Useful updates and observations by Attorney Lynn Gorelick from the trenches of the criminal courts in Alameda and Contra Costa County, California.
Marijuana is a multi-billion dollar industry in California. Now that it has been legalized for recreational use, the industry will continue to expand. With so much money involved and the promise of more, the pot industry is also subject to abuse and fraud. A couple of recent arrests have tied the...
The constitutional protections against unlawful search and seizure raise serious questions given our increasing reliance on technology. The courts are confronting novel questions about what constitutes a search, seizure, and self-incrimination. Police in Ohio have recently used a suspect's pacema...
After the stress, penalties, and costs associated with a drunk driving arrest, many drivers make sure they never get caught drinking and driving again. Some drivers end up with a second DUI, with even harsher penalties. However, there are some drivers who end up arrested for a DUI again and again...
Recreational marijuana is now legal in California, and medical marijuana has been available for almost 20 years. Recreational users looking to save some money may try to grow the plant at home. However, it is important to know the limits of the law, as well as the safety risks associated with hom...
Police officers have heard all kinds of excuses for why the driver tests positive for alcohol after a breath test. However, in some cases, those excuses may be convincing enough for a judge to dismiss DUI charges. A driver in the Midwest has had her drunk driving charges dropped after explaining ...
Anyone who has been arrested for driving under the influence knows how expensive a DUI can be. A drunk driving conviction may result in thousands of dollars in fines, fees, and increases to car insurance. On top of that, the driver may have to pay for DUI school, an alcohol abuse assessment, and ...
California was the first state in the country to allow marijuana to be used for medical purposes. Since then over half of all states and the District of Columbia have joined California in legalizing medical marijuana. However, some states remain staunchly opposed to decriminalizing the substance....
Drivers who are required to have an ignition interlock device installed in their vehicles understand the deterrent effect it has on drinking and driving. Soon, mandatory IIDs will be required for all DUI convictions across the state of California. A new study shows that IIDs reduce the number of ...
While people are arrested for drunk driving any time of the year, certain days have higher rates of drinking and driving. This includes the 4th of July, Labor Day, and Memorial Day. However, one of the busiest times of the year for drunk driving arrests occurs during the holiday season from Thank...
Law enforcement departments claim their officers are trained in how to spot drivers who may be under the influence of drugs or alcohol. These officers testify in court, based on their experience and training, to help convict drivers of DUIs. However, officers misidentify impaired drivers all the ...
After a car accident, the police are trained to look for signs of impairment by alcohol or drugs with any of the drivers involved. After a hit-and-run accident, police may be on increased alert that the driver may be drunk. After multiple hit-and-run accidents in a row, the police may expect the ...
When an impaired driver gets into an accident, they risk a DUI or even the more serious charge of a DUI causing injury. However, when an impaired driver crashes into a police vehicle, they are almost certain to be arrested. Across the country, dozens of people have been arrested on suspicion of d...
In the United States, the majority of people learn to drive as teenagers. Urban planning which prioritizes automobiles combined with a lack of high-quality public transportation means that driving is a necessary part of most Americans' days. Unfortunately, for many, license suspension can keep pe...
Oftentimes when minors commit crimes they get a slap on the wrist. Typical sentences entail house arrest, probation, community service and short-term stays in a juvenile facility. However, depending on the severity of a crime and how often a minor commits them, a judge can gauge whether or not a ...
Drunk driving can affect people from all walks of life, from teachers and car mechanics to professional football players. Unfortunately for those arrested for a DUI, in addition to criminal charges, their arrest may affect their job and their future. A California professional football player has ...
Drunk driving arrests and accidents can increase over the holiday season. Between Thanksgiving and New Year's people out celebrating with family and friends end up driving home after having too much to drink. While many police departments have increased patrols out over the holidays, some police ...
Police officers face are used to hearing drivers swear at them, threaten them with a lawsuit, or call them all sorts of names. Police officers may also face physical harm from intoxicated drivers. However, a state trooper in Massachusetts had a driver cast a spell on the officer after a DUI arres...
Package delivery increases around the holidays. Some individuals are ordering products online to give to friends and family, or an out-of-state relative sends a present through the mail. Thieves are aware of the increase in package delivery and also know that many people will be out of town for t...
Ecstasy is a popular drug among fans of the electronic dance music (EDM) scene. Many do not think of Ecstasy as a dangerous drug; however, the number of ecstasy overdose deaths at dance parties this year may make users and dealers rethink the dangers associated with the drug. According to a count...
Advances in virtual reality (VR) are making the technology more accessible than ever. While full-blown VR systems are still prohibitively expensive for many, limited VR systems are now available on our smartphones. These systems are being used for everything from gaming to home design. However, a...
Before police engage in new surveillance or monitoring programs, the public should have the opportunity to voice their privacy concerns. The public has an interest in understanding why the police need these programs, and how to ensure this power is not abused. However, it has recently been report...
There has been increasing concern over the number of possible hate crimes taking place in the East Bay. People are reportedly being targeted based on their race, religion, nationality, or gender. A local District Attorneys office has set up a new hate crime hotline to deal with the rising number...
Thanksgiving is supposed to be a time when family gathers together to celebrate the things they are thankful for. Unfortunately, Thanksgiving is also a peak season for drunk driving arrests. Police officers and the highway patrol will be on the lookout for drivers who may be under the influence o...
While the nation voted for the President of the United States during the most recent elections, Californians and residents of other states voted on whether to make marijuana legal for recreational use. With the passage of Prop 64, California has voted to legalize recreational pot, along with Mass...
Drivers arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence may blame a car accident on the other driver, or a prescription medication that they were unaware could impair their driving. However, other drivers blame a drunk driving arrest on other factors, which the police and judges may have a h...
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