San Diego Criminal Lawyers Blog

January 22, 2021

Non-Violent Sex Offenders in California Considered for Early Parole

In an effort to minimize the prison population in California and better manage the associated costs, more inmates may be eligible for early parole. Included in this population are nonviolent sex offenders, according to a ruling by the California Supreme Court. The ballot measure, which was approved four years ago, was aimed at non-violent felons. The measure did not include language excluding sex offenders who were charged with non-violent felonies.

While former Gov. Jerry Brown has been an outspoken backer of the initiative, he said that he was not in favor of the measure including those convicted of sex crimes. The lower appeals court ruled that the way the initiative was written, it plainly includes all non-violent felonies including those convicted of sex crimes. When the ruling by the lower appeals court went to the high court, the ruling was upheld.

As a result of the ruling, 20,000 inmates may have the opportunity to gain early parole. Of those 20,000 inmates impacted by the initiative, approximately 50% are individuals serving their time for sex offenses and the other 50% had a previous sex crime conviction but were presently serving time for another crime such as burglary. These numbers were reported by Janice Bellucci the executive director of the Alliance for Constitutional Sex Offense Laws. The courts indicated that the actual number of inmates who would be eligible for consideration would come to just over 4,000.

Bellucci says this ruling by the lower appeals court and which was maintained by the California Supreme Court is “a significant victory” for individuals convicted of sex crimes in California. Even though the ruling allows for sex offenders to gain consideration for parole, that does not mean a parole board will permit early release for these individuals. Ultimately, the parole board has a wide capacity for which they can determine who is paroled and who is not.

What Legal Defenses Can be Used When Charged With a Sex Crime in California?

When you have been arrested and charged for a sex crime in California, the penalties are high. The stigma of just a sex crime accusation follows a person forever and will negatively affect their life, even when there is no conviction. A conviction has even deeper implications for a person’s ability to sustain to return to a normal life after serving their time.

It is best to have the most strategic and resourceful California criminal defense attorney representing you when you are arrested and charged with a sex crime. Possible legal defense approaches could include:

The alleged victim consented to the act.
The alleged victim falsely accused the defendant of committing the act.

January 15, 2021

How Legal Substances Can Lead to a California DUI Charge

by David M. Boertje

Driving while impaired is illegal even if you are being impaired by a legal substance. Those who are 21 years of age and older are legally able to consume alcohol, but if a drunk person gets behind the wheel and an officer suspects that driver to be intoxicated, the officer will pull the driver over. If it is determined that the individual is driving with a blood alcohol concentration that is over the legal limit, which is .08% or higher, the driver will be arrested.

If you have been arrested for driving under the influence of any impairing substance, legal or not, you will face charges. California DUI charges are serious, and it is important to protect your legal rights and freedoms by working with an experienced California criminal defense attorney. When you work with a California DUI attorney, you have the best chances of putting forth a strong and persuasive defense.

The Impact of a California DUI Charge

If you have consumed marijuana, which is now legal in the state of California, you can face a drugged driving charge for operating your vehicle while impaired. Even prescription medications and over-the-counter medications that cause side effects not compatible with safe driving can lead to criminal charges in California if their use leads to impaired driving. For example, if you are taking a prescription painkiller or an allergy medication that makes you feel sleepy, and you are driving erratically as a result, you may find yourself in a lot of legal trouble. You could be charged just as if you were driving with an illegal substance in your system.

There are several negative life implications that can result from a California DUI charge. If you are convicted of this crime, there are expensive fines you will be required to pay, in addition to paying for your court costs.

If you caused an accident as a result of driving in an unsafe physical condition, any damages that you caused to another party will be your responsibility. If you need to use your car insurance to pay for those damages, your premiums may increase sharply. Additionally, you could also be responsible for medical costs from injuries that you caused another party. A victim may bring a civil suit against you for additional financial compensation and depending on the nature of your accident you may even have punitive costs put on top of those extra losses that victim suffered.

