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How New 2021 Laws Affect California Criminal Justice Efforts

How New 2021 Laws Affect California Criminal Justice Efforts

The new legislation that was passed and that began in 2021 in California impacts businesses, employees of businesses, the criminal justice system, the insurance industry, and the environment. While the existence of COVID did have some impact on the new laws, many initiatives were discussed before the pandemic took hold. For those that are currently in the California criminal justice system and for those that have served their time in prison and are out, the following changes to the laws could be impactful to their lives.

Updated legislation in California can change the parameters of your case or your sentence if you are convicted. To learn more about how changes in California criminal law affect you, the California criminal defense attorneys at the Manshoory Law Group can answer your questions and provide you with the most effective and tactical defense strategies to fight your charges. The Los Angeles criminal defense lawyers at the Manshoory Law Group are available to distressed individuals who have been arrested for a crime in California.

What 2021 California Legislation Impacts Criminal Reform?

Three out of the ten new laws are directed at criminal justice reform and these laws include:

The way an officer detains a suspect has gone under immense scrutiny all around the country. In California, it is now illegal for law enforcement officials to make use of chokeholds and carotid holds as a means of putting down a suspect.

One of the liberties and freedoms that are lost when one goes to prison is the right to vote. Now in California, those on parole who were denied the ability to vote prior to 2021 will have the ability to cast their ballot in elections.

The rampant wildfires caused massive harm and destruction in California. Professional firefighters were overwhelmed with the job it took to put out the fires and keep the public safe. The new legislation allows for those that served their time for their felony conviction who also assisted in the efforts to fight the fires the ability to have their charges expunged. Every case is different, and some cases won’t make the cut, but there are still many that have the potential to benefit from this law. This would mean that for those that are successful, these individuals could realistically become professional California firefighters.

Not everyone included in the California criminal justice system will have their criminal situation altered by changes in in-laws, but many could. It is important to know that when new laws are made you could be affected. Working with the most experienced and up-to-date criminal defense law firm in California will ensure your case doesn’t get lost in the shuffle and you see your full legal justice.

Meet with a Los Angeles Criminal Defense Attorney Today

The southern California criminal defense attorneys at the Manshoory Law Group, APC have a comprehensive and thorough knowledge of the constantly changing laws in California. The Manshoory Law Group has the legal team you want fighting for your legal justice. When you need rapid and compelling legal counsel to contest your California criminal charges, call the Manshoory Law Group today for the highest quality criminal legal defense services in Los Angeles at 877-977-7750.

What is the Difference Between a Simple Assault and an Aggravated Assault in California?

What is the Difference Between a Simple Assault and an Aggravated Assault in California?

What Is the Definition of Assault?

If you have been arrested and charged with assault, depending on the circumstances of your case, you may be charged with either a felony or a misdemeanor. This is because assault is a wobbler crime in California and that means that the prosecution against you can review your case and determine if they believe you should be tried with a misdemeanor or if your case rises to the level of a felony. Misdemeanor assault charges still come with jail time, but the amount of jail time that you face will be substantially higher when your crimes are elevated to a felony.

If you have been arrested in connection with a California assault crime, it is imperative that you obtain the most strategic and effective legal defense available. The California criminal defense attorneys at the Manshoory Law Group can give you the legal representation you need to protect your rights and freedoms.

The Los Angeles violent crime attorneys at the Manshoory Law Group know that there are many situations where violent crime charges like assault can be dismissed. The Manshoory legal team will not only listen to your story but also relentlessly fight on your behalf to defend your best interests in court.

Difference Between a Simple Assault and an Aggravated Assault

What Are the Differences Between Simple Assault and Aggravated Assault?

Simple assault can be any attempt to inflict harm on another person. This may happen through direct contact with another individual or through actions that put another person’s physical body in harm’s way. For instance, you may throw a punch at another party and connect with their body and you can be charged with simple assault.

