Family Law

• Divorce
• Child Support
  In order to legally drive a motor vehicle in the state of California, you must have a valid driver’s license. Being able to drive is a privilege, not a right, which makes it a frequently used lever by the courts in a number of different situations. Suspending or revoking a driver’s license can be part of your punishment for any number of other infractions, including failure to pay child support, DUI, and accruing too many points on your license. If you are caught driving a vehicle while your license is suspended, you will face additional criminal charges.
• Child Abuse

Criminal Law

• Criminal Defense
  Despite a long list of popularized trials and achievements, when asked what he is most proud of, criminal defense attorney Adam G. Gasner says it’s the list of his “quiet dispositions,” the “cases that never make the headlines and where no one knows I am the lawyer — the hundreds of cases where careers, families, and reputations were on the line and I was able to negotiate results that saved jobs, kept families together, and protected against a lifetime of shame."
• DUI/DWI
  A charge of DUI, or driving under the influence, can be devastating and can carry significant consequences that will affect you for years to come. Even in a best-case scenario, you may be looking at serious fines, and even the suspension of your license. In a worst-case scenario, you could be facing significant jail time, permanent revocation of your license, and more.
• Traffic Violations
  For instance, if a man were to offer a woman drugs in exchange for oral sex, it would be considered prostitution, and under California law, both the man and woman would be subject to criminal charges. If someone were to offer another individual money in exchange for the chance to fondle any part of their body, it would also fall under California’s prostitution laws. Even an offer of sex in exchange for something else of value – getting out of a speeding ticket, in exchange for goods or services, or anything else, can fall under the heading of prostitution.
• Sex Crimes
  Sexual Assault – Generally, sexual assault involves one of three things, either penetration of a body part by another body part or object, contact with an “intimate” body part, or exposure of an “intimate” body part. Intimate body parts include buttocks, breasts, genitalia, and others. If the assault leads to sexual intercourse, the state of California actually considers it rape, which is even more serious.
• Fraud
  While healthcare fraud is often thought of as a crime committed by patients, it could also be committed by doctors and other staff at a medical facility. It occurs when someone submits fraudulent claims to insurance companies or governmental agencies, such as Medicaid. In California, Penal Code 550a PC covers healthcare fraud.
• Robbery
  White collar crimes are different from so-called street crimes, and are generally committed by people in different societal classes. Robbery, whether in the form of a home invasion, mugging, purse snatching or pickpocketing, is a type of street crime. Other examples include assault and battery, domestic violence, and sexual assault.
• Burglary
  If someone enters a building or another location intending to commit a crime, such as theft, they are committing burglary. Penal Codes 459, 460, and 461 PC cover this crime.
• White Collar Crimes
  Facing criminal charges does not always mean that you have been accused of a violent crime. In fact, an entire class of crimes is set apart from those others. So-called white collar crimes differ greatly from other types of charges, but they still leave you facing legal charges that could mean significant jail time. In some cases, it could mean facing a prison sentence without the right representation.
• Theft
• Misdemeanors
  Grand theft, Penal Code 487 PC, will be the charge not only for property valued at greater than $950 but also for any firearm or vehicle and any property taken directly from a victim. Grand theft is a wobbler case, meaning it could be charged either as a felony or a misdemeanor, depending on the circumstances of the case.
• Embezzlement
  An embezzlement defense lawyer defends clients charged with taking something of value, usually money, from a person, a company, or the government and using it for personal gain. Embezzlement is a serious crime that can carry fines and time in jail. In California, Penal Code 503 PC defines embezzlement as fraudulently appropriating property entrusted to the defendant.
• Drug Crimes
  Federal criminal charges are brought by the United States government and generally involve violations of federal law, such as tax evasion or drug trafficking across state lines. State criminal charges are brought by the state government and involve violations of state law, such as theft or assault. Some relevant case law and statutes include: the Federal Criminal Code (18 U.S.C.), the California Penal Code, and United States v. Lopez, 514 U.S. 549 (1995).
• Assault
  As mentioned, assault does not actually involve physical contact. It is the mere threat of physical contact – battery is the term used to describe any contact between you and another person, which is why you often hear these two terms used in conjunction as “assault and battery”. Assault is the initial action, and battery is the physical damage.
• Murder
  At its most basic, homicide is murder – the unlawful killing of one person by another. However, there are many differences. Each situation is unique, with specific mitigating circumstances that play a role in the case and even speak to motive.
• Identity Theft
  Identity theft is covered under Penal Code 530.5 PC, and it refers to someone who is using another person’s identifying information for unlawful purposes without that person’s consent. This can include the intent to commit fraud. Identity theft also includes providing or selling that personal information to another person without the victim’s consent and with the intent to commit fraud. You could be charged if you know that the person who receives the personal information is going to use it to commit fraud.
