All of the apps and online services you use track, collect and distribute your usage patterns and demographic information. However, some companies put much more emphasis on protecting the data of their consumers, whereas others go out of their way to collect and analyze as much of their users’ data as they can. The ever-increasing gap between companies’ ethos and philosophy toward user privacy has reached a turning point. On the one hand, you have companies like Apple that have built up a brand and a reputation for standing with their customers by protecting and encrypting their data as much as possible–at times even making that data completely inaccessible to Apple itself. Then again, on the other hand, you have companies like Google that go out of their way to gather as much data and information as possible from their users, without paying nearly as much thought as to how to contain and protect that data from breaches and hacks. As a consumer, these increasingly polarized attitudes and approaches toward the issue of privacy should definitely strike a chord, and at least raise some questions for thought.
What Kind of Personal Data Can A Company Collect
One of the questions that might come to mind is whether or not you actually have any say as to how often or what kinds of data companies can collect from you. Unfortunately, the answer isn’t as cut and dry as a yes or no. The reality is that privacy laws vary immensely depending on the industry, type of service, and location of the company providing the app you are using. As such, the level of accountability and transparency that businesses must meet are quite different from one another. What this means in real world situations is that a customer cannot have universal demands or expectations from businesses and companies regarding their privacy. While this is hugely inconvenient, there is a silver lining in the form of your own decision making. Though you alone cannot control the laws governing the ins and outs of these companies, you can make an educated decision as to which services you choose to use and to what extent you wish to use them.
Agreeing to Terms Regarding Types of Data Gmail and Facebook Can Collect
For example, upon creating an account for Gmail, Twitter, Facebook iCloud and the like, you will typically be presented with a series of options regarding data and diagnostics. While most folks usually just take the easy route and skip ahead using the default settings, it is definitely worth your time to stick around and explore a bit. By taking a second look at what you are agreeing to, you may notice a couple of things that genuinely surprise you. It’s amazing how much these companies can get away with gathering from your usage and many people probably would not be as comfortable using those services, if they understood the extent of the access these companies have regarding your private data. By taking a couple of minutes and reading up on your options while signing up, you can actually limit several major pieces of information that these companies have access to, such as browsing and crash data, frequency of use, and general statistics about your areas of interest and demographics.
Privacy and Data Collection
As for the things you cannot control, there is little else you can do about that outside of finding another company that provides a similar service that values your privacy more than its data collection. Some things you can’t easily limit access to include anything the company exempts or says it needs from you in order to provide their service in their privacy policy and anything else that they can gather ‘publicly’ from your browsing or usage. Certain bits of information are personal but not identifiable, meaning that they cannot see who the data is from nor any identifying characteristics of the user. While it can definitely be scary to think of all the data these companies have collected from you, you should know that usually the data is only used internally. What this means is the company that collected your data while you used their app or service will only use that data to improve the quality and performance of their site or product. The upside of this is your data will not be pawned off to other companies, but the downside is that less and less businesses give you that level of privacy as an option.
Selling Data Information Collected
The classic example of a company that is more than willing to sell and barter away their gathered information is Facebook. To be clear, Facebook is a company which has millions of active users and their database of users is quite diverse, covering many different spheres and communities. As such one would think that Facebook would understand and value their users’ privacy by respecting and protecting it...but no. Facebook instead takes the much more lowly route of simply hoarding as much user data as possible and then selling this data to third party companies for a massive markup and profit. Perhaps the most insulting aspect of this shady business practice is that it happens almost entirely in total secrecy, without any notice or heads up given to any of the user base. As a result of their recklessness, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg has had to appear before Congress to explain the company’s actions and decision making processes, especially in light of recent hacks and security breaks which have exposed millions of users’ profiles, photos, friend lists, and other private data without their permission.
Limiting the Amount of Data Which Can Be Collected from Your Activity
In light of these now public scandals, most consumers have reached a point where they just want to enjoy the services they need without a constant fear of being tracked and the worry of having their collected information leaked publicly. For your own privacy and security, we recommend to do some searching around to see if the particular apps and services you use have strong options for limiting the amount of data that can be gathered from your activity, as well as checking up on the overall reputation of that company as it is relevant to user privacy. Even a simple internet search can bring up any major scandals, side deals, security breaches, and common privacy concerns regarding any given company. By checking out some articles like this one here, you can learn so much more about how your data and privacy are treated on the internet and what you can do about it on your end.
Our Privacy Lawyers Can Help
Our goal here is to empower you with some of the basics regarding your rights to privacy and how data collection works on different platforms. At KAASS LAW, we stand with our clients and we believe that privacy is a right, not a privilege. If you have any other questions or concerns regarding your online privacy and how you can take control of it, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us. We invite you to reach out to us with any problems or cases you may have by giving us a toll free call at (310) 943-1171 to speak to one of our lawyers today.
California Penal Code Section 187 (a) defines murder as “the unlawful killing of a human being, or a fetus with malice aforethought.”
To prove murder, the following must be present:
The defendant committed an act that resulted in the death of another person (or fetus)
The defendant committed the act with malice aforethought
The defendant killed without a reasonable excuse or justification.
Establishing Malice Aforethought
Under California murder law, Penal Code 187 (a), malice can be expressed or implied.
Proof of malice is enough to establish the state of mind necessary for murder. The defendant acted with express malice if there was an unlawful intention to kill the victim.