Likewise, you can throw that same punch but instead, miss hitting the other party, and still, you can be charged with simple assault in California. If you throw an object at a person, you aren’t physically touching them but the object was thrown with the intent to hurt that individual. Whether or not you hit an individual or not with the object you project towards them doesn’t matter, a simple assault charge can still apply.

In California aggravated assault, on the other hand, doesn’t have concretely defined parameters that describe its definition. When an aggressive and explosive interaction goes beyond what would be considered simple assault, aggravated assault may be applied. For instance, if you use a deadly weapon, firearm, dangerous chemicals, or engage in behavior that results in or would likely result in severe bodily damage, you could be charged with aggravated assault under the laws in California.

How a Lawyer Can Help With Assault Charges

Being charged and convicted of assault in California can lead to major negative life implications not only from the legal penalties you will face but the repercussions you will have to deal with once you enter back into the public sphere. To minimize the destruction such charges can have on your life, call the Los Angeles violent crime defense attorneys at the Manshoory Law Group immediately after you are arrested.

We can be reached at 877-977-7750 24 hours a day and seven days a week for your convenience. 

What Crimes Have No Statute of Limitations In California

What Crimes Have No Statute of Limitations In California

There are several situations in the state of California and across the country where civil proceedings, as well as criminal proceedings, have what is called a statute of limitations. A statute of limitations is the length of time a claim can be filed or criminal charges can be pursued. Even though this is true, the California statute of limitations doesn’t exist in some circumstances. 

In the state of California, Penal Code 799 PC states that certain crimes have no expiration date as to when charges can be brought against a defendant. The following circumstances are such that at any time a prosecutor can bring about charges:

  • Crimes where death could be the final verdict, as would be the case in a felony-murder case.
  • Crimes where life in prison without the possibility of parole could be the final verdict like would be the situation in a murder case.
  • Stealing public money.

When there is evidence produced or found which leads to the belief that an incident was criminal in nature, the statutory period to bring a case is activated.

What is the Purpose of a Statute of Limitations?

Outside of the circumstances listed above, there will be a statute of limitations applied. The reason there is a time limit to bringing about charges or a civil suit is fairness. Defendants being accused of either a civil offense or a criminal charge still deserve to, in the United States of America, have a certain level of justice. As time passes evidence can be altered, forgotten, or destroyed. 

Specifically, when it comes to criminal charges where a person’s life can be massively impacted by the outcome of a case, it is important that only the clearest, most relevant, and undeniable evidence is used. When it comes to the time in prison, fines, and a criminal record, it is vitally important that a case is conducted with impartialness against a defendant. Defendants who may or may not have committed a minor offense that wouldn’t render them life in jail or the death sentence should have a clear deadline for when a victim can bring about charges. These individuals shouldn’t have to worry that for the rest of their lives they could be thrown into the court system and potentially jail for something that fell short of a crime egregious enough to lead to prison for life or death.

However, in situations where the crimes are so shocking or appalling such as the case of murder, a statute of limitations is not applicable. When evidence points towards a specific person who may have taken the life of another, this crime is allowed to be adjudicated in the court system to determine guilt or innocence at any time. In this scenario, a person who committed a crime so despicable that the legal system would apply either life in jail or the death sentence, it is important to the victim that justice be served. This is why these cases don’t hold a statute of limitations.

Speak with a Los Angeles Criminal Defense Attorney Today

Regardless of the nature of your crime or how significant the charges are against you, working with the Los Angeles criminal defense attorneys at the Manshoory Law Group is your best way to protect your constitutional rights and legal justice. Schedule your free consultation today with the California criminal defense attorneys at the Manshoory Law Group by calling 877-977-7750.

How Can You Find Out if You Have an Outstanding California Warrant?

How Can You Find Out if You Have an Outstanding California Warrant?

If you think you could potentially have an outstanding warrant in California, this is no doubt a distressing situation. It is a good idea to find out for sure if you actually have one or not. Typically, an individual with a warrant who is proactive and cooperative with addressing the issue has a better chance of being looked on more kindly by the court.

