San Diego Criminal Lawyers Blog

December 20, 2019

Porch Pirate Theft Crime in San Diego

Every year during the holidays, tons of San Diegans will be receiving packages of goods that they have ordered online. Meanwhile, porch pirates will be following Amazon, UPS, FedEx and the U.S. Postal Service to steal these goods from the homes of others. San Diego legislators are working to combat porch pirates at the state level. While porch pirating is a low level theft crime under Proposition 47, stealing packages off porches is still a crime.

What is a Porch Pirate?

A porch pirate is someone who takes packages and goods that are left on the doorsteps or porches of homes. Essentially, a porch pirate is a thief.

California Ranks #3 for Porch Pirating

With the growth of online shopping comes a common problem in San Diego, California, and throughout the United States – porch pirating.

A survey as indicated by The Mercury News report, reveals that the Golden State made the top 10 list of states with the highest rates of porch pirating.

The City of San Diego ranks number 9 on the list for the top cities in California with porch pirating issues.

What is Proposition 47?

The enactment of California Proposition 47 reduced the penalties for crimes such as theft of property under $950. This includes porch pirating. The penalties for theft were reduced from a felony to a misdemeanor.

According to an article in the San Diego Union-Tribune, this proposition encourages people to steal because if they are caught, the penalties are slim to none. As a result, there has been an increase of theft in the San Diego area.

Why do People Commit Porch Piracy?

People often steal from the porches of others because of financial woes. They may not be able to afford the goods themselves. Some do it for the rush of stealing and getting away with it. Others may commit porch piracy because of drug abuse and mental illness issues.

How to Prevent Porch Piracy

Below are some tips to prevent porch piracy:

Install door cameras or porch surveillance cameras
Request signature be required for delivery
Deliver to another address such as a UPS store, FedEx Kinkos, or Walgreens
Schedule the package to arrive when you know you will be home for the day

Common Defenses to Porch Pirating

Although porch pirating is a misdemeanor, it is still an offense in the State of California. There are several defenses that may apply if you are charged with this crime. The most common defenses include:

Mistaken identity
False accusation
Insufficient evidence
Believing that the property belonged to the person being accused

December 13, 2019

Understanding the Preliminary Hearing in San Diego Criminal Process

by David M. Boertje

Getting arrested is never in anyone’s plans. When a person is arrested and charged with a criminal offense, the criminal process begins. One of the key steps in the criminal process is the preliminary hearing. This hearing comes after the arraignment, or the first court appearance and the readiness conference, where your criminal defense lawyer negotiates to get the best deal for the client.

What is the Preliminary Hearing?

The preliminary hearing usually takes place within 10 days of the arraignment. If not, the defendant should be released according to California Penal Code 859b(b). This hearing is where the judge decides whether there is enough evidence to support the charge against you. Essentially, the judge must decide two things:

Whether probable cause exists to believe the crime was committed
The defendant is the person who committed the crime

The preliminary hearing is where a successful San Diego criminal defense attorney move for dismissal of charges. Although the lawyer could present your case, this is not always the best plan of action to take. The criminal defense lawyer should work to dismiss the charges by using the following strategies:

Cross-examining key witnesses speaking against you
Narrowing down details of witness testimonies
Locate inconsistencies in the case against you

The preliminary hearing will include the same court staff as a normal trial. The judge, prosecutor, your defense attorney, and court reporter will all be in attendance. It is important to note that the preliminary hearing is not a trial. It is a brief appearance that determines whether the case should go to trial. It should not be used for discovery purposes, according to California Penal Code 866.

Defendant Rights Before and During Preliminary Hearing

The defendant has several rights prior to and during the preliminary hearing. All defendants should exercise their rights. Some of the rights include:

The right to legal representation
The right to cross-examine prosecution witnesses
The right to introduce defense witnesses
The right to discovery

Possibilities After the Preliminary Hearing

At the end of the hearing, your case may either be dismissed or your charges can be reduced to misdemeanors. Additionally, your case can go to trial. As a result, there will be another arraignment and future court dates will be scheduled.

