California Laws

Six months ago, California courts relaxed the standard required for concealed weapons permits. Previously, it was required that if an individual wished to obtain a permit allowing them to carry a concealed weapon, he or she must first provide documented justification to the County Sheriff. Under the newly relaxed standards, though, it is now possible…

A 27-year-old woman was putting her child in her car in the Valencia Town Center parking lot outside of Macy’s when a man in a white Chrysler minivan exposed himself to her. The victim quickly took out her phone and attempted to take a picture of the suspect, but he drove off too quickly. According…

For years, the State of California has been dealing with a prison overpopulation crisis that has had both inmates and human rights advocates up in arms. In 2010, Governor Brown put forth a plan of action that would take qualifying inmates from state prisons and house them in county jails instead. Additionally, qualifying inmates from…

When is the last time you crossed the street without observing pedestrian laws? Do you even know the laws regarding jaywalking? If you’re not sure – don’t worry, you’re not alone! Tickets for jaywalking are few and far between these days, but, growing concern over the public safety lead Los Angeles police to crack down…

In early November, a Valencia teen was arraigned on three counts of felony vandalism and three counts of misdemeanor vandalism. Allegedly, the teen used spray paint to vandalize homes and cars in the North Park area of the Santa Clarita Valley. According to deputy district attorney Micah Piantanidah: “There were three vehicles that were tagged…

There will be a scheduled DUI checkpoint tonight, Friday September 13th in Santa Clarita, according to the SCV Sheriff’s Station. As usual, the location has yet to be disclosed, but the hours of operation are going to be between 6:00 pm on Friday, September 13 and 2:00 am on Saturday, September 14. Alerting the community to scheduled stops…

An attempted poisoning was thwarted at a San Jose Starbucks. The San Jose police arrested Ramineh Behbehanian, aged 50 after a customer at the Starbucks reported strange behavior. Ramineh was seen removing orange juice bottles from the store shelves and replacing them with ones she carried in her purse. After the customer reported what he saw to…

As far as the Santa Clarita Sheriff’s Department is concerned, there is zero-tolerance for distracted drivers. On April 3rd and 16th, Sheriff’s Deputies will be cracking down on any and all who are found to be operating hand-held cell phones or other devices while driving. Tickets given out for driving while texting or being otherwise…

As of recent events, an ex-critic now heads the California Prison System. Jeffrey Beard was appointed by Governor Brown as secretary of the State Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation 4 years after testifying in Federal Court about the dangers of California’s overcrowded prisons. Beard is singing a different tune these days. He says that conditions…

On Monday, January 14th, over 100 Santa Clarita residents marched from the City Council Chambers to the Valencia Town Center in the effort to raise awareness of the recently enacted, 911 Good Samaritan Act. The new law gives protection from prosecution to individuals that call 911 to save a life at a location in which drugs…

It’s no secret that the American Justice System is not without its flaws. Sometimes, the innocent may be convicted and given hefty sentences for crimes they did not commit; perhaps, based on racial bias or circumstance. Alternatively, those who are ultimately guilty may receive light or even no sentence at all, due in part to…

The election season in 2012 didn’t bring too much change in the status quo as far as the White House and Congress are concerned. The States, on the other hand, have passed a slew of controversial new laws. One of the more important ones is the passing of Prop. 36, which eases the 3 strikes law…

Some children have been known to commit petty crimes. Stealing a candy bars / shoplifting, tagging a wall, puncturing a tire, or even breaking a neighbor’s window usually result in a slap on the wrist, or at most some community service hours. Coupled with whatever punishment the child receives from their parents, these minor offenses are…

The Los Angeles City Council voted to repeal the ban on pot dispensaries in the city by a vote of 11-2. This comes only days after the Federal Government raided a number of local dispensaries in the Los Angeles area in an effort to crack down on what they refer to as illegal pot distribution….

The dispensation of marijuana for medicinal purposes has been in a legal gray area for the past several years. In the State of California, it is legal for marijuana to be prescribed by doctors for a variety of conditions including: anxiety, migraine headaches, and cancer-related pain. However, the Federal Government still regards marijuana as a…

With prisoner sentences now being cut to slash budgets, jail overcrowding and prison staff getting laid off, it’s nice to learn that something about our California penal system is working. This SCV Bail Blogger just learned that fewer felons are dodging probation, thanks to a new criminal justice realignment program that has replaced the state’s old…

After California courts ordered state prisons and jails to ease up on overcrowding, last year, thousands of lower-level offenders were released early. This program is called “realignment,” and because of it, many who would have gone to state prison for low-level crimes are now being supervised under house arrest. Their crimes range from drug sales…

Recently, some California legislators have considered reducing penalties for small drug possession offenders in order to cut prison costs.  It’s not a radical change, but it may be a move in a positive direction. But, what are the repercussions for California’s felons, individual citizens and the bail bond industry if such a move is made?…