Plain-language guides to California law and San Diego courts — written for residents, not lawyers
Informational guides updated for 2026 California law
How W&I Code §15610 defines physical abuse, neglect, and financial exploitation, plus Penal Code §368 criminal penalties. Covers warning signs, San Diego reporting channels, and enhanced civil remedies under the Elder Abuse Act.
Read the Guide →LLC vs S-Corp vs C-Corp under Corporations Code §17701, Secretary of State filing steps, the $800 franchise tax, registered agent rules, and the out-of-state "doing business" trap. Includes San Diego business tax certificate and FBN requirements.
Read the Guide →USFSPA military pension division, SCRA deployment protections, BAH in support calculations, TRICARE eligibility rules, and how California community property law applies to active-duty families in San Diego County.
Read the Guide →How Civil Code §1714, the Swimming Pool Safety Act, and the attractive-nuisance doctrine decide who pays after a pool drowning or injury. Covers homeowner, HOA, and public-pool liability, the two-year deadline, and wrongful death damages in San Diego County.
Read the Guide →Temporary vs. long-term support, the Family Code §4320 factors, the ten-year rule under §4336, the Gavron warning, and how alimony is modified or terminated. A clear walkthrough of how San Diego courts decide spousal support.
Read the Guide →Penal Code §261 charges, the three-tier §290 registration system, pretext calls, and §1538.5 suppression motions explained. What every accused person should know about their rights in San Diego County.
Read the Guide →FMCSA regulations under 49 CFR §390, hours-of-service violations, black box evidence, and multiple defendants explained. How to handle a commercial truck accident claim in San Diego before the CCP §335.1 deadline.
Read the Guide →NHTSA standardized FSTs, HGN, walk-and-turn, one-leg stand, and PAS breath tests explained. How San Diego DUI defense attorneys challenge field sobriety evidence under Vehicle Code §23152 and §23612.
Read the Guide →From the demand letter to the final release, a step-by-step look at how injury claims settle under Civil Code §1714 and CCP §335.1. Covers negotiation, comparative fault, mediation, and the San Diego Superior Court timeline.
Read the Guide →Unpaid overtime under Labor Code §510, minimum wage, missed meal breaks, and waiting time penalties explained. How San Diego workers recover stolen wages through the DLSE, the courts, or PAGA.
Read the Guide →Vehicle Code §20001 and §20002 explained — your legal duties at a crash scene, felony vs. misdemeanor penalties, and how hit and run victims recover through uninsured motorist coverage. Written for San Diego County.
Read the Guide →Vehicle Code §23152 BAC limits, 10-day DMV rule, first/second/third offense penalties, defenses, and San Diego courthouse guide.
Read the Guide →Family Code §2550 community property rules, 6-month waiting period, spousal support, and how San Diego handles military divorces.
Read the Guide →The 2-year deadline under CCP §335.1, the 6-month government claims rule, discovery rule, and tolling exceptions for minors.
Read the Guide →Civil Code §3342 strict liability, no one-bite rule, defenses available to dog owners, San Diego County leash ordinances, and damages.
Read the Guide →All courthouse locations, divisions, hours, filing fees, e-filing, small claims, family court, and what to expect when appearing in court.
Read the Guide →Penal Code §1203.4, AB 1076 automatic expungement, PC §851.91 arrest sealing, Prop 47 reclassification, and the San Diego filing process.
Read the Guide →Labor Code §3600, 30-day reporting deadline, DWC-1 form, TD/PD benefits, denied claims, and §132a retaliation protections.
Read the Guide →What to do after a crash — CCP §335.1 2-year deadline, comparative fault, SR-1 form, insurance claims, and evidence preservation.
Read the Guide →Means test, California exemption systems (CCP §703 vs §704), automatic stay, 341 meeting, discharge timeline, and what debts survive.
Read the Guide →Miranda rights, the court process from arraignment to trial, Penal Code §1538.5 suppression motions, bail, and Prop 47 reforms.
