Bakersfield Criminal Defense & DUI Attorney Blog

Posted By Campbell Whitten 29-Nov-2017

What is Entrapment?

One of the most common defenses in California crimes is entrapment. It is a defense that is based on interaction between law enforcement officers and the defendant prior to (or during) the alleged crime. If you are able to successfully establish that ...

Posted By Campbell Whitten 18-Oct-2017

Does California Allow Cellphone Use While Driving?

In today’s society, cellphones have become an instrumental part of our everyday lives. Whether we use it to stay connected with friends and family at all times or keep up with current events, we are constantly glued to our cellphones. ...

Posted By Campbell Whitten 29-Aug-2017

Aggravated DUI vs. Regular DUI

Not all DUI charges are created equal. In fact, certain extenuating circumstances can actually increase the severity of your charges dramatically. These escalated DUI charges are known as “aggravated DUI,” and carry much heavier penalties ...

Posted By Campbell Whitten 17-Aug-2017

The Stages of Regular Criminal Case

Being arrested can be confusing and intimidating, especially when you don’t know what lies ahead. While you’re constitutionally guaranteed the right to a fair and speedy trial, the process for a criminal law trial is more complex than you ...

Posted By Campbell Whitten 9-Aug-2017

How to Reinstate Your Suspended License

So you’ve finally finished serving the agonizing license suspension as part of your DUI conviction and you’re ready to get back behind the wheel without restriction. What you may not realize is that this ability isn’t automatically ...

Posted By Campbell Whitten 2-Aug-2017

Understanding California's "Three Strikes" Law

Being convicted of a felony crime in California is a serious deal. In addition to the heavy penalties and life-long consequences you could face, you could also be awarded a “strike” on your record. California has a “three ...

Posted By Campbell Whitten 25-Jul-2017

What Happens If I Plead "No Contest" to Domestic Violence Charges?

“Nolo contendere” – more commonly referred to as “no contest” – literally means “I do not wish to contest.” A “no contest” plea leads to a California criminal conviction, which is ...

Posted By Campbell Whitten 7-Jun-2017

Understanding California's Resisting Arrest Laws

California Penal Code 148(a)(1) PC describes the criminal offense known as “resisting arrest.” The legal definition of resisting arrests involves three elements. In order to be guilty of resisting arrest, the prosecution needs to prove ...

Posted By Campbell Whitten 25-May-2017

The Legal Difference Between Murder & Homicide

Crime shows have become incredibly popular, and while many of them do the best they can to accurately recreate a police investigation, they’re not always spot on. In these instances, a number of myths or misconceptions can slip into the public ...

Posted By Campbell Whitten 2-May-2017

Driving After a DUI Conviction

When you are arrested and charged with driving under the influence, you will automatically receive an order of suspension and a temporary drivers’ license that is good for up to 30 days, or up until your full suspension or revocation goes into ...

Posted By Campbell Whitten 24-Apr-2017

The DUI Process: From Start to Finish

Do you want to ensure your DUI case proceeds smoothly? Preparation is the key to not only a high-quality defense, but a successful outcome. One of the most important parts of preparation is to know what lies ahead in the complex California DUI ...

Posted By Campbell Whitten 17-Apr-2017

Understanding Your Miranda Rights

When you are taken into custody by law enforcement, they are required by law to read you your Miranda Warning, or as they are more commonly known, your Miranda Rights. The name comes from the Supreme Court case Miranda v. Arizona from 1966, in which ...

Posted By Campbell Whitten 11-Apr-2017

When Can Police Search My Home Without a Warrant?

The Fourth Amendment protects U.S. citizens from “unreasonable searches and seizures” by requiring police to establish probable cause in order to search someone’s home. In order to establish probable cause, they must present their ...

Posted By Campbell Whitten 6-Apr-2017

Who is Eligible for Expungement in California?

If you have had any sort of a run-in with the law, including being arrested, charged, or even convicted of a crime, then you will have an entry on your public criminal history. This could have a serious negative impact on your life since criminal ...

Posted By Campbell Whitten 1-Mar-2017

What to do if Your Child is Arrested for DUI

Getting a driver’s license is a ticket to freedom for many teenagers, but many quickly find that it also means a lot of responsibility for their mistakes. This includes the consequences of drinking while under the age of 21 and then getting ...

Posted By Campbell Whitten 23-Feb-2017

Do I Have to Take a Breathalyzer Test?

The law regarding search for DUI tests is a little less straightforward than say finding evidence in your home. Police frequently don’t have the time or ability to get a warrant to search you for evidence of DUI (as would be required by the ...

Posted By Campbell Whitten 22-Feb-2017

Preparing for Your First Appearance in Criminal Court

If your first day in criminal court is looming in front of you, it’s not uncommon to feel a sense of dread and anxiety at the prospect of appearing before a judge to face your accusations. While the nerves may not go away until the appearance ...

Posted By Campbell Whitten 31-Jan-2017

Tips to Avoid Mistakes After a DUI Arrest

Fighting a DUI is not an easy process and it can be one of the greatest challenges a driver will face. If you have been arrested for allegedly drinking and driving, there are some actions you should certainly avoid and others that you should take for ...

Posted By Campbell Whitten 24-Jan-2017

What are the Differences Between Theft, Robbery and Burglary?

Theft crimes come in a variety of forms, including robbery and burglary. Theft encompasses terms such as petty theft, grand theft, and larceny. Although robbery and burglary are sometimes categorized as “theft crimes,” the actual crime of ...

Posted By Campbell Whitten 17-Jan-2017

Can You Appeal a Felony Conviction?

California’s criminal justice system is tough, but it isn’t flawless. If you have been erroneously convicted of a felony offense, you should take every necessary step to make things right. After the trial has ended and you are found ...

Posted By Campbell Whitten 16-Jan-2017

What is the Punishment for Fleeing an Officer on Foot Rather than in a Vehicle?

Some states have specific laws about evading the arrest of an officer while on foot. Under California Vehicle Code § 2800.1, evading a police officer willfully is a serious offense, but the severity may be different whether you are on foot or in ...

Posted By Campbell Whitten 28-Dec-2016

A Realistic Look at the Costs of a DUI

Campbell Whitten: The Top Bakersfield DUI Attorneys In the state of California, drinking and driving is considered a major public health issue which impacts individuals as well as the communities they reside in. Because driving under the influence ...

Posted By Campbell Whitten 21-Dec-2016

Can my silence in a DUI case be used against me?

Campbell Whitten: Your Local Bakersfield DUI Team After being pulled over for suspicion of DUI, it is usually not in your best interest to launch into a lengthy and detailed conversation with the police officer. Everything that you say to the ...

Posted By Campbell Whitten 12-Dec-2016

Difference Between the PAS Test and the Chemical Breath Test

The PAS Test is a normal part of every police officer’s field sobriety tool kit. With a PAS Test, an officer can get a general idea of an individual’s specific BAC reading at the time of a traffic stop or other interaction with law ...

Posted By Campbell Whitten 7-Dec-2016

The Dangers of Drowsy Driving

Drowsy Driving Can Result In DUI Charges Campbell Whitten: Your Bakersfield DUI Attorney Drowsy driving is a major public health issue in the United States. All across the nation, shift workers returning home from busy and harrowing work schedules, ...

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