A charge of manslaughter is a serious offense in California, which can conclude with a strict sentencing of multiple years in a California state prison and significant fines. Many may conflate this charge with murder, but they are actually two separate offenses, but both carry very severe sentences. California penal codes highlight a variety of different manslaughter charges and understanding their differences is vital to building a solid defense case.
Criminal Defense | Orange County Criminal Defense Blog
The Difference Between Manslaughter Charges
Misdemeanor Hit and Run Explained by Michael Guisti
California Vehicle Code Section 20002 tells you what to do if you have an accident. If you don’t follow the instructions clearly, then you have committed a hit and run. In the 20 years that I have been practicing there are certain cases that come to me in a steady flow. Hit and run cases come to us on a regular basis, and I have personally worked on hit and run cases where clients didn’t fully understand what constitutes a hit and run, like the War Story at the end of this article.
Is Social Media Making Crimes Worse?
Social media has become an integral part of many people’s lives today, for better or worse. While some people love how it connects them to their communities (or to the Kardashians and other celebrity favorites), others see it as one of society’s biggest disappointments. It’s a polarizing topic for sure, especially when you think about the implications it has on our culture. Read the rest »
Watch Out, Guardians! Come May 27th, You’re Being Falsely Imprisoned at California Adventure!
2014’s Guardians of the Galaxy was a smash hit. Appealing to space-action-comedy lovers (apparently, that’s a lot of us), the Marvel-based movie with characters Star-Lord, Gamora, Drax the Destroyer, Groot, and Rocket won over audiences to the tune of $700 million worldwide…and a sequel.
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 is due for release on May 5, and just a few weeks later, Disney is unveiling its tie-in, brand-new ride at California Adventure park in Anaheim. Guardians of the Galaxy: Mission Breakout may be interactive fun and games for Disney park-hoppers, but it’s also a stellar example of false imprisonment.
Mother of Slain Man Files Wrongful Death Suit
Just 48 hours after her son was shot to death by Huntington Beach Police, Angela Hernandez was standing in the very spot he died. By her side was Orange County attorney Michael L. Guisti, who announced that wrongful death charges would be brought again the Huntington Beach Police Department.
Michael Guisti Comments on Charges Being Dropped in Michelle Hadley Craigslist Case
OC Criminal Defense Attorney Michael Guisti answers questions following the press conference announcement of files being charged against Angela Diaz. Ms. Diaz was charged with kidnapping, false imprisonment, perjury, forgery, grand theft, falsely reporting crimes to APD, and framing her husband’s ex-fiancée, causing the victim, Guisti’s client Michelle Hadley, to serve jail time after being arrested and charged.
The announcement was made at the OCDA’s Office in Santa Ana on Monday January 9, 2017 at 11am. For more information, read the full story of the Michelle Hadley Craigslist Case on our site and stay tuned to our Facebook account for the latest news and updates.
Customers and Employees Be Aware of Petty Theft During the Holidays
With the holiday season almost upon us, the concerns begin to rise of an increase in petty theft crimes. Petty theft is outlined in the California Penal Code Statues 484 and 488 as the stealing of property valued at $950 or less. Shoplifting shares the common characteristics of a petty theft crime, except it has to involve the entering of a business that is currently open during normal hours with the intent to steal. Shoplifting is further defined by California Penal Code 459.5.
The holidays are supposed to be a time for sharing, giving, and joy amongst family and friends. People spend hours in stores, shopping for gifts, purchasing merchandise, and enjoying themselves. However, with the holiday season comes a prime time for petty thieves and shoplifters to take advantage. It is important for both shoppers and store employees to be very aware of the higher likelihood that someone will attempt to commit petty theft or shoplifting.
Is the Banning of Gun Sales to Medical Marijuana Card Holders Justified or Just Unfair?
The issue of legalizing marijuana has been a contentious topic for some time now. People have debated over the effects that marijuana has on users and because of this, the idea of legalizing it in any form has become a hot-button issue. Only in recent years have we seen some states alter their laws regarding the legalizing of this illegal drug for either medical use, recreational use, or both.
Under current federal law, marijuana is still illegal. Therefore, firearm dealers are allowed to deny a person the purchase of a firearm, even if they have a legally attained medical marijuana card. This legal issue gathered more steam after the ruling in the case Wilson v. Lynch where a woman was not allowed to buy a gun because she possess a medical marijuana card. In the ruling, an Open Letter was sent from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) that basically said that any person who is addicted to or uses marijuana is not allowed to possess firearms or ammunition, even if the state they live in legally allows for marijuana use in medical situations.
Arrested for Public Intoxication? What Does This Mean for Your Job?
Imagine this scenario. You and your friends go out one evening to a party, bar, or nightclub. You drink a little bit too much and stumble out into the parking lot where you start causing a scene that is obstructing and dangerous to others around you. The police are called and you are subsequently arrested and charged with public intoxication.
These situations happen every day to people who do not responsibly drink and their actions then cause the above consequences. When it comes to looking for a job or currently having a job, the question then remains if a public intoxication charge will affect one’s employment. Read the rest »
What to Do If You’ve Been Charged with Capital Murder in Orange County
Under California law, capital murder can be the most severe charge you could possibly face. Capital murder is defined as first-degree murder accompanied by special circumstances. In other words, it is a form of first-degree murder that has been elevated to capital murder due to certain factors in the case. What separates capital murder from first-degree murder are the punishments capital murder charges carry. If you are found guilty, you could be facing execution by means of lethal gas or lethal injection, or life in prison without the possibility of parole. Read the rest »
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