Prescription Drug Use Among Teens Can Lead to Criminal Consequences
Jerod Gunsberg, Los Angeles Criminal Defense Lawyer
Drug use among teens generally continues to decline, according to the annual survey released in December 2011 by the National Institute for Drug Abuse. The report entitled, “Monitoring The Future” shows the results of surveys completed by more than 40,000…
read moreArrest in 50 Hollywood Arson Fires
Jerod Gunsberg, Los Angeles Criminal Defense Lawyer
Harry Burkhardt has been charged with setting more than 50 fires that, over the past week, unnerved much of Hollywood. The arrest of Mr. Burkhardt has caused his high-profile case to take an unexpected twist. The alleged arsons might be…
read moreYour Kid Got Arrested For a Schoolyard Fight, Now What?
Jerod Gunsberg, Los Angeles Criminal Defense Lawyer
One of the toughest things I see as juvenile defense attorney is kids getting arrested and charged with felonies for things that could be resolved in school. For example: A kid gets in a schoolyard fight, the school dean overreacts…
read moreCounty Jail Felony Sentence is Not Probation
Jerod Gunsberg, Los Angeles Criminal Defense Lawyer
There are many questions about California’s criminal justice realignment plan. The cornerstone of this plan is the restructuring of California’s sentencing laws. As of October 1, 2011, most “non-strike” offenses will be served in county jail rather than state prison….
read moreAre Bath Salts Legal in California?
Jerod Gunsberg, Los Angeles Criminal Defense Lawyer
MDPV, Mephedrone 4 (aka 4-MMC), and Methylone (M1), the key ingredients in “Bath Salts” are, as of this writing, appear to be banned in California and are clearly under a federal ban. However, California’s odd new law appears open to numerous challenges.
read moreSealing an “Un-sealable” Juvenile Record
Jerod Gunsberg, Los Angeles Criminal Defense Lawyer
I often get calls from frustrated adults who decades ago had a serious or violent felony criminal charge sustained against them in juvenile court and are now finding out that they are unable to get their juvenile records sealed or the cases…
read moreBig Changes in California Sentencing Laws Coming October 1
Jerod Gunsberg, Los Angeles Criminal Defense Lawyer
Humongous changes coming in California’s sentencing laws, the big thing is that almost all non-strike and non-PC 290 registration felonies can now be served in county jail instead of state prison. Attorney Garrick Byers, earns his self-proclaimed title of…
read moreAssault With a Deadly Weapon Is Not Always a Strike in California
Jerod Gunsberg, Los Angeles Criminal Defense Lawyer
When a lawyer’s client is charged with felony assault with a deadly weapon under penal code section 245(a)(1), they are facing a “strike” under California’s Three Strikes law. Assault with a deadly weapon is what I call a “mega-wobbler” –…
read moreNew Law For Early Termination of Probation in California?
Jerod Gunsberg, Los Angeles Criminal Defense Lawyer
Under California Penal Code 1203.3, a judge has the discretion to order the early termination of probation “in the interests of justice.” The court can do this, even over the objection of the prosecutor. However, prosecutors in Los Angeles County are…
read moreNew California Law Allows Video Cameras In Car – What It Means
Jerod Gunsberg, Los Angeles Criminal Defense Lawyer
Ever been pulled over or arrested by the police following a traffic stop? Did you wish you had a video and audio recorder in your car so you could prove that the cop’s version of events was wrong? In California,…
read more