Fresno Criminal Lawyer Blog

The fourth amendment of the United States Constitution grants persons reasonable rights to not have themselves and their properties searched. Unlawful searches and seizures can violate a person's expectation of privacy. There are, however, several mitigating circumstances that allow law enforcement to legally search you, your residence or your vehicle without a warrant.

If you've witnessed a crime, know a crime victim or perpetrator, or investigators are at your door because you may be a material witness to a crime in the San Joaquin Valley, you need legal representation. In this emotional upsetting time, you know both of the individuals, but nothing of their argument or dispute? Even the police chief has come to your door. No one should face criminal charges alone.

Because the charges in California for an driving under the influence (DUI) conviction are so steep - those convicted face a large fine, possible prison terms, and possible suspension or revocation of their license - defendants often ask about methods to plead the charge down to a lesser offense. One option is a charge often termed a “wet reckless.”

For a wide variety of crimes, technological developments are opening up new possibilities for police to obtain evidence. One potential piece of evidence they may want to collect and use to establish their case is a smartphone fingerprint, such as the Touch ID used for iPhones.

When most people think of driving under the influence or DUI, they think about drunk driving or perhaps getting behind the wheel while using some illegal drug such as cocaine. But Joseph Schwab, was pulled over for allegedly driving erratically and cutting off an agent from the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control. A breathalyzer test showed that Schwab had zero alcohol in his system, but had caffeine in his system. He was, subsequently, charged with DUI.

Anytime you plead guilty to a crime in a court of law it is serious business. When you accept a plea deal, you do not go to trial but you do face an automatic conviction. Yet, plea bargaining is common and is often recommended as a criminal defense strategy.

In California, domestic violence is a serious offense that can carry significant penalties for the perpetrator, in addition to substantial injury to the victim. As a domestic violence lawyer, the Mitchell Law Group has considerable experience in addressing cases of domestic violence in Fresno County and across the Central Valley.

Recently, Californians voted in favor of the death penalty on two separate proposed measures. In the first case, Proposition 62, roughly 54 percent of people voted against repealing the death penalty and replacing it with life in prison without the possibility of parole. Instead, with just over half of the voters in favor of Proposition 66, Californians have voted to speed up the repeal process, so condemned murderers are executed, rather than dragging out their appeals, possibly for decades.

If your spouse has been charged with a DUI, there are things you can do to support them through the process. While you might not be thrilled with your loved one’s predicament, they might need your help now more than ever.

While poverty, drugs, and gang affiliation influences most crime today, what makes someone turn to a life of white-collar crime?