Author Archives: spiralmode

Most Americans know that the First Amendment grants the right to free speech. The problem that many of us encounter is we don’t fully grasp the differences between free speech and slander. What Is Free Speech? Many of us interpret the First Amendment to mean that we’re free to say whatever we want, to whomever […]

Assault with a deadly weapon is basically what it sounds like. It means you are accused of assaulting someone and at the time you had something that could have been considered a deadly weapon. Like most legal issues, assault with a deadly weapon isn’t as simple as we would like it to be. What Is […]

Most of us have been involved in pranks, both as the person pulling the prank on another and as someone who has been pranked. In most cases, the pranks are fun and no one is emotionally or physically hurt, but there is always an exception. The best indicator that a prank has gone too far […]

The law is clear. If your blood alcohol level is 0.08% or higher and you’re pulled over, you’ll be charged with a DUI. What isn’t clear is what happens if you’re the drunk passenger in a vehicle that’s being operated by a drunk driver. The good news is that you can’t be charged with a […]

Spring break is finally here! It’s time to cut loose, forget all about your studies, and have a good time. While there’s nothing wrong with relaxing and enjoying yourself, don’t forget that you’re not allowed to drink alcohol until you’re at least twenty-one years old. If you choose to ignore this, an underage drinking charge […]

California judges don’t issue court orders because they think it’s fun. They do so because they want you to follow the order. Failing to do exactly what the court order does or simply pretending it doesn’t exist will bring about some serious legal consequences. Violating a court order in California could potentially ruin your life. […]

If you’re worried about going to the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) because you’re afraid that they’ll unearth an outstanding warrant and have you arrested, you can take a deep breath and relax. We’ve got your answers. The issue of warrants and the California DMV is complicated. If you want to know if the […]

Most of us have been on a flight where at least one passenger seemed to go out of their way to be difficult. They were loud, overly active, got sassy with the flight attendants, etc. In some cases, the passenger’s bad behavior was amusing. In other situations, it was irritating. Sometimes it even becomes concerning. […]

Owning a rental property is a great opportunity to earn extra money while also helping resolve a small portion of California’s rental housing crisis. While there are many good things that go along with owning a rental property there are also some downsides. One such drawback is when you have a tenant who simply refuses […]

Bait and switch is a cute term that refers to a nasty con game. If you’re the victim of a bait and switch scam you’ve purchased one item only to be given something that doesn’t match the description of what you purchased. Bait and switch typically involve businesses who use the tactic to lure customers […]

We’re getting closer to finally having fully automated cars that are capable of handling our daily commute without much input from us. While the idea is exciting, many are already asking some interesting questions. One such question is what happens if the police pull you over while you’re in an automatous car? Theoretically, if you’re […]