Category: Weapons Offenses

Weapons Offenses | No Cuffs

New California Laws

The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that criminal suspects’ statements can be used against them if they fail to invoke their rights.

The court ruled 5-4 that criminal suspects have a duty to invoke the rights outlined in the historic Miranda vs. Arizona decision, including the right to remain silent and to have an attorney present during questioning. In the past, the court held that the government had the burden of demonstrating that a suspect had knowingly and intelligently waived his rights.

Tuesday’s ruling addressed a Michigan case where a man was convicted of murder based largely on his one-word response to a question after nearly three hours of interrogation.  His conviction was overturned by an appeals court that ruled that using his answer to convict him violated his right against self-incrimination. The Supreme Court’s ruling overturned that decision.
Our constitutional rights have eroded considerably in recent years, so it’s more important than ever to have a skilled defense lawyer on your side if you’re under investigation for a criminal charge.  The top California defense attorneys of The Kavinoky Law Firm are well-known for standing up for the rights of their clients, and will do everything possible to protect you during a criminal investigation. Contact a skilled California defense lawyer today at 1-800-NO-CUFFS for a free consultation.

A new year brings new laws in California, and 2010 is no exception.  There are a number of new laws on the books that impact convicted DUI drivers and certain individuals charged with California theft or other property crimes. Another new law increases the amount of time credit earned by certain inmates in California county jails and prisons.  Yet another new law prevents authorities from sending low-level, non-violent offenders back to prison for parole violations. As in every year, the list of new California laws is lengthy, so we’ve summarized the most noteworthy ones here. If you have any questions about any of these new laws and how they will affect your case, you can always contact The Kavinoky Law Firm at 1-800-NO-CUFFS.

Two new laws will impact many individuals convicted of DUI. AB 91 creates a pilot program that requires every driver convicted of DUI in Los Angeles, Alameda, Sacramento and Tulare counties – even first offenders – to install and use an ignition interlock device.  The law will remain in effect until 2016, when the pilot program may be extended and expanded to include other counties.

SB 598 is a bill that will allow DUI offenders to obtain restricted driver’s licenses sooner than they would otherwise if they install and use an ignition interlock device.  Convicted DUI drivers will still have a certain period of “hard” suspension when they are not allowed to drive at all, but that hard suspension will be shortened by installing an ignition interlock device.

A new law that takes effect January 25, 2010 increases the dollar amount that determines whether more than 30 theft and property crime offenses can be charged as felonies rather than misdemeanors.  For example, the threshold for a felony charge of writing a check with non-sufficient funds increased from $200 to $400. The limits for some offenses, such as theft of currency or jewelry, remain unchanged.

Certain individuals serving time in California county jails will earn more time credits than before under another new law that takes effect on January 25, 2010. In the past, inmates in county jails earned two days of credit for every four days spent in custody. Under the new law, they will earn two days of credit for every two days served.  Some defendants are excluded from earning the additional credit for time served. They include individuals convicted of violent felonies who are limited to a 15-percent reduction credit under California Penal Code section 2933.1; those required to register as sex offenders; and individuals convicted of serious felonies or with prior convictions for serious felonies. Up to six weeks of additional credit can also be earned by many state prison inmates who complete certain prison programs.

Another new law that takes effect January 25, 2010 prevents certain individuals from being returned to prison for parole violations. The individual cannot be returned to prison for a parole violation if all of the following are true: he or she is not required to register as a sex offender, wasn’t convicted of a serious felony, doesn’t have a prior conviction for a serious felony, wasn’t convicted of a sex crime, wasn’t found guilty of a serious disciplinary offense, isn’t a validated gang member or associate, didn’t refuse to sign a notification of parole conditions, and wasn’t determined in an evaluation to have a high risk of reoffending.

Understanding California’s complex criminal statutes and the many new laws that are passed each year is difficult. Fortunately, the knowledgeable California defense attorneys of The Kavinoky Law Firm ensure that they’re up on the latest developments in the law, so that you don’t have to.  If you have any questions about any aspect of your California criminal case, please don’t hesitate to call us today at 1-800-NO-CUFFS.

New California Driving Laws for 2009

As of January 1, 2009, a host of new driving laws went on the books in California, and being aware of these statutes will help you avoid trouble with the law in the New Year. As always, if you have any questions about any California Vehicle Code, feel free to contact an attorney from The Kavinoky Law Firm at 1.877.466.2833 for more information.

