Many people know what vandalism is. We hear about it, and see it, all of the time. Vandalism is taken very seriously in California. Getting caught vandalizing someone’s property can land a person in jail with hefty fines. While many people think they know what constitutes as vandalism, there are a few acts which fall into that category that people are unaware of.

Vandalism is the classified as the act of maliciously destroying or damaging someone else’s property.

Here is a quick list of acts that qualify as vandalism in the state of California:

• Writing or painting on something that does not belong to you. This can even include writing your name in the wet cement of a city sidewalk.
• Damaging a piece of property such as a window on a house or car. This can include breaking something of your significant other’s while fighting.
• Destroying something beyond the point of repair.

If a person does one of these 3 things, he or she has committed an act of vandalism. If caught by law enforcement, this person can face a fine and possible jail time. The severity of the punishment often depends on how much damage was caused by the act. If the damage amounts to less than $400, than the crime is considered a misdemeanor. The accused person could face, at max, 1 year in jail and a fine of no more than $1,000.

If the damage total is greater than $400, the accused could face anywhere from 1 to 3 years in prison. On top of that, they could face a fine of $10,000, or more. The size of the fine will vary based on how bad the damage is.

Public defenders and hired lawyers serve the same purpose: to defend and fight for their client in court. Their goal is to persuade the jury and the judge that their client is innocent of the charges against them. Although they serve the same purpose, both have pros and cons when defending a client.

• Public Defender

  If a person cannot afford to hire a private attorney, the court will appoint a public defender to them. Therefore, the client does not have to pay for their public defender. The client cannot pick from a selection of public defenders; one is assigned to them. Public defenders are versed in a variety of cases and will be able to take on your case just fine.

However, public defenders do not make as much money as private attorneys, and they often have multiple cases to work on at the same time. Due to this, a public defender may have less time to meet with each client and go through materials. They must split their time across however many cases they have at once.

• Private Attorney

  For many people, the main problem with hiring a private lawyer rather than a public defender is the cost. Private lawyers can be expensive, and they can be more expensive for serious or prolonged cases than short ones. Nonetheless, the services of a private lawyer are more beneficial than a public defender since the private lawyer will have more time to dedicate to their client. They will have more resources such as extra help from associates, and will likely be able to build a stronger case.

Additionally, lawyers may specialize in certain criminal cases, such as domestic abuse. This means that someone who is in the middle of a domestic abuse case can hire a lawyer who specializes in this, rather than a lawyer who specializes in an unrelated criminal matter. Since clients pay for a private lawyer they selected, the private lawyer is more inclined to perform at their best because their practice and reputation relies on satisfied clients.

If a family can afford a private lawyer, that is the best way to go. If not, hope is not lost. A public defender is ready and willing to take on the case and they will do as much as they can to help the family win.

If you are trying to get hired, you will dress neatly and offer respectable, mature mannerisms. How you present yourself is equally as important as how technically skilled you are for the position. Similarly, how you present yourself to the jury and the judge in court is very important. After all, these are the people who will be deciding your case. It is not just the evidence and arguments that your lawyer makes on the case. Your appearance is important too.

• Dress

  Unless you are obligated to appear in an orange jumpsuit because you are being brought in directly from jail, you will want to dress neatly and professionally. Men should wear a collared, buttoned shirt tucked into their long pants. They should have a belt on, and a tie is a plus. Men should wear socks with their shoes, and they may or may not have a jacket on. Women may wear a skirt that should not be more than 2 inches above the knee. Their sleeved blouse should be tucked in, and they should have on flats, or low-heel shoes. Women may also choose to wear long pants with her blouse tucked in. She should wear a sweater, but she can take it off if she gets warm. Across the board, clothing should be clean and free of distracting items like embellishments, wording, rips, and stains.

• Conduct

  Any defendant must closely follow certain courtroom etiquette, and they will be advised by their lawyer ahead of time. They should only speak when they are asked to, and they must speak clearly. Remaining calm and polite is important, because growing irritated, angry, and argumentative is not going to help their case. They should sit and stand straight. The judge should be acknowledged as “Your Honor.” Looking eye-to-eye with the court shows maturity and seriousness from the defendant, which is a plus.