Paying money to victims and to the court is not the only penalty you may face. Your record will reflect a DUI conviction which could limit your opportunities at gainful employment or acceptance to learning institutions. You also may have difficulty securing loans or renting a space to live. Continue reading

January 8, 2021

Why it is Important to Know if You Have an Outstanding California Warrant

by David M. Boertje

If you suspect that you have an outstanding warrant in your name it is best to be proactive and look into it. You may find you have either an outstanding California bench warrant or an outstanding arrest warrant. Either way, should you find that you do have an outstanding warrant in California, the sooner you take action, the higher your chances of reducing the associated penalties you face.

If you need assistance determining your status with respect to a warrant in California, David M. Boertje can help. David M. Boertje is a California criminal defense attorney that can confirm if you actually have a warrant in your name or not. When you have a warrant in your name it is best to have a knowledgeable San Diego criminal defense attorney by your side when you go to court to address the situation.

How Can You Find Out if You Have a Warrant in California?

If you are confused about researching your criminal history to see if a warrant exists or if you want to make sure that a warrant you believe exists is really in your name, you can always work with a San Diego criminal defense lawyer. Your attorney will not only inform you about the existence of your warrant but they will also be able to tell you why you have a warrant and they can find out what your bail amount is. There are other ways that you can look to see if you have an outstanding California warrant including searching either of the following websites:

The local sheriff or court
Superior Court of California

Another route you can take is to have a background check performed on yourself. Your criminal history, including if you have a warrant will show up on that report. Both a bench and arrest warrant allow the police to put you under arrest if you are found. The difference between the two is that an arrest warrant names you in a crime while a bench warrant is issued when you have violated a court order.

It is important to understand that any police officer has access to information regarding your warrant. This means that it doesn’t matter which local court issued your warrant, an officer that you encounter anywhere in the state of California or in the country can see it. This is because your warrant will show up on the website of the U.S. Department of Justice. Continue reading

January 1, 2021

America Has the Highest Incarceration Rates in the World

by David M. Boertje

The United States offers its people the most freedom and liberty of any country in the world, yet, despite this, the prison population is larger here than in all other countries. For a country that is forward-thinking and home to laws that are not draconian by any means, it does not seem logical that there are so many people incarcerated. In 2016, the Bureau of Justice Statistics reported that approximately 2.2 million adults were locked away in jail.

When a person is locked up, many times, they are not serving their time alone. Often, inmates leave behind loved ones that have to also endure the distance apart and manage the emotional toll of the situation. In some instances, the inmate was the sole means of financial support for their loved ones and while they are behind bars, their loved ones suffer that loss. There are several implications that come along with a prison sentence, and the effects are far-reaching. In many instances, a jail term affects more people than just the inmate themselves.

Why are America’s Prison Populations So Big?

America’s struggle with prison reform has gotten more attention in recent years. There are many factors that are being evaluated to determine what the best approach would be when it comes to using prison in a reasonable manner and when the prison is not the right approach to a specific case. There are many reasons why so many people are housed in the U.S. prison system, but the following three issues are the most pervasive:

The United States has made a concerted effort to fight the “War on Drugs” for close to 50 years since President Richard Nixon declared it in 1971. Federal dollars were funneled to drug control agencies and assistance was plentiful for other efforts the country made in trying to control the problem. Federal prisons are more than half-full of people serving time simply because they were associated with controlled substances in some capacity. Unfortunately for those individuals jailed because of their addiction, jail is not a remedy nor a cure and these individuals are being immensely underserved by the system.
Recidivism rates are high when a criminal record is a permanent blemish on a person’s history that follows them around for the rest of their life. A person with a criminal history has to work much harder to live a lawful life and get ahead because they are significantly limited in their opportunities. It is also a barrier for an ex-con to establish new, healthy relationships with others.
Those living at the lowest economic levels are at increased risk for exposure to criminal activity and to engage in criminal activity. For instance, in the United States, if your income level is under the Federal poverty level the risk for violent victimization is more than 50% higher than those that have higher income levels. When urban poverty is assessed, individuals living in these conditions are the most vulnerable to violent aggression as well as overall crime.

