|

Credit Card Fraud: Accounting for the Circumstances that Surround Each Case – Temecula, Murrieta, Menifee, Lake Elsinore Law Office of Nicolai Cocis

A news article from San Francisco presents the story of a woman who was mistakenly given someone else’s credit card by a waitress at a restaurant. Instead of alerting the restaurant about the mistake, the woman allegedly kept the card and went to a local mall to use it, perpetrating credit card fraud. Eventually, the legal…

| | | | |

What is the Crime of Embezzlement? California Penal Code section 503

You may have heard the term embezzlement before, but what exactly does this word mean? The term embezzlement is defined in Penal Code 503 as “…the fraudulent appropriation of property by a person to whom it has been entrusted.” For example, let’s say David was the person in charge of the cash register at the…

| |

What Constitutes “Statutory Rape” In Riverside County? :: Temecula, Murrieta, Lake Elsinore Criminal Defense Law Office

The simple truth is that teenagers are having sexual intercourse, whether you want to believe it or not. Some of them are choosing wisely and spending time with others close in age while others are finding older people to share their time with. While sexual intercourse should be consensual (or it can be considered rape),…

| | |

What is Criminal Indecent Exposure? :: Menifee, Murrieta and Temecula Sex Crimes Defense Lawyer :: Law Office of Nic Cocis

Indecent exposure; everyone has heard about it, but few really know and understand the legal definition. Most people think about men showing women their genitals, but, in order to be arrested and convicted it takes more than that. So, what is indecent exposure in the state of California? Indecent exposure is defined in Penal Code…

| |

A Look at Recent Child Abuse and Neglect Cases | Lake Elsinore, Hemet, Menifee Criminal Defense Attorney

In recent months, there have been at least two child abuse cases in California (one locally in Riverside County), which have received extensive national attention. In both cases, there were multiple children who were reportedly abused for years. The first case took place in Perris and came to light in January after one of the…

| |

First Degree Murder | Attempt Murder Arrest | Temecula, Murrieta, Lake Elsinore, Menifee Criminal Defense Law Office of Nic Cocis

Murder charges are always serious, though there are two different degrees. Each one has its own degree of seriousness, as well as punishments. The worst type of murder is considered first-degree, though there are also second-degree, involuntary manslaughter and attempted murder. So, what is first-degree murder? A first-degree murder charge is the most severe murder…

|

Assault and Battery Charges in Riverside County | Temecula, Murrieta, Hemet and Menifee Criminal Attorney

While many people use the phrase “assault and battery” as though it constitutes a single criminal offense, assault and battery are actually two separate crimes in California. Under California Penal Code § 240, an assault is defined as “an unlawful attempt, coupled with a present ability, to commit a violent injury on the person of…

| | | | |

Mortgage Fraud Criminal Defense Attorney | Temecula, Murrieta, Menifee Fraud and Embezzlement Defense Law Office of Nicolai Cocis

Mortgage fraud covers a wide range of crimes, all pertaining to funding for a home. People often falsify information so that they can get a mortgage that they can’t really afford. Real estate professionals can also be found guilty of mortgage fraud. They can work with other professionals to flip houses. By working with appraisers,…

|

Manslaughter and Attempt Murder | Temecula, Murrieta, Menifee and Lake Elsinore Criminal Defense Attorney | Law Office of Nicolai Cocis

When someone is killed, first-degree murder is not the only charge that you may be accused of. You could also be facing manslaughter charges. So, what is manslaughter? California Penal Code 192 defines it as ‘the unlawful killing of a human being without malice” [1] There are three types, including voluntary, involuntary and vehicular. Voluntary…

| | | |

When Driving Under the Influence (DUI) Means Driving While Stoned | Temecula, Murrieta, Menifee DUI Lawyer

It is common knowledge that driving while drunk is a bad idea that can not only send you to jail but also increase the chances of you being involved in a fatal accident. However, with more states legalizing the recreational use of marijuana, many law enforcement agencies are struggling with the concept of driving while…