Then, a pre-trial conference is held where your attorney will continue negotiating to reach a solution to your case. If a favorable solution is not reached, the trial will take place. Here is where your criminal defense attorney will present your case. Continue reading

December 4, 2019

Holiday Petty Theft and Shoplifting in San Diego

by David M. Boertje

We are in the full swing of the holiday season. It always seems as if there is a rise in petty theft and shoplifting crimes during this time of year. Sometimes people are arrested on a case of mistaken identity, while others intentionally and knowingly take from others. If you have been accused of shoplifting, reach out to a skilled San Diego criminal defense attorney today.

What is Petty Theft and Shoplifting?

Petty theft and shoplifting is basically the act of taking something that does not belong to you, without paying for it or having the authority to take it.

Petty theft is known as larceny where someone takes possession of another’s items or goods without their permission and with the intent to deprive the person of the items or goods.

Petty theft and shoplifting was considered the same thing until November 2014 when shoplifting became a separate crime.

California Penal Code 459.5 goes into detail about shoplifting. Shoplifting is similar to petty theft, but with the following key differences:

Shoplifting refers to performing the act of stealing from a business or establishment during normal business hours, with the intention of stealing
Petty theft refers to stealing goods or even money, whether from a store or an individual, without permission

Businesses and establishments include movie theaters, hotels, stores, restaurants, gyms, libraries, medical facilities, and even schools.

Why do People Shoplift and Commit Petty Theft?

Shoplifting happens for various reasons. Some reasons are financial, such as lack of money and the inability to afford gifts during the holiday season. Sometimes people lose their jobs during the holidays and they still need to make ends meet.

What are Some Examples of Shoplifting and Petty Theft?

Shoplifting and petty theft are similar; we would like to show you what shoplifting and petty theft looks like. If you are doing the following, you are participating in shoplifting and petty theft:

Carjacking
Changing price tags on items in stores
Pick pocketing
Taking someone’s purse

Common Defenses to Petty Theft and Shoplifting

Petty theft and shoplifting charges are serious in the State of California. But there are several defenses that may apply. The most common defenses include:

Consent
Lack of intent
False accusation
Mistaken identity
Not enough evidence
Believing that the property belonged to the person being accused

The penalties for both petty theft and shoplifting may include no more than six months in jail and a fine of $1,000 maximum. With a qualified criminal defense lawyer, the accused may be able to get charges reduced or completely dismissed because of the negotiations that can take place. Continue reading

November 29, 2019

Making San Diego County Criminal Jail Visits During the Holidays

by David M. Boertje

The holidays can be stressful for your loved ones sitting behind bars. This is a time when they feel like they have been forgotten because they cannot physically be with you and other family members. Cheer them up with a criminal jail visit. With these strategies, you can make your jail visitations go smoothly for all parties involved.

Take Time to Plan the Visit

The San Diego County Sheriff’s Department’s website has plenty of information regarding visitation, how to book the reservations, the types of visits available, required identification needed for the visit, and visiting hours.

November 22, 2019

Handling Insurance Fraud Accusations

by David M. Boertje

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) estimates insurance fraud to add up to more than $40 billion per year. Because fraud accounts for 10% of the money that insurance companies pay out each year, insurance premiums are higher for everyone. In the event you are accused of insurance fraud, seek legal representation from an experienced insurance fraud lawyer due to impact the accusation will have on your life.

What is Insurance Fraud?

Insurance fraud is when someone intentionally gives wrong or dishonest information for financial gain. Insurance fraud comes in several forms and include the following:

Auto insurance fraud
Unemployment insurance fraud
Medical or health insurance fraud
Committing arson or setting property on fire to collect insurance money
Homeowner’s insurance fraud
Life insurance fraud

Insurance fraud involves any act of making a false statement relating to an insurance claim. A prime example of insurance fraud is contacting the insurance company with a false accident claim on a vehicle in order to recover funds.

