Not many crimes catch the public’s interest the way that money laundering does. The simple mention of this crime summons thoughts of mob bosses passing their illegally gained money through a restaurant or dry cleaning front to ensure that the source of their ill-gotten gains is never discovered.

Unfortunately, many people in California have discovered that the legal definition in the state is far broader than most would believe. A person could commit the crime of money laundering without even knowing it. Understanding the law is the best way for people to protect themselves from prosecution for this offense.

What Activities Are Considered Money Laundering?

In California this law is very broad and complex. If a person conducts, or even attempts to conduct, one or more transactions that exceed $5,000 dollars at a financial institution within a week’s period they are quickly flagged.  If they are also contributing to any type of criminal activity, then they are guilty of money laundering.

They are also guilty of money laundering if they conduct these transactions knowing that the money in some way came from criminal activity, even if they do not participate in that activity themselves. This makes it very easy for a person to be charged with money laundering; a person merely depositing money into a bank that was given to them by a drug dealer or other criminal would be guilty of the crime.

The definition of financial institution is also incredibly broad and can include any institution from a national bank to a pawnbroker. Many people wonder why these laws are so broad, and it turns out it is basically California’s way of convicting major crime bosses. A person at the top of a criminal empire does not usually have a direct hand in the criminal activity going on below him, but often benefits from the proceeds of his crimes. Because of this, California found a way to charge these major criminals, even when they have not physically committed any infraction.

Penalties You May Be Facing

The base penalty for money laundering is a jail term not exceeding one year and/or a fine of up to $250,000, or twice the value of the money laundered. This is not, however the only punishment a person usually receives. Each transaction of $5,000 in a week or $25,000 in a month is treated as a separate offense and can be penalized as such. Penalties continue to increase as certain thresholds of money are reached as well. If the illegal transactions exceed $150,000, then an additional year will be added to the overall sentence. This continues all of the way up to 2.5 million dollars, which will garner a person an additional four years – and also, each five thousand dollar transaction can be charged and sentenced separately.

How Much Can You Expect the Bail To Be?

The preset bail schedule amounts for money laundering vary between all California counties. In Monterey, San Benito and Santa Barbara counties, for instance, the bail amount for money laundering is $10,000. In Santa Barbara though, this bail amount can increase to $40,000 dollars, dependent on the amount of money involved in the crime. These bail amounts may seem very steep, but they are worth it to have additional time to confer with a lawyer. Unfortunately, California PC 1275 states that illegally gained money cannot be used for bail. This usually means that a person accused of money laundering will have to prove their bail money did not come from illegal activities, and Bail Hotline can walk you through these steps.

Money laundering is no longer a crime that affects only major crime bosses. Almost anyone could become involved with money laundering without realizing they are being so used. A lack of knowledge of the law is never an excuse to break it, so many people walk in front of a judge completely unprepared with how they will handle the situation. If charged with this crime, there are serious and complicated aspects to be dealt with.  Calling Bail Hotline as soon as you are booked, can get the ball rolling toward a more rapid release.

 Extortion is considered a serious crime in the state of California. All counties within the state can choose the specific bail amount related to this crime, and even have a small say over the sentence that is handed down to one so convicted. The State of California, however, gives the guidelines to sentencing. Most California crimes give three specific penalties that may be handed down to the convicted, and it is up to the county court to decide which of these punishments is adequate.

What is Extortion?

Extortion is defined as obtaining property from another person with their consent, or getting a public officer to grant an official act, through the use of wrongful fear or force. Public officials can also be charged with extortion if they use their authority for these purposes. The use of force is self-explanatory, but the California law specifically explains the types of extortion and why they cause fear.

If a person threatens injury to another, that person’s property, or a third person, then it is considered extortion if they are trying to gain something. Threatening an unwarranted accusation against a person or any member of their family of a crime also falls under the extortion law. The third type of extortion would be a threat to impute or expose a person or their family to disgrace, crime or deformity. The final type mentioned is threatening to expose any secret that will affect the victim or their family. Any of these actions performed with the intention of obtaining property or official acts constitutes extortion.

Bail for Extortion

Though California counties have some say over how to handle their extortion sentencing, they have complete control, over bail amounts. That said, most counties differ between one another as to the bail allowed within their jurisdiction. Los Angeles and San Bernardino Counties, for instance, require a $35,000 bail amount on their schedule for sending a threatening letter to extort someone. Monterey County, on the other hand, only requires $30,000. Los Angeles and San Bernardino Counties also require a $50,000 bail for extorting a signature by threat, while Monterey County only requires a $30,000 bail. Each county differs, yet each amount is significant.

Extortion also brings harsh penalties, which is why it is smart for anyone accused of the crime to get a lawyer. Extortion is usually charged as a felony, and those convicted could face a $10,000 dollar fine. The prison time, however, is far more serious. A person convicted of extortion faces either a two, three or four year sentence in state prison. The choice of these three sentences is at the discretion of the court, but all of the sentences can certainly wreak havoc on your life.