So much can be said about a person based on their appearance and their in-court demeanor. This is essentially the defendant’s chance to give the jury and the judge a good impression, and hopefully the evidence and facts about the case itself will back the defendant up.

Large outdoor music festivals and concerts invite attendees to bring their friends, enjoy some music, and have a whole lot of fun. Many outdoor festivals also offer food booths, carnival rides, and other attractions. They are advertised as a whole experience, where some even run for multiple days and offer overnight camping. While the festivals provide a whole lot of fun for attendees, they also cause issues that call law enforcement to break up the fun.

One of the biggest recurring problems with music festivals is the usage and possession of illegal drugs. While alcohol may be served at the event for those who are 21 and older, smuggling in and using drugs of any kind is illegal. Illegal drugs are illegal for a reason. They are harmful to the body, and people react differently to the drugs. Some can “handle” more than others, but any amount is unsafe. The more drugs a body has in the system, the more dangerous they are to themselves and others. When alcohol and drugs are mixed, the person is even more dangerous.

Remember that summertime concerts mean that attendees are burning through their energy under a scorching sun. Staying hydrated with water is imperative in order to avoid exhaustion, dehydration, and fainting. When this happens, paramedics come in, and that is also when they may discover the patient is under the influence.

If the police find someone under the influence of illegal drugs or in possession of them, they will take that person away in handcuffs. The person faces fines and some time in jail. If they are found with an excessive amount of drugs, they can face a few years in prison.

For a person to have a lot of excitement about a concert, only to have it end abruptly because of health complications or because they were caught with drugs is really unfortunate. That is money wasted, lasting memories never had, and time lost. Getting arrested is a lot of stress for a person and it may make them think again before taking drugs at a festival. Hopefully they realize they do not need drugs.

Music festivals are no strangers to some drug abuse and arrests, but it needs to stop before it gets out of control and ruins the fun for everyone.

Drone flying can be fun, and get some great aerial footage, but drones are not toys. Anyone who flies a drone must do so within the rules and regulations set by the FAA. Even if a person is not intentionally flying their drone in violation of the restrictions, it is no excuse. Not knowing the rules will not prevent you from needing to fines that are around a few hundred to one, to two thousand dollars. Here are some past instances where a person was mishandling the operation of their drone, and was forced to pay a fine as a result.

• Tuscaloosa, AL, November 2015
  Gregory Taylor was flying his drone over the Bryant Denny Football stadium during tailgating when it hit a pedestrian. He turned himself in and was fined $1,100.

• San Juan, Puerto Rico, October 2015
  Two drones collided in midair and crashed into the ocean. Both Marcos Plaja-Ferreira and Alberto Haber-flores were each fined $1,100 because of damage to a nearby hotel.

• Manhattan, New York, July 2014
  A police helicopter chased after a drone that was flying too close to the George Washington Bridge. The NYPD initially reported that the helicopter had to perform evasive maneuvers to avoid colliding with the drone but as it turns out, they embellished this story. As a result, the drone operator, Remy Castro, had his $1,600 fine reduced to $800.

• Manhattan, New York, September 2013
  David Zablidowski, the first person to ever be fined for flying a drone, flew his drone into several buildings. He was fined $2,200 but his case was settled for $400.

• Washington DC, May 2015
  It is illegal to fly drones within 30 miles of DC, unless the person has special permission from the government. Damian Dizard and Monica Singleton did not have special permission when they flew their drone within the restricted area. They were fined $3,300 each.

Owning and operating a private or commercial drone requires maturity to do so within the laws. If you, or someone you know, owns a drone, make sure you are well red with what is and is not allowed. You definitely do not want to get police attention, or be fined a few thousand dollars.

If you are serious about helping your loved one bail out of jail and keeping them bailed out, do not even think about making your premium payments late. Your bail bond payments are what let your loved one live at home instead of in jail, indulge in delicious home cooked meals, go back to work, and spend very important quality time with family and friends.