The sooner you can get your legal situation under control the better. If you confirm that you have an outstanding warrant, then quick action to get your legal situation under control is the route you will want to go. It is advisable that you don’t attempt to take on this task alone. Working with an experienced and knowledgeable California criminal defense attorney will increase your chances of lessening the penalties you face.

The California criminal defense attorneys at the Manshoory Law Group can help you determine if you have a warrant, should you need assistance figuring that out. If you do have a warrant, the Manshoory Law Group will also support you by assisting you in addressing the court about the warrant.

How Can You Check to See if You Have an Active California Warrant?

Depending on your violations, you could have either a California bench warrant or a California arrest warrant. There are differences between the two and these differences are:

  • An arrest warrant is issued in your name when you are believed to be the person who committed a crime.
  • A bench warrant is issued in your name when you have been determined to be in “contempt of court.” If you missed a court date, didn’t pay a fine, or violated a court order a bench warrant would be applied.

No matter which warrants you have, law enforcement has the right to arrest you for that warrant. When a judge issues a warrant against you, it is entered into the appropriate official website by the clerk of the court. It isn’t just your local authorities that can access this information, anyone with access to the US Department of Justice website can see the information. So if you are pulled over anywhere in the state of California or in the country, law enforcement can see that you have a warrant.

You can perform a search to determine if there does exist an outstanding warrant against you, any of the following three ways:

  1. Your local sheriff’s website or the website for the local court could have information on a warrant that was issued for you.
  2. You can look over the website of the Superior Court of California to find any outstanding warrants against you.
  3. You can run a criminal background check on yourself.

Speak with a California Criminal Defense Attorney Today

It is a good idea to immediately meet with a skillful Los Angeles criminal defense lawyer when you believe that you have a warrant. The defense lawyers at the Manshoory Law Group can tell you if the warrant you believe you have actually names you and what that warrant is for.

Additionally, they will advise you on the amount of bail associated with the warrant. There are many benefits of working with a criminal defense attorney and to ensure your best outcomes are seen, call the Manshoory Law Group at 877-977-7750 today.

FAQ Section

What is the difference between an arrest warrant and a bench warrant in California?

An arrest warrant is issued when law enforcement and a judge have probable cause to believe you committed a crime. A bench warrant, on the other hand, is issued by a judge when you fail to appear in court, miss a payment, or violate a court order, it doesn’t necessarily mean you’ve been accused of a new crime. Both types authorize law enforcement to arrest you on contact.

Can I check online if I have an outstanding warrant in California?

Yes. You can search for outstanding warrants through your local county sheriff’s website, the Superior Court of California’s public records portal, or by running a criminal background check on yourself. Keep in mind that warrant information is accessible to all law enforcement agencies nationwide, not just local authorities, so an unresolved warrant can surface anywhere you’re stopped or screened.

Will an outstanding warrant show up on a background check?

In most cases, yes. Warrants are entered into official law enforcement databases and are typically visible on background checks run by employers, landlords, and government agencies. This is one of the reasons addressing an outstanding warrant promptly is important, it doesn’t stay contained to the local level.

What should I do if I find out I have an outstanding warrant in California?

Do not ignore it. Warrants don’t expire and won’t go away on their own. The best course of action is to contact a criminal defense attorney before turning yourself in or making contact with law enforcement. An attorney can confirm the details of the warrant, negotiate the terms of your surrender, and work to minimize the bail amount or potential penalties you face.

Can I check online if I have an outstanding warrant in California?

Yes on both counts. In California, certain unpaid fines or failure-to-appear warrants can lead to a driver’s license suspension. Regarding travel, a warrant in the national criminal database can trigger an alert at border crossings and airports, and depending on the severity of the charge, could result in arrest when traveling domestically or internationally.

What are the Rules of Evidence?

What are the Rules of Evidence?

What are the California Rules of Evidence?

If you have been arrested for a crime in the state of California, you will be seen before a judge and a jury of 12 community members or jurors. Your California criminal defense attorney will examine your case and gather information to mount an effective strategy to plead on your behalf and with any luck, get you off.

