What Is Annoying or Molesting a Child Under 18 (PC 647.6)?

To someone who is not familiar with our criminal justice system here in California, the charge of annoying or molesting a child under 18 may not reveal a sexual context.  However, let there be no mistake about it, this charge is not for playing one’s stereo so loud as to annoy or bother a person under age 18.  What exactly is required to convict someone under Penal Code § 647.6?  What is the punishment?  What are the defenses?  To read answers to these questions, click on the following link.

http://www.greghillassociates.com/what-is-annoying-or-molesting-a-child-under-18-pc-647-6.html.

What Is Transportation of a Controlled Substance (H & S 11352)?

What type of transportation is required for one to be convicted of violating Health and Safety Code § 11352?  How far is necessary?  Can it be on bike?  What are the defenses to this charge?  Does the transportation have to be for any purpose?  What is the punishment if one is convicted of this charge?  For answers to these questions, click on the following link.

http://www.greghillassociates.com/what-is-transportation-of-a-controlled-substance-h-s-11352.html.

What Is Possession of a Controlled Substance and the Defenses?

If you or someone you know has been charged with possession of a controlled substance, the first question you may have is what is the punishment?  Is the person going to jail or prison?  What are the defenses?  What is a Schedule 2 controlled substance?  Schedule 1?  3?  How is possession defined?  To read answers to these questions, click on the following link.

http://www.greghillassociates.com/what-is-possession-of-a-controlled-substance-the-defenses.html.

What Is Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (H & S 11364)?

What is drug paraphernalia?  A pair of tweezers?  A small spoon?  Does there need to be more?  What is the punishment if convicted of possessing such items?  Is it a felony?  What are the defenses to such a charge?  Click on the following link to find out answers to these questions.

http://www.greghillassociates.com/what-is-possession-of-drug-paraphernalia-h-11364.html.

What Is Manufacturing a Controlled Substance (H & S 11379.6)?

If charged with manufacturing a controlled substance, do the police have to catch you with a lighted bunsen burner as you are mixing substances in a container?  Certainly not, as most people understand.  But if one is just buying matches, does that mean one is buying items used to manufacture a controlled substance?  What type of evidence is required to charge someone with this crime?  Click on the following link to find out.

http://www.greghillassociates.com/what-is-manufacturing-a-controlled-substance-h-s-11379-6.html.

Prop 47 Can Apply to a Conviction for Joyriding (VC 10851)

Is joyriding a car equivalent to petty theft under Penal Code § 490.2, as provided in Prop 47?  After all, taking a car, even if valued at less than $950, is fundamentally different than taking a book or a shirt.  However, one appellate court said such a difference really does not matter.  How did it reach this conclusion, making felony joyriding eligible for Prop 47 relief?  Click on the following link to find out.

http://www.greghillassociates.com/prop-47-can-apply-to-a-conviction-for-joyriding-vc-10851.html

Police Promise of Leniency, Then Confession – Inadmissible?

Police work hard to make our cities safe, but often cross the line in trying to catch those who commit crimes.  Can a police officer promise leniency or immunity from prosecution to a suspect?  After all, the police officer is not the district attorney.  Does a trick by police mean the suspect’s confession inadmissible if it was given in reliance on the false promise?  Does such a trick mean the case is dismissed?  Click on the following link to find out.

http://www.greghillassociates.com/police-promise-of-leniency-then-confession-inadmissible.html.

What Is Vehicular Manslaughter (PC § 192(c))?

What is gross vehicular manslaughter, also called just vehicular manslaughter?  What mental state is involved, allegedly?  How does it differ from murder, Penal Code § 187?  Can the decedent include a passenger or must it be someone outside of the car?  What is the punishment?  For answers to these questions and many others involving this charge, click on the following link.

http://www.greghillassociates.com/what-is-vehicular-manslaughter-penal-code-192-c.html.

Can a Judge Require Polygraph Tests for Sex Offenders?

It is easy to imagine the mischief a probation officer could create by using a polygraph test under court orders if any question could be asked.  For example, one could ask, “have you committed any crimes that were never reported?”  In the case of sex offenders, a polygraph test could be used, but can the probationer invoke the right to remain silent?  For a brief discussion of these issues insofar as polygraph tests may be ordered as a probation condition, click on the following link.

http://www.greghillassociates.com/can-a-judge-require-polygraph-tests-for-sex-offenders.html.

How Lap Band (Gastric Bypass) Surgery Affects BAC in a DUI

The body is generally a very precise machine, each part working in harmony with the other.  When someone undergoes any altercation to the “internal plumbing,” i.e. altering the size of one’s stomach or large intestine, there can be a myriad of consequences, including how alcohol is processed.  Consequently, lap band or gastric bypass surgery certainly does affect one’s BAC in a DUI but how?  Click on the following link to find out.

http://www.greghillassociates.com/how-lap-band-gastric-bypass-surgery-affects-bac-in-a-dui.html.