JAMES M. CRAWFORD
Criminal Defense & Appeals Attorney
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My Latest Blog Posts
Recent blog posts appear below. You can also read about my FEATURED VERDICTS or see MEDIA COVERAGE of my cases too.
California’s Prop 47: What You Need to Know
In 2014, California voters passed Proposition 47, also known as the Safe Neighborhoods and Schools Act. This measure, which was intended to reduce prison overcrowding and redirect resources towards rehabilitation and education, made a number of changes to California’s criminal justice system which have resulted in a significant reduction in the number of people serving time for these offenses in California.
6 Key Criminal Defense Strategies
An experienced criminal defense attorney there are many strategies to help represent you in court and defend your rights. Read more to know six of them!
California’s SB 10: What You Need to Know
In 2018, California Governor Jerry Brown signed Senate Bill 10, also known as the No Money Bail Act, into law. This measure, which went into effect on January 1, 2020, made significant changes to the state’s bail system, including the elimination of bail for most pretrial detentions.
California’s Police Body Camera Law: What You Need to Know
In recent years, the use of police body cameras has become increasingly common in California and across the United States. These small, portable cameras are worn on an officer’s uniform and record audio and video footage of their interactions with the public. The goal of police body cameras is to promote transparency and accountability, and to provide a record of events that can be used as evidence in court.
What is expungement and am I eligible for it?
Expungement is the legal process of destroying or sealing a criminal record, making it no longer publicly available. Sealing a criminal record means it is still technically available to certain agencies, but not accessible to the general public. Expungement is typically available for certain misdemeanor and felony convictions, as well as certain arrests that did not result in a conviction.
What is California’s “Second Chance Law”?
In California, the “2nd Chance Law” refers to a set of laws and initiatives that aim to provide individuals who have been convicted of a crime with the opportunity to have their criminal records sealed or expunged. Expungement means that a criminal conviction is removed from a person’s record, while sealing means that the conviction remains on the record but is not disclosed to the public.
The Top 5 Most Common Mistakes People Make After an Arrest in California
If you have been arrested in California, it can be a stressful and confusing experience. It is important to remember that you have rights, and that you should exercise those rights to protect yourself and your interests. However, it is also important to avoid making mistakes that could jeopardize your case or your freedom. Read on for the top five most common mistakes people make after an arrest in California.
Human Trafficking: Definition and Defense
In California, human trafficking is defined as the act of recruiting, transporting, or harboring people for the purpose of forced labor or sexual exploitation. This can include a wide range of activities, such as compelling someone to work against their will or compelling a minor to engage in a commercial sex act. There are several possible ways to defend against human trafficking charges in court.
How do I defend against charges of Shoplifting?
In California, shoplifting is defined as taking goods from a store without paying for them. This can include concealing items in a bag or jacket, switching price tags, or using counterfeit coupons or other forms of payment. There are several possible ways to defend against shoplifting charges in court.
What is the difference between murder and manslaughter?
Murder and manslaughter are both crimes that involve the unlawful killing of another person. However, there are significant differences between the two crimes in terms of the intent of the person committing the act and the severity of the offense.
How can I get a Temporary Restraining Order?
In California, a person can obtain a temporary restraining order (TRO) by filing a petition with the court. The petition must include specific information, such as the name and contact information of the person seeking the TRO (known as the “petitioner”), the name and contact information of the person against whom the TRO is sought (known as the “respondent”), and a detailed description of the conduct that the petitioner is seeking to restrain.
What is California’s three strikes law?
California’s three strikes law is a sentencing law that was enacted in 1994. The law is intended to increase the penalties for repeat offenders who have been convicted of two or more serious or violent felonies. Under the law, if a defendant is convicted of a third felony, they are automatically sentenced to a minimum of 25 years to life in prison, regardless of the severity of the third offense.
What’s the difference between misdemeanor crimes and felonies?
The main difference between misdemeanor crimes and felonies is the severity of the offense and the potential penalties that can be imposed. Misdemeanors are typically considered less serious offenses and are punishable by fines and/or imprisonment in a local or county jail, whereas felonies are more serious offenses that are punishable by imprisonment in a state or federal prison.
What are the pros and cons of accepting a plea bargain?
Facing criminal charges is a stressful experience. Involvement with the California criminal justice system can drastically change your life. The idea of going to trial and needing to defend yourself while your entire history is vulnerable to digging by the prosecution, and the threat of imprisonment lingers, might make you feel like taking a plea bargain.
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 also use prohibited drugs or controlled substances prescribed by their doctors before getting behind the wheel.
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.
Law Change: 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.