The judge and the jurors will listen to all evidence presented from both the prosecution against you and your attorney fighting for you. After they hear all the information the jurors will get together and make a determination on if they believe you are guilty or innocent.

To obtain a conviction every juror must agree that you are guilty. When you are facing serious California criminal charges, only the most experienced and effective legal defense will do.

A criminal charge doesn’t just mean jail time and hefty fines, but it is also a dark stain on your permanent criminal record that will follow you around for the rest of your life. This blemish on your record will negatively impact potential opportunities you have for relationships as well as professional development.

Rules of Evidence

What Type of Evidence is Allowed in a California Criminal Trial?

The Los Angeles criminal defense attorneys at the Manshoory Law Group understand how important it is to preserve freedom and help those facing criminal charges in California have their constitutional rights protected. The Los Angeles criminal defense lawyers at the Manshoory Law Group are deeply committed to helping defendants have their charges reduced, when possible dropped completely, or help their clients avoid a conviction.

During the California criminal trial process, the majority of the time will be spent presenting the evidence collected from both sides. The California rules of evidence dictate what types of evidence are acceptable in a court of law.

Attorneys have a plethora of options to produce for the jury. Some of the types of evidence that attorneys will put forth include viable witness testimony, videos, photos, documents, emails, texts, phone records, audio files, etc.

The following are the California rules of evidence that are lawfully able to be used in court:

  1. All evidence produced must be relevant
  2. Rules defining who is a competent witness allowed to provide testimony
  3. All evidence must be dependable and trustworthy
  4. Rules dictating how attorneys can examine and cross-examine witnesses
  5. Hearsay is not acceptable evidence
  6. Past actions which try to speak to one’s character is not permissible
  7. The right exists to refuse to testify or provide certain information
  8. It is not lawful to prevent someone from testifying in court
  9. Evidence that can be misleading or cause the development of prejudice is not permitted to be used in court

If any of the California rules of evidence is violated, that piece of evidence may be barred from being used when the jury is considering their verdict. Should a violation exist during a trial but a judge doesn’t throw it out and you are convicted as a result, you could potentially appeal the decision on the basis that evidence used against you was unsuitable.

Do You Need to Speak to a Los Angeles Criminal Defense Attorney?

Don’t take any chances when it comes to choosing legal counsel that could be sub-par. Poor and inexperienced legal representation could be the difference between prison time and freedom. For the highest-quality criminal legal defense strategy in the greater Los Angeles area, connect with the resourceful and talented California criminal defense lawyers at the Manshoory Law Group.

The Manshoory Law Group is available to you any time, day or night so call 877-977-7750 today.

Is it Possible to Have Your California Warrant Recalled Without Having to Pay Bail or Going to Jail?

Is it Possible to Have Your California Warrant Recalled Without Having to Pay Bail or Going to Jail?

A California bench warrant is issued by the courts when any of the following has taken place:

  • The defendant did not show up to their court date or traffic citation
  • The defendant defied and violated their court order
  • The defendant committed parole violations
  • Not paying fines
  • Not appearing or enrolling in classes mandated by the court
  • The defendant fails to show evidence to the court of progress in a program or class mandated by the court

When a party has an active bench warrant, the document serves to find that party and either arrest them or hold them because of any of the above violations of the court. For cases that are pending or after a defendant has been officially put on probation, if that defendant fails to follow their court orders, a bench warrant will be issued.

In contrast, a California arrest warrant is issued when evidence exists that a defendant committed a crime or if there is a grand jury indictment of the defendant. When the move is made to file criminal charges against an individual, an arrest warrant will be used if the person is not currently in the custody of the police.

Can You Get Out of a Warrant without Serving Jail Time?

If you have a bench warrant you may be able to have it recalled. To do this a court date will be scheduled and either you or your California criminal defense attorney on your behalf must appear in court on that date. If successful, you can have the bench warrant removed.

When your warrant is issued due to a misdemeanor offense, then you have the option of not having to physically be present in court and you can instead opt for your attorney to appear for you. Felony charges are handled more strictly in California. Anyone with a felony charge and a warrant must be present in the court if they want to have their warrant recalled.

