Riverside County’s Hate Crime Laws
Riverside County’s Hate Crime Laws
How Are Hate Crimes Defined? With the recent rise in hate crimes all over California, it is important to understand how these acts are defined and what the penalties are for committing such a crime. According to California Penal Code Section 422.55 a hate crime is an act committed because of the victim's actual or perceived characteristics, such as their gender, nationality, race or ethnicity, religion, disability, or sexual orientation. …
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Consequences of a Hit and Run in Riverside
When you bump into another vehicle, it may be tempting to quickly drive away and hope that nobody noticed. Many drivers who are involved in an accident panic and flee the scene without exchanging information or leaving a form of contact for the owner of the damaged vehicle. This constitutes a hit and run under California laws and can lead to criminal charges. Hit and Run Laws A hit and…
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How to Defeat Robbery Charges in Riverside County
Robbery is defined under California Penal Code Section 211 as the taking of another’s personal property from his person or immediate presence against his will, accomplished by means of force or fear. Because robbery is prosecuted as a felony in California, you may be facing harsh consequences if you are found guilty of this crime. First-degree robbery is punishable by up to 6 years in prison, and second-degree robbery is…
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Pretrial Diversion Programs in Riverside: Am I Eligible?
What Are Pretrial Diversion Programs? In the past several years, California has made changes to its criminal justice system that emphasize rehabilitating criminal offenders rather than imprisoning them. A pretrial diversion is an alternative to criminal prosecution and incarceration, allowing first-time, low-level offenders a chance to participate in a rehabilitation program and subsequently have their charges dismissed. Two common pretrial diversion programs are drug diversion, which offers non-violent drug offenders…
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String of Commercial and Residential Burglaries in Riverside
String of Commercial and Residential Burglaries in Riverside A string of burglaries has shed light on a growing problem across Riverside County. In 2022 alone, there have been over 6,000 burglaries in the county, both commercial and residential. Recently this month, three restaurants in a Moreno Valley shopping center were burglarized on the same day, putting business owners and authorities on high alert. The burglaries happened early in the morning…
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What to Do If You’ve Been Accused of Domestic Violence in Riverside
Domestic violence charges are a serious matter and can carry grave consequences including fines and a prison sentence. Even if you are not found guilty, the mere accusation of committing violence in the home can destroy your reputation, relationships, and quality of life. Unfortunately, false domestic violence allegations are more common than you think. Being accused of a crime you didn’t commit can be frightening and frustrating. If you have…
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Riverside County Cracks Down on Fentanyl Investigations
Riverside Authorities Seize Thousands of Fentanyl Pills Recently, Riverside County law enforcement has been cracking down on fentanyl, a synthetic opioid that is cheaper than other narcotics but highly addictive and dangerous. After three separate investigations over the past few weeks, the Riverside County Gang Impact Team has seized thousands of grams of fentanyl. This contains approximately 40,000 pills with fentanyl, five kilograms of powdered fentanyl, and three firearms. Through…
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Criminal Threats Law: Riverside Teen Arrested for Threatening Violence
Riverside Teen Arrested for Threatening Violence A 17-year-old student at Heritage High School in Riverside County was arrested recently after allegedly sending social media messages threatening to “shoot up a school” and “kids.” According to police, the high school senior had been allegedly harassing other students as well. After a search of the teen’s residence, detectives found that he was in possession of a ghost gun and a pair of…
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Sale of a Controlled Substance: Riverside Couple Charged with Selling Fentanyl to Students
Riverside Couple Charged with Selling Fentanyl to Students Melissa Harloam-Garrison, a behavioral aide at Bright Futures Academy for K-12 students, was recently charged for selling fentanyl to special needs students on campus. The illicit activity came to the attention of authorities after a girl who attended the school overdosed on suspected fentanyl. After reports of an unruly student, officers went to the school to investigate and were alerted by staff…
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What Can You Do If Your Lawyer Did a Poor Job And You Were Convicted Of a Crime Unfairly
What Can You Do If Your Lawyer Did a Poor Job And You Were Convicted Of a Crime Unfairly Many people who are currently serving time in jail or prison feel strongly that their lawyer did not properly represent them. Often families of those convicted call our office wanting to see if our law firm can help them reverse the conviction of their loved one. Our law firm has been…
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