Elements of Implied Malice
The defendant deliberately committed an act
The probable and natural consequences of the act were dangerous
The act was willfully conducted with knowledge of the danger and conscious disregard for human or fetal life.
In the modern, competitive workplace, maintaining an edge over your competitors’ ideas and innovations has never been more important to the success and longevity of your enterprise. For this reason alone, non-disclosure agreements have become ubiquitous and commonplace across many industries. The fear of secrets, designs, and upcoming ideas or trends leaking out is so prevalent that many companies struggle to contain their own in-house secrets and methods from their competitors without subjecting their own workers to intense scrutiny. However, this is where some of the advantages that come with non-disclosure agreements shine through.
Non-Disclosure Agreements For Business New Employee Hires
Think of it this way: when a business hires a new employee, the very last thing they want out of their new member is for another company to swoop in with a more lucrative offer to steal the employee...especially if the new employee has had some time to learn about the company’s trade secrets and confidential information. Having a key employee or asset leave your company and work for a competitor can be disastrous because of the secret information the worker may have had access to while they worked for you. If they manage to share those secrets with a competitor, then you may very well risk losing your competitive edge in your industry.
California’s Penal Code 647(b) defines prostitution as: engaging in a sexual act in exchange for money or other consideration, and makes it a misdemeanor for anyone 18 or older to:
Pay or accept money or other consideration in exchange for a sexual act (“prostitution”);
Offer to engage in an act of prostitution ("solicitation");
Agree to engage in an act of prostitution;
It is important to mention that all people involved in facilitating the crime can be arrested and face prostitution charges. This includes the supposed prostitute, customer, and any other person that knowingly facilitates the encounter.
Some prostitutes also have middlemen, known generally as “pimps.” Pimps are more likely to be arrested for violating:
California's "pimping and pandering" laws, Penal Code 266h and 266i, or
"Supervising or aiding" a prostitute, Penal Code 653.23
KAASS Law fights hard to help victims involved in Uber and Lyft accidents, including both drivers and passengers, as well as third-party drivers and pedestrians who were injured, to get the compensation they deserve.
California Uber/Lyft Liability Insurance
Under California law, Transportation Network Companies, including Uber and Lyft, must provide primary third-party liability insurance. They must maintain $200,000 of excess liability coverage during "Period 1". Period 1 occurs when the Uber or Lyft app is on but still waiting for a passenger. Therefore, you’ll still want rideshare insurance to cover you during Period 1 when your App is on driver mode. Period 2 Match Notification begins when you accept a ride request, as such Auto Liability Coverage and Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage, as well as Contingent Collision and Comprehensive Coverage, is in effect. Likewise, during period 3, when you're dropping off your passenger(s), the same coverage applies.
Period 1: Lyft Third Party Auto Liability
Lyft’s third-party automobile liability policy will be your primary policy during Period 1. Lyft will also maintain $200,000 of excess liability coverage during Period 1. The rideshare app is on, but you haven't been paired with a passenger. California law has the following minimum requirements.
The Terms and Conditions of Use and Why You Really Should Have One
You’ve seen it. Pretty much every website or online service you use makes you agree to it. Yet, even though it’s everywhere on the internet, many misconceptions still exist. We’re talking, of course, about the Terms and Conditions of Use that you agree to every time you do pretty much anything online. Seeing as how Terms and Conditions exist on every platform, you stand to benefit greatly by understanding why it is so important that every site has their own version of it.
Contrary to popular belief, while the Terms and Conditions of Use agreement is greatly recommended to have for your website or online platform, you are not required by law to have this agreement. From a legal standpoint, only policies regarding user privacy are required to be displayed publicly, and that’s only if you gather personal data from users of your service or platform. Data can refer to such things as email addresses, names, physical addresses, gender, age, telephone numbers and other pieces of personal information. Terms and Conditions of Use can also be called Terms and Conditions or Terms of Service or even just Terms of Use.
California Penal Code Section 273.5 Corporal Injury on a Spouse also referred to as "domestic violence" outlines the specific elements the prosecution is required to prove in order to be found guilty of domestic violence.
The Elements of Penal Code 273.5(a)
Defendant willfully and unlawfully inflicted physical injury on victim. The term willfully indicates that you acted willingly or on purpose, regardless of whether or not it was your intention to break the law.
Victim is a person who has a relationship with the defendant:
Defendant's spouse or former spouse
Current or previous cohabitant. It is very important to note a “cohabitant” is described as two unrelated people who have been living with each other for a significant amount of time that resulted in some type of relationship.
Current or previous fiancé
The father or mother or of his or her child
Physical injury caused a traumatic condition (a wound or other bodily injury, whether minor or serious, was caused by the direct application of physical force).
Difference between California Penal Code Section 243(e) and Domestic Battery and PC 273.5
California Penal Code Section 243(e), domestic battery is similar to PC 273.5. The primary difference between the two domestic violence laws is the level of injuries sustained by the victim. Penal Code 243(e)(1) is the least serious of California domestic violence laws and is always considered to be a misdemeanor offense. One key aspect to consider is you can be convicted of domestic abuse under California Penal Code 243 (e) even if there was no physical injury.