Perhaps the most talked-about new law is California’s ban on texting. As of January 1, it’s against the law to type, send, and read electronic messages while behind the wheel. Like California’s law requiring the use of hands-free cell phones while driving, the new text-messaging ban carries a $20 fine for a first offense and a $50 fine for a second offense, but the state’s “penalty assessment” means the fine will be significantly higher.

Even more importantly, violating either of these laws gives police probable cause to pull you over, which can lead to more serious charges. These types of relatively minor violations can result in an arrest for DUI or another serious offense.

Another new law impacts drivers who are on probation for a California DUI conviction. Under the new zero-tolerance law, drivers on probation for a prior DUI conviction who have any measurable amount of alcohol in their systems will have their driver’s licenses suspended.

California has also lowered the threshold for ignition interlock devices, or IIDs, in DUI cases. In the past, California law required that judges give “heightened consideration” to ordering DUI drivers with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of .20 percent or greater to use an ignition interlock device. The new law lowers the threshold for an IID, which prevents a car from starting if the driver cannot provide an alcohol-free breath sample, to .15 percent.

Beginning in July 2009, drivers who are caught driving after having their licenses suspended for a prior DUI conviction will also be required to use an ignition interlock device. This new law also transfers authority over the use of ignition interlock devices from the courts to the California Department of Motor Vehicles.

New California legislation also requires drivers convicted of DUI or alcohol-related reckless driving – also known as “wet-reckless” – to attend a nine-month alcohol-education program if they’ve been convicted of another DUI or wet-reckless offense within the past decade.

Other changes to the law include new criminal penalties for forging Clean Air stickers, harsher penalties for those who make frivolous 911 calls, and changes to the law that governs where GPS units can be mounted. In the past, mounting the unit on the windshield was against the law. Now drivers can mount the devices in a 7-inch square on the lower passenger side of the windshield or a 5-inch square on the lower corner of the driver’s side.

By keeping yourself informed about California’s ever-evolving vehicle and criminal codes, you can better prepare yourself to stay out of trouble in 2009. And should you ever need us, the experienced California defense lawyers of The Kavinoky Law Firm are here to help. You can contact us at 1.877.466.2833 for answers to all of your questions about California vehicle and criminal codes.

 

DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE CHARGES FOR ATV DRIVERS

Friday, June 30, 2006

DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE CHARGES FOR ATV DRIVERS

WOODLAND HILLS, Calif. — Fans of sun and sand are gearing up for fun summer weekends full of riding ATVs and drinking with friends.  However, those who enjoy a few beers before driving an all-terrain vehicle may be in for an unfortunate surprise:  DUI charges can be brought against them, and those charges can be devastating.

In recent years the dangers and illegality of boating under the influence have been emphasized, and many people now know that they can be arrested for drinking and boating. However, many people do not realize that driving an all-terrain vehicle while impaired is just as dangerous and just as illegal.

“The punishments for driving an ATV while intoxicated are identical to those for driving a car under the influence of alcohol,” said California criminal defense attorney Wendy Wittenberg.  “I’ve dealt with many defendants who were arrested and charged with DUI while driving ATVs.  They were all shocked.  They had no idea that it was illegal, or that they could lose their driving privileges and serve jail time.”

According to California law, a person driving any vehicle on a public highway can be arrested for driving under the influence if his or her blood alcohol content measures .08 percent or more.  If convicted, this person may have to serve jail time, participate in a DUI school and pay fines.  The Department of Motor Vehicles can suspend the defendant’s Class C driver license even without a conviction.

“Of course, when people are arrested for DUI while driving an ATV, many times they argue that they weren’t on a public roadway.  Unfortunately for these defendants, sand dunes are considered public roadways for the purpose of California driving under the influence laws,” said Wittenberg.  “This means that anyone driving in a sand dune while intoxicated can be arrested for DUI.”

Wittenberg has handled many ATV DUI arrests, and she is beginning to see a trend.  “More and more clients are calling me to help defend DUI charges while driving ATVs.  It probably is not due to more people drinking and driving, but more intense surveillance.”

These arrests can happen in a number of ways.  Many times, ATV drivers are turned in by rangers at the dunes.  These rangers will investigate the situation, and then contact the California Highway Patrol or local police department to report a suspicious driver.  In other instances, citizens can call the arresting officers with information about a suspected drunken driver.  The officers will then drive to the scene to investigate the situation and to possibly arrest the offender.

In addition to being illegal, driving an ATV while intoxicated is dangerous.  In the last 20 years, there have been more than 300 ATV-related deaths in California.  It is assumed that at least some of these accidents were due to intoxication of the driver.

