"...will aggressively fight for you as if you were his family..." H.Y.
September 4th, 2010
If there is a link between financial stress and domestic violence, than the recession must be affecting domestic violence. No question about it the recession has caused increased stress, but is it really making people more violent? In a recent blog post, 4-14-10, I addressed the year over year spike in local domestic violence arrests. In an earlier blog post, 2-15-10, I suggested a review of how we are utilizing our public resources on domestic violence prevention efforts. Now I am urging a re-consideration of current policies that slash funding for domestic violence services from state and local government budgets.
Experts have noted for years that oftentimes victims of domestic violence are financially dependant on their abusers, and therefore, locked into the relationship. The recession has made life much more difficult for this category of victim. This is so because public funds for domestic violence services and support programs have been drastically cut by strained local governments. In California the annual budget stalemate in Sacramento does not bode well for state funding of domestic violence services in the coming year. Last year Governor Schwarzenegger slashed $16.3 million dollars of funds budgeted for domestic violence services, and if this history is to be the guide, the near term future does not look good, for either the budget, and for domestic violence victims.
Domestic violence is a serious social problem with awful consequences for everyone. Attorney Bernard P. Bray has many years of experience successfully dealing with domestic violence issues, and assisting clients and their families in minimizing the impact of an arrest for a domestic violence related offense. Should you have questions regarding domestic violence, or should you or a loved one need effective representation because of a domestic violence related arrest please call San Jose Criminal Defense Lawyer Bernard P. Bray at (408) 292-9700.
September 1st, 2010
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention has come out with a well regarded report that estimates, based on 2005 data, that the national cost associated with deaths and injuries from car crashes exceeds $99 billion annually. Worldwide, traffic accidents are the ninth leading cause of death. By 2030 car crashes are expected to increase in rank to the fifth leading cause of death worldwide.
The above statistics are staggering. There is a lot that can be done. Get off that cell phone when driving. Wear a helmet when riding on a motorcycle. Don’t drive after drinking alcohol.
The above types of suggestions make a difference. On December 21, 2007, fast developing Vietnam adopted a mandatory helmet law for motorcyclists, and same had an instantaneous effect. All major hospitals surveyed noticed an immediate drop in the number of patients admitted for traumatic brain injuries. In Ho Chi Minh City alone, reports of serious traffic accident injuries fell by 50%.
In California crash causalities have steadily declined since the 1980’s. Safer cars, cell phone use crackdowns, mandatory seat-belt use laws, mandatory helmet use laws for motorcycle and bike riders, and sobriety checkpoints have all undoubtedly helped , but there is still more that can be done. Many Judges in California are now requiring that convicted drunk drivers install an ignition interlock device in their cars to prevent them from driving drunk.
If you have questions regarding this blog, California DUI laws, sobriety check points, or should you or a loved have had the misfortune of a DUI arrest, protect yourself to the fullest extent possible, call San Jose DUI Lawyer Bernard P. Bray.
July 19th, 2010
This coming November California voters will be presented with a Proposition that will decriminalize and tax the use and possession of marijuana if enacted. Proponents, of what is otherwise known as Proposition 19, argue the fact the initiative will generate millions of dollars in tax revenues in support of the measure. Opponents argue quite forcefully and logically: why would any one support a measure that essentially supports people getting high?
This writer certainly shares the measure’s opponents concerns about recreational drug use and abuse, and opposes same, but as a practicing criminal defense attorney, I also know that there is a terrible disparity in society’s enforcement of its drug laws along racial and ethnic lines. And, our society has spent billions of dollars, has ruined perhaps an many as millions of lives, and has the highest incarceration rate in the world, because of our so called war on drugs.
Our scheme of drug laws in archaic, doesn’t work, and is to expensive to enforce in our current economic times. Along with its predecessors, Proposition 215, the 1996 initiative allowing for the medicinal use of marijuana, and Proposition 36, the 2000 initiative allowing an opportunity for first and second time drug possession offenders to be placed in treatment, rather than incarcerated, Proposition 19 appears to be another step in the right direction.
If you or someone you know has been arrested for a drug crime in Santa Clara County, contact the San Jose drug lawyers at the Law Offices of Bernard P. Bray.
April 14th, 2010
As I recently commented, statistics for domestic violence in Santa Clara County for 2009 were staggering. I was initially taken back by the increase in domestic violence related deaths, and opined that perhaps one reason for the jump was the downturn in the economy.
Statistics also show that the general jump cuts across all socio-economic lines. Even in high end Los Gatos – Monte Sereno there was a year over year, 2008 to 2009, increase in domestic violence related case arrests of 32 percent.
Unquestionably, the economic stress associated with the recession has pushed some families to the economic brink, and the consequences can be sometimes awful. But any arrest, let alone one for domestic violence, can ruin a life, and even an entire family.
Domestic violence is a serious social problem with awful consequences for everyone. Attorney Bernard P. Bray has many years of experience successfully dealing with domestic violence issues, and assisting clients and their families in minimizing the impact of an arrest for a domestic violence related offense. Should you have questions regarding domestic violence, or should you or a loved one need effective representation because of a domestic violence related arrest please call San Jose Criminal Defense Lawyer Bernard P. Bray at (408) 292-9700.
March 22nd, 2010
Pursuant to California Vehicle Code section 23578, persons convicted of driving under the influence in California can expect enhanced penalties in sentencing when they admit to having driven with a blood alcohol concentration of .15% or higher.
The reason for this enhancement is justified by statistics. Most drivers who have consumed alcohol have low blood alcohol concentrations, and few of these drivers are involved in fatal crashes. On the hand, while only a relatively few number of drivers have blood alcohol concentrations higher than .15%, a much higher proportion of those drivers have fatal crashes.
If you have questions regarding California DUI law, or should you or a loved have had the misfortune of a DUI arrest, protect yourself to the fullest extent possible, call San Jose DUI Lawyer Bernard P. Bray.
