How Prop 36 Drug Diversion Works in California

October 1, 2025October 1, 2025 by Sarah Einhorn

California’s 2024 Proposition 36 Diversion law is called the “Homelessness, Drug Addiction, and Theft Reduction Act,” and it made significant changes to California drug and theft laws. It gives prosecutors the discretion to charge drug crimes that would have previously been charged as misdemeanors as “treatment mandated felonies.” Continue reading →

Will the New California Sex Offender Law Get Me Off the Registry?

June 13, 2025June 16, 2025 by Danielle Keller

Since the passage of SB 384, many convicted sex offenders want to know about the California sex offender laws of 2021 and how to get off the sex offender registry in California. Read on to find out how the new law will help many sex offenders registered in California get their lives back. What is the new law for sex offenders in California? Continue reading →

Reducing Your Sentence with AB600 in California

June 1, 2025October 1, 2025 by Roy Park

If California law has changed since your sentencing, you could be eligible for resentencing under a new law called AB600. Resentencing could mean a reduced sentence or even a determination that you’ve served all of your time and can go free. Continue reading →

Can I Get My Gun Rights Back In California?

March 18, 2025April 4, 2025 by Keegan Smith

There are several ways that an individual can lose gun rights in California. Some of them don't even require a conviction. In this post, we go over how a person can lose their gun rights and possible ways to get them back. What are ways I could lose my gun rights in California? Continue reading →

The Cohen Defense Group Opens Truckee and Nevada City Offices

October 19, 2024October 23, 2024 by Alison Cohen

The Cohen Defense Group is pleased to announce that we have opened two additional offices, one in downtown Nevada City and one in Truckee, CA. These offices will allow us to better serve our clients in Nevada County and the Tahoe region. Continue reading →

How Do You Write a Good Character Letter for Court?

April 23, 2024November 15, 2024 by Amber Zehrung

Character letters help show judges and District Attorneys (DAs) that you are more than your latest mistake. They can be vital tools in navigating your criminal case. A character letter can help you: Receive a more lenient sentence. Convince a judge to offer deferred adjudication, which gives you a chance to avoid a conviction if you meet certain conditions. Continue reading →

What Should I Do If My Child is Arrested?

April 17, 2024April 23, 2024 by Danielle Nygren

Written by Matthew Lanthier July 25, 2023; reviewed by Danielle Nygren April 17, 2024. Few scenarios are more terrifying than knowing your child has been arrested or charged with a crime. Plus, you may not realize that there are steps you should be taking to help your family during this trying time. Continue reading →

Can Police Search Your Car if They Smell Marijuana?

police officer writing a ticket for marijuana

February 4, 2024April 17, 2025 by Zachary Merliss

Marijuana legalization in California has created some points of confusion for citizens, especially since cannabis products remain illegal at the federal level. A majority of the confusion revolves around traffic stops. Fortunately, California law protects citizens at traffic stops, even if they are marijuana users. In this post, we’ll answer some of the most frequently asked questions we get. Continue reading →

When Can a Juvenile Be Tried as an Adult in California?

November 22, 2023April 17, 2024 by Danielle Nygren

As a criminal defense lawyer with a focus on juvenile delinquency, I get many questions about whether children can be tried as adults. The short answer is “yes”, but only when specific conditions are met. Continue reading →

What You Need to Know About Having Juvenile Records Sealed

November 22, 2023April 17, 2024 by Danielle Nygren

California law allows you to have your juvenile records sealed in most cases. Once your juvenile records are sealed, the juvenile proceedings are legally deemed never to have occurred. The sealing order will include a date for expungement (destruction) of the records. This article will answer questions about the process and effect of sealing juvenile records in California. Learn about sealing adult records here. Continue reading →

Can a Juvenile be Questioned by Police Without a Parent Present in California?

November 21, 2023April 17, 2024 by Danielle Nygren

As a criminal defense lawyer one of the questions I hear most frequently is, “Can a minor be questioned without a parent present?” There are two entities likely to question your child about involvement in a crime: police officers and school personnel. Let's look at each. Continue reading →

Everything You Need to Know About Veterans Court and Military Diversion

November 9, 2023April 17, 2024 by Camille Halley

California Military Diversion, also known as Veterans Diversion, is a pre-trial diversion program, within Veteran’s Court, for active-duty or former members of the United States Military who are charged with a misdemeanor and suffer from certain types of trauma or mental health issues. Continue reading →

4 Cohen Defense Group Lawyers Recognized by Sacramento Magazine and Northern California Super Lawyers

October 11, 2023October 13, 2023 by Alison Cohen

Every August, Sacramento Magazine publishes its list of the region’s top lawyers. This publication comes on the heels of July’s publication of Super Lawyers Magazine’s 2023 Northern California edition. At the Cohen Defense Group, we are pleased that 4 of our attorneys were selected for Sacramento Magazine’s list of Top Lawyers: Barry Zimmerman, Susan Gellman, Zachary Merliss, and Alison Cohen. Continue reading →

Can I Go to Jail for a Misdemeanor in California?

October 10, 2023February 21, 2025 by Camille Halley

Misdemeanor crimes are often misunderstood. While not as serious as felony crimes, any misdemeanor charge can still result in custody time, significant fines, probation status, firearm prohibitions, license suspensions, and otherwise damage your life and create ongoing problems. When you are armed with knowledge, you can work with your attorney to make better decisions about your case. Continue reading →

What is California’s New Clean Slate Law in 2023?

September 16, 2023August 19, 2024 by Camille Halley

If you want your arrest records to be sealed or your conviction to be dismissed, it may be possible because of California’s Clean Slate Act, which allows Californians to move forward with their lives without being held back by conviction or arrest records. Continue reading →

How Mental Health Diversion Can Help You Avoid Jail Time and Get Treatment

August 12, 2023August 28, 2024 by Camille Halley

Fact: Every person probably has an identifiable “mental health condition” that will potentially keep them from getting convicted of a crime. Conservatively, anywhere from 15-31% of defendants have an identifiable mental illness. California law recognizes that mental health issues could play a role in criminal behavior, so the state created a program to keep those defendants out of jail. Continue reading →

How a Lawyer Can Help You Make Domestic Violence Charges Go Away

January 19, 2023April 23, 2024 by Amber Zehrung

When the police receive a domestic violence (DV) call, they go to the location and investigate the situation by speaking to the individuals involved. Based on that investigation, they usually arrest whomever they determine to be the perpetrator. This is for safety purposes; they want to be sure that once they leave the situation the conflict isn’t going to flare up again. Continue reading →

Keeping Your License After a DUI License Suspension

December 13, 2022October 21, 2024 by Camille Halley

Written by Zachary Merliss December 13, 2022; reviewed by Camille Halley October 21, 2024. If you are arrested for a DUI, then the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) will suspend or revoke your license (know your rights if you are pulled over for a DUI). Continue reading →

Sex Crimes Against Children

October 24, 2022September 15, 2023 by Barry Zimmerman

There are few topics grimmer than sex crimes against children, and few charges more serious. These charges can lead to more than jail time: they can lead to lifelong stigmatization and a loss of every major relationship in your life. Short of homicide, this is one of the most serious allegations any person will ever face. Continue reading →

How Much Does a DUI Lawyer Cost in CA?

September 8, 2022September 15, 2023 by David Cohen

How much does a good DUI lawyer cost in California? A lot less than it costs to go to jail for a DUI! Beyond that truism, costs can depend on a number of different factors, but the general range for an average case is $1500-$20,000. Continue reading →