San Luis Obispo Criminal Law Blog

When you first moved into your dorm or apartment at a California college campus, you were likely filled with excitement, nervousness and a sense of freedom, especially if it was the first time you'd ever been away from home. Since then, you've hopefully found your niche and have developed good study habits and a sense of normalcy and routine in your daily schedule. You've also hopefully connected with a group of friends who are like-minded in their goals.

College life isn't all academics; in fact, the social scene is a main component that graduates often remember when they move on in life and think back on their college days. Drinking alcohol is often part of the social atmosphere in college. Unfortunately, alcohol-related incidents are often among the negative, not happy, memories for those whose situations get out of hand. If you drink, you'll want to be aware of some important issues, including where to seek support if a problem arises.

The ways in which crimes are punished and the length of sentences is often considered to have an impact on reoffense rates. In 2014, California voters chose to reduce penalties for several different convictions formerly categorized as felonies. This change to the criminal defense system in California was controversial and contested, so these follow-up studies to the passage of Proposition 47 are of high interest to many in the state.

In 2014, Proposition 47 transitioned what were once felonies into misdemeanors. This lowered sentences for many of them from prison terms to minimum jail sentences. Among the criminal sentences impacted were drug possession, theft, shoplifting, identity theft, receiving stolen property, writing bad checks and check forgery. 

If you are a rather clumsy person, the type that trips over your own feet while walking down a sidewalk, then one of the things you no doubt hope to never do is take a field sobriety walk-and-turn test. This is one of three common tests that California police officers may request you to take if they pull you over while driving and suspect that you might be intoxicated.  

The problem is that there are numerous variables that can come into play to cause you to fail such tests, even if you are stone-cold sober. If you stumble, trip or fall, you can wind up in handcuffs and on your way to jail for suspected DUI. That's why it's important to learn as much as you can about field sobriety tests ahead of time, as well as where to seek support if things don't go your way. 

A larger national push toward community programs versus detention and confinement for youth could have some judges ordering alternatives for young offenders. The state of California has two large funding sources for juvenile justice purposes and some of those funds are earmarked for community-based services for youth. Individuals charged with juvenile crimes may not necessarily face detention, but it will depend on the circumstance and the location. 

Also, being charged with a crime is not the same as being guilty. A criminal charge is an allegation until it is proved with evidence presented in court. Some juveniles may find themselves a part of the juvenile justice system nevertheless, and experts say that detaining juveniles is not necessarily the most cost-effective or therapeutic route for youthful offenders and that individuals are better served with alternative, community-based programs.