“It’s important to use common sense about safety while driving in the dunes,” said Wittenberg.  “Drinking and driving is never a good idea, no matter what vehicle is driven.”

Wendy Wittenberg is an attorney at California-based criminal defense firm The Kavinoky Law Firm.  The attorneys of The Kavinoky Law Firm focus on customer service, and they take pride in their one-on-one approach with clients. They work tirelessly to have the best reputation of all criminal defense firms in the state.  www.NoCuffs.com

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For more information, contact Angie Rupert at (818) 346-4646 or [email protected].
Prepared by Angie Rupert.

The Blood Alcohol Calculator (BAC)

The Blood Alcohol Calculator (BAC)

Blood or Breath Alcohol Content (BAC) is a critical inquiry in nearly every drinking and driving arrest, whether DUI / DWI, driving under the influence of drugs (DUID), drunk driving, or any type of impaired driving case.

The BAC calculator below will allow you to predict your BAC at a given point in time based upon the number of drinks consumed over a period of time. Fill in the information required below for an estimate of blood or breath alcohol level.

Disclaimer: The Blood Alcohol Calculator is for information only. This conversion is not completely accurate and should not be used to determine if you are capable of driving. Your actual Blood Alcohol Level may vary, depending upon many factors, including body type, sex, health status, and many others. Every effort is made to ensure that the results yielded by the Blood Alcohol Calculator are correct; however, do not rely upon this information to decide whether or not it is safe or lawful to drive. Because impairment may occur at any Blood Alcohol Level, we can only recommend that you not drive with any measurable amount of alcohol in your system.

Online Blood-Alcohol Content Calculator (BAC) Beer Wine Shot Fluid Ounces 12 4 1.5 Alcohol Content 4% – 4.5% 15% – 20% 30% – 50% Fluid Ounces Consumed Percent Alcohol Your Weight (Lbs) Hours Consuming Drink BAC Percentage BAC Analysis

 

California Vehicle Code VC 13352.6 – DUI Conviction: Persons Under 21: Required Suspension

California Vehicle Code VC 13352.6 – DUI Conviction: Persons Under 21: Required Suspension

13352.6. (a) The department shall immediately suspend the driving privilege of any person who is 18 years of age or older and is convicted of a violation of Section 23140, upon receipt of a duly certified abstract of the record of any court showing that conviction. The privilege may not be reinstated until the person provides the department with proof of financial responsibility and until proof satisfactory to the department, of successful completion of a driving-under-the-influence program licensed under Section 11836 of the Health and Safety Code has been received in the department’s headquarters. That attendance shall be as follows:

  1. If, within 10 years of the current violation of Section 23140, the person has not been convicted of a separate violation of Section 23140, 23152, or 23153, or of Section 23103, with a plea of guilty under Section 23103.5, or of Section 655 of the Harbors and Navigation Code, or of Section 191.5 of, or paragraph (3) of subdivision (c) of Section 192 of, the Penal Code, the person shall complete, at a minimum, the education component of that licensed driving-under-the-influence program.
  2. If the person does not meet the requirements of paragraph (1), the person shall complete, at a minimum, the program described in paragraph (1) of subdivision (c) of Section 11837 of the Health and Safety Code.

(b) For the purposes of this section, enrollment, participation, and completion of the program shall be subsequent to the date of the current violation. Credit for enrollment, participation, or completion may not be given for any program activities completed prior to the date of the current violation.

Added Sec. 2, Ch. 1063, Stats. 2000. Effective January 1, 2001.Amended Sec. 5.5, Ch. 550, Stats. 2004. Effective January 1, 2005.

» Return to California Vehicle Codes

Note: Laws change frequently and thus the information provided should not be relied upon as legal advice. To be certain, contact a criminal defense attorney for a legal assistance.
www.NoCuffs.com is not liable for any misinformation that users obtain from using this site.

California Vehicle Code VC 13361 – Grounds for Suspension

California Vehicle Code VC 13361 – Grounds for Suspension

13361. The department may suspend the privilege of any person to operate a motor vehicle upon receipt of a duly certified abstract of the record of any court showing that the person has been convicted of any of the following crimes or offenses:

  1. Failure to stop in the event of an accident resulting in damage to property only, or otherwise failing to comply with the requirements of Section 20002.
  2. A second or subsequent conviction of reckless driving.
  3. Manslaughter resulting from the operation of a motor vehicle as provided in paragraph (2) of subdivision (c) of Section 192 of the Penal Code.