Insurance fraud is a serious offense and the State of California takes it as such. California laws evoke strict punishments for offenders of fraud such as fines and imprisonment.

Fraud Accusations

If you are intentionally making false statements in order to gain something that you would not have otherwise had, you are committing insurance fraud.

Sometimes when a person loses money, they will point the finger at someone else and accuse them of insurance fraud. An investigation will be launched. Then, investigating authorities and law enforcement will gather evidence such as audio recordings, cameras, cell phones, and interviewers’ others.

Law enforcement authorities will use tactics during interrogation to get you to admit that you committed insurance fraud by telling you that they have evidence against you. For these reasons, you should have a skilled insurance fraud lawyer by your side. Your lawyer will be able to fight the accusations with one word – intent.

Intent is the primary defense in insurance fraud. For you to be convicted of insurance fraud, intent must be proven. You must have intended to defraud. You must also be aware or knowledgeable of the fact that you are defrauding the insurance company. Your lawyer will work to dispute the allegation and prove your innocence by using the intent defense as well as any other defenses and strategies that apply to your unique accusation.

I am Facing Charges for Insurance Fraud. What do I do?

Get legal advice immediately. Do not try to handle insurance fraud alone. Contact an experienced insurance fraud defense attorney now. Remember, law enforcement will use anything you say can be used against you in court. Continue reading

November 15, 2019

California’s Use of Private Prisons Comes to an End

by David M. Boertje

According to The Sentencing Project, private prisons nationwide held 128,063 people in 2016. This number represents 8.5% of the federal prison population. Since the beginning of this decade, the private prison population increased 47%. On September 11, 2019, a new law made California the first state to end its use of for-profit, private prisons and detention facilities. This ban on private prisons will change the issue of mass incarceration and influence the criminal justice system and the criminal process overall.

Assembly Bill 32 (AB 32) Bans Private Prisons

Assembly Bill 32 was passed on September 11, 2019, by the California State Legislature and signed by Governor Newsom on October 11, 2019. It has been added to the California Penal Code, and bans the use of private, for-profit prisons and detention facilities.

The law prohibits the Department of Corrections from entering into contracts, on or after January 1, 2020, with private facilities in state or out of state. The same law applies for the renewal of existing contracts.

By January 2028, all contracts will be phased out and the State of California can no longer hold inmates in any private prison or detention facility.

The Impact of the AB 32

An article in CBS News reveals that AB 32 impacts over 1,400 inmates and 4,000 detainees that are currently housed in private prisons and detention facilities.

The Law Does Not Apply to Certain Facilities

It is important to note that the new law comes with exceptions mentioned in Section 9502. The law does not apply to any of the following facilities:

Rehab, counseling, mental health, educational facilities
Residential care facilities
Evaluation or treatment facilities
Vocational or medical facilities
School facilities used for disciplinary detention
Facilities used for quarantine or isolation for public health reasons
Temporary detention facilities

Additionally, the law does not apply to private facilities operating with a valid contract with a governmental entity that was in effect prior to January 1, 2020.

For a list of additional exceptions and to read the bill in its entirety, you are invited to review Assembly Bill 32 on the California Legislature website.

California and its Criminal Justice Reform Measures

NBC San Diego reports that the State of California’s inmate population has been declining due to measures to ease criminal sentences. According to the report, the inmate private prison population consists of less than 1% of the 125,000 inmate population. Continue reading

November 7, 2019

Wipe the Slate Clean With a Record Expungement

by David M. Boertje

A criminal record is a blemish on a person’s life. This blemish can keep a person from obtaining normal aspects of life such as a job or a lease on an apartment. There is one step a person can take to wipe the slate clean and get a fresh start on life. This step is called a record expungement.

