Criminal Law - Legal Assist - Legal Resources - County of San Diego EAP

Accomplices, Accessories, Aiders, and Abettors

Criminal defendants who think they've been wrongfully convicted of a crime have a number of options: appeals, writs, and habeas corpus.

Appeals and the Writ of Habeas Corpus FAQ

Criminal defendants who think they've been wrongfully convicted of a crime have a number of options: appeals, writs, and habeas corpus.

Are drivers for rideshare companies employees or independent contractors?

Some of the drivers whom the companies had classified as "independent contractors" have sued or filed claims with state agencies, claiming that they are actually employees.

Arson

The crime of arson defined and explained, with real-world examples.

Assault and Battery as Personal Injury Claims

A lawsuit for assault and battery can provide compensation for intentional injuries.

Assault, Battery, and Aggravated Assault

The crimes of assault, assault and battery, and aggravated assault carry different definitions and punishments.

Bail: Getting Out of Jail After an Arrest

Everything you need to know about posting bail or a bail bond.

Beating a Traffic Ticket for Tailgating

We all hate it when someone rides our bumper. And with good reason. Driving too closely behind another vehicle really is dangerous.

Burglary Basics

The crime of burglary defined, with real-world examples.

Can an employer hire only applicants who live in the same neighborhood as the business?

Generally speaking, employers are free to impose any hiring requirements they like, as long as they aren't discriminatory.

Can my employer prohibit me from keeping a gun in my car at work?

As for telling your employer, in some states employers can require employees to give notice that they carry guns in their vehicles.

Consideration of Dismissed Charges at Sentencing

Despite judges’ wide latitude at sentencing, some states have set limits on considering dismissed charges.

Constitutional Rights in Juvenile Cases

A look at the constitutional due process rights of youth in juvenile court cases.

Correction To Fight Your Ticket & Win In Calif caught In An Illegal Radar Speed Trap Flowchart

In Fight Your Ticket & Win in California, there are several omissions in the “Were You Caught in an Illegal Radar Speed Trap?” flowchart. In the 16th edition, page 33 is affected

Criminal Arrests and Interrogations FAQ

Learn about your rights during police interrogations and arrests.

Criminal Charges: How Cases Get Started

Learn how police officers and prosecutors initiate criminal cases.

Criminal Defendants Rights During Trial: The Bill of Rights

Learn about the constitutional rights that protect criminal defendants.

Criminal Defense Lawyer FAQ

Here's what you need to know about criminal defense attorneys: whether you need one, how to get one, and how much you'll have to pay.

Criminal Procedure FAQ

The basics of criminal law: presumption of innocence, felonies, misdemeanors, and jury trials.

Criminal Sentencing FAQ

How judges determine the punishment for convicted criminals.

Criminal Trial Procedures: An Overview

Most criminal trials follow a uniform set of procedures. Here's astep by step guide to the criminal trial process.

Dealing With a DUI or DWI Charge

Learn about arraignment, plea bargaining, and your options for dealing with your DUI or DWI charge.

Defendants Incentives for Accepting Plea Bargains

Common reasons why defendants enter into plea bargains.

Defenses to Criminal Charges

Here are some of the common defenses that criminal defendants can raise to defend against criminal charges.

Disorderly Conduct and Public Intoxication

Learn about the crimes of disorderly conduct, public intoxication, and disturbing the peace, and the possible punishment that goes with them.

DNA Evidence in Criminal Cases

DNA testing is now common in criminal trials and in proving innocence in wrongful convictions.

Does California Law Prohibit Using a GPS While Driving?

California’s restriction on using a wireless device doesn’t apply to “manufacturer-installed systems that are embedded in the vehicle.”

Does Self-Representation in a Criminal Case Ever Make Sense?

Criminal defendants might represent themselves in a few situations.

Driver License Suspensions

Find out how your driver license can be suspended, and what you can do to prevent it.

Drunk Driving, DUI, and DWI FAQ

Charged with drunk driving, driving under the influence, or driving while intoxicated, DUI, or DWI? Here's where to start.

DUI and DWI Defenses

Learn about the most common ways to fight a DUI or DWI charge.

DUI and DWI Overview

What it means to be charged with DUI (driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol) or DWI (driving while intoxicated).

DUI or DWI Punishments and Penalties

Many DUI and DWI offenders face stiffer penalties than mere fines.

Expungement of Criminal Records: The Basics

You may be able to seal arrest or conviction records. Here's how.

Felonies, Misdemeanors, and Infractions: Classifying Crimes

How crimes are classified, from felonies, misdemeantors, and infractions.

