Blog Posts in 2018

All Posts
  • Governor Jerry Brown Announced that he has Granted 143 Pardons and 131 Commutations
    Governor Jerry Brown Announced that he has Granted 143 Pardons and 131 Commutations

    On December 24, 2018, Governor Jerry Brown announced that he has granted 143 pardons and 131 commutations. [1] The Governor’s power to grant a pardon or commutation is vested in Section 8 of Article V ...

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  • Client Sentenced to Los Angeles County Sentenced Offender Drug Court (“SODC”) – Originally Facing Approximately Four Years in State Prison!
    Client Sentenced to Los Angeles County Sentenced Offender Drug Court (“SODC”) – Originally Facing Approximately Four Years in State Prison!

    Our client has an extensive criminal history involving multiple vehicle thefts convictions, numerous drug related crimes, and DUI convictions. Our client was being charged with violating Penal Code ...

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  • Set to Take Effect January 1, 2019 – New Gun Control Laws Passed in California: AB-3129 & SB-1100
    Set to Take Effect January 1, 2019 – New Gun Control Laws Passed in California: AB-3129 & SB-1100

    On September 29, 2018, Governor Jerry Brown approved Assembly Bill No. 3129 and Senate Bill No. 1100 which make noteworthy amendments to California’s gun control laws. This new legislation is set to ...

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  • Misdemeanor Health and Safety Code section 11377 (“Possessing a Controlled Substance, to wit Methamphetamine”) Charge Dismissed in the Interests of Justice
    Misdemeanor Health and Safety Code section 11377 (“Possessing a Controlled Substance, to wit Methamphetamine”) Charge Dismissed in the Interests of Justice

    Recently at the Downey Courthouse in Los Angeles County I was able to negotiate to a pre-plea diversion offer for our client charged with one misdemeanor count of Health and Safety Code section 11377, ...

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  • Penal Code Section 1203.4a: Expungement Relief for Cases in Which Probation was not Granted!
    Penal Code Section 1203.4a: Expungement Relief for Cases in Which Probation was not Granted!

    We have previously written blog posts about the availability and procedure for “expungement” relief pursuant to Penal Code section 1203.4 after a defendant’s probationary grant has ended or when ...

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  • Federal Criminal Justice Reform Bill – The First Step Act (H.R. 5682) – Aimed at Reducing Recidivism and Reforming Federal Sentencing Laws
    Federal Criminal Justice Reform Bill – The First Step Act (H.R. 5682) – Aimed at Reducing Recidivism and Reforming Federal Sentencing Laws

    The House of Representatives has introduced “The First Step Act” aimed at reducing the recidivism of federal prisoners and other criminal justice reforms. The Act was passed in the House and was ...

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