor as a penalty for first time offenders. A filing is a penalty that is typically offered for first time offenders for relatively minor misdemeanors. A filing is the lowest form of penalty available and is always better than probation for an accused. A filing is when the case is put aside for a year and if the person stays out of trouble for a year then the case is eligible to be expunged and destroyed at the end of the year.

Be careful, do not forget to have your filing expunged at the end of the year! It is not automatic. A certified copy of the expungement order must also be sent to the Rhode Island Attorney General 's office, the Rhode Island State Police and the local police department that pursued the criminal charge. In the event that a person is found guilty after trial, a person could still be sentenced to a one year filing. However, any guilty finding after trial will constitute a conviction. A guilty finding with a penalty of a filing should be appealed to avoid a conviction.

(Expungement is a process in which a person can have certain eligible Rhode Island criminal records expunged off there record. In order to obtain an expungement of a Rhode Island criminal record a person must file a motion to expunge. I strongly advise that you contact me or another Rhode Island criminal law attorney to determine whether a criminal record can be expunged.)

If a one year filing is offered by the prosecutor / city solicitor and is accepted then the case will be "filed" for a year. This is commonly called a "filing". If the defendant does not get arrested or get in other trouble and complies with the conditions of the filing during the one year period then the case can be easily expunged from a person's record after the year.

What types of filing are there in Rhode Island

There are two types of filings, not guilty filings and nolo contendere filings. A not Guilty filing is when the defendant maintains his innocence and the case if filed for a year. A not guilty filing is not usually allowed by Judges in the District Court! Not Guilty filings are extremely rare in the District Court. Some judges will not allow not guilty filings as a matter of policy. Not guilty filings are very beneficial to the defendant as the best case scenario short of a dismissal or not guilty finding because if the person is accused of a new crime or violating their filing the state will need to still prove their underlying case.

A nolo contendere filing is when the defendant admits to guilt and the case is filed for a year. The vast majority of filings are nolo contedere filings! A major difference between a not guilty filing and a nolo contendere filing is when a person is violated for a not guilty filing then the state / prosecution must prove guilt at that time. Whereas, if a person is violated for a nolo contendere filing, the judge simply must impose a sentence because the person has already admitted guilt to that offense.

If the person violates his filing by not complying with the conditions of the filing then the persons filing can be revoked by the Court. If a person takes a nolo contendere filing and gets into further trouble, violates the conditions of the filing or is arrested on a new offense then the person will be hailed back into court to be sentenced on the filing. (unless the filing was a not guilty filing which means the prosecution must prove the defendants guilt) There are various conditions that can be put on a filing inluding alcohol and drug counseling, domestic violence counseling or classes, restitution, no contact with the victim and community service.

A person that has a filing is subject to being held at the aci for 10 days as a violator of his filing if he is arrested for a new offense during the filing period.

What implications are there for domestic violence offenses in Rhode Island?

If the underlying charge is for a domestic offense such as domestic assault, vandalism, or domestic disorderly conduct then the defendant will be ordered to have no contact with his wife, girlfriend or the victim as the case may be.

Upon entering a plea or being found guilty of a crime with domestic implications then the defendant will be ordered to complete a batterers intervention program which involves attending classes. The defendant can also be ordered to pay restitution to the victim if applicable and obtain substance abuse or mental health counseling. Failure to attend the Batterers classes or failure to pay restitution or failure to attend counseling could be considered a violation of probation or a filing.

If the defendant violates the no contact order then the defendant will be charged with a separate offense of violating a no contact order as well as violating the conditions of the filing or probation, as a result of the communication.

The no contact order will remain in effect while the case is pending and during the period of any penalty or sentence. The no Contact order will expire if the case is dismissed. For example, a no contact order will stay in effect until any probationary period or suspended sentence is completed.

Rhode Island Family Court restraining orders

Be careful! There may be a separate restraining order that issued from Rhode Island Family Court as a result of a complaint protection from abuse in a divorce or family law matter. The Family Court has jurisdiction to issue restraining orders for up to three (3) years. The Family Court can issue restraining orders for persons who are married, are divorced, are family members or who have children in common as well as other jurisdiction set forth in the statute. There may also be a restraining order issued by a Court of another state or another Court

Violation of Family Court Complaint protection from Abuse restraining order is a crime in itself and also may constitute a violation of probation, bail and violation of conditions of a filing.

District Court Restraining orders:

There may also be a District Court restraining order from your (ex) boyfriend or girlfriend. The District Court has jurisdiction to issue restraining orders for persons who were or are in a dating relationship or who are roommates. Violation of a District Court restraining order is also a crime in itself. Violation of a District Court restraining order is also a violation of probation and a violation of the terms of bail and a violation of the conditions of a filing.