What is a Record Expungement?

A record expungement is a legal process in which a lawyer submits a request to the court to remove a criminal record, under California Law. This process can give a person freedom and peace of mind because once the process is complete, the person does not have to reveal the criminal act that was once holding him or her back from certain opportunities. The person will be able to say, “No, I do not have a conviction on record.”

There are different types of expungements, with each type depending upon the criminal case and the factors involved. Keep in mind that record expungements are not available to all individuals. In order to get a record expungement, a person must qualify.

Criteria for Record Expungement

Expungement is an option for individuals convicted of certain misdemeanors or felonies. There are certain requirements a person must meet in order to get a record expungement. The criteria are as follows:

State convictions and state prison only
Probation term successful or conviction date is older than one year
Sentence requirements have been satisfied
No current charges pending
Not currently on probation
No crimes involving sex crimes against children and others according to California Penal Code 1203.4

All hope is not lost if you do not meet these requirements. Below, we list the options for those who are ineligible for record expungement.

What if I am Not Eligible for Expungement?

For those who do not meet the criteria for record expungement, the options are:

A pardon from the governor
Clemency (Certificate of Rehabilitation or Commutation)

These options require an application and investigation of criminal history records, court and police records.

What a Record Expungement Does and Does Not do

A record expungement can help a person achieve success in life. A person can obtain gainful employment, get a professional license, and get a fresh start. However, an expungement does not make that person invincible.

While the expungement only removes the conviction from a person’s record, there are instances in which the expunged record may need to be disclosed. It is also important to note that the record expungement does not restore a person’s driving privileges. Continue reading

November 1, 2019

DNA Swabbing in Sexual Offense Cases

by David M. Boertje

In California and throughout the nation, the collection of DNA is a huge undertaking. All 50 states are required to collect DNA evidence from suspects, with some occurring at the arrest, prior to getting a conviction. Several types of DNA evidence exist in society today. DNA swabbing is one of the most common. DNA swabbing is a type of DNA used to collect evidence from the suspect of a sexual offense, such as rape. For purposes of this article, we will focus on DNA swabbing, the techniques of swabbing, and problems that exist in San Diego County.

What is DNA Swabbing?

A DNA swab, or what is technically known as a buccal swab, is the process by which cells are collected from the cheek of the mouth using a cotton-tipped applicator. Many people refer to DNA swab as a cheek swab.

According to Puritan Medical Products, there are three techniques of DNA swabbing:

Touch DNA swabbing
Double touch DNA swabbing
Blood and fluid swabbing

Puritan Medical Products also lays out the steps of DNA swabbing:

Preparation
Swabbing for cells
Preservation of cells for transport

After learning about the techniques of DNA swabbing and the steps it takes to complete DNA swabbing, you may be surprised to hear that San Diego County is facing its own problems when it comes to DNA swabbing and testing of rape kits.

San Diego Faces Problems With Rape Kit Policies

San Diego County is currently facing a problem with the incomplete testing of DNA rape kits. The San Diego Police Department (SDPD) admits to not having the capacity to test all untested rape kits in their possession while handling daily duties, according to an article in the Voice of San Diego.

SDPD was testing only a single swab from untested rape kits. This was the procedure specifically reserved for circumstances where the DA declined to prosecute, according to a report by 10 News San Diego.

Although San Diego is making plans to resolve these problems, this just reiterates the fact that DNA swabbing is not always effective. Ineffective DNA swabbing is what lands an innocent person in jail.

DNA Swabbing is Not Always Effective

Regardless of the steps taken to preserve the evidence, DNA swabbing is not always effective in crime investigations. DNA swabbing can be faulty and a technician’s error in handling the evidence happens often.