A Temporary Restraining Order, "TRO", is issued by a court which temporarily protects people from Civil Harassment, Workplace Violence, Domestic Violence, and Elder Abuse or Dependent Adult Abuse. A TRO directs the abuser to not contact and abuse the victim. It regulates and restricts the behavior of the abuser. A TRO is generally issued for 21 days. In some cases it can last a bit longer, usually until the abuser is served with the TRO. There are several types of Restraining Orders.
Domestic Violence Restraining Orders
Domestic Violence Restraining Orders – Domestic Violence Restraining Orders require a special relationship between the parties such as: married or registered domestic partners, divorced or separated, dating or used to date, living together or used to live together, or persons closely related by blood such as parent, child, brother, sister, grandmother, grandfather, in-law.
How to Obtain a Domestic Violence Restraining Order?
A promissory note is a legally binding agreement in which the issuer promises in writing to pay a set amount of money to the payee at a determined point in the future.
In effect, a promissory note is a fancy way of promising to pay someone back. It’s a type of document that is found commonly in many aspects of financial transactions. Sometimes, promissory notes are also called loan agreements or IOUs.
When Are Promissory Notes Useful?
If you are loaning or borrowing money, a promissory note is extremely useful to establish because it clearly outlines the terms of the arrangement, including payment details, interest, late fees, collateral, and timeframes and deadlines.
Another reason you would want to use a promissory note is that it is a legally enforceable document as it creates a legal obligation to repay the loan within the specified time. It can be used for mortgages, student loans, car loans, business and personal loans. In short, you’ll want to use a promissory note if:
You want to loan money to a friend or family member and want a signed agreement
(b) A temporary restraining order or a preliminary injunction, or both, may be granted in a class action, in which one or more of the parties sues or defends for the benefit of numerous parties upon the same grounds as in other actions, whether or not the class has been certified.
(c) No temporary restraining order shall be granted without notice to the opposing party, unless both of the following requirements are satisfied:
(1) It appears from facts shown by affidavit or by the verified complaint that great or irreparable injury will result to the applicant before the matter can be heard on notice.
(2) The applicant or the applicant’s attorney certifies one of the following to the court under oath:
(A) That within a reasonable time prior to the application the applicant informed the opposing party or the opposing party’s attorney at what time and where the application would be made.
(B) That the applicant in good faith attempted but was unable to inform the opposing party and the opposing party’s attorney, specifying the efforts made to contact them.
According to California’s Penal Code a defendant can be convicted of first-degree murder if:
The murder was committed either by use of a destructive device or explosive; or by lying in wait
The crime was committed willfully, premeditatedly and deliberately
A specifically enumerated felony was committed that resulted in death
Punishment for First-Degree Murder in California
According to California Penal Code Section 187 the defendant faces 25-years-to-life in the California State Prison for a first-degree murder.
In case the conviction is based on a “hate crime,” the defendant faces life in prison without any possibility of parole or early release. Factors that can lead to a conviction for a hate crime murder include the victim's race, sexual orientation, disability, or nationality.
Punishment for Second-Degree Murder in California
According to California Penal Code Section 187 the defendant faces 15 years-to-life in State prison for a second-degree murder. This sentence can increase to:
20-years-to-life if the defendant killed the victim by shooting a firearm out of a vehicle with the intent of causing serious injury
25-years-to-life if victim is a peace officer
Life without the possibility of parole if victim is a peace officer and defendant specifically intended to kill the officer or inflict serious bodily injury on the officer or killed the officer using a deadly weapon or firearm.
Life without the possibility of parole if the defendant has previously served a sentence for a murder conviction
California Felony Murder Rule
Felony murder occurs during the commission of inherently dangerous felony.
Inherently dangerous felonies are felonies that are so dangerous to human life that the likelihood of death during the commission of the crime is very high. California's felony murder rule refers to both first- and second-degree murders.
Actually it is not required that the defendant kill the victim in furtherance of the underlying felony. Any death that is reasonably connected to the felony is enough, regardless of whether it was intentional or accidental.
So, for prosecution under the felony murder rule, the following elements must be shown:
Defendant had intention to commit the underlying felony
Defendant either committed or attempted to commit the underlying felony
There was more than a mere coincidence between the time and place of the murder and the other felony.
List of Felonies Which Fall Under Felony Murder Rule
The list of such felonies includes but is not limited to the following: Burglary, Torture, Arson, Carjacking, Robbery, Rape, Kidnapping, Mayhem.
Get Help Defending Murder Charges from an Experienced Lawyer
On that note, non-disclosure agreements can help business and prevent this whole situation from ever arising by simply preventing your workers from disclosing or even talking about company secrets and confidential information. However, generic non-disclosure agreements are of little use to most businesses, because each company has its own niche and thus, its own secret information. As such, the best non-disclosure agreements are the ones which are specifically tailored to a company’s needs by an attentive business lawyer. That way, you can be sure that the non-disclosure agreement touches upon all of the relevant points for your company.
Contents to Include in Non-Disclosure Agreement
As far as non-disclosure agreements go, it’s always very important to be particular with what you outline in the contract. Tailoring the agreement to your needs is key to an enforceable and successful agreement that can hold up well in court. So, before making your employee sign your non-disclosure agreement, you’ll want to take a closer look at the contents of the agreement first. Make sure that your agreement mentions:
A specific way in which the non-disclosure agreement is effective
For example, if your business has secrets which contain information that will always be confidential (such as secret recipes for food, algorithms for software, for a secret formula for a blueprint) then your agreement had better reflect that. In such cases, the agreement has to specify that the employee cannot disclose the information at all; the indefinite nature of the agreement is necessitated by the confidential nature of the information at stake. It should also clearly outline the policies and protocols or procedures that the employee must follow in order to prevent unjust disclosure.
