714-997-4400AB 1185: Overseeing Sheriffs
The use of force is a topic of discussion that we need to have in the United States. Each year, many unarmed individuals die from interactions with peace officers. A couple of weeks ago, we wrote about California Assembly Bill 392. The bill, signed into law by Governor Gavin Newsom, redefines the circumstances under which […]
Senate Bill 136: Sentencing Enhancements
In 1994, California voters passed the “Three Strikes and You’re Out” law. It was a form of sentence enhancement imposing a life sentence for almost any conviction, provided a defendant had at least two prior convictions for serious or violent crimes. We know that the three-strikes rule led to an ever-rising prison population across the […]
New Law Redefines Use of Force in California
Last month, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill 392 into law, redefining the circumstances under which a homicide by a peace officer is deemed justifiable, NPR reports. In the wake of constant and often questionable uses of force, many states have begun to take action. Most Americans are familiar with controversial cases involving the […]
Countdown to Capture Update: Captured
Just shy of one year ago, we wrote about an alarming case of murder in Newport Beach, California. The death of Quee Choo Lim Chadwick, a mother of three, became the subject of a podcast from the Newport Beach Police Department. Law enforcement officials hoped that the 6-part series would lead to the apprehension of […]
Money Bail Law Under Fire
Equal justice for all is called into question when taking a closer look at money bail in the United States. In previous posts, we have discussed California Senate Bill 10 at length. The law means to do away with cash bail and gives judges the power to decide who should be released during pretrial. At […]
Death Penalty Trials in California
The death penalty or capital punishment is a topic that has been hotly debated over the years. In March we discussed death sentences in the state of California, in the wake of Gov. Gavin Newsom’s executive moratorium. Even though many Californians still favor the practice, Newsom ordered San Quentin State Prison to close the state’s […]
Supreme Court Rules on Private Social Media Posts
It seems like every person uses at least one form of social media; some people have multiple accounts. Such platforms allow individuals the opportunity to connect and share their opinions about just about anything. At the same time, while men and women want their ability to share safeguarded, they also want their privacy protected. The […]
Restorative Justice Pilot Program
A new diversion program in California pairs victims and offenders prior to conviction. Those who complete the initiative can spare themselves a criminal record, AP News reports. People of all ages are eligible to take part. The pilot program allows victims to deal directly with their offenders to help their healing process, according to the […]
Genetic Genealogy Breaks Another Cold Case
New technology allows investigators to discover the identities of murderers and rapists even if their DNA is not on file. Genetic genealogy or triangulation allows scientists to find the relative(s) of people who commit crimes. Genealogy websites have opened doors once closed to investigators. The desire to discover one’s origin story has compromised a criminal’s […]