Extortion is a serious crime that can threaten the good name or safety of another person. Because of this, California and all of its counties take the crime very seriously. Anyone accused of extortion, guilty or not, should contact their local office of Bail Hotline to get them out of jail as quickly as possible. As soon as a person is released from jail, they can start working with their attorney on what will have to be a stellar defense. There is no doubt that there are legitimate defenses to the charge of extortion, so it is better to be out of jail and conferring with a lawyer to ensure the best possible chance of lessening the chance of a conviction.

There are not many things in the world that are more looked down upon than child abandonment. There is a continuing rumor that anyone in jail for harming a child will receive ill treatment from other inmates. Even if this is not true, the legal penalties for such a crime can be severe.

California Penal Code 270 encompasses the definition and penalties of a charge of child abandonment. The code actually sets forth a particular punishment for those convicted of the crime, but individual counties are able to set their own bail amounts related to the offense. Regardless of why a person is charged with child abandonment, it is imperative that they find a lawyer, because judges usually don’t smile kindly upon those who are convicted of these types of crimes.

What is Child Abandonment?

California law is very specific as to what constitutes child abandonment. PC 270 defines this crime as willfully and unlawfully withholding food, necessary clothing, shelter, medical attendance or other forms of remedial care. Many people are confused about the definition of ‘remedial care,’ and some people are upset once they realize what it means. Parents who are part of religions that use only prayer to try to heal disease, are considered to be providing remedial care. If a child is sick and only prayer is used to heal him, it is considered legal.

This law applies to the legal parent, whether or not they are the biological parent of the child in this situation. Many people are surprised to learn that a man is also responsible for a child even if the child was artificially inseminated, but this only applies in cases where the man signed off on the insemination. In all cases, if courts see proof of child abandonment, the law says that this is enough to prove “willful abandonment.” When this proof exists, judges and juries must consider all income that a parent receives, in deciding whether or not the defendant had a lawful excuse.

What Bail is Charged?

Child abandonment bail will usually be different in each California County, due to the fact that all counties can choose their own preset amounts on a bail schedule. Many counties, however, stay within a certain range of bail; Los Angeles, Santa Clara and Monterey counties all set bail at $5,000 for those accused of child abandonment. Monterey County, however, treats child abandonment of a child under fourteen as a “wobbler.” This means it may also be charged as a felony, and in this case the bail amount in Monterey County is $10,000.

What are The Consequences?

California Penal Code 270 actually specifies the punishment involved with child abandonment. If convicted, a person faces jail time of up to one year, or a fine of $2,000. In some cases, the judge may choose to impose both of these penalties. In the case of a non-biological parent who is adjudicated as the legal parent of the abandoned child, that person faces the same penalty, but he may be confined to a state prison for one year and one day as opposed to a county jail. Either way, a child abandonment conviction will lead to serious penalties for the accused.

The laws of our land say it is important for a person to take care of their child to the best of their ability, and even if the care is mediocre, it may be considered legal if it is all that the parent can afford. Several child abandonment cases are brought forth by scorned lovers or overbearing neighbors, and if these charges are frivolous there is a very good chance that they will be dropped. That said, when it comes to children, reporting what you think may be a crime against them is never a bad idea; if ultimately unfounded, it is certainly less damaging then it would be for a neglected child to not be dealt with. 

Fire is undoubtedly one of humankind’s greatest discoveries. It has allowed people to stay warm since the dawn of time, and without it, most of what is familiar to us would not be possible. Unfortunately, fire can also be more than deadly – taking with it not only lives but also dwellings – when used with bad intention or when a simple disregard for prevention gets out of control.

Is it Arson or Reckless Burning?

According to Penal Code 451, arson is a malicious or willful act, with intent to harm persons or property.  It is an extremely serious charge and, if convicted, you must register as a convicted arsonist and report your whereabouts to the local police; failing to register can incur up to one year in jail.

Penal Code 452, is considered the “second arson” law, is generally referred to as the “reckless burning law” and it involves burning of a structure, forest or open land.  If you toss a cigarette into dry brush and it ends up burning property or harming another person, this is considered reckless and can also incur a felony charge.  In this case you were not just being negligent or careless, you were aware there was a risk involved and chose to ignore that possibility.

What are the Penalties for Arson?

Depending upon the circumstances of the incident and the subsequent amount of property damage, the penalties for arson can be wide ranging. For instance, arson that causes great bodily harm – including death – can incur a felony charge. Additionally, recklessly setting a fire that causes millions of dollars in damage to property can also bring about a felony arson charge – even if the intent of the fire was not malicious in nature.

With felony arson, convicted individuals may be facing many years in prison and fines that range into the tens of thousands of dollars or higher. In cases of misdemeanor arson, fines typically do not exceed $2,000 and jail time is usually less than one year in a county jail.

What is the Bail for Arson?