Because it is so common for defendants to try and avoid capture and flee after a warrant has been issued for them, those defendants that are more cooperative have a much better chance of being successful with having their warrant removed from the California judicial system. Judges will appreciate a defendant who obliges with their warrant and willingly surrenders without the need for a police chase and seizure.

When you work with the Los Angeles criminal defense attorneys at the Manshoory Law Group, you will have the most knowledgeable and highly experienced legal team effectively negotiating with the prosecution to better manage your self-surrender. The Manshoory Law Group has extensive skills and talent in persuading prosecutors to agree to a recognizance release or to set bail for you. When you are issued bail, you may be able to post it in court and therefore avoid having to sit in jail.

Work with A California Criminal Defense Attorney Today

Every California courthouse and judge will handle clearing warrants from a defendant differently. When you work with the Los Angeles criminal defense lawyers at the Manshoory Law Group, you will increase your chances of clearing your warrant while not having to spend any time in jail and you also may potentially be able to get out of paying bail. Call the Manshoory Law Group today to schedule your free consultation at 877-977-7750.

How is Technology Used in Criminal Justice?

How is Technology Used in Criminal Justice?

Technology has changed almost every aspect of modern life, and criminal justice is no exception. It takes a long time for technology in criminal justice to get approved, but we fully expect technology and crime to continue to become more intertwined.

How Technology is Changing Law Enforcement?

Criminals will continue to use technology to their advantage, and it is important that future technology in criminal justice can do the same.

Whether you are working with an identity theft lawyer or another criminal defense lawyer, expect them to be up on the latest uses of technology and to use it to help you.

Some of the types of technology starting to become more commonly used include facial recognition software and body cameras, as well as drones and, notably, e-discovery software. So, what e-discovery is, and how does it fit into the criminal justice landscape? E-discovery, short for “electronic discovery,” refers to the process of identifying, collecting, and analyzing electronic data for legal investigations and proceedings.. There is some debate on where and when these technologies can be used. For example, the California Search And Seizure Laws state the police cannot use “unreasonable intrusion”.

Even 30 or 40 years ago, the idea of security cameras was relatively new in the world of law enforcement, so it shows how quickly new and future technology in criminal justice can be adopted.

technology in criminal justice

Advantages of New Technologies in Criminal Justice

Why should we embrace these new technologies for our law enforcement? Whether you need a criminal defense attorney in Los Angeles, where technology tends to be cutting edge, or you are based elsewhere in the USA. the advantages of the new technologies are clear to see. Humans can be unreliable and prone to errors, even in the justice system, but if we can put technology to good use these errors should be less frequent.

Take facial recognition, for instance. This technology can help to identify people more reliably than using older methods like police lineups. Security camera footage can be analyzed in new ways. This can lead to more people getting convicted, and people who are wrongfully accused have more chances of proving their innocence. It isn’t always perfect, though, as we explore later in this article.

License plate scanning, drones with the potential to capture photos and videos, and GPS used to track people down, they’re all examples of new technology in criminal justice, and the best thing about the use of technology is the fact that it can potentially provide more evidence.

The sharing of information is another big consideration of what is now available in the world of technology and crime. In years gone by, technology being shared between police forces and crime agencies would have taken a long time and may have been inefficient.

Now, it takes very little time to get details shared on servers and via email, or even to collect video from security camera footage. This all means that more evidence is available to make the right decisions in courts of law, in theory at least.

technology in CA criminal justice

Wrongfully Accused by an Algorithm

There is a cautionary tale about the use of technology in the criminal justice system. Robert Julian-Borchak Williams’ story is one of facial recognition gone wrong. The algorithm relied on matching images collected with driving licenses, and because of the error in this technology, he was arrested and accused of stealing nearly $4,000 worth of watches from a store in Detroit. The main evidence that was used to arrest him turned out to be completely unreliable.

