Stockton Legal Blog

Issues that may lead to identity theft charges in California

On behalf of Bird & Van Dyke, Inc. - A Professional Law Corporation posted in blog on Wednesday, April 18, 2018.

If you're facing identity theft charges in a California court, chances are, a series of events led to your arrest. The law typically categorizes this type of offense as a white-collar crime. If you learn that you are the subject of an official investigation, it doesn't necessarily mean you will face charges, or if you do, that the court will hand down a conviction.

In any event, it's always in your best interest to understand exactly what prosecutors are accusing you of if you wind up facing arrest on suspicion of stolen identity. Do you know your rights? Do you know how to access support to help you try to avoid conviction? The answers to these questions may greatly impact the ultimate outcome of your situation.

Heroin addiction could leave you facing legal trouble

On behalf of Bird & Van Dyke, Inc. - A Professional Law Corporation posted in blog on Monday, February 26, 2018.

Most people who face a drug addiction or similar problem did not plan on ending up in such a situation. Various factors could contribute to a person experimenting with drugs, and those factors could range from peer pressure to looking for stress relief. Unfortunately, many drugs are highly addictive, and though you may have thought you could try a substance once or twice and not face serious repercussions, you quickly realized that this was not the case.

When a person begins using drugs, brain chemistry begins to change. As a result, individuals may need more of a substance to get high or suffer behavioral changes that causes them to act in reckless or dangerous ways. In particular, heroin use can have serious effects on the body and mind, and you could also end up in a serious legal situation if you are found in possession or dealing this substance.

This is the crime juveniles commit most

On behalf of Bird & Van Dyke, Inc. - A Professional Law Corporation posted in blog on Saturday, January 27, 2018.

As a parent of teenagers in California, no one has to tell you how challenging parenthood can be. The world has changed a lot over the last two centuries, and kids today encounter peer pressure on a whole different level, sometimes including temptations or dares to commit crimes. Not every teenager gets into trouble with the law; however, if your son or daughter did, he or she would definitely not be the first and likely won't be the last.

Many have done studies to determine if there are precursors that flag a particular teenager as more prone toward criminal behavior than another. There appears to be one type of crime that teenagers commit more than others, and that's theft. If police call you because they have arrested your child, your life may never be the same. However, it doesn't necessarily mean your child will go to jail or that life has to be ruined. The type of support you obtain can make all the difference.

Accusations of prescription drug fraud may damage your career

On behalf of Bird & Van Dyke, Inc. - A Professional Law Corporation posted in blog on Wednesday, December 27, 2017.

When many people think of drug crimes, the first thoughts that come to mind may relate to buying marijuana, cocaine trafficking, possession offenses or similar violations. However, many various activities could potentially fall into the category of drug crimes. In some cases, officials may suspect individuals of illegal drug-related activity, and it could potentially come as a considerable surprise. As a doctor, you may have found yourself feeling this surprise after facing accusations of prescription drug fraud.

Now that you face charges, you may have many questions about the suspected fraudulent activity. You may wonder how you could handle your case and what impacts these allegations could have on your professional career. Unfortunately, this type of situation can have severe effects, and you should take accusations of drug fraud seriously.

Have authorities accused you of gang-related activity?

On behalf of Bird & Van Dyke, Inc. - A Professional Law Corporation posted in blog on Wednesday, November 29, 2017.

As you and many other California residents know, convictions for crimes can come with serious consequences. Depending on the specific circumstances of that alleged criminal activity, the charges and sentencing could vary in severity. Certain factors could potentially lead to your facing enhanced charges, and you may wonder whether the situation warranted those enhancements.

Particularly, if authorities suspect that you have gang connections, allegations brought against you could become more serious. Of course, you may have no affiliation with a gang or gang members, and the enhanced charges may seem out of place. However, it is up to the prosecution to prove your supposed gang ties, and if they cannot, you may have the ability to avoid conviction for such accusations.

Don't let a fight ruin your life

On behalf of Bird & Van Dyke, Inc. - A Professional Law Corporation posted in blog on Tuesday, November 7, 2017.

Couples fight. It happens, and many would even say it is normal in any relationship to have spat now and again. What is not normal, though, is physically harming your spouse or significant other. If you have been involved in a heated fight with your partner and now you are facing domestic violence charges due to an alleged act of violence, how you handle the matter from here on out will have a significant impact on your future.

In California, domestic violence is not taken lightly by law enforcement officials. When reports of such violence come in, police are generally quick to respond. Those accused of abuse, regardless of whether there is any truth to the accusations, often find themselves in police custody and facing criminal charges.

Are you aching for recovery following a head trauma incident?

On behalf of Bird & Van Dyke, Inc. - A Professional Law Corporation posted in blog on Monday, September 25, 2017.

California roadways are sometimes extremely dangerous places. Of course, if you frequently travel to and from work or use the highway to reach your shopping destinations or for running errands, you're likely already aware of that fact. As a safe driver, you pay close attention to posted speed limits and other traffic signs and do your best to remain alert and cautious behind the wheel; however, it's impossible to gauge what other motorists are going to do in any given moment.

You just never know when another driver is going to cut you off on the highway, speed through a red light or otherwise act with negligence, placing you at great risk for injury. If you were recently involved in a motor vehicle accident and have been experiencing head pain or any other concerning symptom, you may want to consult with a physician to determine whether you may have a traumatic head injury.

Did another driver's distraction cause threat to your life?

On behalf of Bird & Van Dyke, Inc. - A Professional Law Corporation posted in blog on Monday, August 28, 2017.

You are probably like most other average California residents who have never before played a real game of Russian roulette. Most people avoid life-or-death activities like these although many have witnessed suspenseful movie scenes or heard tales of long ago real-life situations that caused their hair to stand on end. Some say driving on busy roadways throughout this state is similar to taking a high-risk chance at Russian roulette.

Gone are the days when families venture out for leisurely drives at casual speeds with very little safety risks. Nowadays, the menacing presence of distracted drivers may be enough to make you wonder if you'll reach your destination unscathed. There are three main types of distracted motor vehicle operation that can threaten your safety no matter how cautious and alert you are behind the wheel.

Has a criminal conviction affected your right to bear arms?

On behalf of Bird & Van Dyke, Inc. - A Professional Law Corporation posted in blog on Monday, July 31, 2017.

Facing any type of criminal charges could potentially leave your life considerably altered, especially if a conviction takes place. In some ways, a criminal conviction could even affect certain aspects of your life that had no direct connection to the crime of which you were accused. For instance, your ability to own or be around firearms could lead to negative consequences under certain circumstances.

You may land among numerous people who like to take advantage of the right to bear arms either for personal or professional use. However, if you also fall into other categories, you may lose that ability due to certain federal and state laws.

Don't get robbed of your future over an alleged act of thievery

On behalf of Bird & Van Dyke, Inc. - A Professional Law Corporation posted in blog on Friday, July 7, 2017.

If arrested and charged with robbery in California, how you fight your case in criminal court is really going to matter. This is an offense that courts do not take lightly. Do not let an alleged act of thievery rob you of your future. Getting the right help for your situation may go far in protecting your future.

The simple definition of robbery is forcing someone to give up personal property through terrorization or violence. As with any criminal case, there are certain elements that prosecuting attorneys have to establish in order to achieve convictions on robbery charges. What are these elements? What are the consequences of a conviction? How can I defend myself?