San Diego Criminal Defense Blog

May 30, 2024 | Domestic Violence | Peter Blair

What Proof Is Needed for a Restraining Order?

Restraining orders in California are important tools to keep people safe from abusive conduct while the legal process runs its course. These are protective measures to control whether an alleged abuser can contact a person seeking a restraining order. If a person is stalking, harassing, abusing, or threatening you, a restraining order can help protect […]

April 18, 2024 | Sex Crimes | Peter Blair

Is it Illegal to Have Sex in a Car in San Diego?

The idea of having sex in a car may be seen by some as a gray area between private and public, making this moment of intimacy seem innocent. However, the reality from a legal perspective is a bit different. That’s why it is necessary to understand what you’re allowed to do under California state laws […]

March 2, 2024 | DUI | Peter Blair

Is a DUI a Felony in San Diego, CA?

Facing a driving under the influence (DUI) charge in San Diego, CA comes with significant legal implications that could impact your life in various ways. It’s important for defendants to understand that while not all DUI charges escalate to the felony level, certain circumstances can elevate them from the misdemeanor level, leading to more severe […]

February 12, 2024 | California Law | Peter Blair

Why Is There No Statute of Limitations for Murder in San Diego?

As a defendant facing serious allegations, it’s important to be aware of the laws surrounding your case. In San Diego, as in many other jurisdictions, there is no statute of limitations for the crime of murder. This underscores society’s view that murder is among the most heinous offenses — one that impacts not just individuals […]

November 17, 2023 | California Law | Peter Blair

Is It Illegal To Hack Someone’s Phone in California?

Illegal hacking is against the law under several federal statutes and California state laws. So, is snooping through someone’s phone illegal? Can you be arrested for hacking someone’s phone in California? The simple answer to these questions is “yes.” In California, hacking into someone’s phone can be illegal under federal and state anti-hacking laws and […]

October 27, 2023 | Domestic Violence | Peter Blair

Is Domestic Violence a Felony in California?

Understanding the scope of domestic violence charges is essential for defendants in California, especially given the severity of penalties that it carries. In some situations, domestic violence charges can be felonies, and in others, they will be charged as misdemeanors. The categorization depends heavily on specific circumstances surrounding individual crimes, such as the degree of […]

September 30, 2023 | DUI | Peter Blair

What You Need to Know About DUI Classes

A DUI (driving under the influence) conviction can have a lasting impact, both on your life and driving record. However, you can reduce those impacts, learn from your mistakes, and move forward with a DUI class. These DUI classes are offered as part of a restorative justice approach. Restorative justice is a broader philosophy that […]

August 31, 2023 | Criminal Law | Peter Blair

How Does a Felony Conviction Impact Your Life?

If you are currently facing felony charges, it has probably consumed your life. Talking with your lawyer, attending court dates, and following rules from the judge can take up all of your time and mental energy. You may be worried that if convicted, you will go to jail or face other types of punishment. These […]

August 2, 2023 | Criminal Defense | Peter Blair

Aggravating Factors in California

Understanding aggravating factors in a criminal case is crucial because they can influence the outcome significantly. Aggravating factors in criminal cases are elements or circumstances that increase the severity or culpability of a criminal act. They’re considered by courts while deciding penalties, potentially leading toward harsher sentencing. Common Examples of Aggravating Factors in California Criminal […]

July 25, 2023 | Criminal Defense | Peter Blair

How Do I Clear My Record? What You Need To Know About Record Expungement

Expungement is a legal procedure that clears or removes certain convictions from your criminal record. If you’ve been granted an expungement, under most circumstances, it’s as if the conviction never happened. In California, this is known as “cleaning your record.” The guilty verdict or guilty plea is changed to not guilty, and the case is […]