Domestic Violence, the NFL, and Combat Veterans

Domestic Violence, the NFL, and Combat Veterans Domestic Violence, the NFL, and Combat Veterans . We have heard so much about the NFL problem with domestic violence in the last year. An anti-domestic violence commercial was featured among the Superbowl ads. Football is a violent sport. NFL stars are sought-after by just about everyone, including…

California Anti-Bullying Laws

California Anti-Bullying Laws California Anti-Bullying Laws . All of us have heard of the dangers of bullying. Bullying has been alleged to develop students into mass school-shooters. It has been cited as the cause of teenage or young adult suicides. Bullying is basically harassment, most often harassment by groups of people as opposed to one individual. Of course,…

Domestic Violence and Equal Rights

Domestic Violence and Equal Rights Domestic Violence and Equal Rights . It is a horrible thing to be a victim of domestic violence, involved in a relationship where a person is verbally and physically abused and made to feel powerless and hopeless. Until domestic violence was treated seriously by the courts and society, people often were heard…

Federal Government Approves Study Regarding Medical Marijuana Treatments for Military Veterans with PTSD

The Associated Press (AP) recently published an article stating the federal Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has approved funding for a study on the effectiveness of medical marijuana treatments for military combat veterans returning from Afghanistan with symptoms of PTSD—anxiety, insomnia, nightmares, panic attacks, etc. Doctors have long believed that inhaling or smoking marijuana may calm…

California Man Sues LA County Sheriff’s Dept. for Excessive Taser Use

Several news outlets recently published stories about Daniel Johnson, a 26 year old California man who filed a lawsuit against the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Office for excessive force.  The complaint alleges that Johnson was inside his parents home, when someone knocked on the door and told him his father was receiving a ticket for…

California Law Regarding Concealed Handgun Permits Struck Down

The state of California has always allowed possession of firearms inside the home by law-abiding persons. However, the state does not allow carrying concealed firearms outside the home without a permit. These permits are issued by the various counties. In a surprise decision, the Federal 9th Circuit court, which covers California and other Western states, ruled that a county…

You Have the Right to Remain Silent…or Do You?

In June 2013, the United States Supreme Court decided Salinas v. Texas.  The effect of this decision further nips away at our 5th Amendment Constitutional right to remain silent—part of what we all hear on cop TV shows and movies as our “Miranda rights.” In that case, Mr. Salinas voluntarily went to the police department to clear his name…

The Major Impact of New Laws Regarding Record Clearances Effective January 1, 2014

I have often been asked if an employer can still learn about a criminal conviction after a defendant has obtained a record clearance. Since the file still remains in the courthouse, I have always said the conviction is still visible if the employer wants to look. GOOD NEWS FOR 2014—California Labor Code section 432.7 now prohibits both public…