This story shows how traumatic things can be when people are wrongfully accused of committing a trial, and the fact is that at the moment, technology can be unreliable. There are imperfections. While they might not seem like a big deal, In the case of Robert Julian-Borchak Williams, he claims that the image used to bring him in by the police was not even a close resemblance. Though there are bound to be some problems implementing technology, these extreme examples show how catastrophic issues can be for an individual.

Technology is a huge part of almost everyone’s daily routine and seems to become more a part of everyday life as time goes on. It has become a part of life for every identity theft lawyer or criminal lawyer in the USA and beyond, as the way the police operate has changed, along with the whole criminal justice system.

Eric Kay Arrested in Connection with Los Angeles Angels Tyler Skaggs Overdose Death

Eric Kay Arrested in Connection with Los Angeles Angels Tyler Skaggs Overdose Death

The overdose death of Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Tyler Skaggs in 2019 has resulted in one arrest. The former Los Angeles Angels public relations employee, Eric Kay was arrested and brought up on federal drug charges related to the death of Skaggs. Kay allegedly was distributing fentanyl, and he was charged in Texas for his role in Skaggs drug overdose death.

At the time of his death, Skaggs was 27. The Los Angeles Angels were on the road playing the Texas Rangers when, in July of 2019, Skaggs was found dead in a Dallas hotel room. According to a toxicology report, the cause of death was an accidental overdose of a toxic mix of alcohol, fentanyl, and oxycodone. Kay told the DEA that he did give opioids to Skaggs for a long time, many years. He also said that he witnessed Skaggs snort crushed pills the night before his death.

What are the Dangers of Fentanyl?

Fentanyl is an extremely strong painkiller and a synthetic opioid. It can only be legally obtained through a prescription. When an individual has suffered from chronic pain, fentanyl can be a drug that doctors will prescribe if other alternative pain management medicines don’t work. It is also often used for pain a person endures when they are nearing the end of their life.

When fentanyl is obtained illegally, a user may combine it with other substances which can prove not only toxic but fatal. Alcohol is one of the dangerous substances that does not mix well with fentanyl. When combined, nervous system issues can arise such as excessive drowsiness, dizziness, inability to focus, and poor judgment. Lowered blood pressure, struggling to breathe regularly, fainting, coma, and death are all a potential result of combining this drug with alcohol.

There were over 31,000 deaths from the use of synthetic opioids in 2018 according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. These deaths did not even count methadone use. There is no other opioid that has caused such demise in life as that of synthetic opioids. Fentanyl is so strong it can be as much as 100 times more potent than morphine.

When a person is struggling with an overdose of fentanyl, a medical professional will turn to naloxone to help. Because of the increase in opioid deaths across the nation, some states decided to make naloxone more readily available to consumers by not requiring a prescription for it. This allows an individual witnessing an opioid overdose to more readily go to obtain the treatment without fear or resources to do so. It also allows individuals to carry it in case they are with a person vulnerable to overdose.

Have You Been Arrested in Los Angeles and Need Legal Representation?

When you have been charged with a California drug crime, you need the most experienced and knowledgeable legal representation that understands and knows every possible program or class that is available to help you stay out of jail. Shaheen Manshoory and his associates are up-to-date on the law and the available resources that can be utilized to help you get the treatment you need while avoiding a prison sentence. The Los Angeles drug crime defense attorneys at the Manshoory Law Group, APC are laser-focused on criminal defense. We are well-known and respected for our proven track record of success helping those who have been arrested for a crime in California reduce jail time or eliminate it altogether.

The attorneys at the Manshoory Law Group, APC are here to speak with you anytime, day or night, and any day of the week when you need effective California criminal defense. Call the Southern California criminal defense lawyers at the Manshoory Law Group, APC at 877-977-7750 so we can evaluate your case and put together a strong defense strategy on your behalf.

Business Talk Radio: Shaheen Manshoory

Business Talk Radio: Shaheen Manshoory

 

Business Talk Radio: Shaheen Manshoory

Louie Michaelson: Good afternoon, everybody. This is Louie Michaelson at Business Talk Radio. We have a wonderful lawyer on today from Los Angeles, California. He’s the owner and attorney at Manshoory Law Group, Shaheen Manshoory. How are we doing Shaheen?