Fight Your Speeding Ticket: Determining Your Speed

Speeding tickets are, by far, the most common moving violation.

Fight Your Speeding Ticket: What Is the Law?

There may be only one way to speed, but there are many ways to detect your speed.

Fighting a Red Light Camera Traffic Ticket

In most of the states that allow photo enforcement of red lights, the law states that the driver, not the vehicle’s owner, is liable for the ticket

Fighting a Ticket for Running a Red Light

The legal elements of this offense are basically the same as for driving through a stop sign, with one big exception

Fighting a Ticket for Running a Stop Sign

Most statutes say you must stop at the nearest of the limit line, crosswalk, or entrance to the intersection

Fighting a Traffic Ticket for Improper Turning

There are many ways to be ticketed for making improper turns. One of the most common is making an improper U-turn. Here we provide information on defending against a wide array of these violations.

Fingerprint Evidence in Criminal Cases

Learn how fingerprint evidence is gathered and used in criminal investigations and trials.

Going to Court: Surviving the Courtroom

Improve your chances of success in court.

Homicide: Murder and Manslaughter

The crimes of murder and manslaughter explained, with real-world examples.

How Defendants Mental States Affect Their Responsibility for a Crime

Criminal intent also called "mens rea" is an element of some, but not all, crimes.

Identity Theft FAQ

Prevent fraud by learning more about identity theft.

Is it ever wise to just stay in jail and wait for trial?

The police have a strong case against me and I’m probably going to do some jail time anyway. Why bother trying to get out on bail or OR?

Juvenile Court Sentencing Options

Typical punishment and penalties for juvenile delinquents and youth offenders.

Juvenile Court: An Overview

The basics of juvenile court when a youth or minor commits a crime.

Juvenile Delinquency: What Happens in a Juvenile Case?

Here's how the juvenile justice system usually treats a youth offender case.

Juvenile Law: Status Offenses

Some acts are considered criminal only when minors commit them; these are called juvenile status offenses.

Learning the Identity of a Confidential Informant

You know the story. The mob boss falls because someone from his organization gave information to the police. You might wonder: Does he have a right to find out the confidential informant’s identity?

Lie Detector and Polygraph Tests: Are They Reliable?

Learn how polygraph and lie detector tests work and whether they are accurate.

Miranda Rights: What Happens If Police Dont Read Your Rights

Many people believe that if they are arrested and not "read their rights," they can escape punishment. Not true. But if the police fail to read a suspect his or her Miranda rights, the prosecutor can't use anything the suspect says as evidence against the suspect at trial.

Negotiating Before Arraignment and Pleading Guilty at the Arraignment

Defendants who believe the case against them is very weak often ask whether it's possible to negotiate a dismissal before the arraignment

Preparing for a Jury Trial

What you need to know to represent yourself before a jury.

Preservation of Evidence in Criminal Cases

The government has a duty to preserve certain types of evidence it collects during criminal investigations and prosecutions

Rape and Statutory Rape

Rape is nonconsensual sexual intercourse; it's often committed through force, threats, or fear.

Robbery

Learn about robbery and how it differs from theft and burglary.

Sealing Juvenile Court Records

Former juvenile offenders may be able to get a fresh start of sorts by filing a petition in court seeking expungement (sealing) of a juvenile court conviction.

Search and Seizure FAQ

Your right to privacy when the police come knocking, pull you over, or stop you on the street.

Search Warrants: What They Are and When Theyre Necessary

Learn when police officers must obtain a warrant before they search your home or other property.

Sentencing Alternatives: Prison, Probation, Fines, and Community Service

Prison sentences and alternatives to prison for defendants convicted of crimes.

Sex Offender Databases: Getting Your Name Off If Your Acts Are Now Legal

If you are listed on a sex offender database because of an act that is now legal, here's how to get your name off.

Speeding Tickets: How to Defend Yourself

If you are ticketed for speeding, your defense will depend on the nature of the speed limit.

Theft and Shoplifting Crimes

The crimes of theft and shoplifting defined, plus case examples.

Traffic Ticket? Decide Whether to Fight in Traffic Court or Pay Up

Evaluate your chances of fighting a traffic ticket before you go to traffic court.

Traffic Tickets for Driving Too Slowly

There are several circumstances in which drivers may be ticketed for illegally blocking or impeding traffic by driving too slowly or failing to yield to a long line of vehicles behind them. Let's look briefly at the most common.

Traffic Tickets for Improper Passing

Unsafe passing is dealt with in several common ways in most states. Here are the contexts in which unsafe passing is made illegal.

