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…
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)…
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 171b – Unauthorized Possession of Weapons in Public Buildings and Meetings Penal Code Section 171b punishes individuals who bring specified weapons into public buildings and meetings open to the public. This blog post is for information purposes only. In the author’s opinion, a person should always refrain from carrying anything even closely…
Penal Code Section 170 – Malicious Procurement of A Search or Arrest Warrant Under Penal Code Section 1701, any person who “maliciously” procures a search or arrest warrant without “probable cause” is guilty of a misdemeanor. A person acts “maliciously” if he intends to injure, annoy, or vex another person. A person acting with malice…
Penal Code Section 168 – Disclosing the Existence of a Search Warrant or Arrest Warrant Public officials are subject to felony prosecution for disclosing the existence of a search warrant or arrest warrant before it is served. Elements of the Offense: (1)A judge issued a search warrant or arrest warrant; (2)The defendant willfully disclosed the…
Penal Code Section 167 – Recording or Listening to a Trial Jury1 It is a misdemeanor to record or listen to the members of a trial jury if all of the following are true: The Defendant willfully and knowingly listened to, recorded or observed members of a trial jury, AND; The jurors did not know…
Penal Code Section 166 – Contempt of Court Penal Code Section 166(a) – Specified Acts of Contempt: Under Section 166(a), it is a misdemeanor to do the following: Interrupt a court proceeding in the direct view of the judge using disorderly, contemptuous or rude behavior.1 Interrupt a trial or hearing overseen by a referee using…
Penal Code Section 155.5 – Disposal of Property to Avoid Criminal Restitution Payments1 Penal Code Section 155.5 criminalizes certain attempts by criminal defendants to shield their assets from court-ordered restitution payments. Penal Code Section 155.5(a) – Misdemeanor Punishment for Specified Acts of Concealment Under Penal Code Section 155.5(a), the prosecution must prove the following elements…
California Legislature Passes SB 1030 – Distracted Driving To Add a Point to Driving Record1 Senator Josh Newman (Fullerton) gained approval for Senate Bill 1030 on April 30th. If Governor Brown signs the Bill into law, insurance companies will add a point to the driving record of any person caught operating a cellular telephone while…