Shaheen Manshoory: I’m doing great, thanks for asking. How are you?

Louie: I’m wonderful. All I do is talk to wonderful people all day long, and it’s a wonderful thing.

Shaheen: Must be a good day every day then.

Louie: Every day is a good day. Some days are even better than others, if you can believe it. Well, I really want you to do is tell everybody out there a little bit about yourself, a little bit about what you do, why you do it and how you do it. I see that you’re a child abuse lawyer. How great does that have to be when you win those cases?

Shaheen: Well, whether or not we call it a win is something that many people can agree or disagree on, but it’s good to help people that are in situations in which, otherwise, it would not be able to help themselves so yes, day to day can be pretty rewarding.

Louie: Very good. Absolutely fantastic. Tell everybody about yourself.

Shaheen: Of course. I am strictly a criminal defense attorney. I’ve been practicing criminal defense law and laws. I’m coming up to my sixth year now. I do have my own practice. Criminal defense is the only area of law I have ever handled, so it is something that I’d like to say that I’m well-versed in. I started practicing law in Los Angeles County. I have moved to some of the surrounding counties like Orange County and San Bernardino County after I’ve been able to grow my practice, so practicing criminal defense, so far, has been the only thing that we’ve done in my office.

Our day today is focused on that and that’s helped us build whether it’s relationships with prosecutors and the judges, but also a very strong understanding of criminal cases and how to defend them.

Louie: How are the courts treating you these days?

Shaheen: Well, depending on the county you’re in. Some courts are a lot more flexible than others. I must say that the COVID situation has actually made the criminal section of the court have to update their system. They are much more open to telephonic appearances, whereas before it had to be an actual appearance in court, which actually helps us because we are in court every single day, but with the new changes, it’s actually benefited us by eliminating unnecessary appearances and using technology to advance our cases through the system.

Louie: Very good. What it’s doing is it’s saving everybody a lot of time and money?

Shaheen: It’s saving everyone a lot of time, it’s reducing unnecessary costs of travel, which then in and of itself saves a lot of time, and saving time is equating to saving money so yes, definitely, that saves money.

Louie: I think that’s going to be the new norm. I don’t think it’s ever going to go back to the way it was. Sometimes we’ll have to but I think that this is the way it’s going to be. You’re going to be doing a lot of things on your phone, on your computer. Now they’ll have to come up with new clause for lawyers that has a computer right in their dashboard.

Shaheen: [laughs] I think [unintelligible 00:04:13] are working on that.

Louie: Yes, I think you’re right. Or they’ll end up being, “Beam me up, Scotty.”

Shaheen: If that were available technology, we would definitely utilize it as well.

Louie: I imagine that we’re not too far away from it with all the crap that’s going on. You’re guaranteed that somebody’s been working on it.

Shaheen: I agree.

Louie: Yes. Very good. What was your most satisfying case?

Shaheen: Most satisfying case I cannot think of, but I was on a attempted murder preliminary hearing last week in which they judged how to make a decision on whether or not to hold my defendant over for trial. It was a four-defendant case. We conducted a two-day preliminary hearing in which officers testified as to what they observed, what information they gathered, basically detailing their investigation. I’m happy to say that upon my arguments to the judge, my defendant was the only defendant that was released on the case because the evidence did not support the charge. I believe, at that time, the prosecutor was overreaching on who they wanted to charge for the incident. My client was facing life in jail and was subsequently released within 24 hours. She now no longer is in the criminal system and is back to her normal daily routine with her family. So that was a pretty happy result, not to take away from the incident that occurred, but I strongly believe that the prosecutor was just charging whoever was at the scene, and I’m happy that the judge saw through that and released our client from the case.

Louie: Very good. Excellent. All right, Shaheen, what I need you to do is give out all your contact information on how to get in touch with you.

Shaheen: Of course, I appreciate it. We are in Los Angeles, so if you’re ever facing any sort of crime or anyone that you know is facing a crime, feel free to give us a call at any time. Our toll-free number is 877-977-7750. Again, that’s 877-977-7750. I’d be more than happy to speak with you directly and have my office provide you with a free consultation.

