Mario Tafur

I have built a career and a reputation by advocating for the rights of the accused. At Bulldog Law, my team and I have defended thousands of clients throughout the United States in various criminal cases across both state and federal courts, encompassing trials and appeals. Additionally, we manage personal injury and cryptocurrency cases.

My lawyers and I have been described as "bulldogs" for our tenacious and successful representation in legal proceedings. We vigorously defend our clients, fully aware of the high stakes and our potential to significantly impact their lives.

• Zoom
• RingCentral

• Free Consultation

California

State Bar of California

Attorney - Founder

Bulldog Law

Current

James E. Rogers College of Law, University of Arizona

J.D. (1998)

1995 - 1998

Northern Arizona University

B.A. (1994) | Philosophy

1990 - 1994

California State Bar  # 329899

member

Current

Q. Adult son in accident, hospital says in custody, police don't have him booked, no info for a week. What to do?

April 18, 2025

A: First, you should submit a formal written request to the hospital for information about your son’s condition and status. Under California Health and Safety Code § 4717, hospitals are obligated to attempt contact with a patient’s next of kin or designated representative within 24 hours if the patient is unconscious or unable to communicate, unless the patient has explicitly opted out. Given the hospital’s claim that your son is “in custody,” clarify whether this refers to temporary emergency protective custody under Welfare and Institutions Code § 15703, which permits law enforcement to take an endangered adult into custody for medical evaluation. In such cases, the hospital must document efforts to notify family members. Cite California Civil Code § 56.1007 in your request, as it allows disclosure of medical information to family members when it is in the patient’s best interest and relevant to their care, particularly in emergencies.

Next, engage with the relevant law enforcement agency to obtain details about the accident and your son’s status. California Vehicle Code § 16005 and § 20012 require law enforcement to disclose accident-related information, such as the names of involved parties, date, time, location, and general circumstances, to individuals with a “proper interest,” including family members. Submit a written request citing these statutes. If the police confirm your son is not booked, inquire whether he is under investigation or was placed in protective custody, as this may explain the hospital’s statement. If your request is denied, legal action, such as a court order, may be necessary to compel disclosure.

You may also leverage emergency disclosure exceptions under California law. Civil Code § 56.1007 permits health care providers to share medical information with family members if the patient is incapacitated and disclosure serves the patient’s best interest. Additionally, California Civil Code § 1798.24 allows disclosure in compelling circumstances affecting an individual’s health or safety, provided it complies with other laws. These provisions can support your efforts to obtain updates on your son’s condition, especially if he is in the ICU.

If these steps do not yield results, consider filing a petition for a writ of mandamus to compel the hospital or law enforcement to release information. Courts have recognized family members’ rights to access information when privacy concerns are outweighed by health or safety risks, as established in California case law, such as Cal. ex rel. Dep’t of Transp. v. Superior Court (1985) 37 Cal. 3d 847. This petition should detail your exhausted efforts and the potential risk to your son’s well-being due to the lack of information.

Given the complexity of navigating HIPAA, California privacy laws, and potential criminal or custodial issues, I strongly recommend consulting an attorney experienced in health care and privacy law. ... Read More

Q. How can I sue Riverside County Sheriff's Dept for harassment?

April 18, 2025

A: To pursue a lawsuit against the Riverside County Sheriff's Department, you must first identify actionable claims. For harassment, you may have grounds for a civil rights claim under 42 U.S.C. Section 1983, alleging violations of your constitutional rights, such as the Fourth Amendment’s protection against unreasonable searches or the Fourteenth Amendment’s guarantee of due process. Cases like Roger v. County of Riverside (44 Cal. App. 5th 510) and Pierce v. San Mateo County Sheriff’s Department (232 Cal. App. 4th 995) emphasize that you must demonstrate the department’s actions lacked legitimate law enforcement purpose and were arbitrary or harassing. For invasion of privacy, California Civil Code Section 1708.8 may apply if the department’s actions, such as the probation search, intruded on your private activities in a manner offensive to a reasonable person, though this does not extend to illegal activities.

A critical first step is complying with the Government Claims Act (Government Code Section 810 et seq.). You must file a written claim with the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department within six months of the alleged incidents, detailing the misconduct, harm suffered, and damages sought, as outlined in cases like Willis v. City of Carlsbad (48 Cal. App. 5th 1104). If the claim is rejected or no response is received within 45 days, you have six months to file a lawsuit, per Lowry v. Port San Luis Harbor District (56 Cal. App. 5th 211).

Several legal obstacles must be addressed. Government Code Section 945.3 prohibits filing a civil action while your nine open criminal matters are pending, though the statute of limitations is tolled during this period. Additionally, if you were on probation, the Sheriff’s Department may argue that searches were lawful under probation conditions, as upheld in In re Jaime P. (40 Cal. 4th 128). To counter this, you must provide evidence, such as witness statements or documentation, showing the searches or arrests were arbitrary, particularly regarding the March 18 incident where you were prevented from attending court and the probation search where drugs were allegedly found in a room you did not occupy.

Once the criminal matters are resolved and the Government Claims Act requirements are met, you can file a lawsuit in state or federal court, alleging specific misconduct, harm (e.g., emotional distress or financial loss), and legal claims under 42 U.S.C. Section 1983 or California Civil Code Section 1708.8. Given the complexity of suing a government entity, consulting an attorney experienced in civil rights and government claims is highly advisable to ensure procedural compliance and build a compelling case. ... Read More

Q. Facing charges under Penal Code 532a in CA with inaccurate police report affecting case.

April 18, 2025

A: To effectively challenge the inaccuracies in the police report and strengthen your defense against charges under Penal Code Section 532a, which pertains to false financial statements, you should consider the following steps. First, collaborate closely with your public defender or a private attorney to thoroughly review the police report and gather evidence that contradicts the inaccuracies. This may include financial records, witness statements, or other documentation that demonstrates the falsehoods in the report. California courts, as seen in cases like People v. Vincent (19 Cal. App. 4th 696), require that all elements of a Section 532a violation, such as the accuracy of financial statements, be proven, making it essential to highlight any discrepancies.

Second, you may file a motion to suppress or dismiss evidence based on the false or misleading information in the police report. Under California law, evidence obtained or presented through inaccurate means can be challenged. A motion under Penal Code Section 995 could also be appropriate to set aside the charges if the evidence supporting them is insufficient or unreliable, as demonstrated in Akhlaghi v. Superior Court (161 Cal. App. 4th 561), where charges were dismissed due to failure to meet statutory requirements.

Third, during trial, you can challenge the credibility of the police report and related evidence. The court’s decision in People v. Vincent underscores the importance of reliable evidence, reversing a conviction when statutory requirements were not met. If the inaccuracies suggest intentional misconduct by the reporting officer, you may also consider filing a complaint with the police department’s internal affairs division, though this should be secondary to your defense strategy. ... Read More