In California, individuals charged with felony arson can expect to qualify for bail amounts that range between $20,000 and $500,000, depending on the specific charges and circumstances.

For instance, arson committed against an uninhabited structure may incur a bail amount of $75,000, while arson committed during an officially declared state of emergency hike the bail amounts closer to $350,000.

Arson requires an intelligent defense, best served by the freedom to meet with a specialized attorney on your own terms.  Of course, getting back to your job and your family as soon as possible will also keep you on track and more financially capable of handling necessary expenses.

In California, a criminal charge of battery is serious, but when the charge is battery upon an officer of the law, the consequences of a conviction can be dire. From fines to penalties, including jail time, people convicted of battery upon an officer may face very stiff sentences, and these sentences can be magnified depending upon the circumstances of the battery charge.

Definition of Battery

In many cases, people confuse the words “assault” and “battery.” An assault is simply the threat of force with the reasonable ability to carry it out. An example of an assault may be when someone threatens to hit another person while holding baseball bat. Battery, on the other hand, is the actual use of force, even if no threats have been made. Essentially, one can be charged with assault, battery or both.

Definition of an Officer

While it’s quite obvious that a sworn police officer is considered an officer under the law, there are also other definitions according to California law. For instance, a police dog or other law enforcement service animal is considered to be an officer, and some security officers are also covered under the label. Traffic officers and code enforcement officers are also considered to be officers under the law, meaning the penalties for battery upon such individuals are just as strong as if they were police officers in uniform.

Fines and Penalties

The typical fine for battery upon an officer in California is $2,000, but the amount can be lower. Additionally, individuals convicted of battery upon an officer may face as much as one year in a county jail for their actions, and this jail sentence may be combined with a fine. There are also unseen costs associated with a battery upon an officer conviction, including a criminal record and lessened job opportunities in the future.

What You Can Do If Charged

In most cases, a bail amount will be set for you once you are arraigned. At this point, you will want to seek out the nearest Bail Hotline office. The average bail amount for battery upon an officer is $3,000, but this amount can change dramatically depending on the circumstances of your arrest. In addition, if you are charged with other crimes in addition to battery upon an officer, your bail amount may be substantially higher.

If you ever find yourself in a situation where you are tempted to strike an officer of the law, it would be wise to resist. Even if you feel that they are treating you unfairly, it is almost always better to bring that information out in a court of law on your own terms, not the officer’s. If an officer is physically abusing you, do not resist and always try to reasonably comply with any orders you are given. Once your arrest is complete, you will have the opportunity to present your case before a judge, and this is always a better option when compared with being charged with battery upon an officer. 

Every state has stiff penalties for failure to appear when the court has required you to do so. The logic behind this is obvious – without stiff penalties, many people would interfere with their cases going forward by failing to appear. This is especially true for persons who are facing severe penalties and who are on trial for significant crimes.

Legal Ramifications

California Penal Codes 853.7 and 853.8 both cover the failure to appear, by setting the minimum charges. If you fail to appear for a registered court date, you are guilty of a misdemeanor. As your court is already in session and your guilt or innocence is physically apparent to the presiding judge, you will not have a trial to determine your guilt – the judge simply declares you guilty of this crime by virtue of the fact that he does not see you at the scheduled hearing.

The judge will now issue a bench warrant (so called because it is issued from the bench) for your arrest. This gives the police the right to arrest you if they can find you, and detain you until your next hearing – even if that hearing is weeks or months away. California law also enables the court to assess a penalty of no less than $15 to cover any expenses and inconvenience you have caused by creating this delay.

And It Gets Worse

If you receive a failure to appear without just cause (which was a condition of your bail), then your bail may very well be revoked. This means that the court may opt to keep any money you have posted for bail, in addition to issuing the warrant for your arrest. If you have used a bail agency, then they may hire a bounty hunter to have you brought in order to protect their surety bond. If you are allowed back out on bail, the face amount may be increased to encourage your appearance in the future.

Failure to appear is a serious crime in the eye of the courts and so it generally has severe effects in the future. It is an mark on your criminal record, and while it is only a misdemeanor, it usually guarantees a brief jail sentence in the local house of corrections. Going forward, you will have more difficulty getting bail, and the bail amounts will be higher and more difficult to post. You may also have bail denied when it might otherwise have been granted.

It’s Always Better to Show Up

Your best option then is to appear, despite the potential dangers you may face at a hearing or trial. If you do fail to appear, the court is generally only willing to set aside this new charge if you can prove that there was something that was physically keeping you from appearing. In general, the only two excuses that are accepted are that you are imprisoned for another crime or that you are undergoing emergency medical treatment.

Outside of those exceptions, you are expected to file a “continuance,” prior to your time to appear. This is a legal notice to the court stating that you cannot appear, explaining why, and giving them forewarning. If you have a lawyer, contacting him or her at least 24 hours before your court date should be enough for them to file a continuance on your behalf.