In a felony case, there's an important step between the first court appearance and a possible trial: the preliminary hearing. It's often the first time the person charged hears the evidence against them laid out in a courtroom, and it can shape the...
Read More
"I want a lawyer" may be the most important sentence a person can say after an arrest. Most people know they have the right to an attorney, but far...
When someone is released on bail, a judge sometimes adds a condition that they stay away from drugs and alcohol and prove it through regular testing....
Many people assume police always need a warrant to make an arrest. In fact, most arrests in California happen without one. Warrants matter in some...
Movies and TV make it seem like every criminal case ends in a dramatic trial. In reality, most cases are resolved through a plea bargain long before...
Seeing someone you love while they're in custody can mean a lot to both of you, but the first visit can also be nerve-wracking if you don't know what...
Many people expect a criminal case to move in a straight line from arrest to a final decision. Instead, they show up for a court date, wait, and...
Sometimes a judge agrees to release someone before trial but adds a particular condition: they have to wear a monitor. For many people, that's a much...
A phone holds more about a person's life than almost anything else they own: messages, photos, location history, banking, and more. So it's no...
When someone you love is in jail, even for a few days, one of the most practical ways to help is putting money on their account. It covers small...