Updated: March 12, 2021 On March 3, 2021, California’s Second District Court of Appeal broadened the public’s right to view police misconduct records under Senate Bill 1421. Signed into law on January 1, 2019, SB 1421 broadened public access to police misconduct files under the California Public Records Act (CPRA). SB 1421 expands access to…
Wrongful Conviction: Junk Science Podcast Highlights The Use of Flawed Forensic Evidence in American Courtrooms In 2009, the National Academy of Science published a warning to criminal justice stakeholders concerning the widespread use of junk science in American courtrooms.1 In its landmark publication, the NAS underscored the need to establish greater quality controls and standards within the scientific…
Coronavirus Update – March 24, 2020 The California Courts post regular coronavirus updates at courts.ca.gov. On March 24, 2020, California Chief Justice Tanias Cantil-Sakauye suspended all criminal and civil jury trials across California’s 58 counties for 60 days. Effective March 20, 2020, the Ventura County Superior Court ordered limited operations through April 17, 2020. A copy…
Coronavirus Update From Attorney William Haney My law office will be closed for in-person meetings on a temporary basis. We made this decision for the safety of our staff. The Ventura County Superior Court is assessing the present public health emergency on a day-to-day basis. All court matters are cancelled from Monday March 16h through…
Advertising Materials Ventura County Wiretaps Successfully Challenged – Case Dismissed Note: This article does not constitute legal advice. The materials should be used for information purposes only. Wiretap litigation is extremely complex. You should contact a competent criminal defense lawyer immediately if you are arrested following an investigation built upon wiretap evidence. Attorney William Haney…
California Expungement Documents (Ventura County) Note: Any person seeking to expunge a criminal conviction should first consult with a qualified criminal defense lawyer. This article does not constitute legal advice. Misdemeanor Expungement Petitions To obtain an expungement in California, a petitioner, or an attorney working on the petitioner’s behalf, should lodge the following documents: (1)…
Oxnard Police Department DUI Checkpoint Successfully Challenged Note: This article is for information purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice. You should contact a competent criminal defense attorney following any arrest for a criminal offense. Attorneys William Haney* and Brian Weilbacher successfully challenged a DUI checkpoint established by the Oxnard Police Department. Officers constructed the…
Ventura County Law Enforcement Agencies Partner with Amazon’s Ring Camera Surveillance Network The Washington Post recently revealed that approximately 400 American police agencies now engage in a public-private partnership with Ring, Amazon’s doorbell-camera firm.1 According to the Post, the relationship allows police to access the vast network of homeowner-installed doorbell cameras within a specific time and…
Penal Code Section 181 – Slavery California law punishes the crime of “Slavery.” Under Penal Code Section 181, any person who does the following is guilty of Slavery: holds or attempts to hold any person in involuntary servitude; assumes or attempts to assume the rights of ownership over any person; sells or attempts to sell…
Penal Code Section 171c – Bringing Loaded Firearms And Dangerous Weapons Into State Capitol and Legislative Offices1 Loaded Firearms (Penal Code Section 171c(a)(1)) It is illegal for any person to bring to, or possess a loaded firearm in any of the following locations: The State Capitol; Any legislative office; Any office of the Governor or…