Resources Archives - Wentworth Law Firm

Heard offers hope for juveniles sentenced to life without parole

In recent years, the issue of juvenile life without parole (JLWOP) sentences has undergone significant legal scrutiny and reform. One notable development in this context is the case of People v. Heard, which established a new process for resentencing JLWOP offenders. This landmark decision recognized the potential for rehabilitation and reintegration, highlighting the importance of …

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California Racial Justice Act: Promoting equality in criminal justice system

In a society that strives for equality and fairness, it is crucial to address the systemic biases that persist in our criminal justice system. The California Racial Justice Act (CRJA), established under California Penal Code 745, aims to eliminate racial discrimination in criminal convictions and sentences. This groundbreaking legislation prohibits the state from seeking or …

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Petition to Terminate Sex Offender Registration

Are you eligible for relief from the duty to register as a sex offender? As a result of Senate Bill 384, effective January 1, 2021, California implemented a three-tiered system to classify offenders under the Sex Offender Registration Act (PC §§290–290.024). This changes the types of offenders as well as the procedures for deciding which …

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Law enforcement trolls social media for evidence

The social media party has been raging for over a decade. While law enforcement was late to the party, they are crashing it big time now, and mining it for evidence, identifications, and witnesses. The uses of social media by law enforcement run the gamut from a praiseworthy public service to a troubling Orwellian nightmare. …

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To plea or not to plea

To plea or not to plea, that is the question: Whether it is wiser when in legal jeopardy to accept the lesser penalty without exercising your constitutional right to a trial. OK, end of Shakespeare spoof. Plea deals are an integral part of the legal process; however, an overwhelming majority of cases do not go …

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Felony murder rule resentencing

In January 2019, Senate Bill 1437 became law. This bill ended the practice of sentencing participants in a felony resulting in a death as if they were the actual killer. Now, co-defendants who were NOT the actual killers, who did not aid and abet in the killing, or who did not act with reckless indifference …

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The police have your firearms, now what?

There are a number of reasons for the police to seize your legally owned firearms. For instance, the police will seize your firearms in the following situations: Firearms may be seized as evidence in a criminal investigation. Firearms may be surrendered to the sheriff or police for “safekeeping” by the owner or a family member. …

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Expungement: Let’s clean up your record

Time heals all wounds, or so the adage goes. In the criminal world, it can work to “heal” offenses on your record. A felony or misdemeanor, even an old one, can hold you back in employment, training, and educational opportunities. Many felonies and misdemeanors can be reduced after a period of time with a clean …

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