Author Archives: spiralmode

Felony Animal Cruelty in California

felony-animal-cruelty-in-california

It’s a story that broke the hearts of animal lovers all over Los Angeles. Local newspapers have been covering the story about a kitten who was thrown out in the trash. The fact that the kitten was considered a piece of trash is bad enough, the fact that it was also severely injured makes the […]

Chat Room Crimes in California

chat-room-crimes-in-california

Chat room crimes are a term that typically refers to specific cases that ultimately deal with the solicitation of a minor. The term first became popular after it was used by the television show, To Catch a Predator. Chat room crimes typically involve an older person, usually, a male, who uses things like chat rooms […]

You’ve Been Arrested for DUI… Again

youve-been-arrested-for-dui-again

Getting arrested and charged for DUI once in California is terrifying and life-altering. The second time you’re arrested for the same thing is even worse. Like many states, California lawmakers have decided that to take a hard stance on drunk drivers. One of the ways they’ve done this is by creating laws that make a […]

Roadside Stands in California

roadside-stands-in-california

If you have a green thumb and a good-sized garden, you’ve likely grown more produce than you can eat. A roadside stand is a great way to find a home for the surplus fruits and vegetables while also earning some extra money. Before you start hauling tubs of squash and green peppers to the side […]

How to Dress for Court

how-to-dress-for-court

It doesn’t matter if you’re in civil or legal court, you want to make sure you’ve dressed appropriately. The good news is that getting dressed for court isn’t difficult. It’s also likely that you have most of the items needed to make a good impression so you don’t have to worry about the expense of […]

Coping with a Neighbor’s Barking Dog

coping-with-a-neighbors-barking-dog

Living in a dog-friendly neighborhood is great. There’s something about a community that’s full of dogs that makes the area feel homier and safer. The only downside is if one of your neighbor’s dogs is a barker. The problem with barking dogs is that while one or two woofs aren’t a big deal, continuous barking […]

California Laws Ride Share Drivers Need to Understand

california-laws-ride-share-drivers-need-to-understand

Rideshare programs like Uber and Lyft are a great way for some people to supplement their income. The programs are designed so that you get to choose your hours. In some cities, people have found that they were able to live a respectful living as a rideshare driver. The problem some people encounter is that […]

Standing Your Ground in California

standing-your-ground-in-california

In California, you have the right to defend yourself, even if you’re not inside of your home at the time. The issue is dealt with in California’s self-defense laws which are more popularly referred to as Stand-Your-Ground laws. What the Stand-Your-Ground laws do is provide you with a way to hold tight and defend yourself […]

Catching Police Officers on Film

catching-police-officers-on-film

Videos of police officers behaving badly have a history of going viral. This sheds a bad light on police officers throughout the entire state of California. If you plan on filming a police officer there are few things you need to consider before you hit record. California doesn’t currently have any laws that forbid you […]

Underage Drinking During Spring Break

underage-drinking-during-spring-break

Spring break is finally here! It’s time to cut loose, forget all about your studies, and have a good time. While there’s nothing wrong with relaxing and enjoying yourself, don’t forget that you’re not allowed to drink alcohol until you’re at least twenty-one years old. If you choose to ignore this, an underage drinking charge […]

Understanding California’s Jury Duty

understanding-californias-jury-duty

U.S. citizens who reside in the United States can receive a letter in the mail that summons them to serve on a jury. This is called jury duty. If selected to serve on the jury you’ll listen to a court case and use what you learned during the trial to decide if the defendant is […]

Stay Out of Jail This Saint Patrick’s Day

stay-out-of-jail-this-saint-patricks-day

Saint Patrick’s Day is a great holiday. It’s one of those fun holidays where you’re encouraged to cut loose and have a good time. The problem with Saint Patrick’s Day is that it’s also a time when many people get a little too relaxed and end up in jail. Happily, there are things you can […]

Is Being Homeless a Crime in California?

is-being-homeless-a-crime-in-california

In theory, California isn’t a bad place to be homeless. Sure, the high cost of living makes it difficult to get back on your feet, but at least the weather is nice all year round so if you have to sleep outside a few nights a week, it shouldn’t be a big deal. Wrong! California […]

Community Service in Criminal Cases

community-service-in-criminal-cases

Many people find that they have to complete a specific number of hours of community service as a part of their sentence. Some people love this because community service can reduce fines and jail time. Others hate having to do so much work without getting paid. Judges have the right to make community service a […]

What Happens if You Give a Police Officer False Information

youve-been-arrested-for-dui-again

It doesn’t matter if you’re pulled over for a routine traffic violation or if the police knock on your front door and ask to talk to you, there’s something about face-to-face interactions that causes most of us to panic. This panic can result in us making some bad choices. A perfect example of this is […]

When Does a Prank Go too Far?

when-does-a-prank-go-too-far

Most of us have been involved in pranks, both as the person pulling the prank on another and as someone who has been pranked. In most cases, the pranks are fun and no one is emotionally or physically hurt, but there is always an exception. The best indicator that a prank has gone too far […]

Disorderly Conduct in California

disorderly-conduct-in-california

One of the problems with California’s legal system is that sometimes it’s difficult to know that you’re breaking the law. In many disorderly conduct cases, people think they’re just having a good time or being opinionated until the police show up. Sometimes people don’t even know what they’ve done until they hear the charges as […]

What Happens If I Make A Fake or Prank 911 Call

what-happens-if-i-make-a-fake-or-prank-911-call

Making a fake or prank phone call to 911 might seem like good fun but it’s not something you want to follow through with. Neither law enforcement offices nor court officials have a sense of humor. To put it simply, making fake or prank 911 calls is illegal. In some situations, that single phone call […]