December 23, 2020

San Diego Pays Out $1.5 Million for Use of Excessive Force

by David M. Boertje

A week-long trial in San Diego ended in a jury deciding in favor of a victim of police brutality, with a $1.5 million settlement paid out by the city. Attorneys for the plaintiff argued that the incident in which the victim was thrown onto the ground and pepper-sprayed by police was a case of excessive force and false arrest. According to reports, San Diego police officers were aware of an assailant who was attacking the homeless population in the city. As a result, they were visiting many homeless encampments in plain clothes and not uniforms. The officers were trying to warn the homeless populations of the danger in order to keep them safe.

The authorities, who were not in uniform, gathered at a trolley stop near the Fashion Valley mall and prepared to visit a homeless encampment in a nearby riverbed to warn them about the assailant. Before they left the trolly station, they heard a loud noise in the vicinity and believed that they were taking fire from projectiles. As a result, one officer drew a gun, and when the victim was spotted, the officer approached him thinking that he was the culprit.

The plaintiff was simply heading back to his home after a night out drinking with friends. When he saw the officer approaching him and ordering him to raise his hands and get on the ground, he did not heed the orders. Because the plaintiff was not compliant with the orders, one officer pulled out pepper spray and shot him in the face with it, after which another officer slammed him to the ground, smashing his face against the pavement. The plaintiff sustained broken front teeth, jaw injuries, and nerve damage from the incident.

The plaintiff’s legal team argued that he had little time to respond to the situation and make any sense of what was happening. The noise that the officers heard was a result of an iPhone charging block being thrown and falling near the officers. When the plaintiff was given the commands, not only did he not have time to comprehend what was happening, it was also being done by officers in plain clothing.

Subsequently, the plaintiff was pulled off the ground and handcuffed. While this was happening, another individual admitted to the officers that they threw the charger. The individual who actually threw the charger faced no repercussions.

Why Did This Case Take so Long to be Seen in Court?

The case was delayed by a couple of factors including the coronavirus outbreak. Many trials and cases that were to be seen in the courts were delayed as a result of the pandemic. Additionally, city lawyers were successful in having the judge presiding over this incident be removed from the case just before it came to trial. These lawyers believed the judge made many adverse rulings and may be biased. Continue reading

December 18, 2020

Edson Acuna Sentenced to Life Without Parole After Shooting to Death Curtis Adams

by David M. Boertje

A man was sentenced to life in prison without parole after he shot and killed another man. The victim, age 21, was a Navy sailor who took the time to offer help to a motorist he thought was stuck on the freeway on October 27, 2018. The defendant was convicted of first-degree murder in February. The details of the shooting involved the defendant fleeing the scene of a vehicle break-in gone wrong. He tried to break into a car located in the Mount Hope area when the owner pulled out a gun. A shootout ensued and resulted in the defendant, along with his brother and two other individuals fleeing.

The assailant’s car suffered flat tires during the escape, which left it stranded on a San Diego freeway. When the victim saw the stranded car, he pulled over to help. The defendant and his group did not realize the victim was acting as a good samaritan and thought instead that he was the individual that they engaged in a shootout with from their earlier vehicle break-in attempt. The shooting happened on Interstate 15 in Logan Heights.

What was the Response of the San Diego Superior Court after the Shooting?

The San Diego Superior Court held that there was strong evidence that the defendant was the main actor in the crime. The judge also commented on the remarkable character of the victim. His mother wrote a letter for the court and it was read aloud before the sentencing decision was made public by Deputy District Attorney. The letter talked about the love the victim’s mother had for him, what an enthusiastic person he was, and how full of life he was. His mother also indicated that her son is at peace and that his killer will no longer be able to continue committing crimes against the public.

The defendant did speak at his sentencing hearing, where he said he was sorry to the victim’s family. He tried to explain that he was not a cold-hearted person. His life in prison without parole also came with an additional 25 years in prison for his initial crime of attempting to rob the car owner in Mount Hope of the contents held within a Chevrolet Tahoe and then engaging in a shootout with the car owner.