In any case under this section the department is authorized to require proof of ability to respond in damages as defined in Section 16430.

Amended Ch. 6, Stats. 1985. Effective February 21, 1985.

» Return to California Vehicle Codes

Note: Laws change frequently and thus the information provided should not be relied upon as legal advice. To be certain, contact a criminal defense attorney for a legal assistance.
www.NoCuffs.com is not liable for any misinformation that users obtain from using this site.

California Vehicle Code VC 13374 – Refusal to Issue or Renew, Suspension, or Revocation of Ambulance Driver Certificate: Hearings

California Vehicle Code VC 13374 – Refusal to Issue or Renew, Suspension, or Revocation of Ambulance Driver Certificate: Hearings

13374. (a) ( )1 An applicant for, or the holder of, an ambulance driver certificatewho has received a notice of refusal, suspension, or revocation may submit, within 15 days after the notice has been mailed by the department, a written request for a hearing. Upon receipt of the request, the department shall appoint a referee who shall conduct an informal hearing in accordance with Section 14104. Failure to request a hearing within ( )2 15 days after the notice has been mailed by the department is a waiver of the right to a hearing. A request for a hearing shall not operate to stay the action for which notice is given.

(b) Upon conclusion of an informal hearing, the referee shall prepare and submit findings and recommendations through the department to a committee of three members one each appointed by the Director of the Emergency Medical Service Authority, the director, and the Commissioner of the California Highway Patrol with the appointee of the Commissioner of the California Highway Patrol serving as chairperson. After ( )3 a review of the findings and recommendations, the committee shall render a final decision on the action taken, and the department shall notify the person involved of the decision.

Amended Sec. 6, Ch. 66, Stats. 2005. Effective January 1, 2006.
The 2005 amendment added the italicized material, and at the point(s) indicated, deleted the following:

  1. Whenever the department refuses to issue or renew, or suspends or revokes, an ambulance driver certificate for any cause, the person involved may, within 10 days after receiving notification of the action, submit"
  2. "10 days after receiving a notice given under this section"
  3. "the"

» Return to California Vehicle Codes

Note: Laws change frequently and thus the information provided should not be relied upon as legal advice. To be certain, contact a criminal defense attorney for a legal assistance.
www.NoCuffs.com is not liable for any misinformation that users obtain from using this site.

California Vehicle Code VC 23592 – Impounding Vehicles

California Vehicle Code VC 23592 – Impounding Vehicles

23592. (a) (1) Whenever a person is convicted of any of the following offenses committed while driving a motor vehicle of which he or she is the owner, the court, at the time sentence is imposed on the person, may order the motor vehicle impounded for a period of not more than six months for a first conviction, and not more than 12 months for a second or subsequent conviction:

  1. Driving with a suspended or revoked driver’s license.
  2. A violation of Section 2800.2 resulting in an accident or Section 2800.3, if either violation occurred within seven years of one or more separate convictions for a violation of any of the following:
    1. Section 23103, if the vehicle involved in the violation was driven at a speed of 100 or more miles per hour.
    2. Section 23152.
    3. Section 23153.
    4. Section 191.5 of the Penal Code.
    5. Subdivision (c) of Section 192 of the Penal Code.

(2) The cost of keeping the vehicle is a lien on the vehicle pursuant to Chapter 6.5 (commencing with Section 3067) of Title 14 of Part 4 of Division 3 of the Civil Code.

(b) Notwithstanding subdivision (a), any motor vehicle impounded pursuant to this section which is subject to a chattel mortgage, conditional sale contract, or lease contract shall be released by the court to the legal owner upon the filing of an affidavit by the legal owner that the chattel mortgage, conditional sale contract, or lease contract is in default and shall be delivered to the legal owner upon payment of the accrued cost of keeping the vehicle.

Added Sec. 84, Ch. 118, Stats. 1998. Effective January 1, 1999. Operative July 1, 1999.

» Return to California Vehicle Codes

Note: Laws change frequently and thus the information provided should not be relied upon as legal advice. To be certain, contact a criminal defense attorney for a legal assistance.
www.NoCuffs.com is not liable for any misinformation that users obtain from using this site.

Certificates of Rehabilitation and Pardon

Certificates of Rehabilitation and Pardon

Many people convicted of felonies in California fear that their criminal records will follow them all of their lives, creating hurdles to employment, housing, education, and other opportunities. However, there are several post-conviction relief options that may be available, including a certificate of rehabilitation and pardon. The experienced post-conviction relief lawyers of The Kavinoky Law Firm will evaluate each case to determine whether a California certificate of rehabilitation and pardon may be obtainable.

