Hard Times Blog

Sep

Treatment and a Clean Slate for Those Who’ve Served: Benefits and Limits of the Military Diversion Program

September 22, 2021Court, Criminal Law Division, Felony, Laws, Lawyer, Misdemeanor

Military service comes with no shortage of challenges, and if you’ve served — or love someone who has — you know that better than anyone else... This can make an already difficult event like an arrest even more stressful... Fortunately, you have more options than you may think when charged with a crime...

Sep

A Second Chance for Nonviolent Drug Charges: Details of California’s Drug Diversion Program and Related Relief

September 15, 2021Court, Criminal Law Division, Laws, Lawyer, Misdemeanor

Few things are more stressful than an arrest. But when it’s for drug possession, the stakes can be even higher. Fortunately — especially if it’s your first offense (or first in many years) — you may be eligible to obtain treatment and have your case dismissed...

Sep

Criminal Charges and Mental Illness: An Explanation of California’s Mental Health Diversion Program

September 2, 2021Court, Criminal Law Division, Felony, Lawyer, Misdemeanor

If you or a loved one are struggling with a mental illness and have been charged with a crime, you may be eligible for treatment that results in both the dismissal of the case and the sealing of your records... this pretrial program in California offers defendants a true second chance...

Aug

AB 1869: “Families Over Fees Act” Offers Relief and Peace of Mind

August 25, 2021Criminal Law Division, Laws, Lawyer

When you’re charged with a crime, it can feel like the worst day of your life... an arrest can be costly. Extremely costly. In most places in the United States, a host of fees can be piled onto an arrest and incarceration...

Aug

You Are Not Alone: What to Do When Your Child is Charged with a Crime

August 18, 2021Criminal Law Division, Felony, Juvenile Law, Laws, Lawyer, Misdemeanor

When your child has been charged with a crime, it’s a tough moment to say the least! You fear the worst. Fortunately, not only are you far from alone, but your child is still changing and developing, with plenty of time for personal growth...

Aug

You Don’t Have to Go Through It Alone: Why the Right Representation Matters

August 11, 2021Court, Criminal Law Division, Felony, Juvenile Law, Lawyer, Lawyer, Misdemeanor

It’s happened... you have been arrested. You can’t change that. What you can change is the potential outcome of the legal proceedings that [will] follow...

Aug

When Social Media Crosses a Line: Assembly Bill 1475 Places Limits on the Information Local Police Departments Can Share

August 4, 2021Court, Criminal Law Division, Felony, Laws, Lawyer, Misdemeanor

Innocent until proven guilty. Many of us take this presumption of innocence as a given because, in an ideal world, this would always be the case. Something many don’t think about until it’s too late is that an arrest is far from a private event...

Jul

Assembly Bill 2138: A True Second Chance for Law Abiding Professionals Seeking California Licensing

July 28, 2021Criminal Law Division, Laws, Lawyer, Misdemeanor

For many convicted of a crime, they receive a life sentence by establishing a criminal record that follows them throughout their life. This impacts their future opportunities and ability to have meaningful employment...

Jul

Skyrocketing Homicides and Violent Crimes: What the Rise in Cases Could Mean Both for Society and Justice Reforms

July 21, 2021Criminal Law Division, Felony, Laws, Lawyer, Lawyer, Wobbler

31% and 42%. Those percentages mark the steep increase of homicides and domestic violence-related calls [in 2020]... Let’s review what these numbers mean...

1 2 3 4 5 6