DOJ attorney locks on to California’s coronavirus shelter-at-home orders, warns they may be illegal
DOJ attorney Eric Dreiband sent two letters to California officials warning of potential legal issues with shelter-in-place orders.
Facebook groups have become the new neighborhood watch. They can also become a legal nightmare.
In the era of mass connectivity and social media, Facebook and Twitter have supplanted the traditional neighborhood watch. That’s proving to have both legal benefits and headaches.
Tara Reade testified as an expert witness in criminal cases. Defense attorneys now want those cases re-opened.
Defense attorneys representing clients who were convicted in criminal cases are moving to have those cases re-examined and convictions possibly thrown out due to one key element in each case: Tara Reade. Reade, who also goes by the alias Alexandra McCabe, testified as an expert witness in several California criminal cases over the past decade, … Read more
DOJ tells Gov. Newsom phased reopening of churches may violate constitution
The U.S. Department of Justice has informed California Gov. Gavin Newsom that his state’s COVID-19 phased recovery plan may violated constitutional protections because it groups churches and other places of worship in a later phase compared to sit-down restaurants, shopping malls and other businesses. In the letter, a copy of which is available here, DOJ … Read more
Why COVID-19 could earn some criminal defendants their freedom
The months-long global coronavirus pandemic has halted the normal course of life for millions of people in the United States and around the world. As states grapple with decisions on how to reopen local economies, state and federal courthouses in California are modifying their operating procedures to keep the wheels of justice moving. Inside the … Read more
Is Gov. Newsom violating constitutional rights with coronavirus stay-at-home orders?
California Governor Gavin Newsom’s decision to order the closure of several state beaches during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic has drawn scrutiny and criticism from some members of the public who say the governor is exceeding his power by overriding local authorities. The criticism reached a peak when Newsom’s order closed several Orange County beaches earlier … Read more
Do protesters have the right to assemble during the coronavirus outbreak?
As California enters its second month on lockdown due to the coronavirus pandemic, some are protesting the state’s decision to keep a shelter-at-home order in place. In Sacramento, dozens of protesters assembled in front of the Capitol building last week after the California Highway Patrol issued demonstrators a permit. In a statement to Sacramento’s CBS13, … Read more
Church files lawsuit against Gov. Newsom over stay-at-home directive
Can Gov. Gavin Newsom order local churches to close? Sacramento attorney Mark Reichel weighs in.
Reasonable doubt issues likely after sex assault victims allowed to collect own evidence
Police in Northern California have started allowing victims of sexual assault to collect their own evidence, which could lead to eventual legal challenges.
What happens to criminal defendants during California’s coronavirus shutdown?
Business across California has ground to a halt as state officials work with health experts to stave off the coronavirus pandemic. The outbreak of COVID-19 has caused businesses large and small to temporarily close as health officials encourage everyone to do their part to “flatten the curve.” Sacramento criminal defense attorney Mark Reichel says for … Read more
Mark Reichel discusses Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy Delgado
The Placer County Sheriff’s Department is investigating an apparent case of murder-suicide that allegedly involves an Assistant U.S. Attorney and his spouse. Authorities responded to a home in Granite Bay early Monday morning where AUSA Timothy Delgado, 43, lived with his 45-year-old wife. Officials with the sheriff’s department said on social media they were initially … Read more
Mark Reichel discusses plea offer in case of East Area Rapist
A 74-year-old former police officer who is suspected of being the East Area Rapist has filed a motion through his attorneys that aims to avoid a lengthy criminal trial. In exchange for pleading guilty to certain offenses, Joseph DeAngelo — who is also suspected of being the Golden State Killer — has agreed to answer … Read more