goodman, Author at Law Office of Louis J. Goodman

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Labor Day Weekend is considered one of the most dangerous periods of the year to be on the road. In past years, the California Highway Patrol (CHP) has announced a Labor Day Maximum Enforcement Period, which meant all available CHP officers were on duty and on high alert for impaired drivers. This maximum enforcement period also meant a zero-tolerance policy for anyone driving impaired. It is expected that the CHP will treat this year in the same way.

The easiest way to prevent a DUI is to not drink and drive. Before your holiday festivities begin, plan transportation in advance and leave your keys at home. If you’re with a group of people, designate a sober driver. Having a plan will keep you from worrying about how to get home after you’ve been drinking, and ultimately could keep you from getting a DUI.

If you do find yourself in a situation where you’re intoxicated and without a ride home, you have options. California-based rideshare services, Lyft and Uber, can be easier alternatives to public transportation. Their mobile app services use GPS to find your nearest driver, and your fare and pick-up time is quoted before you accept the ride. If paying for transportation isn’t feasible, another option is to call a sober friend or family member to pick you up.

If it’s too late, and you or someone you know has been arrested with a DUI in Alameda County, it is important to talk to a DUI attorney about your case. I can help you understand your legal rights and responsibilities. I have decades worth of experience in criminal law. Call me today at (510) 582-9090 to schedule a free consultation. You can also contact me online with questions.

Many people are aware that getting behind the wheel after consuming alcohol is illegal. But you may have taken on the responsibility of being a designated driver and are taking a friend home as a passenger in your vehicle. If your passenger is drinking an alcoholic beverage while you are driving, you may be fined under the Open Container Law.

California’s Open Container Law prohibits the consumption of alcohol in public areas. Public areas are defined by state laws and mandates. This may possibly include the following areas:

A public sidewalk
In your parked car
Front steps or common entryway of an apartment complex
In a residential neighborhood
In a parking lot

This law is in place in most states and is reproduced from the federal standards outlined in the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21), which was passed by Congress in 1998. This law was created to reduce drunk and disorderly behavior in public spaces and to prevent motor vehicle accidents due to drunk driving.

A driver will be in violation of California’s Open Container Law if the drink is within reaching distance, such as in your cup holder. If you are pulled over while a passenger in your car is drinking, a law enforcement officer can give both you and your passenger a citation for an open container.

Questions About A DUI Case?

If you have questions about your options and legal rights after a DUI arrest, you should contact an attorney. Hayward DUI lawyer Louis J. Goodman has decades of experience practicing criminal defense law. Call (510) 582-9090 or fill out our online form today.

I received one of these “We’ve got your password – Send us money with Bitcoin” emails today. I was quite sure it was a scam and did some research. Bottom line: Don’t panic, don’t respond. Here’s an excellent article about it.

Question: What is Law Enforcement doing about this?

Note: I was happy to see the arrest, conviction, and sentence of substantial Federal Prison time for the IRS scammers. (Bogus phone call threatening arrest by IRS unless money immediately sent.)

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/people-being-victimized-terrifying-email-211243561.html

Since Enron’s corporate fraud case made national news, white collar crimes have come into focus in the United States. Since the 2006 case went to United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas, the criminal justice system has been particularly strict in charging and sentencing individuals and corporations who have committed white collar crimes.

The FBI, in conjunction with, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), are cracking down on individuals they believe are committing corporate fraud, making the laws around corporate trading and other white collar crimes more complex. Having a talented criminal defense attorney to navigate these complex laws by using effective strategies to negotiate with prosecutors can often result in the reduction of charges placed against you.

What is Corporate Fraud?

These crimes are mostly defined by financial fraud through deceit, concealment or violation of trust. The following types of activities can be considered corporate fraud:

Making fraudulent claims on accounting reports
Insider trading or late trading
Falsifying tax deductions or tax documents to underpay taxes
Using corporate property for personal gain
Designing false trade information to improve profits or minimize losses

If you are under investigation or arrested for a white collar crime, our firm can help. Contact The Law Office of Louise J. Goodman online or call (510) 582-9090. With a free initial consultation, we can review the details of the allegations against you.

In 1966, the Supreme Court ruling of Miranda vs. Arizona created the “Miranda Warning” or more commonly known as the “Miranda Rights.” Police officials inform accused parties of their Fifth and Sixth amendment rights as part of due process of the law.

Being arrested and not read your Miranda Rights does not automatically result in a dismissal of a criminal case but it may help you in determining what charges will be held against you in court. If an officer doesn’t read you your rights and you say anything, any statements made may be dismissed as evidence during a trial.

What Are The Miranda Rights?

