The Law Offices of Paul S. Geller Blog
When Governor Jerry Brown signed Senate Bill 10 on August 28, 2018, it instantly sparked a huge debate amongst various civil rights groups and legal organizations. According to the bill, California’s cash-based bail system is going to be replaced with a new risk assessment policy. This new law is supposed to ensure that: Defendants aren’t judged by their financial status…Read More
On August 28, 2018, Governor Jerry Brown signed Senate Bill 10, effectively overturning California’s cash-based bail system and replacing it with a new “risk-based” policy. In the past, defendants could post bail to get out of custody prior to standing trial. This system guaranteed that defendants would appear in court or risk losing their bail money. While Senate Bill 10…Read More
In 2016, Proposition 64, or the Adult Use of Marijuana Act, legalized the nonmedical cultivation and possession of cannabis for adults (21+). While it eliminated several marijuana-related crimes, it didn’t deliver a method of expunging or reducing past criminal convictions. In the last two years, state lawmakers have viewed the positive shift in public opinion about marijuana use as an opportunity to…Read More
In November 2014, Proposition 47, the Reduced Penalties for Some Crimes Initiative, was approved with the intention of reducing nonviolent and nonserious crimes to misdemeanor convictions. These reclassified crimes include drug offenses and low-level property crimes. Ideally, this would save California millions of dollars by consequently reducing the population of incarcerated inmates. Proposition 47 also supports using these available funds…Read More
Cops routinely conduct elementary chemical tests when they make drug arrests. This test often comes in a small plastic pouch that contains a vial of pink liquid. Offers will drop a tiny piece of what they suspect to be narcotics into the liquid. If the liquid remains pink, it rules out the presence of illegal drugs. However, if the liquid…Read More
The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals Program (DACA) allows 2 year stays for certain undocumented immigrants. People who have entered the U.S. prior to their 16th birthday, attended school, or joined the military can apply for DACA status. However, applicants must not have committed any serious crimes during their stay in the country. Successful applicants receive a renewable 2 year period…Read More
Interviewer: Let’s say I’ve got a DUI and at I contact you. What are you going to recommend to me, from the start? Your Attorney Will Contact Motor Vehicles within the Required 10 Day Period Paul Geller: So first and foremost I want to make sure that within the first 10 days we contact, well let me correct that, that I contact…Read More
Interviewer: What would you tell an individual that has skepticism about hiring an attorney in the first place? What are some of the stigmas that you have to dispel with them? Paul Geller: I do encounter that quite often. People will say, “Well, why can’t I just go handle it myself?” And what I typically tell people is this: first of all…Read More
Interviewer: When you work with a client they’ve undergone the Breathalyzer and they’ve performed the field sobriety tests, are there any certain ailments or particular medical conditions that they should make you aware of that could possibly help them? Medications and Certain Conditions Can Influence DUI Testing Results Paul Geller: Yes, I always ask clients during my intake if they do have…Read More
Interviewer: Let’s say I’m working in an office and I know my manager won’t be actively searching, but it’s kind of like a race in time to try and get this taken care of in a fashion where I can get this removed from my record. How long does that whole process take? Paul Geller: I think the average process start-to-finish, and…Read More