The post Angelos Law Group to Sponsor The Unbattle Project’s Camo for a Cause 5K appeared first on Angelos Law Group - Free Consultation | San Diego Criminal Defense Attorney.
]]>Angelos Law Group is proud to sponsor The Unbattle Project‘s upcoming Camo for a Cause 5K at Liberty Station in San Diego on Saturday, March 4, 2017.
The Unbattle Project (UP) is a non-profit organization that offers free confidential counseling to men and women in the military. UP is hosting its first annual Camo for a Cause 5K to support this mission.
Did you know that 1 in 5 veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars are diagnosed with PTSD and/or depression and that over 50% of homeless veterans have mental health issues? Did you also know that 20 veterans commit suicide each day and that veterans make up 20% of U.S. suicides? San Diego is known for being a military town. In fact, there are over 100,000 active duty and 240,500 veterans residing in San Diego County.
It is very important that we get these men and women the help they need. If left untreated, many military men and women with mental health issues will continue to struggle to keep jobs. Consequently, these veterans end up on the streets, adding to our growing homeless population. The Unbattle Project believes that service members and veterans are “bent, not broken”. They want to help them get back to their lives by providing no-cost confidential counseling in order to reduce the likelihood of homelessness and suicide.
For more information, including registration information, visit the Camo for a Cause website. Hope to see you there as we support our amazing service men and women!
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]]>The post Traffic Violations – Red Light Cameras: What to Know appeared first on Angelos Law Group - Free Consultation | San Diego Criminal Defense Attorney.
]]>Red-light cameras have become ubiquitous around the country. But what do you really know about these sometimes controversial devices and the laws surrounding them? And why are some cities turning their cameras off?
What They Are
A form of automated enforcement technology, red-light cameras are used to detect and deter drivers who run red lights at intersections. They are also sometimes used to catch drivers who speed, block intersections, fail to stop at a stop sign, disregard a railroad crossing signal or drive through a toll road station without paying.
Laws Around the Country
As of December 2016, 21 states have established laws that allow for some form of red-light camera use, 10 states have prohibited their use and 19 states don’t have any laws concerning red-light camera enforcement. Many jurisdictions treat red-light and other automated enforcement violations like parking tickets, meaning the registered owner of the vehicle is liable for paying the fine, even if he or she wasn’t driving the car at the time of the offense.
What Critics Say
Some see the cameras merely as an easy source of revenue for municipalities. Others take a big-brother view of the technology, seeing it as an overreach of government into citizens’ lives. A 2016 court case sided with critics, ruling that the devices violated drivers’ rights. As a result, the city involved made the decision to suspend the practice until officials could obtain clarification on the legality of the devices.
What Studies Say
Research from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety found that red-light programs in 79 major U.S. cities prevented almost 1,300 fatalities through 2014. The data also showed that when the cameras were turned off, the rate of deadly crashes caused by red-light runners increased up to 30 percent.
Do you have questions about traffic-related issues including red light violations? Contact San Diego Criminal Defense Attorney, Lauren Angelos, at Angelos Law Group today at (619) 727-6812 for your complimentary consultation. Military discounts available.
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]]>The post Angelos Law Group Named One of the “Top Criminal Defense Feeds to Follow on Twitter” appeared first on Angelos Law Group - Free Consultation | San Diego Criminal Defense Attorney.
]]>When a person is accused of a committing a crime, they’ll need an attorney who specializes in criminal defense. Criminal attorneys help the accused criminals to organize a defense, and they argue cases using their knowledge of the law. People seek the counsel of defense attorneys because they are considered a highly valuable asset in legal defense.
So, Justipedia has compiled a list of of the top criminal defense feeds to follow, which is based on Twitter data culled according to content, follower/following ratios, frequency of tweets, blog popularity, the opinions of other criminal defense experts and influencers, as well as their own subjective judgment.
We’re proud to announce that Angelos Law Group was included on this list! Be sure to follow us on Twitter today at handle @laurenangelos!
For the complete story from Justipedia, read on here.
If you are someone you know have been convicted of a crime, contact award-winning San Diego Criminal Defense Lawyer, Lauren Angelos, at Angelos Law Group today at (619) 727-6812 for your complimentary consultation. Military discounts available.
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Two short weeks away, February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month – an effort to raise awareness about relationship abuse and promote programs that can help prevent it. It’s important for both parents and teens to know the signs and how to take action if dating violence ever becomes a concern.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defines teen dating violence as the “physical, sexual, psychological or emotional violence within a dating relationship, including stalking. It can occur in person or electronically and might occur between a current or former dating partner.”
What Are the Statistics?
A 2011 CDC survey found that 22 percent of women and 15 percent of men who ever experienced rape, physical violence or stalking by an intimate partner, first experienced some form of partner violence between the ages of 11 and 17. One in 10 high school students has been intentionally hit, slapped or physically hurt by a boyfriend or girlfriend.
