Each year 7.5 million people are stalked, with 61% of the victims being female. 44% of the victims are stalked by a former intimate partner. In the current digital era, studies indicate that the rates of stalking and harassment have increased, and areas such as Southern California have higher rates…
San Diego Criminal Lawyers Blog
Won Battle, Lost War in Cell Phone Search Case
Last year, in a historic ruling, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Riley v. California that law enforcement must obtain a warrant to search cell phones. This historic opinion changed police protocol across the nation and set a strong precedent supporting privacy in a technological era. Many of you must…
San Diego Cracks Down on Illegal Marijuana Dispensaries
In the last few months, San Diego city officials have been cracking down on illegal marijuana dispensaries that are operating without permits. Back in March, city officials shut down nearly 20 dispensaries operating without permits. These 20 were all shut down within 60 days of each other. Several months later,…
California Court Holds Proposition 47 Applies to Minors
Late last week, California’s 4th District Court of Appeal ruled that Proposition 47 – the voter-approved measure that reclassifies certain petty crimes from felonies to misdemeanors – applies to minors in the same way it does to adults. It has been found in the past that Prop. 47 caused a…
Recent Arrest of UFC Fighter Highlights Complexity of Domestic Violence Law
The recent arrest of retired UFC fighter Chris Leben in San Diego in connection with an incident between the fighter and his estranged wife serves as a cautionary tale of the seriousness of domestic violence charges in California. Mr. Leben was arrested on multiple charges, including the violation of a…
Driver Falls Asleep at the Wheel and Injures Joggers
Early this past Sunday morning, a woman driving along a northern San Diego County road fell asleep at the wheel and hit two people who were jogging on the side of the road. It is thought that neither drugs nor alcohol were a factor in the crash. Unfortunately, both joggers…
Man Convicted of Second-Degree Murder for “Sucker Punch”
Recently, a man convicted of second-degree murder was sentenced to prison for his part in an attack in the Gaslamp Quarter that resulted in the death of another man. Mahad A. Ahmed received a sentence of 15 years to life for delivering a fatal “sucker punch” to the victim, Michael…
California Motorcyclist Charged with DUI after Fatal Pedestrian Accident
Recently, an intoxicated motorcyclist named Sean McGinnis crashed into two pedestrians in San Francisco while they were walking along the sidewalk. One of the victims was taken to the hospitals with non-lethal injuries, while the other died. As a result, Mr. McGinnis has been arrested and charged with: Felony DUI…
Pier 14 Shooting Spurs Immigration Debate
In one of the most bizarre, tragic, and controversial stories in California this year, the infamous “Pier 14″ murder has sparked much debate on immigration, felony laws, and San Francisco’s status as a ‘sanctuary city.’ At the end of June, a woman named Kathryn Steel was strolling around Pier 14…
California Prosecutor May Bring Manslaughter Charges for Collapsed Balcony
Recently, prosecutors in Oakland, California announced they opened up a criminal investigation into the fatal balcony collapse that occurred on June 17 near the UC Berkeley campus. Alameda County District Attorney Nancy O’Malley launched an investigation into the incident that killed 6 college students at an apartment party when police…