An alleged parole violation can lead to immediate custody and a court process that moves much faster than many standard criminal cases. A person may face a parole hold after missing a required appointment, failing a drug test, violating a special condition, possessing...
Parole allows a person released from California state prison to serve part of their sentence in the community under supervision. While on parole, the person must follow general rules established by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, along...
Most criminal cases do not end with a jury verdict. Some charges are dismissed, while others are resolved through motions, diversion, sentencing agreements, or negotiated pleas. However, every criminal case should still be prepared with the possibility of trial in...
When someone is charged with a crime in Orange County, they may assume the case will end in one of two ways: the charges will be dismissed or the case will go to trial. In reality, many criminal cases are resolved through a negotiated agreement between the defense and...
An arraignment is usually the first formal court appearance after criminal charges have been filed. Although the hearing may be relatively brief, the decisions made at an arraignment can immediately affect a defendant’s freedom, family, employment, finances, and...
Many people assume that being arrested means they have officially been charged with a crime. In reality, an arrest and the filing of criminal charges are two separate events. Law enforcement officers may arrest someone based on suspected criminal activity, but...