Superior Court Restraining orders:

Violation of A Superior Court restraining order is punishable by contempt proceedings which could result in confinement. However, violation of a Superior Court restraining order is not a crime in itself. Violation of a Superior Court Restraining order could be considered a violation of bail, probation or conditions of a filing.

Issues concerning custody and visitation of children as well as divorce and family related matters:

The District Court in a criminal case cannot be involved in setting vistitation or dealing with issues concerning divorce or custody of the minor children. The Rhode Island Family Court is the proper Forum for dealing with issues related to divorce and child custody such as: child support, visitation, financial restraining orders and issues concerning marital property, marital real estate and debt.

If your spouse or girlfriend or boyfriend is preventing you from visiting or talking to your child as a result of a criminal case or no contact order then you may need to file for divorce or a separate action for custody or visitation in Family Court.

The Family Court can set visitation and child support as part of a Complaint protection from abuse restraining order. In some instances when domestic violence is alleged or there are issues concerning alcohol, drug abuse or mental health then the Family Court may order supervised visitations. These Supervised visitations my occur at the Providence Family Court or may be supervised by a third party.

No Contact Orders in Rhode Island explained

A "no contact order" means that the defendant is precluded from having any contact and or communication with the victim or the person under the protection of the no contact order. This includes but is not limited to letters, emails, text messages or messages delivered through a third party.

In other words if a person is under a no contact order and sees the victim in public they must leave the area immediately and not acknowledge the victims existence. A person cannot even say "hi" if they walk by the victim by chance on the street.

Be very careful! A person can be arrested for violating a no contact order even if the victim initiates the contact and calls the defendant. A person can be charged with breaking a no contact order even if invited by his wife to come back to the marital home.

Even if the victim tells you that the no contact order has been dropped, do not take the victims word for it. You must see the piece of paper signed by the judge dismissing the no contact order before any contact or communication is initiated. A no contact order expires when the sentence period is finished. However, be careful because there may also be a restraining order issued as a reult of a divorce or family court matter or a District Court restraining order.

A person who is on probation or a probation attached to a suspended sentence must be even more vigilante in order to not violate the no contact order. For example, a single phone call made by the defendant to a victim under the protection of a no contact order probably means a minimum of ten 10 days in jail at the ACI. We are not talking about the local town jail but the ACI.

Violation of conditions of filing

Please note, that a person who has a filing can be held for up to ten days at the ACI if arrested for a new charge / crime. A person who is on a filing must be very careful that he / she stays out of trouble.

If the person is violated from the terms and conditions of the filing then hypothetically the filing could become a conviction because that person has already admitted to the charges by pleading nolo contendere and giving up his right to contest the charges. Court costs will be imposed if there is a nolo contendere filing in a criminal case.

Probation in Rhode Island

If a person receives probation then they will need to abide by the conditions of the probation and agree to keep the peace and be of good behavior. If a person violates his/ her probation by being arrested for a new crime then the person may be held in Jail at the ACI as a probation violator. After ten days a person has the right to a hearing. At the probation violation hearing, the prosecutor must only convince the judge so that the judge is "reasonably satisfied" that the person violated the probation by committing the new offense. Also the person will be prosecuted for the new offense as a separate charge from violating the probation. There is a good chance that if a person is violated for his probation that the probation which was originally not a conviction will now ripen into a conviction.

A probationary period is a time of great risk for a defendant and a defendant must be careful to stay out of trouble!

A person can also be violated for his probation for various infractions that may not be criminal acts but that violate the conditions of probation such as not keeping probation informed of new addresses, leaving the state without permission, not paying court costs or restitution, not properly reporting to the probation officer, etc. When a person is under probation in Rhode Island, he or she is essentially is in a contract with the state to keep the peace, be of good behavior and comply with the conditions and rules of probation.

What is a probation with a suspended sentence in Rhode Island?

If the charges are serious or the person has a lengthy criminal record of has already been placed on probation before then in addition to the probation, the judge may attach a suspended sentence. A person who has a suspended sentence is in a period of extreme risk because a new offense could lead to substantial jail time!

A suspended sentence is always a conviction under Rhode Island law. A person with probation and a suspended sentence attached will not spend anytime in prison unless the person violates the conditions of his probation as set forth above.