When the shootout took place, it was not confirmed whether the defendant or the owner of the Tahoe shot first, but there was evidence in the victim’s house of a shooting taking place; bullets discharged from the defendant’s semi-automatic pistol were found in a toy located in a child’s bedroom. His brother, who was also implicated in the shooting death of the victim, was sentenced on the same day and received 13 years in prison. Continue reading

December 11, 2020

What Happens if You are Arrested for Lewd Conduct in California?

by David M. Boertje

Have you been arrested and charged with lewd conduct in San Diego? If you are convicted of lewd conduct in the public sphere in California, you are subject to penalty under California’s Penal Code 647(a). The state characterizes the following actions as lewd conduct under the law:

Unwanted touching of other individuals’ genitals or “private parts” in an offensive or aggressive manner or for sexual pleasure.

If you are arrested and eventually convicted of engaging in lewd conduct in the state of California, do not wait to connect with a San Diego criminal defense attorney who can effectively fight the charges against you. David M. Boertje is a San Diego sexual offense attorney who will provide you with the best most proactive and aggressive criminal defense services possible. Sexual crimes do not just come with steep fines and jail time; the stigma that surrounds them can follow you around for your entire life and destroy personal relationships with loved ones as well as preclude you from being able to obtain gainful employment and many more negative life outcomes.

How Can You Fight California Sexual Offense Charges?

It can be an uphill battle fighting California sexual offense charges and clearing your name from the shame and dishonor that could shroud your reputation. You will need to work with a California criminal defense attorney who knows the law, is resourceful, and will provide you with the strongest criminal defense strategy possible. Without a strong defense, lewd conduct, which is a misdemeanor, can come with the following penalties:

A sentence of as much as six months in county jail
Fines as high as $1,000
Both jail time and fines

You may be to avoid jail time and instead only serve probation with the right attorney fighting on your behalf and preserving your legal rights. If you are able to secure probation, you must follow the requirements of the court. Some or a combination of the following actions may be required to avoid jail time while you are under court supervision:

Therapy and counseling
Community service
Adhering to a restraining order and keeping appropriate distance and terminating communication with a victim
Paying restitution

Lewd conduct in California does not require the defendant to become a registered sex offender, which is good news, but if you are convicted, it will be listed in your criminal record. The prosecution arguing the case against you must show evidence that you did willfully engage in lewd conduct for your own personal gratification or to annoy another party in the public or in a location that anyone in the public could see, and that you knew of the people present when you did the act, and that all parties were offended. Continue reading

December 4, 2020

What You Can Do About Your California Criminal Record

by David M. Boertje

Having a criminal history can impact you both personally and professionally, no matter where you are located in the country. There are varying levels of punishments and long-term implications based on the type of crime you committed and its severity. For instance, there are convictions that can keep you from obtaining a professional license or make you lose a professional license you legitimately earned. Other crimes may limit your ability to vote or buy and own a firearm. Those with a criminal past often have a difficult time just obtaining gainful employment even after they serve their time.

There is no doubt about it, Californians with any amount of criminal history face more obstacles to achieving their life goals than those without a criminal history. Luckily, there are options that can help an ex-convict gain some relief from their criminal past. Working with an experienced and resourceful San Diego criminal defense attorney is a convenient way to learn more about what your options are regarding how to better manage your criminal record. If you are able to make adjustments to your record, you could greatly impact the trajectory of your life.

What Options are Available to Reduce the Impact of a California Criminal Record

Your convictions will be a stain on your record that will be visible by many organizations and businesses that require background checks. Due to their presence on your record, it is likely that you will face many limitations impacting your ability to get ahead in life and to live your life in peace. It is only natural to be concerned about the challenges you have to endure after you leave prison. When you just want to move on with your life, it is also reasonable to want to know if there is anything you can do to mitigate these implications.

California criminal laws say that records with information on arrests or detentions, dispositions, as well as personal identification will stay on your record until you reach the age of 100. That is a very long time. Criminal convictions never go away. Potentially, if your conviction happened when you were a minor, you may have options to hide that conviction.

Even if you were arrested but not convicted, this incident will stay on your record and be visible. The good news is that under California criminal laws, any arrest charges where there was no conviction or where the charges were thrown out cannot be held against you. While organizations or businesses may be able to see these charges on your records, they cannot deprive you of services or employment because of them.

How Can I Have My California Criminal Record Cleaned?

