MATTHEW TAYLOR Associate Messing Adam & Jasmine LLP Recently, two high-profile California prosecutors who outspokenly sought major criminal justice reforms, Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón and San Francisco District Attorney Chesa Boudin, suffered significant political and legal defeats. On June 2, the California Court of Appeal ruled that […]
MIKE RAINS Principal Rains Lucia Stern St. Phalle & Silver, PC I remember when I got the initial phone call requesting me to meet with Atwater Police Chief Sammy Joseph and his wife to discuss an investigation initiated against him by the Atwater City Council. My first thought was “Where […]
DANIEL CABALLERO Certified Law Clerk Castillo Harper, APC Even police officers make mistakes and, unfortunately, occasionally some of our PORAC Legal Defense administrative caseload involves the police officer arrested for off-duty driving under the influence. For the officer, that involves the criminal defense component, the Department of Motor Vehicles license […]
ANDREW M. GANZ Attorney Rains Lucia Stern St. Phalle & Silver, PC On April 29, after very brief deliberations, a Sonoma County jury acquitted Sergeant Lance Novello on all charges in a case that epitomized the overreach and injustice of the current crusade to charge and convict police officers. The […]
MUNA BUSAILAH Partner Stone Busailah, LLP MICHAEL SILANDER Associate Stone Busailah, LLP Question — Can you be disciplined for refusing to produce your personal cell phone for an administrative search? Answer — In sum, peace officers can expect that their personal cell phones, if purchased by themselves, may generally not […]