St. Patrick's Day Events around the Bay Area

St. Patrick's Day Events around the Bay Area

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Find out what's going on in your area for St. Patrick's Day and get out enjoy the festivities!

Fraud…It’s on a Lot of Minds these Days.

With the proliferation of robocalls the term fraud has popped up in the American lexicon a great deal lately.  When your mind turns to the subject of identity theft, you probably picture someone stealing your Social Security number or hacking your email account.  But unfortunately, it’s much farther reaching than that.

Here are some other examples of fraud –

1.  Mail fraud

2.  Driver’s license fraud

3.  Healthcare fraud

4.  Tax Refund fraud

5.  Internet fraud

There are many more of course.  That last entry is a big one for modern society especially here around Silicon Valley.  If you or a loved one has been accused of any type of fraud, please contact William Chestnut immediately.  Bill is a criminal defense lawyer serving the greater San Jose area.  Call attorney William Chestnut the fraud defense lawyer at (408) 298-6990.

Felonies…Misdemeanors…I’m SO Confused!

Let’s set the record straight on the more punitive of the two.  In California a felony is a crime that carries a maximum sentence of more than one year in jail or prison.  The most severe penalty convictions in this state may even be punishable by death.  There may also be a fine of $10,000 assessed to any felony conviction.

Now, there is a possibility that a judge might sentence a felony offender to probation.  If someone is granted felony probation the offender will serve, at most, one year in county jail.  Furthermore, there is a “straight felony” which can be charged and sentenced only as a felony.  Or a “wobbler felony” which can be charged as a felony or a misdemeanor.

I don’t need to tell you that felony charges in the Big Bear State are very serious.  If you or a loved one has been charged with one in our state, please call me immediately.  I am San Jose criminal defense attorney William Chestnut.  Call me Bill, but call me!  We’ll arrange a consultation at my First Street office in San Jose.  That number is (408) 298-6990.

Valentine's Day in San Jose

Valentine's Day in San Jose

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"Love your significant other as much as you love San Jose? Trying hard to impress to make them your sweetheart? Let Cupid take his aim and take your date out on the town with a signature San Jose spin at these Silicon Valley hotspots."

Pardon Me…Please.

In polite society that seems fairly simple.  When you have been convicted of a major crime in the State of California that pardon takes on a whole new meaning.  If you have a felony conviction and since then you have had no further criminal charges or convictions, you may be eligible for a pardon from the governor.

Here are a few things you need to apply –

1.  First, determine if you are eligible.

2.  Obtain the proper application packet.

3.  Complete the application thoroughly.

4.  Hire an experienced criminal attorney to make sure it is all done right.

There is no getting around that last point.  This is WAY to important to take chances!  If you believe that you may successfully qualify for a pardon in California please call on the assistance of San Jose Criminal defense attorney William Chestnut.  He is imminently qualified to help you through the process.  Just call (408) 298-6990.

There’s Good News and Bad News.

Generally speaking, that is usually the way things are.  In the latest reporting year of 2017 did you know that violent crime in California was up 1.5%, BUT the levels are comparable to the late 1960’s?  The violent crime rate in the Big Bear State has decreased substantially in the last 30 years and that’s good news!

The Public Policy Institute of California puts it into perspective.  Through 2017 59% of reported violent crimes in California were aggravated assaults, 32% were robberies, 8% were rapes, and 1% were homicides.  Perhaps none of this means much to you…unless you or a loved one has been detained on one of these charges in 2020.

Now, it gets really personal!  If you or anyone you care about is accused of a violent crime in the greater San Jose area please call on me.  I am San Jose criminal defense attorney William Chestnut.  You can call me Bill, but just call me.  Personally, I thought it was a crime that The Sharks let Joe Pavelski get away!  My number is (408) 298-6990.

Proposition 47 and 57.

That may not mean much to you, but let us explain.  Proposition 57 allows nonviolent inmates to petition for earlier release and participate in rehabilitation programs.  All releases still need approval from the parole board.  Proposition 47, meanwhile, reduced some crimes from felonies to misdemeanors.  They were passed in 2016 and 2014 respectively.

A new ballot measure which will be voted on in 2020 would shorten the list of who can seek earlier parole and reclassify some theft crimes from misdemeanors to felonies.  It would also expand the number of crimes where DNA is collected, a list that was limited when some crimes went from felonies to misdemeanors.

Of course, we hope that none of this will affect you or your family this upcoming year, but it is good to be aware of it early.  If you or a loved one is arrested on a criminal charge keep your vision 2020 this new year and immediately contact San Jose Ca criminal defense attorney William Chestnut.  Prosecutors know…you can’t crack this chestnut!  Call (480) 298-6990.