It’s important to know what your rights are as a citizen, particularly when being placed under arrest. The presiding officer should before, during, or after arrest repeat the following:

You have the right to remain silent.
If you do say anything, it can be used against you in a court of law.
You have the right to have a lawyer present during any questioning.
If you cannot afford a lawyer, one will be appointed for you if you so desire.

It’s commonly suggested that when being put under arrest that you remain silent and wait to contact an attorney for legal advice.

Following the Miranda vs. Arizona ruling, there were three more important cases that ensure citizens to their fifth and sixth amendment rights. The Miranda Warning is complex. If you were not read your rights and feel If you were arrested and charged with a crime, then Louis J. Goodman could explain your rights and possible defense options. You may call our law office for a free consultation. Call (510) 582-9090 or use our online case review form.

When one thinks of domestic violence, commonly, that violence occurs between either spouses, significant others or family members. But when an assault or battery occurs between two roommates, does this count as domestic violence?

The short answer – no, not typically. And here’s why.

Domestic Violence Laws in California

California’s domestic violence statutes are defined most by penal codes 273.5 and 243(e)(1), which only cover physical attacks against certain people, including:

Spouses, whether current or former
Fiancés or former fiancés
Co-parents of children
Current or past romantic partners
Cohabitants or former cohabitants

It may seem like roommates are covered under this law – roommates are cohabitants, after all. However, courts have consistently held that the California domestic violence codes only apply to cohabitants that have been involved in some type of romantic or sexual relationship.

To quote one California appellate court:

The term cohabitant “requires something more than a platonic, rooming-house arrangement.” It “has been interpreted ‘broadly’ to refer to those ‘ “living together in a substantial relationship — one manifested, minimally, by permanence and sexual or amorous intimacy.” – People v. Holifield, 205 Cal.App.3d 993 (1998)

So, if you are accused of battery by a roommate, then you should make it clear to your attorney that you were never involved in any intimate relationship with your roommate. This won’t protect you from battery claims, but it can eliminate any doubt as to whether domestic violence has occurred.

What Do I Do If I Have Been Accused of Battery by a Roommate in California?

Battery accusations can lead to serious penalties, including jail time and expensive fines. You need to speak to a criminal defense attorney to preserve your rights if you have been accused of battery, whether domestic or otherwise. Call us for a free consultation at (510) 582-9090.

If you are accused of domestic violence in California, then you may find yourself the subject of a restraining order (also known as a protective order).

Protective orders are designed to protect a person from abuse, harassment, stalking and threats by the person named in the order. These orders often include provisions prohibiting contact with the protected individual, including things like phone calls, text messages and even interactions on sites like Facebook or Twitter.

Penalties for violating a restraining order can be harsh, depending on whether it’s a first or subsequent violation and whether the victim suffers physical injury. Penalties include court fines, restitution for the victim’s counseling and medical services, and even the relinquishment of your firearms and an inability to legally obtain new ones.

Defenses Against a Restraining Order Violation

There are several potential defenses that your attorney could use in court to have your charges reduced or dismissed. Some of these include:

The protective order was never legally issued by a judge
You were unaware that a restraining order had been filed against you
The violation of the restraining order’s terms was unintentional or unavoidable
You are being falsely accused of violating the restraining order

Even if none of the above are true in your case, it is still worthwhile to discuss your case with a criminal defense attorney. If you are facing domestic violence charges or have been accused of violating a restraining order in Alameda County, our law firm can help. Call us for a free consultation at (510) 582-9090.

Being pulled over by the police can be a scary experience. Recent news stories do not help how the public perceives traffic stops. For instance, there was that one recent story in New Jersey where police pulled over a young man and performed a cavity search for marijuana. Most traffic stops are not this eventful. However, there are certain mistakes you should avoid during a traffic stop. Some mistakes during a traffic stop could result in severe consequences.

Stepping out of the vehicle. Some traffic stop mistakes could put your life in danger. Stepping out of your vehicle is one of those mistakes. Police may believe you are trying to harm them if you exit your vehicle. You should stay in your vehicle and keep your hands on the steering wheel.
Being argumentative or talkative. As difficult as it might be, try to remain calm and polite. If you are argumentative or disrespectful, then it could escalate the traffic stop into an even more uncomfortable situation. You should never try to explain yourself or engage in a conversation about why you are being pulled over. Let the officer do the talking.
Performing the standardized field sobriety test. If officers suspect you are driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, they may ask you to submit to the standardized field sobriety test (SFST). The SFST is a combination of three tests that you could still fail even if you are sober. These tests are also recorded by police dashboard cameras. If you fail, it will be on tape and possibly used against you by the prosecution.
Submitting to a search. Police can search your vehicle if they have probable cause or a warrant. There are also other limited circumstances where they can conduct a search. Submitting to search could prove to be a very big mistake.
Running away or resisting arrest. Running from the police at a traffic stop could prove to be a life-ending or life-ruining mistake. You could be looking at felony charges. The same could be true if you resist arrest.

