Tag Archives: police investigation

What is the difference between reasonable suspicion and probable cause?

November 30, 2011

Reasonable suspicion is what they need to detain you. Probable cause is what they need to search. Slightly different burdens and a slightly different analysis.
If you’re contacted by the police, your first question should be, “Am I free to go?” If the answer is yes, then you are free to walk away. [...]

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What does it mean when the DA “rejects” a case?

October 12, 2010

Orange County Criminal Law - “Rejected” case?
When the police get done with their investigation, they package up their reports and submit them to the Orange County DA’s office.  From there, it gets assigned to one of the prosecutors for review.  Essentially, they have three choices:

They decide there’s enough evidence to file charges.
They decide there isn’t [...]

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Arrested and waiting for court date - can anything be done? (Orange County Criminal Defense)

April 13, 2010

What can you do before your Orange County court date?
If you were arrested, but then released on bail or on your own recognizance (an “O.R.” release) and have a court date coming up, is there anything that can be done, or do you have to wait for your court date?
Your arrest doesn’t signal the end [...]

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How long can you be detained by the police in Orange County?

March 18, 2010

Detention by the police
People ask me often - “I was stopped by the police and they kept me for a really long time.  Can they do that?”
The first question is:  Were you there voluntarily or were you detained?  That simple question can have huge impact on what the police can and can’t do, what your [...]

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Contacted by an investigator? Should you call back? - Orange County Defense

March 16, 2010

I got a card on my door - should I call this detective back?

You get home from work one night and there’s a business card on your front door.  It’s from an investigator or detective from the police department.  There’s a hand-written note on the back, “Please call me.”
What’s the harm in calling back?
Before you [...]

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