California appeals court just REVERSED a murder conviction because police went too far with an undercover interrogation. In People v. Zapata (2026), the court ruled that once a suspect invokes their right to a lawyer, police can't use undercover agents and coercive tactics to get around Miranda rights.

What happened: Jason Zapata was placed in a cell with undercover cops posing as inmates (a "Perkins operation"). After he asked for a lawyer, a deputy used a fake lineup and psychological pressure to trick him into confessing to murder. The confession got him convicted—but the Court of Appeal threw it out.

Key legal issues covered:
✅ Miranda v. Arizona - Your right to remain silent
✅ Edwards v. Arizona - Invoking your right to counsel
✅ Illinois v. Perkins - Undercover police operations
✅ Rhode Island v. Innis - What counts as "interrogation"
✅ When police tactics cross the constitutional line. This case creates a NEW LIMIT on Perkins operations: Known police officers can't actively "stimulate" undercover interrogations after a suspect invokes Miranda rights.

📚 CASE CITATION: People v. Zapata (2026) D084024, California Court of Appeal, Fourth Appellate District, https://www4.courts.ca.gov/opinions/documents/D084024.PDF

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💬 What do you think? Did the court get it right? Drop your opinion in the comments!

#MirandaRights #CriminalLaw #TrueCrime #LawExplained #PerkinsOperation #ConstitutionalRights #LegalAnalysis #CourtCase #CriminalJustice

Anton Vialtsin, Esq.
LAWSTACHE™ LAW FIRM | Criminal Defense and Business Law
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San Diego Federal Drug Defense: 2025 Sentencing Changes for Border Couriers & Minimal Role Reductions

If you've been charged with transporting drugs across the San Diego-Mexico border, the 2025 federal sentencing guideline amendments could significantly reduce your potential prison time. As a San Diego criminal defense attorney, I explain how drug couriers may qualify for minimal or minor role reductions under the new §2D1.1 and §3B1.2 guidelines.

In this video, you'll learn:
✓ How the 2025 amendments affect border drug courier cases
✓ Qualifying for a minimal role reduction (4-level decrease)
✓ Minor role adjustments (2-level decrease) explained
✓ Real scenarios: when couriers are eligible for reduced sentences
✓ How these reductions can save you YEARS in federal prison
✓ What federal judges look for in mitigating role arguments

Were you recruited to carry drugs across the border? You may qualify for a minimal role reduction.

Many people facing federal drug charges in San Diego were simply couriers — not organizers or major players in drug trafficking operations. The federal sentencing guidelines recognize this, and the 2025 amendments strengthen these protections.

📞 Facing federal drug charges in San Diego, Southern California, or Nevada? Contact my office for a case evaluation.

#SanDiegoCriminalDefense #FederalDrugCharges #BorderCrimes #DrugCourier #SentencingGuidelines #SanDiegoAttorney #FederalDefense #MinimalRole #DrugTransportation #CaliforniaCriminalLaw

Anton Vialtsin, Esq.
LAWSTACHE™ LAW FIRM | Criminal Defense and Business Law
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Can police search a bag in your car without a warrant? The Supreme Court says yes—and this decision affects thousands of traffic stops and drug arrests every year.

In California v. Acevedo (1991), the U.S. Supreme Court expanded the automobile exception to the Fourth Amendment, allowing police to search containers inside a vehicle if they claim probable cause—even without a warrant.

But probable cause is often overstated, misunderstood, or flat-out wrong.

I’m a criminal defense attorney, and in this video I explain:

When police can search your car or a bag inside it

When a warrant is still required

How officers misuse the automobile exception

How illegal searches can lead to suppressed evidence and dismissed cases

If you were stopped, searched, or arrested after a traffic stop, drug investigation, or vehicle search, this case may determine whether the evidence against you is constitutional—or throw-outable.

📍 Facing criminal charges?
Do not assume the police search was legal. An experienced defense attorney can challenge probable cause, stop unconstitutional searches, and protect your rights.

👉 Contact a criminal defense lawyer immediately if police searched your vehicle or personal property.

Read more here: California v. Acevedo, 500 U.S. 565 (1991), https://supreme.justia.com/cases/federal/us/500/565/#tab-opinion-1958783

Anton Vialtsin, Esq.
LAWSTACHE™ LAW FIRM | Criminal Defense and Business Law
https://lawstache.com
(619) 357-6677

Do you want to buy our Lawstache merchandise? Maybe a t-shirt?
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Want to mail me something (usually mustache related)? Send it to 185 West F Street, Suite 100-D, San Diego, CA 92101

Want to learn about our recent victories?
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