Brian R. Mason Law Blog

The United States and Somalia are the only two countries in the world who have not ratified a United Nations Convention that bans life in jail without parole for those who are under-18 years olds.

Currently, more than 2,500 adults are in U.S. jails for crimes committed as a child and under current rules they will never be freed. 

Amnesty International has recently called for the U.S. to stop sentencing juveniles to life in prison... Read More

Thousands of sexual assaults that occur in the United States every year are not reflected in the federal government’s yearly crime report because the report uses an old definition of rape that is far narrower than the definitions used by most police departments.

Many law enforcement officials and advocates for women say that this underreporting misleads the public about the prevalence of rape and results in fewer federal, state and local resources being devoted to catching... Read More

AB144 Signed by Gov. Jerry Brown

California became the fifth state to prohibit openly carrying handguns in public. The law was heavily opposed by gun enthusiasts. The bill came from state Assemblyman Anthony Portantino, a Democrat from Pasadena.

The bill exempts hunting and shooting events and does not apply to those who are given permits to carry a concealed weapon by law enforcement authorities.

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What is a restraining order?

A restraining order is a court order that aims to protect a person by preventing another person from contacting them, coming within a certain distance of them, or from harassing them in any way.

In all domestic violence cases in San... Read More

Driving under the influence of alcohol is probably the most common crime in this country. It is a crime that touches all classes of people from rich to poor. It is a crime that causes senseless deaths across the country each year. It is a crime that affects... Read More

One of the most common issues in criminal law is the probation violation and parole violation hearing.

The Issue

The issue arises after an individual has been convicted of a crime and sentenced to either probation or parole. In California, if the defendant was sentenced to less than one year and given local county custody, as opposed to prison, he will be given probation after his release. Additionally, an... Read More

What are the rules if you hit another vehicle with your car?  Is leaving a note enough?  What if you are in an accident and another person flees the scene, should you call the police?  These questions and many more come up too often in hit and run cases.  Unfortunately, the questions usually get asked after it's too late and the driver is already charged with a hit and run.

Many people believe that if you leave a note on another vehicle's car, then you have not... Read More

One of the most common questions from clients regarding bankruptcy is in regards to how long the entire process takes.  The answer to that question depends on a number of factors as discussed below:

 

Before the Filing of the Case

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The Issue

Domestic violence is one of the most common crimes charged in San Diego County.  It can be defined as an act of physical violence in the home or against a loved one.  An individual charged with domestic violence is usually facing a charge of Penal Code section 273.5(a) if the alleged victim was injured, or Penal Code... Read More