California law

Can I Take The California Bar Exam Without Going To Law School?

Can I Take The California Bar Exam Without Going To Law School?

The California Desert Trial Academy (CDTA) focuses on providing an academic experience that emphasizes a practical approach to becoming a lawyer. The CDTA trains, educates, and develops students to be exceptional attorneys and trial advocates. At this time, the CDTA is in the process of applying for full accreditation as a California law school. In 2021, only four states (California, Virginia, Vermont, and Washington) permit those aspiring to be lawyers to take the state’s bar exam without attending law school. The alternative is the option to apprentice with a practicing attorney or judge. Other states such as New York, Maine, and Wyoming...

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Important California Laws To Know – SB 1159

Important California Laws To Know – SB 1159

Another issue related to COVID-19 that moved to the forefront of the agenda of California lawmakers in the spring of 2020 was clarifying the qualification and eligibility for workers’ compensation benefits for employees who may have contracted COVID-19 on the job. In May of 2020, less than two months after the outbreak of the coronavirus, Governor Gavin Newsom issued an executive order that created a rebuttable presumption that a COVID-19 infection occurring at work was a work-related illness if an employee received a positive test for COVID-19 or a doctor’s diagnosis of COVID-19 followed by a positive COVID-19 test within 30 days of...

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Important California Laws To Know – AB 685 And AB 1867

Important California Laws To Know – AB 685 And AB 1867

As the coronavirus pandemic emerged in the spring of 2020, employers throughout California and the nation pondered what course of action, if any, they were required to take once they receive notice that one of their employees was infected with or exposed to COVID-19. AB 685 attempts to solve this dilemma by delineating a California employer’s obligations. To facilitate this, the Act augments the power of the California Division of Occupational Health and Safety to enforce health and safety standards to prevent workplace exposure to and spread of COVID-19. AB 685 remains in effect until January 1, 2023. AB 685 provides...

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Important California Laws To Know – Driving Under The Influence Of Alcohol

Important California Laws To Know – Driving Under The Influence Of Alcohol

In the United States, one person dies in a drunk driving accident every 50 minutes, which results in a toll of thirty every day. In 2018, 10, 511 people died in drunk-driving accidents. While these accidents have declined in the last thirty years, they still represent a significant loss of life that could be avoided with a little self-discipline and common sense. Drivers in California who drive under the influence of alcohol may be charged under California Vehicle Code § 23152(a) VC (driving while under the influence of alcohol), and California Vehicle Code § 23152(b) VC (driving with a blood alcohol content...

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Important California Laws To Know – Assault

Important California Laws To Know – Assault

California Penal Code § 240 PC defines the crime of assault or “simple assault” to which it is sometimes referred, in contrast to the crime of “aggravated assault.” Section 240 makes it a misdemeanor to commit or attempt to commit a violent injury on another person in California. Assault is a distinctive act because anyone may be charged with it even if they have not actually hurt anyone by their actions. While many laypersons often use the terms “assault” and “battery” interchangeably, they are actually two distinct crimes. The crime of battery involves the actual use of unlawful force or violence against another person while an assault...

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Important California Laws To Know – Divorce

Important California Laws To Know – Divorce

Many attorneys enter family law intending to make a difference in the lives of those who experience marital difficulties. Sadly, domestic relations law involves issues related to the end of a marriage - divorce, and separation. Issues related to children such as child support, child custody, and visitation naturally arise, which become issues of great priority and importance. Any young aspiring domestic relations lawyer must first become familiar with the law of divorce in California or the jurisdiction where they will ultimately practice. Law school graduates and young attorneys often believe that they may use their legal and personal skills to...

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Preparing For An Online Bar Exam – Test-Taking Considerations

Preparing For An Online Bar Exam – Test-Taking Considerations

In October, California administered its first online bar exam because of the coronavirus pandemic. Currently, in addition to California, states across the country are planning to administer another online bar exam in February. New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Connecticut have all committed to online tests. The State Bar plans to release results from the February bar exam in mid-May. The results for the October bar exam are expected to be released in mid-January 2021. The State Bar is actively working on shortening the grading timeline so that applicants receive their results on an expedited schedule. Currently, it appears that the February 2021 bar exam will also be administered online....

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Preparing For An Online Bar Exam – Technical Considerations

Preparing For An Online Bar Exam – Technical Considerations

In October, California successfully administered its first online bar exam because of the coronavirus pandemic. The results for the October bar examination are expected to be released in the middle of January 2021. California presently plans to administer the February 2021 bar exam online as well. The State Bar hopes to release the February bar exam results in the middle of May 2021. The State Bar is actively seeking to reduce the grading timeline so that applicants may receive their results in an expedited fashion. Several states have already conducted online bar exams and will continue this practice for the February 2021 examination. Taking a bar...

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About Jury Instructions

About Jury Instructions

One of the most important components of a trial is the case’s jury instructions. These instructions or directions help jurors pinpoint a case’s specific issues, as well as those laws that are applicable and determinative of the outcome. The importance of jury instructions to the outcome of a legal matter may not be emphasized or stressed enough. Jury instructions identify those issues that the jury will be required to decide so jurors may understand the legal principles applicable to the case. Jurors may not reach a proper verdict if they do not understand the jury instructions or the instructions fail to adequately...

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New Study Reveals Cal Bar Exam Discriminates Against Minorities

New Study Reveals Cal Bar Exam Discriminates Against Minorities

A significant research study shows that the minimum passing score, also known as the cut score, on the California Bar Exam, excludes minorities from admission to the bar at a disproportionately high rate. The study aimed to examine the effect of the bar exam cut score on the racial and ethnic composition of new attorneys joining the legal profession in California. The study examined two vast data sets for reaching its conclusions. The first data set included de-identified scores of 85,727 examinees who sat for 21 administrations of the California Bar Exam from 2009-18 and the race and ethnicity of each examinee....

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