JAMES M. CRAWFORD
Criminal Defense & Appeals Attorney
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Recent blog posts appear below. You can also read about my FEATURED VERDICTS or see MEDIA COVERAGE of my cases too.
Mark Receives Not-Guilty Verdict after Previous Murder Conviction
After two stunning Criminal Appeals argued by James M. Crawford, Mark was finally declared not guilty of murder and child abuse on April 1, 2022, after being earlier convicted and sentenced to 25 years to life nearly a decade ago in 2012.
Can a DUI involve prescriptions, marijuana and other drugs?
Alcohol is perhaps the most popular mind-altering drug that leads to impaired driving charges in California, but it is far from the only one. People also consume marijuana frequently because of its legal status in the state and then drive afterward. Plenty of people…
What are some ways evidence can be suppressed in drug crimes defense?
If you are facing drug charges, one of the things that you can attempt to do is attack the prosecution’s case. The point of this is to discredit the prosecution and to argue that certain evidence should not be used against you. There are a few different ways to get…
Effective January 1, 2022, Senate Bill 483 will become effective.
Under this bill, sentencing enhancements that were imposed before January 1, 2020, for prior separate prison felony terms, are legally invalid. SB 483 excludes enhancements for prior convictions of sexually violent offenses from relief.
Law Change: S.B. 775 passed, addresses murder & manslaughter issues
S.B. 775 was passed in response to appellate court decisions that had held Penal Code section 1170.95 did not apply to attempted murder convictions. S.B. 775 expressly states that the bill now “clarifies” that section 1170.95 does apply to both attempted murder and voluntary manslaughter convictions under a felony murder or natural and probable consequences theory.
What are potential penalties for illegal drug sales in California?
Illegal drug sales are a major law enforcement priority. Cracking down on those distributing drugs can limit the supply on the unregulated market and can provide financial resources in the form of civil asset forfeiture. California state laws and federal laws include…
What are the main drug possession crimes under California state and local laws?
Drug possession is a crime in California, and the state has several drug possession charges that it can choose from. The main two kinds of possession crimes are 1) Simple possession, and 2) Possession for sale. Both of these crimes will result in penalties upon…
Law Change: California SB 1437 Convictions and Appeals Clarified
In 2018, the California Legislature passed SB 1437 which entitled persons convicted of murder to vacate their convictions if they were not the actual killer but were convicted of either murder under a felony murder theory or under a natural and probable consequence theory.
Can my domestic assault charge be expunged under California law?
There are times when people may face domestic assault charges. In many cases, it could be possible to have those charges removed from your record in California. True expungement doesn’t exist in California, but there are ways to help clean up your record. Your…
Law Change: Participation in a Criminal Street Gang
Those facing enhanced punishment based on allegations they committed their crimes for the benefit of a criminal street gang should be aware the law has changed significantly in their favor.
How can I defend myself against assault charges in California?
Accusations that you committed a violent offense may eventually lead to criminal charges. In California, the state could charge you with an assault offense for hurting someone else or seemingly trying to hurt another person. Assault charges not only carry criminal…
What are the main assault and battery laws in California?
In California, there are specific laws that apply to assault and battery cases. Although many people believe that assault and battery are the same crimes, the reality is that they are two different things. California has both criminal and civil penalties for these…
How can I clean my record?
After an arrest, cleaning your criminal record is possible, and it can help reduce the impact of any convictions in your past. While California law does not allow you to remove arrests and convictions from your record entirely, it does allow you to seal them from…
What is the difference between voluntary and involuntary manslaughter?
Manslaughter, like murder, is a criminal offense that stems from the death of another person. In the case of murder, the intent was to deprive someone of their life. Manslaughter charges usually reflect neglect or preventable circumstances that did not include the…
What is the difference between first and second-degree murder?
When people hear that someone is facing murder charges, they often assume that the specifics do not matter. Murder is murder. They assume all murder is the same and carries the same ramifications. In reality, though, it’s far more nuanced than that. For instance,…
Factors that affect sentencing for drug crimes
Every individual who winds up charged with a drug-related offense faces an uncertain – and frightening – future. If you are in this situation, your primary concern is likely what the possible sentence will be if you are convicted. Sentencing guidelines and mandatory…
How a DUI conviction can negatively impact your future employment
If you get pulled over in California for an alleged DUI, it goes without saying that your best strategy is to defend yourself as strenuously as possible when you go to court. Not only could a DUI conviction land you in jail, it can follow you for years and haunt you…
Factors that can impact Breathalyzer accuracy
If you are a college student or resident of California, and you have the unfortunate experience of having a law enforcement official stop you who believes you have been drinking and driving, you probably know just how unnerving this is. In addition to the emotional…
How a late-night study session could lead to a DUI charge
Two common defenses against DUI charges are: Driving badly does not necessarily equate to DUI, and physical appearance does not equal DUI. Imagine this scenario: It is 5 a.m., and college student John has just left a friend’s house where he had been studying for exams…
Are judges more lenient with student DUI charges?
There are big differences between being charged with DUI and being charged with underage DUI. Perhaps most obvious, the BAC thresholds are different. If you are 21 or older, you are unlikely to be charged with DUI if you have a BAC of, say, 0.04, unless it has come in…