A thorough definition of what constitutes “confidential information”
Despite the fact that it may seem entirely obvious to you, an agreement that does not specify what is “confidential information” or what counts as trade secrets, will have little to no benefit to you since it will be very hard to enforce such a vague and unclear agreement in court. To avoid this scenario, the agreement can either specifically call out particular bits of information that employees should not share, or it can alternatively describe “confidential information” in enough detail so that any new employee will receive adequate notice as to what kinds of information are not to be shared.
An outline of possible consequences or remedies
Even if your new employee signs off on a non-disclosure agreement, there is always a chance that they will still violate the terms of your agreement. In fact, there is even a legal term for this: inevitable disclosure. For these situations, your agreement should specify what type of compensation you will be entitled to in the event that a breach occurs. The types of remedies for a breach include monetary compensation for damages to your business as a result of the leak of confidential information, as well as attorney fees incurred throughout the process of enforcing the non-disclosure agreement.
We Can Help
At KAASS LAW, our business law lawyers believe in our clients’ abilities to innovate within their industries. We stand by our clients by helping them draft up specific, tailored non-disclosure agreements to maximize the benefits that it can offer. Ensuring our clients’ commercial success is key for us and we demonstrate this by being with you every step of the way. Even in the event that information gets illegally leaked, we are here to make sure our clients get their due compensation in court. We invite you to give us a toll free call at (310) 943-1171 to speak to our California business attorneys today to see how we can help protect the most valuable assets of your business.
KAASS LAW, 815 E Colorado St #220, Glendale, CA 91205, (310) 943-1171
The defendant willfully intended to engage in a sexual contact or a lewd act with another person; and
In exchange for money or other consideration (these can be anything of value, including drugs, stolen merchandise, forged money, important documents). It is not necessary to make compensation directly to the person providing sexual favors. Actually, a promise to give anything of value, even in the future, is sufficient "consideration" as that term is used in PC 647(b).
Soliciting Prostitution Means
The defendant communicated by words or conduct, an offer or a request, to another person to commit an act of prostitution;
The defendant had clear intent of committing an act of prostitution, it does not matter if the prostitute actually agrees to engage in prostitution, or that any lewd act actually occurred.
Agreeing to Engage in an Act of Prostitution Means
The defendant accepted an offer for sexual services and agreed to engage in an act of prostitution with another person for money or other benefit;
The defendant specifically intended to engage in an act of prostitution with that person;
In addition to agreeing, the defendant performed some act to further the commission of an act of prostitution. It means that the defendant did something after agreeing to commit prostitution that helps interpret the meaning of the agreement.
Defenses to California Prostitution Charge
Entrapment is when a government agency originates the idea of the illegal act, persuades a person to commit a crime and then allows a crime to happen. A person is not considered guilty of a crime if he was coerced or harassed to commit a crime that he was not predisposed to commit. In California’s law system entrapment is considered an affirmative defense, so the defendant has the burden of proving in case he or she was entrapped.
Lack of Evidence is a common defense under California Penal Code 647(b). In many cases prosecution lacks substantial evidence to prove that the defendant committed a crime punishable by conviction.
Misunderstanding: While the defendant may have performed sexual activity but did not have the specific intent to engage in prostitution, he or she cannot be convicted under section 647.
Penalties for Prostitution or Solicitation in California Penal Code 647(b)
Engagements in prostitution, soliciting prostitution or agreement to engage in prostitution are considered misdemeanors under California Penal Code section 647(b).
Penalties for First Offense Conviction for Prostitution Can Include:
Up to six months in county jail, and/or
A fine of up to one thousand dollars
Usually the court places a defendant on a period of probation and orders to perform community service. Moreover, in all prostitution cases, the court orders the defendant to obtain an HIV test.
Subsequent convictions: According to Penal Code 647(b) prostitution is a "priorable" offense, meaning that punishment for prostitution/solicitation increases with each subsequent conviction:
For second offense a court may sentence mandatory minimum a minimum of 45 days in county jail, and a minimum of 90 days for third or subsequent offense:
Additional penalty if committed in a car
If the offense was committed while using an automobile and within 1,000 feet of a residence, the defendant can face additional penalty:
A suspended driver's license for up to 30 days
A restricted driver's license for up to 6 months (one may still drive, but only to and from work or school)
There are a few legal defenses to penal code section 273.5 and are as follows:
Get Help Defending California Penal Code Section 273.5 Corporal Injury on a Spouse and Restraining Order from an Experienced Lawyer
Hire the most dedicated Glendale criminal defense lawyer to the legal services you require! Our attorneys at KAASS LAW are highly dedicated to help our clients in every way possible. You can rely on our experienced lawyers in Glendale, Los Angeles, California, to carefully analyze the facts of your case to prove the facts necessary. We back all of our clients and we invite you to give us a toll free call at (310) 943-1171 to speak to our experienced Glendale domestic violence attorney today. Get in touch with us at KAASS LAW, 815 E Colorado St #220, Glendale, CA 91205, (310) 943-1171 at any time!