What Are the Signs?
If a teen is the victim of abuse, they may become depressed, engage in unhealthy behaviors, begin having problems in school or lose interest in social activities. An abusive partner might have a bad temper or mood swings. They might belittle their partner, keep their partner from family and friends, or pressure their partner to do things they don’t want to do. Constantly monitoring their partner’s social media accounts and making false accusations are also signs of dating violence.
How to Get Help
There are numerous resources available if you or a loved one needs help. Teens and young adults can reach out to the trained peer advocates at Loveisrespect.org at any time, and the National Domestic Violence Hotline is available 24 hours a day.
Do you or someone you know have questions about teen-related or domestic violence? Contact award-winning San Diego Criminal Defense Lawyer, Lauren Angelos, at Angelos Law Group today at (619) 727-6812 for your complimentary consultation. Military discounts available.
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]]>The post What to Know: New California Laws in 2017 appeared first on Angelos Law Group - Free Consultation | San Diego Criminal Defense Attorney.
]]>Do you have questions regarding California’s new laws for 2017? Contact award-winning San Diego Criminal Defense Lawyer, Lauren Angelos, at Angelos Law Group today at (619) 727-6812 for your complimentary consultation. Military discounts available.
Source: NBC San Diego
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]]>The post How Mistrials Work in the U.S. Court System appeared first on Angelos Law Group - Free Consultation | San Diego Criminal Defense Attorney.
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The average American likely hears about mistrials via courtroom dramas (both real and fictitious) on television, but do they fully understand the situation and what can cause it? Here’s a look at the mistrial process and how it can affect a court case.
Mistrial Basics
A mistrial is a civil or criminal trial that’s terminated and declared void before a verdict is reached. And it can happen for a variety of reasons. Jurors may be deadlocked and unable to reach a verdict; this is known as a hung jury.
Other causes for mistrial include the death of a juror or attorney involved in the trial, an error prejudicial to the defendant that can’t be cured by instruction to the jury, and juror misconduct. The latter can occur in several ways, such as legal parties making contact with a juror or a juror discussing the case with anyone outside the courtroom while the trial is underway.
Asking for a Mistrial
Both sides — the prosecution and the defense — can make a motion for mistrial. The presiding judge decides whether to grant the motion and either declares a mistrial or continues with the trial.
Hung Juries
In some states, if the cause for a potential mistrial is a hung jury, the judge may instruct jurors to continue deliberations in an effort to reach a verdict and avoid a mistrial. This has become known as the Allen charge. (Other states prohibit this instruction.) If jurors still cannot agree on a verdict, a mistrial will be declared.
After a Mistrial
A case that has ended in a mistrial can be retried, unlike cases that end in acquittal, which are protected by the Double Jeopardy Clause of the Fifth Amendment. This prohibits anyone from being prosecuted twice for the same crime.
Do you have questions about mistrials? Contact award-winning San Diego Criminal Defense Lawyer, Lauren Angelos, at Angelos Law Group today at (619) 727-6812 for your complimentary consultation. Military discounts available.
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]]>The post Need a Job but Have a Criminal Record? appeared first on Angelos Law Group - Free Consultation | San Diego Criminal Defense Attorney.
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If you or a loved one has a criminal record, you probably already know how challenging it can be to find employment. But the job search doesn’t have to be impossible if you know what to do and how to find help.
Review the Criminal Record
A good first step is to request a copy of the criminal record. Some people are surprised to learn what’s on their record and how the offense or offenses are classified (e.g. misdemeanor, felony). This is a good opportunity to know for sure and to address any potential corrections.
If the record includes convictions, one option might be to try to get them expunged. Many states allow individuals to clear their records after they’ve served their sentences. However, the cost can sometimes be an obstacle. Filing fees can be as low as $30 in some jurisdictions, but as high as $550 in others. And legal fees can run into the thousands of dollars in some cases.
Be Honest and Professional
It’s important to know how to handle a criminal record while looking for a job. You don’t want to lie about your past, but it’s acceptable to wait to discuss it until you’re further along in the hiring process. When you do tell your potential employer, describe what happened in a professional manner and explain what you’ve learned since then.
Hiring Practices May Be Changing
Fair-chance policy changes, also known as “ban the box,” are popping up around the country. These policies prohibit employers from asking candidates about convictions at the beginning of the hiring process or require them to consider other factors, such as how much time has passed since the conviction and if there is evidence of rehabilitation.
Do you have questions about seeking employment with a criminal record? We’re here to help! Contact San Diego Criminal Defense Attorney, Lauren Angelos, at Angelos Law Group today at (619) 727-6812 for your complimentary consultation.
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]]>The post When Can Minors/Juveniles Be Tried As Adults? appeared first on Angelos Law Group - Free Consultation | San Diego Criminal Defense Attorney.
