What Should I Do If My Child is Arrested?

Posted on July 25, 2023September 15, 2023 by Matthew Lanthier

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. Here is everything you need to navigate this difficult and scary situation. Continue reading →

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

Posted on January 19, 2023September 15, 2023 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

Posted on December 13, 2022September 15, 2023 by Zachary Merliss

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). This happens if you take a chemical test and are found to have a BAC of .08% or more, or if you refuse to take the test at all. Continue reading →

Sex Crimes Against Children

Posted on 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?

Posted on 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 →

Know Your Rights If You Are Pulled Over for a DUI

Posted on August 3, 2022September 15, 2023 by Zachary Merliss

It’s important to know and protect your rights when you are pulled over for a DUI. During a DUI traffic stop, be sure you take the time to understand what to do so you retain your Fourth Amendment Rights to remain free from unreasonable search and seizure, as well as your Fifth Amendment right to remain silent. Continue reading →

How to Beat a Drug Charge

Posted on July 16, 2022September 15, 2023 by Danielle Nygren

Drug-related charges can lead to jail time, the loss of your job, the loss of your home, and the loss of your relationships. Rebuilding a career, finding housing, and restoring your reputation after drug charges can be an uphill battle. If you want the chance to beat your drug charge and avoid these consequences, you need excellent representation on your side. Continue reading →

6 Cohen Defense Group Lawyers Recognized as Top Lawyers in Sacramento Magazine and as Northern California Super Lawyers and Rising Stars

Posted on September 22, 2021September 15, 2023 by David 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 2021 Northern California edition. At Cohen Defense Group, we are pleased that 5 of our attorneys were selected for Sacramento Magazine’s list of Top Lawyers. Continue reading →

Will the new California sex offender law get me off the registry?

Posted on September 22, 2021September 15, 2023 by Susan Gellman

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. Continue reading →

Everything You Need to Know About Veterans Court and Military Diversion

Posted on July 16, 2021September 15, 2023 by Matthew Lanthier

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 →

Can You Refuse a Breathalyzer After Being Arrested for DUI?

Posted on April 12, 2021September 15, 2023 by Zachary Merliss

Can You Refuse a Breathalyzer After Being Arrested for DUI? If you are lawfully arrested for a DUI in California, you are required to take a Breathalyzer or blood test. You may get a longer jail sentence and/or a longer DUI class if you are convicted for both the DUI and refusing the Breathalyzer or blood test. Continue reading →

Will A New 2021 California Probation Law Shorten Your Probation?

Posted on March 18, 2021September 15, 2023 by Danielle Nygren

What is AB 1950? AB 1950 is a sweeping new probation law in California that dramatically shortens the period of adult probation for most crimes in California.AB 1950 limits California adult probation to a maximum of one year for most misdemeanor offenses and two years for most felony offenses. Continue reading →

Why a Failed Field Sobriety Test Might Not Mean a DUI

Posted on February 22, 2021September 15, 2023 by Zachary Merliss

When people learn I am a DUI attorney, they often ask me: “Do you really go to jail if you can’t say the alphabet backwards?” Field sobriety tests like this one are often portrayed on TV as impossible tests, designed for failure. Continue reading →

What You Need to Know About Having Juvenile Records Sealed

Posted on January 29, 2021September 15, 2023 by Matthew Lanthier

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. Continue reading →

When a Blood Alcohol Level of .10 After Driving Is Not a DUI

Posted on December 2, 2020September 15, 2023 by Zachary Merliss

As one of my clients would tell you, it is not illegal to have a .10 blood alcohol concentration (BAC) 30 minutes after driving. What matters for a DUI is your BAC being below the California limit of .08 at the time of driving. Continue reading →

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

Posted on November 2, 2020September 15, 2023 by Matthew Lanthier

As a criminal defense lawyer with more than 19 years of focus on juvenile delinquency, I get many questions about whether children can be tried as adults. Can children be tried as adults? The short answer is “yes”, but only when specific conditions are met.Teens Continue reading →

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

Posted on July 24, 2020September 15, 2023 by Matthew Lanthier

Updated: January 2021 As a criminal defense lawyer with more than 19 years of experience in juvenile court, 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 school personnel Let’s look at each. Continue reading →