Louie: All right, everybody out there, if you got that number, tattoo it on your hand. This way, if you’re ever in trouble, you ever get arrested, something had happened that shouldn’t have happened, give Shaheen Manshoory a call and he will help you out. He will get you off. No ifs, and, or buts about it. This is Louie Michaelson at Business Talk Radio. We have been talking to the wonderful attorney, Shaheen Manshoory. Be safe, and don’t leave us. We will be right back.

How to Get a Job With a Criminal Record in California

How to Get a Job With a Criminal Record in California

How to Get a Job With a Criminal Record

It can be tricky to find employment in California, yet this process is made profoundly more difficult for people that have a criminal record. As it turns out, there are a lot of employers out there who actively avoid hiring people who have a criminal record, however, this is not entirely legal, as we will highlight later on in this article.

Employers are supposed to make individual decisions based on each candidate’s merits, and whether or not they would be a good fit for the role based on their skills and relevant experience. The matter of race, gender, and criminal history should not come into it.

On top of this, it’s estimated that 1 in 3 Californians have a criminal record of some kind, which is a huge percentage of the hiring pool to discriminate against. In this article, we will take a look at the process of getting a job with a criminal record in California, and what does and does not show up during pre-employment checks. Let’s get into it.

How to Get a Job With a Criminal Record

What Shows Up in a Police Check

If you’re wondering how to get a job with a criminal record, you will probably want to know what comes up in a criminal background check. Well, a pre-employment check usually includes looking into the applicant’s criminal history, the information they provided regarding their education and previous employment, as well as any professional licenses they hold.

The criminal background check will reveal any felony and misdemeanor convictions, pending criminal cases, or any other history of incarceration, although, this is only for convictions that occurred as an adult. Juvenile convictions do not usually appear on standard pre-employment checks. Depending on the role that you are applying for, there may be some criminal background affect on credit score, especially if you’re applying for a role in finance.

It’s important to note that the disclosure of convictions more than seven years old is forbidden in California.

What Your Employer is Legally Allowed to Consider

California introduced it “ban the box” legislation back in January 2018. This clearly stipulates that employers are prohibited from inquiring, or discussing an applicant’s previous criminal history before they have made a formal conditional offer of employment.

Furthermore, even after the employer has made a conditional offer of employment, they are still not allowed to deny employment based on their previous conviction, as long as it has been spent.

However, the employer is legally allowed to consider the nature of the convictions, the requirements of the job, and the time that has passed since the conviction itself. If the nature of the conviction is in no way related to the job, does not impact the job requirements, and enough time has passed since the employer is not permitted to consider the conviction in the employment decision process.

 Get a Job With a Criminal Record in California

Can You Get a Job With a Criminal Record?

If you’re wondering how to get a job with a criminal record, a criminal history should not deter you from going after the job of your dreams. It’s perfectly possible to attain gainful and respected jobs for felons and jobs for people with records.

The Society for Human Resource Management recently found that over 80% of hiring managers believe that workers with a criminal background bring just as much, or sometimes even more value than workers without records.

As of July 1, 2020, California has enacted a major licensing reform that will make it much easier to get a job with a criminal record as it allows people with records to obtain professional licenses from 37 licensing agencies. This increases the number of jobs for people with criminal records. This even makes it entirely possible for someone with a criminal background to gain employment as a criminal defense attorney.

Are There Any Jobs That Do Not Require a Background Check in California

Luckily, there are jobs for felons, and jobs for people with a criminal record out there. However, it’s worth noting that criminal record searches are used by around 83% of employers that conduct pre-employment screening. The only way to know if a job will entail a background check is to ask the employer upfront.

You can also check websites such as www.glassdoor.com to see if you can get an idea into the application process and reach out to current employees.

With that being said, getting a job with a criminal record is typically easier than most people expect, as long as they are open and honest about the history and disclose all relevant information to the employer.