When you want to explore options that may be available to help you clean your record, the best thing to do is to discuss the unique details of your situation with David M. Boertje, a California criminal defense lawyer. Depending on the type of convictions you have and the details that surround them, it may be possible to have these charges removed or expunged from your record. Continue reading

November 27, 2020

What Does a California Certificate of Rehabilitation Do?

by David M. Boertje

If you have been convicted of a felony or a misdemeanor in the state of California and you wanted to have your charges expunged but found out you were ineligible for that to happen, you may be wondering if a Certificate of Rehabilitation will be a suitable alternative. While not exactly the same thing as an expungement, there are many similarities. If you are successful at obtaining a Certificate of Rehabilitation, then you essentially are receiving a court order that, after you completed your prison sentence, shows you are rehabilitated.

If you want to learn more about a California Certificate of Rehabilitation and what your options are, the Law Offices of David M. Boertje can examine your case, answer your questions, and provide you with effective legal counsel. When you meet with David M. Boertje, your consultation is always free and confidential.

Would a Certificate of Rehabilitation Help You Move Forward With Your Life in California?

A Certificate of Rehabilitation is beneficial because it does many invaluable things for your life including:

Allows you to regain your civil rights (with the exception of the Second Amendment rights).
Show that the criminal justice system agrees that you have been restored and rehabilitated to safely re-enter society.
You can obtain public licensure.
Employers cannot deny your job opportunities on the basis of your past criminal history.
For some sex offenders, the COR allows you to avoid having to register as a sex offender.
You become automatically eligible to apply for a Governor’s Pardon.

Those individuals who under the state’s realignment program had jail or prison sentences can apply if the following is true:

After you have served your time and were released, you did not commit another crime resulting in your incarceration.
After you have served your time and were released you remained living in the state of California for a minimum of five years. If you were on parole after your release, you resided in the state for at least three years.
You can prove that you are in fact, rehabilitated.
The proper amount of time has passed for the crimes you were convicted.
You are not serving probation time for committing another felony crime since your release.
Your felony probation or misdemeanor sex offense under Penal Code 290 was expunged.

There is no doubt about it, a California Certificate of Rehabilitation can do many things to help you improve your life outside of prison. It is not an easy process, it can be quite complex, and there are many considerations. Your best bet when it comes to navigating the process of obtaining a California Certificate of Rehabilitation is to work with a San Diego criminal defense attorney who is current on all the changing California criminal laws. The best legal services come from an experienced attorney that knows how to help protect the rights of those who have been charged with crimes in the greater San Diego area. Continue reading

November 20, 2020

What is California Voter Fraud?

by David M. Boertje

When Americans go to the polls, they have to believe that their vote counts and that all votes will be counted honestly and appropriately for fair and free elections to take place. However, when the established rules are not followed and the system is abused, anyone involved in such actions can be charged with voter fraud. In California, voter fraud is a crime, just as it is in every state across the nation. There are four categories in which acts of California voter fraud can fall within the scope of the law. These are the four violation categories:

Voter registration
Petition initiative
Election day and voting
Nomination and election campaign

California Voter Fraud Violations Explained

Below details a breakdown of California voter fraud violations.

Voter Registration Fraud – When ineligible voters are registered to vote, that will fall under voter registration fraud. Examples of ineligible parties would be animals, deceased persons, fictitious people, or anyone under the law who does not have the right to vote. If you are charged with California voter registration fraud, how you are charged will be based on the details of your crimes. As a wobbler crime, a prosecutor can decide to charge you with either a felony or misdemeanor. Misdemeanor charges come with as much as a year to be served in county jail while felonies can come with up to three years of jail time. Fines may also be assessed.
Election-day Fraud – When there is an exchange of money for votes, aggression or threats for votes, voting multiple times in the same election, voting when you are not lawfully allowed to vote, falsely taking on another person’s identity to vote these acts are considered election-day fraud. These actions will result in California felony charges and the punishment can be jail time up to three years and fines as high as $10,000.

Being arrested and charged with voter fraud violations in California is serious and there are many consequences for such actions. Other illegal acts related to the voting system include:

Trying to intimidate or influence a vote within 100 feet from the polling location
Having a gun at a polling place
Meddling with a voting machine
Fraudulently voting with mail-in ballots