The period of the suspended sentence is the most time that a person could spend in prison if the person violates the conditions of the probation or commits a new offense. If the person violates the probation, the judge could sentence the person up to the amount of time that is suspended. Please note that the person could get additional sentence and or penalties as a result of the new charge. It is in the defendants best interest to have the period of suspended sentence to be as short as possible. The suspended sentence typically is for the same amount of time as the period of probation.

Please note that if the offense is driving on a suspended license there are special rules that apply that are set forth in the statutes.

Most prosecutors and judges believe that each sentence should be more severe then the last. A person's first minor offense is likely to lead to only a filing which is the lowest form of penalty in Rhode Island. A person usually will only be allowed one filing.

Could I be incarcerated at the aci or serve time in jail as a result of a misdemeanor charge?

Yes. A serious misdemeanor could lead to incarceration at the Adult Correctional Institution (ACI). The Vast majority of misdemeanor cases do not result in a sentence of incarceration! A habitual offender could eventually face jail time. A person convicted of a second or third offense dui / dwi faces a minimum mandatory sentence to the ACI . A person with a probation violation or suspended sentence could face incarceration depending on the circumstances. In a Misdemeanor District Court case the Court only has jurisdiction to sentence a person to a year in jail. In some instances a person might qualify for Home confinement in lieu of a sentence at the ACI.

Please be advised that there are different considerations related to Felony criminal charges which are not adressed in this article including but not limited to deferred sentences. Please consult the Rhode Island Public Defender's website for information related to felony charges and for an explanation of a Deferred sentence.

It is important that this criminal law article be used for informational purposes only and not as a substitute for seeking legal advice from a Rhode Island lawyer.

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Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Arrest Records - How to Obtain Criminal Arrest Records Online


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Do you need to obtain arrest records for yourself or for someone else? You may need to get a copy of your own records when traveling, applying for certain jobs, or simply because you want to see what is listed on your record. You should always check the criminal records of anyone you are considering hiring for childcare purposes. Many employers and landlords check criminal records of applicants as well. If you are a single person dating online, and are thinking of meeting someone in real life that you met on the Internet, a criminal check can let you know if this is a safe idea or not.

There are various ways to obtain criminal records. If you are trying to get your own records, you can request them at your local police station. At the very least, they can give you the proper forms and tell you where to mail them and how much obtaining a copy of the records is going to cost. It is usually around $15 but may vary according to locality.

If you've ever been a victim of identity theft, checking your criminal record is a must to make sure there is nothing on there that shouldn't be. If you are having trouble obtaining the records you need for yourself or someone else from a local agency, the Internet can be a great help!

There are lots of companies online like http://www.familywatchdog.us and http://www.intelius.com that can obtain criminal arrest records for you or anyone else for a reasonable fee. You will need to provide as much information as you can in order to get accurate records. Name, address, email and phone number are all good things to have. The Social Security Number is the absolute best piece of data to use when you are requesting any sort of criminal or background check.

Thanks to the Internet, you never have to wonder about someone's criminal or arrest record. It is definitely worth paying a little bit of money to have the peace of mind you need. If your Internet search fails to provide you with the information you're seeking, a private investigator can certainly do the job for a more expensive price.

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Assault & Battery - Criminal Law


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Each year there are over 800,000 assaults reported to local law enforcement agencies. Assault is typically defined as trying to strike an individual when the individual is aware of the danger being presented. A 'felonious' assault is an attack, or attempt to attack, through force, in order to cause physical injury to an individual. Even if the individual doesn't get hurt, but a weapon is involved, then it still falls under the category of a felony.

Assault & Battery is an incident where actual contact was made and resulted in the need for medical treatment. This is also a felony. The consequences of an assault crime can be imprisonment, probation, fines, anger management classes and more. The punishment usually has to do with the circumstances of the situation and the background of the offender. If the offender has a prior history of assault these punishments will most likely be inflated.

Not every instance of an assault crime is straight forward and clear-cut. For instance, an assault may have been committed due to self-defense or defending another person or property. This is why it is so important to hire a professional assault attorney. A qualified attorney will be able to complete an extensive investigation and use their professional expertise to help dismiss or minimize the sentence.

Assault & Battery - Criminal Law

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Monday, March 15, 2010

Assault & Battery - Criminal Law


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Each year there are over 800,000 assaults reported to local law enforcement agencies. Assault is typically defined as trying to strike an individual when the individual is aware of the danger being presented. A 'felonious' assault is an attack, or attempt to attack, through force, in order to cause physical injury to an individual. Even if the individual doesn't get hurt, but a weapon is involved, then it still falls under the category of a felony.