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Recent high-profile cases such as the 2014 Slender Man stabbing highlight the controversial practice of trying accused juveniles as adults. How do prosecutors decide which cases involving minors land in adult courts and which stay in the juvenile system? It’s a complicated combination of laws, guidelines and judicial choice.
Supreme Court Rulings
All 50 states must follow some rules regarding juvenile convictions, in part due to laws that have been struck down by the U.S. Supreme Court in recent years.
Court Selection Process
Prosecutors consider several factors when deciding on the direction of a juvenile case. For example, repeat adolescent offenders are more likely to be transferred to adult courts, as are older minors, those accused of particularly serious offenses, and juvenile offenders who have experienced unsuccessful rehabilitation efforts in the past.
This decision is usually left to the judge and/or prosecutors who are overseeing the case. If a juvenile offender’s case moves to an adult court, he or she will face prosecution and, if found guilty, sentencing as an adult would.
Some states have mandatory transfer or “direct file” laws that kick in based on the age of the offender and the nature of the crime. States such as Florida are reassessing these laws, which may be at least partially responsible for several thousand juveniles ending up in adult courts for nonviolent crimes.
Juvenile crimes can be extremely confusing. That’s why we’re here to help! Contact San Diego Criminal Defense Lawyer, Lauren Angelos, at Angelos Law Group today at (619) 727-6812 for your complimentary consultation.
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Nowadays, stalking is a commonly used term. And, although you’re probably familiar with the term, there’s a lot more you might want to know about stalking. The Stalking Resource Center describes it as “a course of conduct directed at a specific person that would cause a reasonable person to feel fear.”
What constitutes stalking?
Stalking includes following or spying on the victim, making unwanted calls and sending unwanted letters or emails. Leaving unwanted items or gifts, waiting for the victim to show up places, and posting information or spreading rumors about the victim can also be considered forms of stalking.
Roughly 1 in 4 victims of stalking reported some form of cyberstalking such as email or instant messaging. Constantly monitoring someone’s social media accounts and trying to engage with them or their friends and family without consent can be considered cyberstalking.
What are the statistics?
Every year, 7.5 million people are stalked in the United States. Most victims are stalked by someone they know: 44 percent of male victims and 61 percent of female victims are stalked by a former or current intimate partner. An acquaintance is the offender for 32 percent of male victims and 25 percent of female victims.
What does the law say?
Although the laws surrounding stalking vary depending on the jurisdiction, it is a crime in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and the U.S. territories. In more than half of the states, stalking becomes a felony when it’s a second or subsequent offense; there’s a deadly weapon involved; it violates a court order, probation or parole; the victim is under 16; or it’s the same victim as in previous occasions.
Questions about stalking, cyberstalking or related issues? We’re here to help! Contact San Diego Criminal Defense Attorney, Lauren Angelos, at Angelos Law Group today at (619) 727-6812 for your complimentary consultation.
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]]>The post Search Warrants – Do You Have to Consent to a Search of Your Home? appeared first on Angelos Law Group - Free Consultation | San Diego Criminal Defense Attorney.
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Search warrants can be intimidating and confusing. Imagine you’re sitting on your sofa when you hear a knock at the front door. You ask who it is and immediately hear, “Police!” What do you do next? More importantly, what can you do next? Here are a few basics regarding your rights and consent to search your property.
Legal Protection
The Fourth Amendment requires that police obtain a warrant to enter legally and search your home if you do not consent. The warrant must be signed by a magistrate as well as specify the precise location of the search and exactly what law enforcement is looking for.
Police can lawfully seize illegal items not specified in the warrant if they’re in “plain view” during the search. For example, if the police are looking for a weapon but spot illicit drugs on your coffee table, they can arrest and charge you, even if they don’t find the weapon.
Law enforcement also has the right to search under “exigent circumstances,” or when there’s probable cause but not enough time to obtain a warrant (Payton v. New York).
When You’re Not Home
Law enforcement can legally act on a search warrant if another resident who is present consents. The 1974 case of United States v. Matlock established this co-occupant consent rule.
When There’s a Knock…
Ask law enforcement through the door if they have a search warrant. If there’s no warrant, you have the right to not answer the door or respond to any questions they may ask. If a warrant is in hand, request to see the document through the peephole or by sliding it under the door. If you must open the door to see it, you can step outside and close the door behind you. Confirm that the information on the signed warrant is accurate.
Even if you state that you do not consent to the search, the American Civil Liberties Union recommends that you do not interfere with officers who proceed. Instead, note the law enforcement agency, names and badge numbers and contact a lawyer.
Questions about search warrants or related issues? We’re here to help! Contact San Diego Criminal Defense Lawyer, Lauren Angelos, at Angelos Law Group today at (619) 727-6812 for your complimentary consultation.
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