What is Private Jail?

Many people talk about private jail with a suspicion that only rich people, movies stars, professional athletes or politicians are eligible? What is private jail?  Are there swimming pools there?  How is the food?  Where is it?  Is it invitation only?  How much does it cost? Who is eligible?  Is it at a Ritz Carlton?  Click on the following article to read about this often misunderstood option –http://www.greghillassociates.com/lawyer-attorney-1916273.html.

Court Rules Change in Petty Theft Limit Is Retroactive, Turning Certain Grand Theft Convictions Into Petty Theft.

There is a general principle that when a law becomes tougher to increase punishment or criminalize behavior that was previously legal, the law can only be prospective, or apply into the future.  When the law decreases punishment or makes certain behavior legal that previously was illegal, it can apply to the past, or be retroactive.  This principle was recently applied to grand theft convictions from the past, insofar as they are now considered petty theft instead.  To read about this, click on the following link – http://www.greghillassociates.com/lawyer-attorney-1912777.html.

What is a Wobbler and May a Felony Be Changed to a Misdemeanor?

You may have heard the term “wobbler” in the context of someone facing a felony charge?  What does this mean?  Why are some felonies considered “wobblers” and some are not?  How does one ask the judge to reduce a felony to a wobbler?  When will a judge do so? Click on the following link to read answers to these questions –

http://www.greghillassociates.com/lawyer-attorney-1912505.html.

One or Two Strikes? Appeals Court Says Two for Two Attacks Thirty Minutes Apart.

Under California’s Three Strikes Law, there are convictions for certain serious or violent felonies that are classified as “strikes.”  They are usually accumulated one at a time, often many years apart.  Can one be saddled with two or even more strikes for what happens in a single day?  What if someone attacks another person and then does so again 30 minutes later?  Is that one or two strikes?  Click on the following link to find out – http://www.greghillassociates.com/lawyer-attorney-1910518.html.

Bail and Can It Be Reduced?

Bail is an issue that dominates the initial contact with any client forced to post bail or who cannot afford to post it.  It is supposed to be equated to an amount that guarantees the defendant’s future appearance in court and, if granted at all, is allowed after considering public safety if defendant is released.  Can it be reduced?  The answer is certainly yes, but the real answer is can it be reduced to zero or to an amount that the client can afford?  Click on the attached article to read more about bail – http://www.greghillassociates.com/lawyer-attorney-1907667.html.

What Is the Difference Between a Misdemeanor and a Felony?

Only a criminal defense attorney can appreciate this: after the plea is entered, after months of negotiating, maybe a motion or two, extensive discussion of the facts and maybe a meeting with the DA’s supervisor, the client asks if his or her plea was to a felony or a misdemeanor.  It always amazes me to get this question because there are huge differences between the two levels of offenses.  Click on the following link to read what is the difference between a misdemeanor and a felony –  http://www.greghillassociates.com/lawyer-attorney-1912506.html.

Sentencing Alternatives for Military Veterans under Penal Code § 1170.9.

Our legislature has recognized the unique challenges faced by military personnel in reintegrating into civilian life after leaving the military. Sometimes, their service to our country came at a cost of permanent disabilities that can make traditional sentencing ineffective or less effective.  Under Penal Code § 1170.9, certain veterans accused of certain crimes are qualified for special sentencing programs.  To read more about this, click on the following link –http://www.greghillassociates.com/lawyer-attorney-1904816.html.

What is the “Mouth Alcohol” Defense to DUI?

In some states, there is no requirement that the police officer observe a person suspected of DUI for fifteen minutes before administering a breath test, despite the guidelines set out by the manufacturers of such devices recommending this to ensure an accurate blood alcohol content (BAC) measurement.  Why do manufacturers require this and why does California law for DMV hearings require this?  Imagine if one took a breath test just seconds after swishing one’s mouth with vodka.  For more discussion of this issue, click on the following article – http://www.greghillassociates.com/lawyer-attorney-1904566.html.

What is a “Rising BAC” Defense to DUI?

One of the trickier defenses available under certain facts is the “rising BAC” defense.  It is tricky because one has to agree in large part with the police report and then use an expert who a jury may trust or find confused.  It happens when one is arrested for DUI and the BAC is over the legal limit or at the legal limit, but the theory is that when the client was driving 15 minutes, 30 minutes or an hour earlier, his blood alcohol content (BAC) was below the legal limit because it increased or rose after the traffic stop, usually due to the client drinking just before driving and then being stopped soon thereafter.  Click on the following article to read more about this defense –http://www.greghillassociates.com/lawyer-attorney-1903600.html.

Fifth Amendment Rights Violated When DA Points to Silence as Evidence of Guilt.

Anyone who has watched a police show or a movie involving law enforcement most likely has heard the admonition to a suspect, “You have the right to remain silent.  Anything you say can be used against you . . .”  The implication is that if someone says nothing, that cannot be used against someone.  Is this correct?  As the following case summary explaints, the answer is not always clear.  Click on the following link to read about remaining silent and the potential consequences

http://www.greghillassociates.com/lawyer-attorney-1901683.html.