Assault & Battery is an incident where actual contact was made and resulted in the need for medical treatment. This is also a felony. The consequences of an assault crime can be imprisonment, probation, fines, anger management classes and more. The punishment usually has to do with the circumstances of the situation and the background of the offender. If the offender has a prior history of assault these punishments will most likely be inflated.

Not every instance of an assault crime is straight forward and clear-cut. For instance, an assault may have been committed due to self-defense or defending another person or property. This is why it is so important to hire a professional assault attorney. A qualified attorney will be able to complete an extensive investigation and use their professional expertise to help dismiss or minimize the sentence.

Assault & Battery - Criminal Law

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Tuesday, March 9, 2010

Criminal Defense Attorney - Drug Charges


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Are you having some problems with drugs? Have you been arrested lately for selling, using, trafficking, possessing or even manufacturing marijuana or some other type of controlled substance? Have you answered yes to this question? If so, then you are in need of a criminal defense attorney who has specialized in drug related charges.If you have been arrested, you are going to have to see a judge for your charges. If you are to show up in court in front of a judge without being represented by an attorney, you are not making a wise decision. What could happen is you could end up when all is said and done with a felony conviction. You will not want to have this felony on your record for the future. Drug laws will vary from state to state. What you are going to want to have is a criminal defense attorney who practices law in the state or area that your offense has taken place. You are going to want to find a criminal defense attorney who will take your case is going to be the key to having a chance of beating or even reducing the charges altogether.

A Marijuana Charge

What you are going to find is a criminal defense attorney can help you with a marijuana charge. The public defender is not going to be able to help you like a criminal defense attorney can. The public defender will not put up an adequate defense to make it positive for the offender. Some states allow marijuana being legal to some extent, such as the use of medical marijuana. The public defender will tell you to plead guilty to make the charge just go away. If you have a criminal defense attorney you can easily get the first charge lowered to a misdemeanor. You have to remember the criminal defense attorney get a retainer from you, so they are working for you. Compared to the public defender, who get nothing monetary from you, they have no reason to find or work for the lightest sentence or charge possible. They are looking for the easy way out at your expense.Your first offense for marijuana is usually a misdemeanor and you could get a couple of hunderd dollar fine. What happens if you are caught again and you don't use a criminal defense attorney? You may have a felony on your record, and the possibility of up to 3 years in jail. By using a criminal defense attorney, can help you avoid the jail time all together.

What Does a Felony Do to Your Future

You do not want to have a felony drug charge on your record if you can avoid it. This can effect you for a long time to come. Did you know that you are not allowed to vote, if you are convicted of a felony. This right is taken away from you because of the felony.When you are job hunting, most employers will do a background check, and when they see the felony charge, you may have some trouble getting that job that you want.Here is another thing that you may not know about felony charges. If you receive a drug charge, you will not be able to receive a government grant or even fiancial aid for school. What a criminal defense attorney can do for you is to get you the best possible results if you have been suspected of some type of drug charge. Just make sure you do your checking on them, when you are thinking about hiring or retaining a criminal defense attorney.For more information on this topic as well as other attorney related topics visit: Attorneys

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Monday, March 8, 2010

DUI Defense Criminal Attorney


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If you've been arrested for driving under the influence, you need a DUI defense criminal attorney to defend yourself against the charges. You can attempt to represent yourself or work with an attorney who does not specialize in DUI defense, but that is a recipe for disaster. Qualified DUI defense attorneys specialize in handling only DUI cases so they stay involved in the field of DUI law. Other attorneys may only defend DUI cases occasionally and miss out on important information that could be instrumental to your case. Working with a DUI defense criminal attorney is the best way to start your case off on the right foot and your best chance of winning your case in court. If you want to present a solid defense, hiring a DUI defense criminal attorney is the best way to go.

Consulting with a DUI Defense Criminal Attorney

When you consult with your DUI defense criminal attorney, it should be immediately after your arrest while everything is still fresh in your mind. You will need to tell your attorney your side of the story so you can work together to plan your defense. Your attorney will work with you to get this ready for any pre-trial hearings or conferences that occur prior to your actual trial date. If you don't work with a DUI defense criminal attorney right from the beginning, you'll lose out on the opportunity to consult with a legal professional when all of the facts from the day of your arrest are still clear. Over time, you may forget important details so it is extremely important that you make the phone call to a DUI defense criminal attorney as soon as possible.