Keeping up with bail bond payments is one part of your job. The other part is to ensure your loved one shows up for their scheduled court dates. This could be you calling them multiple times in the week leading up to the court date to remind them, or it could be you driving them to court. Whether or not you can trust their word, it never hurts to send a friendly reminder.

If you fail to ensure your loved one shows up for court, or they are late, then the judge will forfeit the bond and the bail bond company will be notified. The judge will then issue a bench warrant for their arrest. Do not even risk running late, plan ahead of time and head to court extra early.

At this point, the bail bond company can back you and your loved one up and request that the judge cancels the bench warrant and reinstate the bail. Then they would reschedule a new court date. This outcome will let the defendant stay free and out on bail. This second chance means they must show up for the new court date on time.

However, there is no guarantee that the bail bond company would be accommodating. Instead of reinstating the bail, they can have their team go out, find your loved one, and bring them back into custody, where they will remain.

We know you are going to protect your loved one. At times, it is going to be a tough job. You will feel like you are nagging and being annoying but truthfully, it is necessary for you to be this way. Remind them you want nothing but the best for them, and the best for them is to have your full support.

The booking process is what happens after a person was just arrested. This process involves a series of procedures the defendant goes through in order to be properly and formally documented into the system; this is when the official arrest record is created. The booking process is standard procedure for all defendants, and there is no possibility of getting out of it.

Here is what happens during the booking process:

• The defendant’s name will be documented, as well as the crime they are being accused of.
• They will have their mugshots taken from the front and the sides.
• Any loose items that were on them at the time of their arrest will be confiscated, such as a cell phone and a wallet.
• DNA samples will be taken.
• There will be a health screening, which will include tests to look for transmittable diseases like tuberculosis that can put other inmates and officers in jail.
• They will change out of their clothes and into an orange jumpsuit. Their clothes will be confiscated.
• An officer will conduct a full body search of the defendant.
• An officer will search for any outstanding arrest warrants for the defendant.

After the booking process is the arraignment hearing, where the charges against the defendant are formally delivered. The defendant will also learn whether or not bail is granted and if so, how much their bail is. If a defendant posts bail, then they will get their loose items and clothes back and they can return home. However, they will have to wait for the booking process to be completed in order to be released; some test results can take extra time to come back.

From this point on, if they posted bail with a bail bond, they just need to make sure to stay on top of their payments. They will need to show up for court as scheduled. They will also take advantage of this freedom to return to work and spend important quality time with loved ones for support. Setting time aside to meet with their lawyer is also imperative so they can work on preparing for court.

It is an uphill battle, but it is not impossible to get through this situation.

Stressed is an extreme understatement when you learn your loved one has been arrested and you need to help bail them out of jail, deal with lawyers, and go through trial. You and your family are not responsible for taking care of everything. Professional bail agents and lawyers will help you out a great deal of the way, alleviating a lot of that stress. A big part of your job would be is to offer emotional support to your loved one. If you think you are stressed, imagine what they are thinking. You need to reassure them that this is not the end of their life.

Think of it this way: you might know someone else who was arrested once and dealt with everything you are dealing with right now. This person could be a coworker, a neighbor, the parent of your child’s friend, your mailman, or even the guy who bags your groceries. Obviously they do not go around bragging about their criminal history, but how well do you really know them anyway?

They could have been arrested for something minor, or something a little more serious but it is kept a secret. You just know this person as a hard-working individual with a stable job and a happy family. No one would ever guess that they were once arrested years ago. This can be your loved one in the future. People are going to look at your thriving loved one and would never guess they were in such a dark spot before.

An arrest is not necessarily going to weigh a person down for the rest of their life. It does not have to stop them from achieving their goals in the future. You will have to help them and keep their spirits lifted. Your support means a great deal to them during this time.

