Blog

Can Police Search Your Car if They Smell Marijuana?

police officer writing a ticket for marijuana
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 →

What You Need to Know About Having Juvenile Records Sealed

gavel on a stack of papers
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 →

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

sacramento on the river
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?

row of jail cells
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 →

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

man in therapy session
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

A couple arguing
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 →