criminal articles
Sentencing Basics
Posted: 07/19/10
Watch the companion MCLE training video under "Sentencing": 
A broad overview of some DSL sentencing schemes that appellate lawyers should be aware of. An introductory level article. [Note: the original article from 10/22/08 has been updated in part to reflect current issues surrounding 4019 credits as of this posting date.]
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Implications of Padilla v. Kentucky for California Defense Counsel
Posted: 04/9/10
A discussion of the ruling in Padilla v. Kentucky and its effect on California law by attorney Norton Tooby.
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New Laws for 2010
Updated: 12/31/09
Changes to statutes, court rules, and forms used by criminal law practioners compiled by Garrick Byers, Senior Attorney, Frenso County Public Defender's Office
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Reported Crawford Opinions
Updated: 10/05/09
A compendium of Crawford opinions by Jeffrey Fisher, Stanford Law School Supreme Court Litigation Clinic Co-Director
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Updated: 06/13/08
Watch the companion MCLE training videos under "Guilty Plea":
Updated: 04/24/09
Watch a corresponding MCLE training video under "Guilty Plea":
A Guide to Challenging True Findings on Out-of-Jurisdiction Priors
Updated: 04/05/06
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Batson Issues
Posted: 02/23/09
Watch companion MCLE training videos under "Advanced Issue Spotting":
Johnson v. California: Rewriting The Script For Peremptory Challenge Issues In California Courts (Parts I - VI): A historical case background & recognizing the error in your record.
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How To Make A Batson Case On Appeal (Part VII): Drafting the issue depends on where the error occurred.
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Proving Gang Offenses And Enhancements
Updated: 02/07/06
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Property Crimes Checklist
Posted: 02/01/06
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A Primer On Alleging Prosecutorial Misconduct On Appeal
Posted:10/11/05
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Reported Three Strikes Opinions
Updated: 02/27/09
A compendium of Three Strike opinions by Gary Mandinach, CAP-LA project attorney
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Elusive Exceptions to Waiver & Forfeiture Bars
A FDAP article discussing categories of errors cognizable without an objection, and suggesting ways of overcoming the absence of a timely and proper objection in the trial court when one is required.
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"Appellate Counsel Legal Lingo"
CCAP/ADI article listing commonly used case names in appellate-lawyer lingo
Prescriptions for Overcoming Those Annoying Waiver Assertions
A useful collection of citations as a starting point for research when the issue/theory you want to brief was not objected to in the trial court