Los Angeles Bail Bond Store is also here to provide the best support we can too. We will create a custom payment plan with you for a bail bond that costs 10% of the full bail amount. We are here with you each step of the way and just like you, we want you and your loved ones to come out of this situation with relief.

We can be reached 24/7 both online and at 877-793-2245.

Chaos ensues when someone is arrested. Sometimes, the person is neglectful of what they should and should not do or say because they are stressed and not thinking clearly. They need to cooperate with the police, but at the same time, they need to protect themselves as much as possible. Just because someone is arrested does not mean they have no rights. A person is innocent until proven guilty, and they have rights no matter what.

Upon an arrest, here are some things the person should consider for their benefit:

• Remain silent – This is the defendant’s right to refuse further questioning from the police until their lawyer arrives.
• Get a lawyer – Defendants have the right to a lawyer to help fight their case in court and represent them. If they cannot afford one, one will be appointed to them.
• Remember the arresting officers’ name and/ or badge number, as well as the patrol car. Defendants can have their lawyer get this information as well.
• Remember where and when the arrest occurred.
• Get contact information from any eyewitnesses of your arrest so you can get their statement, as well as any cell phone footage they might have captured.
• Remain respectful of the police officers, and remain as calm as possible. Do not resist arrest. Even if you believe you are being wrongfully arrested, it benefits you to go with them in peace and sort out the problem later on. If you start mouthing off, get physical, or attempt to escape, then you could face additional charges.
• Take photos of any injuries you may have sustained and seek medical help as soon as possible.
• If the police want to search anything, have them come back with a search warrant first.
• Bail out of jail as soon as possible. Getting a bail bond agency to assist with a bail bond could likely be the best solution for you, as it could be the more affordable and faster way for you to be released.
• Let your lawyer work things out with the police and prosecutors. They will, of course, keep you and your loved ones up-to-date and consult with you. Remember, they are the professionals and they know the best ways to help you. Anything you wish to say to the police and/ or prosecutors should be done with your lawyer’s advice and presence.

As challenging as it is to imagine a positive outcome from such a somber situation, remember that not everyone who is arrested ends up being found guilty and put into jail. Defendants are not alone, they have many people fighting for them and supporting them. Defendants know the truth of what happened, which is motivation for them to keep their heads up.

If your loved one is ever arrested, do your best to remind them that there is hope. Remind them of their rights and what they should and should not do. Help them bail out of jail with a bail bond from Los Angeles Bail Bond Store, who can be reached at 877-793-2245 and online 24/7.

We are all familiar with mistakes and how they set us back from reaching our goals. People who have trouble with the law know this particularly well and at that moment, they want nothing more than to post bail so they can return home. There, they can reevaluate their near future and figure out how to tackle the proper steps to mend relationships, fix their reputation, and of course, deal with their trial.

The fastest, most affordable way they can post bail is to do so with a bail bond. It is pretty important not to commit any mistakes when filling out the bail bond paperwork because it can delay the whole process, or jeopardize it later on.

Here are the 6 bail bond “commandments” thou must not break:

1. Provide the correct contact information of the defendant. Double check it is current and accurate.
2. Get a co-signer who is willing and ready to make payments should the defendant fail to do so on their own.
3. Notify the bail bond company of the defendant’s court dates.
4. Make all bail bond payments in full and on time. Payments are accepted with cash, credit, debit, and checks. Do not fall behind on payments.
5. Pledge collateral that you can part with if it so happens that you need to because the defendant skipped court.
6. Make sure the defendant shows up for court as scheduled.

The bail bond is going to release the defendant from jail; it is a benefit to them. No one, including the defendant themselves, should jeopardize this freedom. So it is imperative to understand all the terms and conditions of the bail bond, and to make sure the defendant appears for court.

At LA Bail Bond Store, agents support their clients through the entire bail bond process. They are ready to help and ensure that the process goes as smoothly as possible, at the most affordable cost. They will set each client up with a customized payment plan too. They want you and your loved ones to succeed and get through this stressful situation.

Contact LA Bail Bond Store at 877-793-2245 or chat with someone from the team online.