When a prosecution witness is unavailable for court, the effect on a criminal case depends on the witness’s importance, the reason for the absence, the stage of the proceeding, and the evidence that remains. The absence may lead to a continuance, affect negotiations, limit what the prosecution can present, or create a dispute about whether…
Can a criminal investigation turn into charges without an arrest? In California, the answer can be yes. Many people assume they would be arrested first and only then learn that prosecutors intend to file a case, but that is not always how the process unfolds. In some situations, investigators gather evidence, submit the case for…
Police can use your text messages against you in a California criminal case when those messages are lawfully obtained and treated as relevant evidence in an investigation. Many people think of text conversations as private and informal, but digital communication can become part of felony, misdemeanor, and DUI cases when law enforcement believes it may…
