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Three Arrested After Marijuana Dispensary Robbery | Temecula, Murrieta and Hemet Criminal Defense Attorney

The degree to which California has decriminalized marijuana has had many effects, but one of them is that it has made marijuana dispensaries an appealing target for robberies. Would-be thieves think these businesses are ripe for the plucking because they assume they have large amounts of cash and marijuana. Recently, a San Bernardino marijuana dispensary…

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California Drug Possession: Law, Penalties, and Defenses | Temecula, Murrieta and Hemet Criminal Defense Attorney

Drug possession laws vary from state to state and on the federal level. In California, Health and Safety Code 11377(a) makes it a crime (felony or misdemeanor) for a person who is caught owning or otherwise possessing a controlled substance such as marijuana, cocaine, meth, heroin or some other substance. Some legally prescribed medications can…

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California Drug Crimes: Changes in What It Means to Transport Drugs | Temecula, Murrieta and Hemet Criminal Defense Attorney

In the fall of 2013, Governor Jerry Brown signed a new bill (Assembly Bill 721) into law that modifies the definition of drug transport in California. This will have an effect on what drug crimes someone can be charged with and the possible sentencing they face. It will make it more likely that drug users…

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Riverside County Authorities Step Up DUI Enforcement | Temecula, Murrieta and Hemet DUI Lawyer

Drivers beware: Law enforcement agencies throughout Riverside County are conducting extra DUI enforcement this Winter. One of these DUI sweeps has already occurred.The Press-Enterprise reported that between Friday, Dec. 13 and Thursday, Dec. 19, 2013, law enforcement officers arrested 250 people for suspicion of driving while intoxicated. It isn’t yet known how many of those…

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Sexual Assault: Definition and Defenses. Temecula, Murrieta and Hemet Criminal Defense Attorney

While every state has its own definition of sexual assault, the Department of Justice defines it as “any type of sexual contact or behavior that occurs without the explicit consent of the recipient.” A person can commit sexual assault even if the victim gives consent but is legally incapable of doing so, by reason of…

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Moreno Valley Man Faces Marijuana, Weapons Charges | Temecula, Murrieta and Hemet Criminal Defense Attorney

A Moreno Valley man was arrested in early January after police allegedly found weapons and dozens of pounds of marijuana in his residence. According to the Press-Enterprise, the 29-year-old man was arrested Jan. 9 after authorities raided his residence and found 53 pounds of marijuana, sawed-off shotguns, two pistols and paraphernalia to make “concentrated marijuana,”…

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After the Target security breach, a quick review of credit card fraud | Temecula, Murrieta and Hemet Criminal Defense Attorney

Target has been in the news in recent weeks for a major credit and debit card data security breach affecting approximately 40 million accounts. Though it isn’t yet clear who’s behind the breach, there’s already evidence that the sensitive account information is being sold on the black market. Let’s take the opportunity now to review…

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Child Pornography Law and Defenses. Temecula, Murrieta and Hemet Criminal Defense Attorney

The production, distribution, or possession of child pornography is considered a serious crime in California, as well as at the federal level. One can be prosecuted for child pornography at federal level if one is seen to have distributed the contraband across state lines, including using the Internet. According to the Department of Justice, child…

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Murrieta and Temecula Defense Attorney Discusses Penalties for Criminal Threats Conviction

In California, a charge of criminal threats is a serious matter and if the accused is convicted of the crime, he or she will face severe penalties and fines. Formally known as a “terrorist threat”, the crime of criminal threats involves threatening another individual with immediate harm wherein the threat results in the victim having…

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Corona Man Suspected Of Being ‘Buttondown Bandit’ Responsible For 5 Bank Robberies | Temecula, Murrieta and Hemet Criminal Defense Attorney

A 49-year-old Corona man was arrested in mid-December after allegedly robbing a bank in Redlands. Police believe he is ‘The Buttondown Bandit,’ to whom they attribute five Southern California bank robberies over the past month. According to the Press-Enterprise, the man is believed to have robbed the Pacific Western Bank location in the 200 block…