KAASS LAW is authorized to practice law in California. The above content is intended for California residents only. This content provides only general information which may or may not reflect current legal developments. KAASS LAW expressly disclaims all liability in respect to actions taken or not taken based on any of the contents of this website. The above content DOES NOT create an attorney-client relationship. KAASS LAW does not represent you unless you have expressly retained KAASS LAW in person at the KAASS LAW office.
KAASS LAW helps clients in: Los Angeles, Burbank, Hollywood, Glendale, Van Nuys, North Hollywood, Studio City, Highland Park, Eagle Rock, Sunland, Tujunga, Sylmar, San Bernardino, La Crescenta, La Canada, Beverly Hills, Westwood, Santa Monica, Brentwood. Pacoima, Montebello, Commerce, Alhambra, Downey, Bell, Maywood, Walnut Park, Vernon, Lynwood, Echo Park, Silverlake, Mission Hills, Northridge, Woodland Hills, Encino, Canoga Park, North Hills, Porter Ranch, Chatsworth, Reseda.
$50,000 bodily injury liability coverage per person injured in an accident
$100,000 of bodily injury liability coverage per accident
$30,000 of property damage liability coverage per accident
Periods 2 and 3: Uber/Lyft Auto Liability Insurance
Periods 2 and 3: Once you've been paired with a passenger and after they've entered your vehicle, the rideshare company, such as Uber or Lyft, are required to carry a $1 million liability insurance policy in California. This covers you and your passengers during Periods 2 and 3. Depending on the company, it may offer additional coverage during these periods as well.
Uber provides drivers with $1 million of uninsured and underinsured motorist bodily injury coverage. It also provides comprehensive and collision coverage with a $1,000 deductible so long as the driver has collision coverage on their personal auto insurance policy.
Lyft provides comprehensive and collision coverage in California, as long as the Lyft drivers have collision coverage on their personal auto insurance policy. Lyft's deductible is $2,500, which is what you'd have to pay out of pocket before it covers any damages.
Does Uber/Lyft Provide Rental Coverage?
If an Uber driver is involved in an accident with a passenger in the car, Uber and Lyft’s insurance will provide liability and collision coverage. However, they often won’t cover things like rental cars, lost wages, and medical expenses. Thus, It is in your best interest to consult with a Los Angeles Uber accident lawyer about your case before speaking with Uber or an insurance adjuster. With professional legal assistance, you will have more leverage in settlement negotiations with Uber and get the compensation you deserve.
Los Angeles Uber Accident Lawyers Can Help
A Los Angeles Uber accident lawyer can help Uber drivers recover damages for the following:
Damage to your car: Property damage to your car as a result of the accident.
Lost Wages: If your income is dependent upon driving for Uber or Lyft, recovering lost wages is especially essential because since you’re a rideshare driver, you won’t be able to work/make money until your car is repaired.
Medical: Medical treatment due to an accident can be costly, and even at low speeds, injuries do occur. Therefore, you may .be entitled to medical treatment costs.
Rental car: While you won't be able to drive Uber or Lyft using a rental car, you may still need a vehicle to get around while your car is being repaired.
Uber/Lyft Accident Attorneys Helping All Injured Victims
If you were involved in an Uber or Lyft accident in California, we invite you to hire our dedicated Los Angeles Uber and Lyft accident lawyer today. Our skilled Uber and Lyft accident attorneys leverage their considerable experience into obtaining significant settlements from insurance companies that are known for being reluctant to pay out on claims. You can rely on our experienced lawyer to carefully analyze the facts of your case to prove the facts necessary. To schedule a free consultation with one of our rideshare lawyers, call Kaass law today at (310) 943-1171 or send us an email through our online appointment form.
Regardless of what you want to call it, a Terms of Use Agreement is a series of rules and conditions to which users must give their consent and understanding in order to utilize a service or product. In short, it is an agreement that establishes the rules that users must agree to if they want to use your website. While you aren’t legally obligated to have a Terms of Use, there are many advantageous reasons why you should include one on your site.
Terms of Use Agreement Can Prevent Abuse of Power
The Terms of Use Agreement serves as a legally binding contract between you and your users. Specifically, the agreement establishes the rules and protocols that users have to follow and abide by if they want to utilize your website or application. On the other hand, a Privacy Policy agreement serves to let your users know about the kinds of data you may collect as they make use of your site, as well as what you plan to do with that collected data. It’s in this agreement that you would write several sections talking about the rules and guidelines that come with using your site, and what the consequences of breaking those rules or abusing them are. Different users can exploit or abuse your site in different ways but some common examples of abusive actions are: spamming other users, posting defamatory content, or using your content in a way that is unintended, etc. However, you can include a clause within your Terms of Use Agreement that outlines that certain actions will not be tolerated, such as harmful language or hate speech, constantly posting spam, and harassing other users. As a consequence for engaging in those forbidden actions, you can ban users who abuse your site.
You’ll Own Your Content
Since you are the owner of your platform, be that a website, an app, or a brand, you have the ability to call the shots with how your stuff can get used. In particular, your branding designs, logos, videos, articles, and software are yours to decide how to use and share, if at all. Moreover, you can let your users know that you are the owner of that content and that your content is protected by international copyright laws. This is a crucial clause to add in your Terms of Use Agreement and it most often gets referred to as the Intellectual Property Clause. Having this clause can really make or break your platform because it directly informs users as to how they can and can’t use your intellectual property without infringing on your original creations. As such, be sure to include a well-written Intellectual Property Clause in your Terms of Use Agreement, or it just might come back to haunt you later down the line.
