by Chambers & Ball | Apr 20, 2026 | Criminal Defense
Sexual battery is one of the most aggressively prosecuted offenses in California, and one of the most legally complex. Unlike cases involving allegations of forcible rape, sexual battery charges frequently arise from encounters where both parties agree that physical... by Chambers & Ball | Apr 18, 2026 | Criminal Defense
A traffic stop for suspected drunk driving is stressful enough on its own. But when law enforcement discovers drugs during that stop, what began as a DUI investigation can quickly expand into something far more serious. Defendants in San Bernardino County regularly... by Chambers & Ball | Apr 17, 2026 | Criminal Defense
Sex crime allegations are among the most serious accusations a person can face in California. They carry severe criminal penalties, lifetime sex offender registration requirements, and a level of social stigma that can devastate a person’s life before a single... by Chambers & Ball | Apr 16, 2026 | Criminal Defense
The juvenile justice system in California was built on a foundational premise: young people who commit crimes are different from adult offenders, and the law should treat them differently. Rehabilitation, not punishment, is supposed to be the guiding principle. But... by Chambers & Ball | Apr 15, 2026 | Criminal Defense
A guilty verdict or a plea-based conviction can feel like the end of the road. For many defendants in Southern California, it is not. California’s appeals process exists precisely because trials are conducted by human beings—judges make legal errors, prosecutors... by Chambers & Ball | Apr 13, 2026 | Criminal Defense
Gang enhancements are among the most powerful tools available to California prosecutors. A sentence that might otherwise result in a few years of custody can be multiplied dramatically when a gang allegation is attached to the underlying charge. What makes this... by Chambers & Ball | Apr 6, 2026 | Criminal Defense
Road rage is a daily reality on Southern California freeways. What begins as a moment of frustration behind the wheel can spiral quickly—and in some cases, drivers find themselves facing criminal charges they never anticipated. One of the most serious outcomes is a... by Chambers & Ball | Apr 5, 2026 | Criminal Defense
Being found with drugs in California is serious on its own. But there is a significant legal and practical gap between simple possession and possession with intent to distribute—and prosecutors in Orange County are not shy about pushing for the more serious charge... by Chambers & Ball | Apr 4, 2026 | Criminal Defense
Most people understand murder as a crime requiring both a deliberate act and an intent to kill. California’s felony murder rule challenges that understanding in a fundamental way. Under this doctrine, a person can be charged with murder even if they never... by Chambers & Ball | Apr 3, 2026 | Criminal Defense
One of the most misunderstood areas of California criminal law is conspiracy. Many people assume that if they didn’t directly participate in a crime—didn’t pull the trigger, didn’t take the money, didn’t break down the door—they can’t be... by Chambers & Ball | Apr 2, 2026 | Criminal Defense
California has some of the most comprehensive gun laws in the country, and the gap between legal ownership and a criminal weapons charge is smaller than most people realize. A firearm purchased lawfully, stored at home, and never used in a crime can still become the... by Chambers & Ball | Apr 1, 2026 | Criminal Defense
Forgery might call to mind a skilled counterfeiter carefully duplicating a signature or producing a fraudulent document from scratch. In reality, California forgery charges arise in far more ordinary circumstances—and they sometimes ensnare people who had no idea the... by Chambers & Ball | Mar 31, 2026 | Criminal Defense
Fights sometimes break out in crowded nightlife areas, especially in places known for busy bars and restaurants. In Huntington Beach, where the downtown and waterfront areas attract large crowds, arguments between patrons can occasionally escalate into physical... by Chambers & Ball | Mar 30, 2026 | Criminal Defense
Modern communication makes it easy to send frequent messages through texts, social media, or email. However, when one person feels harassed or threatened by repeated contact, those communications can sometimes lead to stalking allegations. In Irvine and throughout... by Chambers & Ball | Mar 29, 2026 | Criminal Defense
California’s Three Strikes law is one of the most well-known sentencing laws in the state’s criminal justice system. Although the law has changed over the years, it can still have a major impact on sentencing in serious criminal cases. In Los Angeles County and... by Chambers & Ball | Mar 28, 2026 | Criminal Defense
Human trafficking cases are among the most serious criminal investigations handled in California courts. Because these cases often involve allegations of exploitation, coercion, and organized activity, prosecutors tend to investigate them carefully before filing... by Chambers & Ball | Mar 27, 2026 | Criminal Defense
Financial disagreements happen in many types of relationships. Business partners, contractors, lenders, and even friends may dispute how money was handled or whether a payment was owed. In some situations, these disagreements remain civil matters handled in court. In... by Chambers & Ball | Mar 26, 2026 | Criminal Defense
Leaving the scene of an accident can lead to serious legal consequences in California. While some hit and run cases are charged as misdemeanors, others may be prosecuted as felony offenses depending on the circumstances. In Costa Mesa and throughout Orange County,... by Chambers & Ball | Mar 25, 2026 | Criminal Defense
Many people assume perjury charges only arise during criminal trials. In reality, statements made in civil cases can also lead to serious criminal allegations if prosecutors believe someone knowingly gave false testimony under oath. In Los Angeles and throughout... by Chambers & Ball | Mar 24, 2026 | Criminal Defense
Many criminal investigations today begin online. Emails, social media posts, digital payments, and internet activity can all become part of a criminal investigation when law enforcement believes a crime may have occurred. In Orange County and throughout Southern...