• Homicide
  When you hear the word “homicide”, chances are good that you immediately think of the classical definition – the deliberate and unlawful killing of one person by another. However, that is only one example. There are many others that vary by the situation and mitigating circumstances. No matter what homicide-related charge you might be facing, though, it is very, very serious.
• Arson
  Starting a fire intentionally to burn a building or forest is considered arson. In most cases, arson earns a felony charge. A serious offense, arson can carry a substantial fine and jail time. The penalties will increase if someone is injured or killed due to the arson. Arson may sometimes cover up other crimes leading to additional charges under Penal Code 451 PC.
• Shoplifting
  Some examples that could constitute grand theft include breaking into a property after hours, whether a home or a retail establishment and taking thousands of dollars worth of items. It would also include shoplifting when the value exceeds $950.
• Restraining Order
  The consequences of being charged with domestic violence can be incredibly far-reaching. Being found guilty of domestic violence can lead to being fired from your job, being ostracized from your circle of friends, even removed from social activities and organizations. This is on top of the legal consequences. Depending on the severity of the abuse and whether this was a first infraction, you could face community service, jail time, restraining orders, supervised visits with children, being required to take part in an intervention program, and even termination of your parental rights.
• Forgery
  Forgery, which includes altering certain documents or falsifying a signature is a form of identity theft, too. This could happen if someone were to falsify a signature on a check belonging to another person. Mail theft is often part of identity theft, as people may take mail to get access to personal information.
• Money Laundering
  Money laundering is a serious criminal offense that involves disguising the proceeds of illegal activities as legitimate funds. In California, this crime is defined under California Penal Code 186.10 PC, which encompasses a wide range of illegal activities. Additionally, drug-related money laundering is specifically addressed under the California Health and Safety Code 11370.9 HS. This article aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of what it means to be charged with money laundering in California, including the legal definitions, penalties, possible defenses, and the importance of seeking expert legal assistance.
• Kidnapping
  Federal – Federal cases generally involve felony crimes rather than misdemeanors. For instance, while shoplifting would be handled under state law, bank robbery is handled under federal law (if the bank in question was FDIC insured). Other examples include credit card fraud, identity theft, racketeering, and kidnapping to name just a few.
• Manslaughter
  There are several defense strategies that may be able to help if you are facing homicide charges. For instance, you may be able to use the self-defense strategy. You may also plead that the homicide was accidental, or that evidence was incorrectly collected. Forced or coerced confessions, tainted forensic evidence, mistaken identity and pleading to a lesser charge of involuntary manslaughter or justifiable homicide may also be applicable depending on the situation.
• Internet Crimes
• Prostitution
  In the state of California, both prostitution and solicitation are crimes and punishable under the law. However, what constitutes prostitution? What if you are arrested and charged, but are innocent? What actually constitutes prostitution in the eyes of the law? It can be a confusing legal area, particularly if you did not accept money in exchange for sex.
• Extortion
  White collar crimes differ from these in that there is no component of violence. They are perpetrated by individuals, businesses, and even government professionals for financial gain. Some examples of white collar crimes include embezzlement, corporate fraud, extortion, bankruptcy fraud, and Ponzi schemes. Securities fraud, insurance fraud, tax evasion, and money laundering also fall into this category.
• Hit and Run

Employment Law

• Sexual Harassment
  Sexual assault and sexual harassment have been making headlines for some time now, as more and more women come forward to confront their abusers. While that is laudable in instances where sexual assault or harassment actually occurred, not all such charges are substantiated. False charges, or situations blown out of proportion, can ruin lives and end careers.

Property Law

• Property Damage
  As you can see, the types and severity of the crimes differ greatly. Someone who trespasses on a property will not receive the same punishment as someone who commits arson and injures people while causing substantial property damage.

Health Law

• Personal Injury
  A criminal case involves charges brought by the government against a defendant for a violation of criminal law, while a civil case involves a dispute between two parties, such as a contract dispute or a personal injury lawsuit.

Trusts and Estates

• Estate Planning
  The US legal system is divided into two areas – civil and criminal law. Civil law covers things like divorce, estate planning, slip and fall accidents, and other matters where the law has not been broken. In criminal law cases, someone (you) has been charged with a crime of some type. Examples can include DUI, computer crimes, fraud, embezzlement, and other white collar crimes, assault, battery, and more.

Finance Law

• Bankruptcy
• Foreclosure