Category Archives: Criminal Defense
Can Police Search Your Cell Phone?
In the current case of DAVID LEON RILEY, Petitioner v. STATE OF CALIFORNIA Respondent (13-132), the U.S. Supreme Court on a Petition for a Writ of Certiorari will review the unpublished Decision of the Fourth District California Court of Appeal and, hopefully, clarify whether the police may seize a cell phone from a person under … Read More
SAN DIEGO IN TOP 10 OF INMATES ON DEATH ROW
Recently, a non-profit organization that studies death penalties surveyed the counties in the United States to rank the current number of death row inmates. Los Angeles County had the most inmates who had death sentences at 228 and, therefore, was number 1. San Diego County had 40 such inmates, but came in the top 10 … Read More
Shooting may restart debate over military security
For staffers at the Washington Navy Yard, there are no metal detectors or pat-downs when they enter the building. The recent rampage at the Navy Yard is bringing the question of security up for debate again. The fact that the suspected gunman was able to walk into the facility while he was heavily armed is … Read More
Deficiencies in assisted living homes to be addressed
This is an update to a previous blog post. In response to a three-part series by The San Diego Union Tribune, lawmakers have pledged to take action and ramp up efforts so the area’s assisted living home do not fall short. The findings from the investigation, which was done by the U-T in conjunction with … Read More
Remembering 9/11
On September 11, 2001, 12 years ago today, the World Trade Center and the Pentagon were attacked by terrorists, and thousands of innocent lives were lost. We take today to mourn and remember those who were lost, and celebrate the fact that we have men and women who are willing to fight for their country. … Read More
Elder abuse is rarely investigated
Elder abuse and sexual assault are rarely investigated at assisted living homes in California. There are about 12,000 complaints each year, but members of law enforcement have referred only 82 to state prosecutors as cases since 2002. This raises serious issues concerning the integrity of the Department of Social Services and their regulatory system. At the … Read More
Long-term inmates move to county jails
Governor Jerry Brown’s plan to ease state prison overcrowding has created other problems. Now, county jails that are not built to hold long-term prisoners are being forced to take felons with long sentences. Sheriffs say that these prisoners pose security threats and are more than the jails can handle. Though it is good to think … Read More
Fort Hood shooter receives death sentence
Maj. Nidal Hasan was sentenced to death for his 2009 shooting spree at Fort Hood after mounting barely any defense while representing himself. Some posit that Hasan seeks to be a martyr, which is why he represented himself and did not call witness, give a testimony, or make any statements other than taking responsibility for … Read More
Governor proposes new prison plan
In response to a federal court order to reduce California’s prison population, governor Jerry Brown proposed a $315 million plan to send inmates to vacant county cells and private prisons. He hopes to avoid what he says would be a mass release of dangerous felons. Brown says that public safety is paramount and that the … Read More
$1-million arrest warrant issued for suspected killer
Authorities are searching for Dantjier Domenick Powell, who is wanted in connection with the murder of YouTube reality show star Domonique Newburn. Newburn was found dead in her apartment on August 20. The transgender woman appeared in the premiere episode of “Hollywood Houseboys,” a program following the lives of young, gay black men trying to make … Read More