
JAMES M. CRAWFORD
Criminal Defense & Appeals Attorney
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A Not Guilty Verdict
Can a DUI involve prescriptions, marijuana and other drugs?
What are some ways evidence can be suppressed in drug crimes defense?
Effective January 1, 2022, Senate Bill 483 will become effective.
Law Change: S.B. 775 passed, addresses murder & manslaughter issues
What are potential penalties for illegal drug sales in California?
What are the main drug possession crimes under California state and local laws?
Law Change: California SB 1437 Convictions and Appeals Clarified
Can my domestic assault charge be expunged under California law?
Law Change: Participation in a Criminal Street Gang
How can I defend myself against assault charges in California?
What are the main assault and battery laws in California?
How can I clean my record?
What is the difference between voluntary and involuntary manslaughter?
What is the difference between first and second-degree murder?
Factors that affect sentencing for drug crimes
How a DUI conviction can negatively impact your future employment
Factors that can impact Breathalyzer accuracy
How a late-night study session could lead to a DUI charge
Are judges more lenient with student DUI charges?
Law Change: Participation in a Criminal Street Gang
On Behalf of Law Offices of James M. Crawford | Oct 11, 2021 | Criminal Defense
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?
On Behalf of Law Offices of James M. Crawford | Sep 17, 2021 | Criminal Defense
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?
On Behalf of Law Offices of James M. Crawford | Aug 17, 2021 | Criminal Defense
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?
On Behalf of Law Offices of James M. Crawford | Jul 14, 2021 | Criminal Defense
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?
On Behalf of Law Offices of James M. Crawford | Jun 11, 2021 | Criminal Defense
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?
On Behalf of Law Offices of James M. Crawford | May 13, 2021 | Criminal Defense
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
by Law Offices of James M. Crawford | Apr 14, 2021 | 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
On Behalf of Law Offices of James M. Crawford | Aug 26, 2018 | Criminal Defense
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
On Behalf of Law Offices of James M. Crawford | Jul 23, 2018 | Criminal Defense
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
On Behalf of Law Offices of James M. Crawford | Jun 20, 2018 | Criminal Defense
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?
On Behalf of Law Offices of James M. Crawford | May 23, 2018 | Criminal Defense
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…
Your choices in college can keep you out of DUI trouble
On Behalf of Law Offices of James M. Crawford | May 2, 2018 | Criminal Defense
Academic consequences of a DUI conviction
On Behalf of Law Offices of James M. Crawford | Mar 29, 2018 | Criminal Defense
As a college student in California, you spend most of your time attending classes and completing assignments. You may even have a part- or full-time job at the same time. Long hours of homework, the pressure to do well and financial troubles may cause you a lot of…