If you are facing criminal charges, criminal defense attorney Scott Ball will fight for your legal rights to have the charges completely dismissed, keep you out of jail, keep your license, keep your job, reduce or eliminate fines, and clear your criminal record. A graduate of USC Law, Scott Ball practices exclusively in the field of criminal defense and works hard to ensure his clients are satisfied with his representation by making sure all rights are understood and questions are answered.

Recent Articles

Clearing Your Criminal Record: Are You Eligible?

July 14, 2009

California law has several ways in which a person may clean up their criminal record. Depending on the time since your conviction and the circumstances surrounding the charge, it may be possible to have the conviction expunged from your record. When a criminal record is expunged you may legally answer “no” when asked by private […]

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Driving Under the Influence of Drugs

July 13, 2009

Most people don’t realize that driving under the influence of drugs, even completely legal, over the counter drugs, can result in arrest and conviction of driving under the influence.The key element that must be proved to be convicted of a DUI is that the driver suffers a physical or mental impairment such that he or […]

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Know Your Rights: Breathalyzers and DUIs

July 8, 2009

When a person is pulled over for suspicion of drunken driving in California, the officer will often just say “blow in this” and thrust a breathalyzer into his or her mouth.However, it is of the utmost importance for you to be aware: you do not have to submit to such pre-arrest tests! The California Vehicle […]

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Civil Compromises Lead to Dismissal of Criminal Charges

July 7, 2009

If you have been arrested on criminal charges dealing with damage to another person’s property, it is possible that you may be able to have those criminal charges dismissed through a civil compromise. A civil compromise is available when an offense charged involves damage for which the victim may seek a civil remedy (i.e. a […]

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The Difference Between “Guilty” and “No Contest” Explained

July 5, 2009

When a person no longer wishes to fight a criminal charge against him or her, he or she has the option of pleading “guilty” or “no contest.”While these may sound quite different, they are actually very similar, albeit with one major difference. To accept a guilty plea, the court must find a factual basis for […]

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Stopped by Police? Know Your 4th Amendment Rights!

July 2, 2009

One of the most important protections guaranteed by the United States Constitution is the Fourth Amendment right to be free from unreasonable searches and seizures. However, if one is not aware of such rights, the protections it offers will often not be realized. This is often the case when a motorist is pulled over by […]

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P.C. 647(f) “Drunk in Public” Arrests Explained

June 26, 2009

Also known as a “drunk and disorderly,” California Penal Code Section 647(f) makes it a misdemeanor crime for a person to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs in a public place and to be in such a condition that either:           1)the person’s intoxication makes him or her “unable […]

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What it Means to “Expunge” a Criminal Record

June 23, 2009

If you have been convicted of a crime, the stigma associated with the conviction is something that can haunt you for the rest of your life. Having to check “yes” on a job application when asked if you have ever been convicted of a crime is often enough to cost you the job, especially in […]

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Domestic Violence and Victim Restitution – Why You Need to Protect Yourself Even After Disposition

June 14, 2009

If you are facing criminal charges of domestic violence, it is important to know that there is more to your case than simply the sentence imposed by the court. After a finding of guilty or no contest, the court may then impose additional restitution in an effort to compensate the victim for his or her […]

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Stages of the Criminal Process: Arraignment

June 2, 2009

When a person is charged with a crime, the first formal legal process is the arraignment. The arraignment is a hearing before a judge where several important things occur. If a person is in custody, the arraignment must occur with two to three days. Otherwise, arraignment is usually set for a date several weeks in […]

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