Read the Guide →Civil Code §1714 premises liability, proving negligence, comparative fault, government property claims, and evidence preservation tips.
Read the Guide →AB 1482 just-cause protections, 3-day and 60-day notice types, unlawful detainer process, tenant defenses, and relocation assistance.
Read the Guide →Legal vs physical custody, best interest standard under Family Code §3011, parenting plans, 730 evaluations, and move-away cases.
Read the Guide →Average fees for first-offense DUI ($2,500–$7,500), DMV APS hearings, felony DUI, trial costs, and what's included in a flat fee.
Read the Guide →FEHA discrimination, retaliation, Tameny public policy claims, CRD complaint process, and damages in San Diego employment cases.
Read the Guide →Lane splitting law (Vehicle Code §21658.1), helmet requirements, insurance bias against riders, and how to maximize your settlement.
Read the Guide →MICRA non-economic damage caps (2026: $430K), CCP §340.5 SOL, expert testimony requirements, and 90-day pre-litigation notice.
Read the Guide →Contingency fee rates, how settlements are divided, case costs, and when hiring a PI attorney in San Diego is worth it.
Read the Guide →Green cards, DACA, asylum, deportation defense, California TRUST Act, notario fraud warnings, and the San Diego Immigration Court.
Read the Guide →AB 1482 rent caps, security deposit rules, habitability rights, repair-and-deduct remedies, and San Diego-specific tenant protections.
Read the Guide →Step-by-step guide: State Bar verification, fee structures, questions to ask, red flags to avoid, and free legal aid resources.
Read the Guide →What does a San Diego attorney cost? Fees, retainers, and pricing by practice area
$2,500–$15,000 depending on offense. DMV hearing, felony DUI, trial fees explained.
See Cost Guide →Contingency fee structure, case cost deductions, how a $100K settlement is divided.
See Cost Guide →$5,000–$75,000+ depending on contested issues. Hourly rates, retainers, and community property.
See Cost Guide →Misdemeanor $2,500–$7,500. Felony $10,000–$35,000. Trial costs explained.
See Cost Guide →Chapter 7: $1,500–$3,000 flat fee + $338 filing fee. Chapter 13: $4,000–$6,000.
See Cost Guide →Immigration, workers comp, estate planning, employment law, and 35 more practice areas.
Browse All →Step-by-step action guides for critical California legal situations
The 10-day DMV rule, invoking your rights, what to say (and not say), and finding a San Diego DUI attorney.
See Action Guide →Evidence preservation, SR-1 form, medical care, insurance traps, and the 2-year deadline.
See Action Guide →30-day reporting deadline, DWC-1 form, MPN treatment, TD benefits, and retaliation protections.
See Action Guide →3-day notice types, AB 1482 rights, responding to unlawful detainer within 5 days, and free legal help.
See Action Guide →Miranda rights, refusing searches, arraignment, bail, and why to say nothing until you have an attorney.
See Action Guide →Preserving evidence, CRD complaint deadline (3 years), severance agreement traps, and your FEHA rights.
See Action Guide →Addresses, hours, filing fees, and jurisdiction for San Diego County courts
1100 Union Street · Civil, criminal, probate, small claims
Court Details →325 S. Melrose Drive · North County civil, criminal, family
Court Details →1555 6th Avenue · Divorce, custody, domestic violence, adoption
Court Details →Statutes, glossary, and Q&A guides for San Diego residents
40+ legal terms defined for California law — from AB 1482 and BAC to Wobbler and Wrongful Termination.
Browse Glossary →California's DUI statute explained: subsections, BAC limits, penalties, and defenses.
Read Statute →California's 2-year personal injury statute of limitations — when it starts, exceptions, and government claims.
Read Statute →15 essential questions to ask before hiring a San Diego DUI attorney — fee, strategy, experience.
See Questions →15 questions for your free PI consultation — contingency fees, case costs, realistic outcomes.
See Questions →15 questions before hiring a San Diego family law attorney — community property, custody, costs.
See Questions →