Certificates of rehabilitation are first sought from the trial court and are the first step in the pardon process. If a certificate is issued, the trial court will recommend that the governor grant a pardon. The governor has the discretion to grant or deny a pardon, unless the individual has multiple felony convictions. In that case, the pardon will require additional approval from the state Supreme Court.

Certificates of rehabilitation are what they sound like— a formal finding that a person is rehabilitated and should be relieved of the burdens of a prior felony conviction. The process of obtaining a certificate of rehabilitation and/or pardon is lengthy and must be done with the assistance of an experienced criminal defense attorney.

Prior convictions can have impact many aspects of life. Most post-conviction relief is limited and provides only partial relief to cleansing a criminal record. Expungement for example, has several key limitations and will neither restore gun possession rights nor alleviate registration as a sex offender under Penal Code 290. Only a pardon can address these consequences.

A governor’s pardon is granted only to individuals who have demonstrated a high standard of constructive behavior following conviction for a felony, or in some cases, for certain specified misdemeanor sex offenses. Obtaining a pardon is a distinct achievement based upon proof of a useful, productive, and law-abiding life following a conviction. California Penal Code section 4852.05 states, "During the period of rehabilitation, the person shall live an honest and upright life, shall conduct himself or herself with sobriety and industry, shall exhibit a good moral character, and shall conform to and obey the laws of the land."

In general, pardon applications will not be considered unless an applicant has been discharged from probation or parole for at least 10 years and has not engaged in further criminal activity. While the receipt of a certificate of rehabilitation is persuasive in evaluating a pardon application, it is but one of many factors in the governor’s decision to grant the pardon. The 10-year rule may be waived in truly exceptional circumstances, if the applicant can demonstrate an earlier, specific need for the pardon.

A certificate of rehabilitation and pardon can truly transform the life of an individual convicted of a felony in California. To learn more about California certificates of rehabilitation and pardons and other forms of post-conviction relief, contact The Kavinoky Law Firm today for a free consultation.

California Vehicle Code VC 23546 – Penalty: Third Conviction Within Ten Years

California Vehicle Code VC 23546 – Penalty: Third Conviction Within Ten Years

23546. (a) If a person is convicted of a violation of Section 23152 and the offense occurred within 10 years of two separate violations of Section 23103, as specified in Section 23103.5, 23152, or 23153, or any combination thereof, that resulted in convictions, that person shall be punished by imprisonment in the county jail for not less than 120 days nor more than one year and by a fine of not less than three hundred ninety dollars ($390) nor more than one thousand dollars ($1,000). The person’s privilege to operate a motor vehicle shall be revoked by the Department of Motor Vehicles as required in paragraph (5) of subdivision (a) of Section 13352. The court shall require the person to surrender his or her driver’s license to the court in accordance with Section 13550.

(b) A person convicted of a violation of Section 23152 punishable under this section shall be designated as a habitual traffic offender for a period of three years, subsequent to the conviction. The person shall be advised of this designation pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 13350.

Added Sec. 84, Ch. 118, Stats. 1998. Effective January 1, 1999. Operative July 1, 1999.
Amended Sec. 34, Ch. 22, Stats. 1999. Effective May 26, 1999. Operative July 1 1999.
Amended Sec. 23, Ch. 545, Stats. 2002. Effective January 1, 2003.
Amended Sec. 14, Ch. 550, Stats. 2004. Effective January 1, 2005.

» Return to California Vehicle Codes

Note: Laws change frequently and thus the information provided should not be relied upon as legal advice. To be certain, contact a criminal defense attorney for a legal assistance.
www.NoCuffs.com is not liable for any misinformation that users obtain from using this site.

California Vehicle Code VC 23221 – Drinking in Motor Vehicle

California Vehicle Code VC 23221 – Drinking in Motor Vehicle

23221. (a) No driver shall drink any alcoholic beverage while in a motor vehicle upon a highway.

(b) No passenger shall drink any alcoholic beverage while in a motor vehicle upon a highway.

Amended Sec. 2, Ch. 723, Stats. 1999. Effective January 1, 2000.

» Return to California Vehicle Codes

Note: Laws change frequently and thus the information provided should not be relied upon as legal advice. To be certain, contact a criminal defense attorney for a legal assistance.
www.NoCuffs.com is not liable for any misinformation that users obtain from using this site.