Category: Violent Crimes

When talking about criminal charges, the words assault and battery are often used as if they mean the same thing. But they actually have different legal meanings. Knowing the difference between them is important, especially if you’re dealing with criminal charges. At Summit Defense, we specialize in representing individuals accused...

In the United States, felonies are considered serious crimes and have harsher punishments. A felony conviction can have lasting consequences for an individual's life, including being unable to obtain employment in particular fields or obtaining a professional license. This article discusses how long a felony conviction stays on your record...

Until quite recently, the driver of a getaway car involved in an armed robbery with fatalities could not only be tried and convicted of murder, but could also have been put to death by the state.  Now, in a unanimous decision, the California state Supreme Court has determined that getaway...

In 1989, then 20-year-old Michael Pizarro became famous – for all the wrong reasons.  He was accused, and then convicted, of sexually assaulting and then murdering (CA Penal Code §187) his 13-year-old half-sister, Amber Barfield.  24 years later, no one can be sure whether or not Pizarro did it. On...

When Leila Fowler (8) was found stabbed to death in the kitchen of her family’s ranch style home, it was her brother (12) who seemed most upset.  Now, the young boy has been arrested in connection with the case pursuant to CA Penal Code §187(a), even though there seems to...

Cort Holbrook, a software engineer out of Livermore, was out about town when he noticed that Ricky Zeismer was driving erratically and causing dangerous issues with the traffic ahead.  The two eventually pulled over and got into a serious scuffle, with Holbrook receiving several kicks and punches from Zeismer.  The...