John McCurley
Attorney · University of San Francisco School of Law
How Long Is a Voluntary or Involuntary Manslaughter Sentence?
How can the same act be murder in one state and manslaughter in another? ... READ MORE
Aiding and Abetting a Crime
Obviously, someone who commits a crime, the “perpetrator,” is legally responsible for doing so. But can a person who merely assists the perpetrator also get in trouble? ... READ MORE
Release From Jail on One’s Own Recognizance: What It Means to Get "OR"
Getting released on your own recognizance is great because it’s free. But you might have to spend a little more time in jail to get it. Learn what O.R. release means and whether it's a good deal. ... READ MORE
Enhanced Penalties for DUI Cases Involving Accidents and Injuries
Enhanced penalties often apply when a drunk driver causes property damage, injuries, or death. ... READ MORE
What Happens If I Refuse to Take a Breath or Blood Test After Being Pulled Over for a DUI?
Learn about DUI implied consent laws and some of the consequences of refusing to take a chemical test. ... READ MORE
Criminal Sentencing Enhancements
Sentence enhancements (also called “aggravating factors”) allow—and sometimes require—judges to increase a defendant’s sentence beyond the normal range. Typically, enhancements relate to the defendant’s criminal history or specific details about how the current offense was accomplished that increase its gravity. ... READ MORE
Why Might Bail Be Denied?
A person who is accused of committing a crime usually has a right to pretrial release on bail. But there are some exceptions. Learn when judges can deny bail. ... READ MORE
The VINE Network: Victim Notification and Information System
Read about the how the VINE (“Victim Information and Notification Everyday”) network keeps victims and concerned citizens informed of offender status and location. ... READ MORE
What Happens If You Fail to Register as a Sex Offender?
Sex offenders who don’t register or fail to abide by registration requirements can be prosecuted for “failure to register.” Failure to register is a crime in every state. And, under certain circumstances, failure to register can lead to federal charges. ... READ MORE
Criminal Charges for DUIs Resulting in Deaths
The consequences of a DUI conviction are typically serious. But generally, the most severe penalties are reserved for DUIs where someone is killed. And it usually doesn’t matter whether the death was that of a passenger, person in another car, or pedestrian: the impaired driver is responsible all the same. ... READ MORE