The Termination Clause in Terms of Use
Terms of Use can also provides a way to end the abusers. Besides helping you deal with abusive users and owning your content, the Terms of Use can also provide a nifty way to permanently end the accounts of particularly problematic users. Specifically, you’ll want to include a clause in the Terms of Use called the Termination Clause.
Terms of Use can Be Subject to Termination Banning User(s) From Using The Service
It lets users know that abusive accounts which violate the Terms of Use can be subject to termination and may get banned from using the service. This clause is especially good for sites, apps, and services that require their users to register an account before being able to use the service because you can outright terminate, disable, or even ban abusive users on the basis of the illicit activity tied to their accounts. Thus, you always an option for dealing with misbehaving users, even in worst case scenarios.
The Terms of Use Also Limit Your Liability
Another important perk that comes along with having a Terms of Use on your site is that such agreements often include a disclaimer which serves to limit the owner’s (i.e. your) liability, in the event that errors, misinformation, or mistakes are found in the contents of your website. Essentially, the Limited Liability Clause lets users know that there are limitations to how liable or responsible the owner can be for any harm that may come to the user because of incomplete, inaccurate, or untrue information. Thus, the content of your website gets even more protection since the degree of liability you would be accountable for much smaller.
International and Online Commerce: Rule of Law
The interesting part of international and online commerce is that our entire economies are becoming ever-increasingly interconnected and linked. Many avenues of business and commerce have bled over into other countries, despite them originating from another country entirely. A great example of this would be Amazon, which serves customers from many parts of the world, but is ultimately based in the United States. This is where the Governing Law clause of your Terms of Use Agreements comes into play. In short, it establishes the jurisdiction which is relevant to the terms outlined in your agreement. Basically, the Governing Law clause states that your agreement is bound by the law of the land in which your company, business, service, or application is headquartered. This clause serves to identify the home country and region that your company is registered in, effectively establishing the kinds of laws and rules that it has to follow. As an example, if your company is headquartered in San Francisco, your Governing Law clause should state that your site is operated by a registered business in the state of California in the United States. That will ensure that your users are aware that your site works in accordance to California and to U.S. federal laws.
Website, Online Service, Software, or Application Should Have a Terms and Conditions of Use Section
Any website, online service, software, or application, should have a dedicated Terms and Conditions of Use section. While it may be the most skipped over section in your site, it is imperative to have users of your service consent to the terms presented in the agreement, as that gives you the opportunity to write in some very helpful clauses. Those clauses will limit your liability, protect your original content, allow for banning and termination of abusive users, and establish your governing law by which you conduct your services. By providing all of this information and requiring your users to consent to the presented terms, you give yourself a lot more wiggle room should any situation ever escalate into a legal issue.
Los Angeles Business Contracts and Agreement Lawyers
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KAASS LAW, 815 E Colorado St #220, Glendale, CA 91205, (310) 943-1171
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There are a few legal defenses to penal code section 273.5 and are as follows:
Self Defense or Defense of Another Person
People have the legal right of self-defense when they are attacked. The most common legal defense strategy is to make the argument you were acting in self-defense or defense of another person. Injuries caused while acting defensively should not lead to a conviction under PC 273.5(a). The amount of force one can legally use to defend him or herself depends upon the circumstances of each case. Under Judicial Council of California Criminal Jury Instructions 505 and 506, you are considered to have used reasonable self-defense if:
You reasonably believed you were in danger of being injured or killed
You reasonably believed that you needed to use force to prevent this from happening
You used no more force than was necessary to stop the threat
The Injury was Caused Accidentally
In order for this defense to be successful, it must be proved that you did not have the intent to strike or injure the victim. Individuals charged with PC 273.5(a) must willfully harm an intimate partner to be convicted. If you accidentally inflicted corporal injury on someone this should not lead to fines and incarceration.
False Accusations Defense
There are plenty reasons you might be facing a false accusations of Penal Code 273.5 PC violations. It is common for individuals to be mistakenly accused for corporal injury. In these cases, the accusation is characteristically grounded on false allegations instigated out of a desire for revenge, anger or jealousy
Penalties for Violation of Penal Code Section 273.5
Corporal injury to spouse under California Penal Code Section 273.5 is known as a “wobbler, and can be filed as either a felony or a misdemeanor. Their decision is typically based on the facts and circumstances of the case and your prior criminal record. If the victim sustained serious injuries or you have a history of domestic violence incidents, the case will normally be filed as a felony crime. If you are convicted of a misdemeanor case for PC 273.5 inflicting corporal injury on a spouse, you will face:
Up to one year in a jail and;
A fine of up to $6,000.
If convicted of a felony spousal abuse case, you will face:
Up to 4 years in a California state prison and;
A fine of up to $6,000
Additionally, the legal penalties for a felony conviction can be increased if you have a prior conviction within the past 7 years for corporal injury on a spouse, domestic battery, assault causing serious bodily injury, assault with a deadly weapon, or sexual battery.
