Bay Area Criminal Defense Blog

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...

Driving under the influence of alcohol can be dangerous for the driver, passengers, and others on the road. Most drunk driving fatalities involve injuries sustained in a motor vehicle crash. However, a woman suspected of drunk driving was recently shot dead by police after she rammed into a polic...

The wineries of Napa Valley and Sonoma produce some of the best wines in the world. Trips to the wine region from the East Bay are common weekend getaways where couples and friends can enjoy the scenery, sample wine, and try some of the area's best restaurants. However, visitors should remember t...

Too much alcohol can make it difficult for drivers to keep their car on the road. Intoxicated drivers may veer into other lanes, hit parked cars, or even jump the curb, striking a fire hydrant. In San Diego, when a driver went off the road, his car flew off a bridge, killing four and injuring man...

After a number of automobile burglaries took place on the same block in Hercules, police are asking for the public's help in catching the suspect. Over the past couple of months, there have been a rise in smash-and-grab automobile burglaries in Hercules and other cities in the East Bay. In respon...

For decades drivers have been warned about how dangerous it can be to get behind the wheel of a car after having too much to drink. Over the years, drunk driving rates have steadily dropped across the country, including here in the East Bay. However, as DUI rates continue to drop there has been a...

When no one is around to witness a crime in progress, police have little to go on to track down the potential suspects. However, as more cities, businesses, and private citizens use video cameras for various reasons, this camera footage is being used by law enforcement as evidence of criminal act...

When an impaired driver gets into an accident, they can cause serious injury to other drivers, passengers, and pedestrians. In some cases, drunk drivers can end up crashing into a house, causing serious injury or death. Now, even helicopters are not immune to accidents involving intoxicated drive...

Teen drivers are more likely to get into an accident than more experienced drivers. Many people have the perception that teenage drivers may be texting on their phones and distracted by their friends while driving, increasing the chance of an accident. However, the public may underestimate the da...

Halloween is a holiday enjoyed by both children and adults. Children get to dress up as their favorite characters and trick-or-treat for candy. Adults also like to dress up and attend a friend's costume party or go out to a local bar celebrating the holiday. Halloween is also a busy night for law...

While many people are understandably cautious around police officers, firefighters are almost universally respected. The public views firefighters as those to come to our aid, respond to 9-1-1 calls, and put themselves in danger to keep the public safe. However, firefighters are also kept to a hi...

There have been a series of armed robberies across Contra Costa County over the past couple of weeks, and investigators think they may be related. The robberies have been reported in Antioch, Pittsburg, and Orinda. Now police officers from the affected areas are working together to track down the...

A few years ago, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) came out with caffeinated alcoholic drinks like Four Loko and Sparks. Those drinks were quickly taken off the shelf and either reformulated or never to return. Now, a new study reports that even consuming nonalcoholic energy drinks may make ...

Police officers use preliminary alcohol screening (PAS) devices in the field to test a drivers blood alcohol level. At the police station, officers may have the driver submit to a chemical breath test that can be used as evidence in court. However, the police are not the only ones who have breat...

Football fans enjoy getting together to watch a game over beers and food. Whether tailgating at a football game or gathering together at a friends house, it is part of the game watching experience. Unfortunately for the players, quite a few have been known to enjoy a few drinks as well, right be...

Over the past few years, drivers in four counties required an ignition interlock device (IID) when convicted of drunk driving. This includes Alameda, Tulare, Sacramento, and Los Angeles counties. Drivers in the rest of the state could avoid the intrusive and expensive alcohol testing devices in t...

Police departments have been looking for a tool that allows them to test a driver for the influence of marijuana on the side of the road. California police officers now use the preliminary alcohol screening (PAS) test to check a driver's approximate blood alcohol level. Now some police department...

Police officers are supposed to have training and experience identifying impaired drivers. There are specific signs they look for, including slurred speech, watery eyes, and the smell of alcohol. However, everyday police officers wrongly arrest people for driving under the influence even when the...

Six years ago, California voters narrowly decided not to legalize marijuana under Proposition 19. At that time, 46% of voters said yes to the idea and proponents of legalization think that number will break the 50% mark this time around. Legalizing marijuana would reduce criminal drug violations,...