What If I’m Arrested?

If you are arrested during a traffic stop, then it is important to remain silent and ask for an attorney. The prosecution may use whatever you say to the police against you if you are facing criminal charges.

Louis J. Goodman is a Bay Area criminal defense attorney with decades of experience. If you were arrested and charged with a crime, then Louis J. Goodman could explain your rights and possible defense options. You may call our law office for a free consultation. Call (510) 582-9090 or use our online case review form.

Last month’s blog discussed how marijuana legalization could change DUI stops in California. Field sobriety tests are a method law enforcement may use to determine if you are under the influence of alcohol or drugs. More can be said about the standardized field sobriety test (SFST) and its weaknesses.

Three consecutive tests, which are sanctioned by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), make up the SFST. These three tests are as follows:

Horizontal gaze nystagmus. For this test, a police officer requires you to follow an object with your eyes. An officer is looking for two things: an inability to follow the object and eyeball jerking (nystagmus).
Walk and turn. With this test, officers require to you to take nine paces (heel-to-toe) in a straight line in one direction, and then in the other. A police officer is looking for trouble with balance or an inability to walk in a straight line.
One-leg stand. This test is what it sounds like. You must raise one foot six-inches off the ground for thirty seconds. An officer is looking for trouble balancing.

There are also non-standardized field sobriety tests. You may have heard of these before. Non-standardized tests include reciting the alphabet or touching your finger to your nose.

Can I Fail a Field Sobriety Test While Sober?

You could fail a field sobriety test if you are sober. Certain medical conditions, such as a panic disorder or a bad back, could make it impossible to complete a field sobriety test. Your clothing, the weather and certain medications could also hurt your performance.

Also keep in mind, police cruiser dashboard cameras will record your attempt to pass field sobriety tests. This evidence may be used against you by the prosecution. These are all risks you should keep in mind before agreeing to take a field sobriety test. If you are arrested, then your decision to take the test could make it more difficult to defend yourself from a DUI charge. You can refuse to submit to the field sobriety tests described in this blog.

You should speak to a criminal defense lawyer if you were arrested for a DUI, regardless of whether you took a field sobriety test. If you or a family member were arrested for a DUI, then Hayward criminal defense lawyer Louis J. Goodman could discuss your situation at no cost during a consultation. You can reach Louis J. Goodman by calling (510) 582-9090 or by using our online contact form.

As you already know, recreational marijuana was recently legalized in California. Law enforcement agencies have expressed concern that legalization will lead to more instances of impaired driving. However, there is no state law that defines what qualifies as “impaired” for a marijuana DUI.

In California and other states, you must have a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 or more to be charged with a DUI (over 21 years old). No such threshold exists for marijuana. In addition, the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana (THC) can stay in your system for weeks or days. A person could be pulled over while sober but could test positive for marijuana they had smoked days or even weeks ago. Furthermore, no such threshold for marijuana impairment has been determined.

California law enforcement officers are developing new ways to catch people who are under suspicion of driving while high on marijuana. Possible changes, some of which have been implemented, include but are not limited to:

Increased use of drug recognition experts. These are law enforcement officials who undergo specialized training to recognize drug intoxication. The California Highway Patrol (CHP) recently announced they are hiring additional drug recognition experts. In addition, CHP has launched an independent study to learn more about how marijuana impairs drivers.
Saliva swab tests. Some California police departments have field-tested advanced saliva swab tests. Officers in San Diego have used the Dräger DrugTest 5000 to detect the presence of up to seven drugs. Like many tests for marijuana, saliva swab tests cannot determine impairment.
Marijuana breathalyzer. We recently published a blog on the “marijuana breathalyzer”. These devices would function in a similar way to alcohol breathalyzers. However, the devices have only been field tested and are not currently in use.
Continued use of field sobriety tests. Officers may use the classic three-part, NHTSA-sponsored field sobriety tests. These are the tests where you must walk a certain number of paces heel-to-toe in a straight line, follow an object with your eyes or stand on one leg and count. You are not required by law to take these tests.
Continued use of blood and urine tests. While not necessarily a change, officers will likely continue to use blood and urine samples in conjunction with other types of tests. However, the officers must have demonstrated probable cause for an arrest to carry out these tests.

Arrested for a Marijuana DUI? Call Our Hayward Marijuana DUI Lawyer

Hayward DUI lawyer Louis J. Goodman has decades of experience practicing criminal defense law. Before establishing his practice, Louis. J Goodman served as a former Deputy District Attorney. If you have questions about your legal rights after a DUI arrest, then you have come to the right place. We charge nothing for an office or phone consultation.