Prop 36 California: When Theft and Drug Cases Are Felonies
Prop 36 California is a voter-approved law that makes some repeat theft and drug crimes felonies again. Its official name is the “Homelessness, Drug Addiction, and Theft Reduction Act.” Voters passed it in November 2024, and it took effect on December 18, 2024. If you or someone you love has a prior theft or drug […]
Brandishing a Weapon in California (PC 417): Penalties and Defenses
An argument in a parking lot gets heated. Someone lifts their shirt to show a gun tucked in their waistband, or pulls a knife out of their pocket and holds it up. Nobody is touched. Nobody is hurt. A few minutes later, police arrive. In California, that moment alone can lead to a criminal charge […]
Larceny Vs Theft: What’s The Difference?
Larceny vs. theft comes up constantly, and the short answer is that larceny is one way of committing theft. Larceny is the old common-law crime of physically taking and carrying off someone else’s property. Theft is the modern umbrella that covers larceny plus the ways of stealing that do not involve a physical taking: embezzlement, […]
Possession Of Stolen Property- 496 PC
You bought a generator off Facebook Marketplace for half what it was worth. A month later, a deputy is at your door with a serial number. You did not steal anything, and now you are being told you might be charged anyway. That is possession of stolen property under California Penal Code 496, and the […]
How Long Does A DUI Stay On Your Record In California?
The court date is behind you. The fine is paid, or on a payment plan. Now you are filling out a job application, or an apartment form, or an insurance quote, and the same question keeps coming up. How long does a DUI stay on your record in California? There is no single answer, because […]
Probation Violation in California: What Happens and How to Fight It
The call usually comes on an ordinary weekday. You missed a check-in because your shift ran long. A test came back the wrong way. You forgot a fee you did not know was still owed. Now there is a hearing date, or worse, a warrant. A probation violation in California is not the end of […]
Essential Guide: Do Cops Have to Identify Themselves in California?
Do cops have to identify themselves in California? Partly. A uniformed officer has to wear a visible name or badge number. Any officer who stops you has to tell you why before asking questions. Beyond that, the honest answer is that California has no law requiring an officer to recite their name and badge number […]
What is Probation in California?
If a judge just told you that you are getting probation instead of jail, you are probably relieved and a little confused. What is probation, exactly? How long does it last? What can get you sent back to court? This guide answers those questions using California law, in plain language. What probation means Probation is […]
Is CBD Legal In California?
If you have bought a CBD gummy at a gas station or a tincture at a smoke shop in Bakersfield, you have probably asked yourself: is CBD legal? The short answer is yes, as long as the product has no THC in it. The longer answer changed on January 1, 2026, and it is about […]