Penalties of a Misdemeanor or Felony Corporal Injury Conviction
The penalties of a misdemeanor or felony corporal injury conviction will probably include a protective or restraining order stopping you from getting into any contact with the victim, for a maximum of ten years. Furthermore, a conviction under PC 273.5(a) can lead to additional punishments. Individuals in Los Angeles convicted of corporal injury to a spouse may lose their right to Firearm Ownership and Professional Licenses.
Domestic Violence Restraining Order Coupled with Domestic Violence Charge
Often times the victim may file a domestic violence restraining order which is a court order which directs the abuser to not contact and abuse the victim. Furthermore, it regulates and restricts the behavior of the abuser. To obtain a domestic violence restraining order the victim must prove by a preponderance of the evidence that the victim has suffered some type of abuse which could include bodily injury, including causing or attempted to cause bodily injury, sexual assault, or show that the victim has been placed in reasonable apprehension of receiving imminent serious bodily injury.
Get Help Defending California Penal Code Section 273.5 Corporal Injury on a Spouse and Restraining Order from an Experienced Lawyer
Hire the most dedicated Glendale criminal defense and Los Angeles restraining order attorney. Our attorneys at KAASS LAW are highly dedicated to help our clients in every way possible. You can rely on our experienced lawyer to carefully analyze the facts of your case to prove the facts necessary. We back all of our clients and we invite you to give us a toll free call at (310) 943-1171 to speak to our experienced Glendale domestic violence attorney today.
KAASS LAW, 815 E Colorado St #220, Glendale, CA 91205, (310) 943-1171
To obtain a domestic violence restraining order the victim must prove by a preponderance of the evidence that the victim has suffered some type of abuse which could include bodily injury, including causing or attempted to cause bodily injury, sexual assault, or show that the victim has been placed in reasonable apprehension of receiving imminent serious bodily injury.
Workplace Violence Restraining Orders
Workplace Violence – An employer may obtain a restraining order to protect an employee from being subjected to unnecessary violence and threats of violence at the workplace. The restraining order extends protection to certain family members or household members and other employees at the workplace.
Civil Harassment Restraining Orders
Civil Harassment - Restraining Orders involving Civil Harassment(s) there does not need to be a special relation between the parties. A civil harassment restraining order is issued when a person is being subjected to stalking, threat of violent, sexual assault, or some kind of harassment, such as unlawful assault and battery or conduct that severely alarms, annoys, or harasses the other person and serves no legitimate purpose. Civil harassment restraining orders are usually issued between neighbors, roommate, friend, family member more than 2 degrees removed, like an aunt or uncle, a niece or nephew, cousins, and more distant relatives, or strangers. A few scenarios considered as "harassment" by the court include:
Repeatedly calling, emailing, texting, the victim's home or at their place of employment;
Keeping the victim under surveillance by following and/or remaining present outside their school, home, or at the victim's place of employment
Repeatedly following the victim about in a public place or places;
Videotaping or taking photographs of the victim at their home
Elder or Dependent Adult Abuse Restraining Order
Elder or Dependent Adult Abuse – An elder or dependent adult may request a restraining order to seek protection against abuse. An elder is defined as anyone 65 years or older and a Dependent Adult is a person between the ages of 18 and 64 years of age that has disabilities that prevent that person from performing the normal activities in life. The restraining order may be filed for the elder or dependent adult by a conservator or a trustee of the elder or dependent adult, a guardian ad litem, or any person legally authorized to seek relief.
The TRO Process in California
For a person to obtain a TRO in California, that person must go to court and fill out the required paperwork explaining to the judge what occurred and why that person needs a restraining order. This person can ask the judge to issue a Temporary Restraining Order without notifying the other party. Most judges are inclined to issue the Temporary Restraining Order if enough facts demonstrate the need for a restraining order. The Temporary Restraining Order is valid and in effect until the actual court hearing, which is scheduled three weeks after issuing the TRO. The person obtaining the TRO must have the court papers and TRO served on the other party within five days of the scheduled court hearing. It is after personal service the TRO is in full force and effect. This means there must be proof that the defendant was personally served with the TRO.
Get Help Defending a Restraining Order from an Experienced Restraining Order Lawyer
Hire the most dedicated Los Angeles restraining order attorney. Our attorneys at KAASS LAW are highly dedicated to help our clients in every way possible. You can rely on our experienced restraining order lawyer to carefully analyze the facts of your case to prove the facts necessary. Whether you would like to to have a restraining order filed against a person, or if you are in need of defense against a restraining order. We back all of our clients and we invite you to give us a toll free call at (310) 943-1171 to speak to our experienced restraining order lawyers today.
You may also contact us by using the form below and one of our team members will contact you back at your earliest convenience.
[contact-form-7 id="5673" title="KAASS LAW Contact Form"]
You want to borrow money from a family member or friend and you want to show them that you plan to repay the debt
You are going to loan someone money and you want to charge interest
You are borrowing money and you want to put up collateral to secure the loan
What to Include in a Promissory Note?
Crucially, a promissory note states all of the relevant terms of the loan. Some of the important information to include in a promissory note would be:
Contact Information
The names and addresses of the lender and borrower
The amount of money being lent
How payments will be made: lump sum, on demand, or installments
Interest rates, if applicable
Frequency of payments
How often payments are to be made and in what amount or format
Late Fee
Will the borrower be charged a late fee and if so, when and how much
Collateral
If collateral will be used in the event of failure of payment, then you’ll need to write a description of the property that will be taken as collateral
Loan Sale
Can the lender sell the loan?