Because of the ineffectiveness of DNA evidence, this is where a knowledgeable San Diego criminal defense attorney can create a cloud of reasonable doubt surrounding the evidence. Continue reading

October 25, 2019

Differences in Hit and Run Charges

by David M. Boertje

When a person flees the scene of an accident he or she was involved in, the person is participating in criminal activity known as a hit and run. Most people only think of hit and runs as an accident involving vehicles, but hit and runs also involve motorcyclists, bicyclists, pedestrians, and e-scooter riders. Hit and runs also involve property such as land, signs and traffic signals and even pets. If you find yourself in a hit and run accident, you should seek legal assistance from a highly experienced San Diego hit and run attorney.

California Recognizes Two Types of Charges for Hit and Runs

Depending upon the hit and run situation, a person can face two types of charges – a felony charge and a misdemeanor charge. Today, Boertje & Associates will describe the differences in hit and run charges and how the charges apply to certain situations.

Felony Charge

A person may face a felony charge for a hit and run if the accident results in an injury to another person, or even death. California Vehicle Code Section 2001 is the authority on the felony charge surrounding hit and runs and the penalties that follow. In order to avoid this charge, the person must have stopped the vehicle and exchanged information such as name, address, and vehicle information.

The person must also render aid in transporting the accident victim to a physician, surgeon, or hospital for treatment.

Misdemeanor Charge

When property damage stems from a hit and run accident, a person may face a misdemeanor charge. To avoid this charge, under California Vehicle Code Section 2002, the person must have stopped the vehicle immediately at the nearest location. The location must not interfere with traffic or put the safety of other drivers at risk.

Common Defenses to Hit and Runs

A hit and run is a serious crime in San Diego that comes with strict penalties including jail time, prison time, thousands of dollars in fines, and driver’s license suspension or revocation. However, a San Diego hit and run attorney can help dismiss the case or at least reduce the charges and penalties with these defenses:

There is no property damage or injury to others
No knowledge of accident, property damage or injury
Car stolen or borrowed (meaning, the vehicle owner was not driving)
Did not willfully leave the scene (could not stop due to traffic)

October 15, 2019

Old California Law No Longer a Misdemeanor for San Diegans

by David M. Boertje

Many states have old, outdated laws in existence. Unfortunately, the laws make no sense and do not coincide with society in 2019. This is why early this September, Governor Newsom signed a bill that no longer makes it a misdemeanor for citizens to refuse to help the police. The law is an outdated one from the days of the Wild West and is known as the California Posse Comitatus Act of 1872.

What is the California Posse Comitatus Act of 1872?

Although you may have not heard of the law, the California Posse Comitatus Act of 1872 made it a crime, specifically a misdemeanor, for an able-bodied person over the age of 18 to refuse to assist the police in making arrests or taking people into custody. The elements of the law are:

Person must be 18 years of age or older
Person must be able-bodied – meaning no physical ailments or disabilities
Police must request assistance on demand

The law dates back to the Wild West days when cowboys and outlaws, or fugitives and bandits wandered around the State of California.

The law allowed for citizens to receive a misdemeanor charge along with a fine of up to $1,000 for refusing or failing to help police make arrests or catch suspects, when the police request the help on demand.

How Was the Law Found?

According to an article in CNN, the interns of Senator Hertzberg found the old law. They were tasked with identifying old laws in the books. When they found this law was still in existence, Senator Hertzberg introduced State Senate Bill 192 to remove the law.

Had the Law Been Used Recently?

Unfortunately, yes.

Law enforcement made an attempt to use it to its benefit recently. According to a report by the Sacramento Bee, the law was referred to in 2014 when a sheriff’s office used posse comitatus as a defense in a lawsuit filed against them for an allegation by a man and woman saying they were deceived into responding to a 911 call by the sheriff’s office.

What Does ‘Posse Comitatus’ Mean?

Black’s Law Dictionary defines posse comitatus as the power or force of the county. The term is Latin, much like many legal terms. While the term also applies to a U.S. federal law, 18 U.S.C. Section 1385, the federal law reserves itself to the use of military personnel. Continue reading