Preparing Your Case with a DUI Defense Criminal Attorney

While you are waiting for your trial, your DUI defense criminal attorney will be gathering information that can be used during the trial proceedings. Your attorney may get your blood samples and have them sent to another lab for independent testing. This can help determine if testing errors occurred or if the testing was valid in the first place. Expert witnesses may also be contacted to appear during your trial. These witnesses can be used to back up or refute testimony depending on the source. Expert witnesses are often used to refute chemical testing results and show why the results were invalid or inaccurate. Your attorney will also help you to prepare yourself for your upcoming trial. If it's the first time you've ever faced criminal charges, you won't know what to expect, so your DUI defense criminal attorney will outline the process and answer any questions you may have about the upcoming trial.

The DUI Defense Criminal Attorney at DMV Hearings

In most states, your driving privileges will be suspended immediately upon being arrested for driving under the influence. Some states give you the opportunity to appeal the suspension by submitting a written appeal within a very specific time period. Once your appeal is received, you may be assigned a hearing on the matter. Having a DUI defense criminal attorney speak on your behalf at the hearing can help you to get your driving privileges back. Since having no driving privileges means you have no way to get to work or school, this is very important for being able to continue with your normal activities. If you're not represented by a qualified DUI defense criminal attorney, you risk losing your freedom and the opportunity to live a normal life.

The DUI Defense Criminal Attorney in Criminal Sentencing Proceedings

If for some reason you end up being convicted of a driving under the influence offense, you will need a DUI defense criminal attorney to speak on your behalf prior to sentencing. If you don't make a plea on your behalf, the courts may not consider all of the circumstances at hand. Your attorney can let the court know of leniency in sentencing should be shown because you are disabled, have a serious illness, need to work to support your family, or need to care for children or elderly relatives. This opportunity to have an attorney speak on your behalf is very important, so you should be sure that you have a DUI defense criminal attorney on your side during your trial.

Successfully defending yourself against a charge of driving under the influence may be one of the most important things you ever do. Give yourself the best chance of winning by hiring a qualified DUI defense criminal attorney to represent you during your administrative and criminal proceedings.

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Sunday, March 7, 2010

Criminal Defense Help: What It Can Do


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Sometimes we make mistakes. It is not that we deliberately break the law, sometimes it is just unavoidable. Sometimes we do not even know it unless charges are pressed against us. So what's a poor citizen to do?

Well, that citizen can fight it out in court. But just as any person doesn't go to battle without armor, you can't go to the judge unprepared. That is just plain suicide. No, you need a good army of lawyers behind you to help you get out of your mess. You need a good, hardworking criminal defense attorney. You need to know your stand, and you need to stand your ground. You need to get your facts straight, and the place where you can have that is the website criminaldefensehelp.com.

Being pressed with charges can turn your life upside down, that is why it is important to act quickly and acquire damage control before it's too late and people close to you are also affected. What is worse is when you are being accused of a crime that you did not commit. A criminal defense lawyer has the responsibility of providing legal representation to the accused. The lawyer does not have the responsibility of proving innocence or helping the guilty to be set free. He has your best interests in mind and it is his job to protect you. The criminal defense lawyer focuses on getting your case dismissed.

A criminal defense attorney can prevent you from ever being taken into custody. A criminal defense attorney also has the ability to assist you against further incrimination by instructing you what to say in interrogations. A criminal defense attorney is also able to speak on your behalf and defend against the prosecution's case by questioning witnesses in the defense's case and cross-examining the prosecution's witnesses.

The criminal defense attorney in california deals with cases such as white collar crimes, drug crimes, sex crimes and more. They have been pioneers in developing all forms of alternative sentencing such as house arrest and diversionary programs. They have established relationships with Judges and District Attorneys in Los Angeles, Orange, Sacramento and Ventura Counties. Choosing the legal counsel of a California criminal defense lawyer can save you from being found guilty in a criminal case. A California criminal defense lawyer often has the reputation of being staunch legal counsel by virtue of having passed the California Bar exam alone. This exam is known to be one of the toughest nationwide.

San Diego Criminal Defense Attorneys excell in DUI Defense, Drug Defense and defense of other misdemeanor and felony charges requiring the assistance of a professional attorney in San Diego and Southern California. A San Diego Criminal Defense Lawyer defends each case specifically and according to the unique facts, and the law, as it is written related to the case. Attorneys argue relentlessly on behalf of their clients in the courtroom, as trial lawyers, and winning the confidence of the jury is their specialty.

Illinois attorneys are also known for their white collar criminal defense. This is their specialty.

So the next time you have been charged with a criminal offense from out of nowhere, there is no need to panic. After all, you're innocent until proven guilty. All you have to do is employ the help and services of attorneys in criminal defense. Criminaldefensehelp.com provides you with the necessary information.

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