Signatures of both parties
Tailor Your Promissory Note to Your Specific Transaction
It’s worth noting that which information and details you need to include in your promissory note are going to vary depending on your specific transaction.
For instance, a simple promissory note may be for a lump sum repayment on a certain date. Let’s say you lent your friend some money and they agree to repay you by the beginning of next month. In that agreement, the full amount is due on that date, and there is no payment schedule to worry about. As for interest, there may or may not be interest involved in the transaction, depending on what agreement you both came to.
A demand promissory note, on the other hand, requires repayment of the loan when the lender asks for the money back, however, typically a reasonable amount of notice is needed.
How to Collect a Debt on a Promissory Note?
Even with a promissory note, there is no guarantee that the person or entity will actually pay you back. However, with a promissory note, you do have several options and courses of actions that you can take to get your money back.
Talk to them
Often, it’s best to have a conversation with whoever owes you to figure out what is preventing them from repaying you. If you keep the lines of communication open, then you may be able to come to repayment arrangement
Send them a letter
In the letter, include the original terms of the agreement and their signature to the note. Go on to remind them of the terms and request for them to follow through with their side of the arrangement. Sometimes, that kind of reminder is all that is needed.
Document Everything
Compile a folder with any notes you have regarding the arrangement, the original note that was signed, and any other correspondence or attempts at communication that you may have made.
Work with a debt collector
You can get a debt collector to collect the money for you and then they will take a percent of the amount. Or, alternatively, you can just sell the loan to the debt collector and then they will be responsible for it.
File a lawsuit
If all else fails, you can always sue the borrower for the full amount of the debt they owe you.
At KAASS LAW, we understand accountability and mutual respect with business partners. It can be hard to mix friends and business but it’s always a good idea to keep emotions out of business transactions.
If you or a loved one need help writing a promissory note, or following up to get your payment from the promissory note, our Glendale business lawyers are here to help. We back all of our clients and we invite you to give us a toll free call at (310) 943-1171 to speak to our experienced business lawyers today.
KAASS LAW, 815 E Colorado St #220, Glendale, CA 91205, (310) 943-1171
(C) That for reasons specified the applicant should not be required to so inform the opposing party or the opposing party’s attorney.
(d) In case a temporary restraining order is granted without notice in the contingency specified in subdivision (c):
(1) The matter shall be made returnable on an order requiring cause to be shown why a preliminary injunction should not be granted, on the earliest day that the business of the court will admit of, but not later than 15 days or, if good cause appears to the court, 22 days from the date the temporary restraining order is issued.
(2) The party who obtained the temporary restraining order shall, within five days from the date the temporary restraining order is issued or two days prior to the hearing, whichever is earlier, serve on the opposing party a copy of the complaint if not previously served, the order to show cause stating the date, time, and place of the hearing, any affidavits to be used in the application, and a copy of the points and authorities in support of the application. The court may for good cause, on motion of the applicant or on its own motion, shorten the time required by this paragraph for service on the opposing party.
(3) When the matter first comes up for hearing, if the party who obtained the temporary restraining order is not ready to proceed, or if the party has failed to effect service as required by paragraph (2), the court shall dissolve the temporary restraining order.
(4) The opposing party is entitled to one continuance for a reasonable period of not less than 15 days or any shorter period requested by the opposing party, to enable the opposing party to meet the application for a preliminary injunction. If the opposing party obtains a continuance under this paragraph, the temporary restraining order shall remain in effect until the date of the continued hearing.
(5) Upon the filing of an affidavit by the applicant that the opposing party could not be served within the time required by paragraph (2), the court may reissue any temporary restraining order previously issued. The reissued order shall be made returnable as provided by paragraph (1), with the time for hearing measured from the date of reissuance. No fee shall be charged for reissuing the order.
(e) The opposing party may, in response to an order to show cause, present affidavits relating to the granting of the preliminary injunction, and if the affidavits are served on the applicant at least two days prior to the hearing, the applicant shall not be entitled to any continuance on account thereof. On the day the order is made returnable, the hearing shall take precedence over all other matters on the calendar of the day, except older matters of the same character, and matters to which special precedence may be given by law. When the cause is at issue it shall be set for trial at the earliest possible date and shall take precedence over all other cases, except older matters of the same character, and matters to which special precedence may be given by law.
(f) Notwithstanding failure to satisfy the time requirements of this section, the court may nonetheless hear the order to show cause why a preliminary injunction should not be granted if the moving and supporting papers are served within the time required by Section 1005 and one of the following conditions is satisfied:
(1) The order to show cause is issued without a temporary restraining order.
(2) The order to show cause is issued with a temporary restraining order, but is either not set for hearing within the time required by paragraph (1) of subdivision (d), or the party who obtained the temporary restraining order fails to effect service within the time required by paragraph (2) of subdivision (d).
(g) This section does not apply to an order issued under the Family Code.
(h) As used in this section:
(1) “Complaint” means a complaint or a cross-complaint.
(2) “Court” means the court in which the action is pending.(Amended by Stats. 2000, Ch. 688, Sec. 4. Effective January 1, 2001.)
You have the right to receive assistance from a restraining order lawyer regarding legal matters.