Traffic Tickets for Right-of-Way Violations

The driver of a vehicle approaching an intersection shall yield the right of way to any vehicle that has entered the intersection from a different highway.

Underage Drinking and Minor-in-Possession Laws

Underage drinking laws and other criminal statutes punish minors who are illegally in possession of alcohol (these are sometimes called "minor-in-possession" or MIP laws).

Understanding Search and Seizure Law

Learn when the government can invade your privacy to hunt for evidence of a crime.

Unsafe Lane Changes

Police will readily and properly pounce on a driver who weaves in and out of traffic without signaling, especially if that driver cuts off another car, forcing it to abruptly brake

What is an Alibi?

An alibi can be an effective defense to a criminal charge, but how do alibis work?

What Is Entrapment?

Entrapment happens when police officers coerce or induce someone into committing a crime. Learn more.

When Juveniles Are Tried in Adult Criminal Court

Some cases involving youth offenders are serious enough to be transferred to adult criminal court.

Benefits with County of San Diego

Explore more about Criminal Law through these resources

Accomplices, Accessories, Aiders, and Abettors

Appeals and the Writ of Habeas Corpus FAQ

Are drivers for rideshare companies employees or independent contractors?

Arson

Assault and Battery as Personal Injury Claims

Assault, Battery, and Aggravated Assault

Bail: Getting Out of Jail After an Arrest

Beating a Traffic Ticket for Tailgating

Burglary Basics

Can an employer hire only applicants who live in the same neighborhood as the business?

Can my employer prohibit me from keeping a gun in my car at work?

Consideration of Dismissed Charges at Sentencing

Constitutional Rights in Juvenile Cases

Correction To Fight Your Ticket & Win In Calif caught In An Illegal Radar Speed Trap Flowchart

Criminal Arrests and Interrogations FAQ

Criminal Charges: How Cases Get Started

Criminal Defendants Rights During Trial: The Bill of Rights

Criminal Defense Lawyer FAQ

Criminal Procedure FAQ

Criminal Sentencing FAQ

Criminal Trial Procedures: An Overview

Dealing With a DUI or DWI Charge

Defendants Incentives for Accepting Plea Bargains

Defenses to Criminal Charges

Disorderly Conduct and Public Intoxication

DNA Evidence in Criminal Cases

Does California Law Prohibit Using a GPS While Driving?

Does Self-Representation in a Criminal Case Ever Make Sense?

Driver License Suspensions

Drunk Driving, DUI, and DWI FAQ

DUI and DWI Defenses

DUI and DWI Overview

DUI or DWI Punishments and Penalties

Expungement of Criminal Records: The Basics

Felonies, Misdemeanors, and Infractions: Classifying Crimes

Fight Your Speeding Ticket: Determining Your Speed

Fight Your Speeding Ticket: What Is the Law?

Fighting a Red Light Camera Traffic Ticket

Fighting a Ticket for Running a Red Light

Fighting a Ticket for Running a Stop Sign

Fighting a Traffic Ticket for Improper Turning

Fingerprint Evidence in Criminal Cases

Going to Court: Surviving the Courtroom

Homicide: Murder and Manslaughter

How Defendants Mental States Affect Their Responsibility for a Crime

Identity Theft FAQ

Is it ever wise to just stay in jail and wait for trial?

Juvenile Court Sentencing Options

Juvenile Court: An Overview

Juvenile Delinquency: What Happens in a Juvenile Case?

Juvenile Law: Status Offenses

Learning the Identity of a Confidential Informant

Lie Detector and Polygraph Tests: Are They Reliable?

Miranda Rights: What Happens If Police Dont Read Your Rights

Negotiating Before Arraignment and Pleading Guilty at the Arraignment

Preparing for a Jury Trial

Preservation of Evidence in Criminal Cases

Rape and Statutory Rape

Robbery

Sealing Juvenile Court Records

Search and Seizure FAQ

Search Warrants: What They Are and When Theyre Necessary

Sentencing Alternatives: Prison, Probation, Fines, and Community Service

Sex Offender Databases: Getting Your Name Off If Your Acts Are Now Legal

Speeding Tickets: How to Defend Yourself

Theft and Shoplifting Crimes

Traffic Ticket? Decide Whether to Fight in Traffic Court or Pay Up

Traffic Tickets for Driving Too Slowly

Traffic Tickets for Improper Passing

Traffic Tickets for Right-of-Way Violations

Underage Drinking and Minor-in-Possession Laws

Understanding Search and Seizure Law

Unsafe Lane Changes

What is an Alibi?

What Is Entrapment?

When Juveniles Are Tried in Adult Criminal Court