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New Law: Veterans Now Eligible for DUI Diversion

By michaelfannon • 25 Aug, 2017
On August 7, 2017, Governor Brown signed SB 725 which amends Penal Code section 1001.80 regarding veteran’s diversion by adding subdivision (l) to take effect as urgency legislation. Subdivision (l) now states: “Notwithstanding any other law, including Section 23640 of the Vehicle Code, a misdemeanor offense for which a defendant may be placed in a [..] The post New Law: Veterans Now Eligible for DUI Diversion appeared first on Ryan Birss, Attorney at Law.

Proposition 57 Update

By michaelfannon • 26 Jul, 2017
My friend Douglas Fienberg from the Fresno County Public Defender’s Office has been carefully tracking the proposed rules for Proposition 57.  You can see the proposed rules here: http://www.cdcr.ca.gov/proposition57/docs/Prop-57-Public-Comment-Regs.pdf. Here is the latest from Mr. Fienberg: There are at least four problems with the proposed regulations. First, the proposed regulations exclude people subject to indeterminate [..] The post Proposition 57 Update appeared first on Ryan Birss, Attorney at Law.

California Proposition 57: What You Need to Know

By michaelfannon • 21 Nov, 2016
On November 8, 2016, California voters approved Proposition 57, also known as the California Parole for Non-Violent Criminals and Juvenile Court Trial Requirements Initiative. Here’s a brief look at what Proposition 57 means to California and its citizens. New parole opportunities for those convicted of non-violent felonies. Proposition 57 changes the time calculation for parole [..] The post California Proposition 57: What You Need to Know appeared first on Ryan Birss, Attorney at Law.

Drug Crimes

Drug charges range from simple possession to major drug trafficking conspiracies. All but the smallest possession charges carry the risk of stiff jail or prison sentences. In addition, you may face disqualification from employment as employers view drug convictions as a sign of substance abuse. Property managers also deny people with drug convictions over fears of drug dealers coming into the neighborhood.


In many drug cases, it may seem like you are caught red-handed. If the police take drugs directly from you, you might think there are no defenses. However, many drug charges are dismissed or reduced over Fourth Amendment violations.


The Fourth Amendment requires the police to have probable cause and possibly a warrant before searching you. If they violate the Fourth Amendment, the evidence that they illegally found cannot be used against you.


You may also have factual defenses that we can help you raise. You might be able to show that the drugs weren’t yours or that they weren’t properly tested. Just a single hole in the prosecution’s case could force an acquittal.


Are you facing drug charges in Shasta, Trinity, Tehama, Siskiyou, or Butte Counties? Contact aggressive criminal defense attorney Ryan Birss to begin your defense.

Drug Crimes
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