John McCurley

John McCurley

Attorney · University of San Francisco School of Law

John McCurley started writing criminal law articles for Nolo as a freelancer in 2015. He joined the Nolo staff as a Legal Editor in 2016.  

Education. John has a bachelor’s degree in engineering physics from the University of California, San Diego, and completed law school at the University of San Francisco School of Law in 2008.

Legal training. During law school, John became interested in the criminal justice system while interning with the Prison Law Office and the San Francisco and Contra Costa County public defender’s offices. After graduating and passing the California Bar in 2008, John practiced criminal defense and juvenile dependency law, primarily doing writs and appeals.

Legal career. John is currently a member of the California State Bar and has been a certified appellate law specialist since 2017 (certification from by the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization). John maintains a small private practice in San Diego (see www.mccurleylaw.com), handling mostly court-appointed juvenile dependency appeals out of various Southern California counties. He has a number published victories, including In re Juarez (2010) 182 Cal.App.4th 1316, K.F. v. Superior Court (2014) 224 Cal.App.4th 1369, People v. Hill (2015) 236 Cal.App.4th 1100 (co-counsel), and In re Bianca S. (2015) 241 Cal.App.4th 1272.

Articles By John McCurley

Tennessee's Vehicular Homicide Laws and Penalties
A motorist who kills another person while driving recklessly will likely face vehicular homicide charges.
Massachusetts’s Cell Phone-Use and Texting-While-Driving Laws
Massachusetts’s distracted driving laws generally ban texting-while-driving for all motorists and talking on a cellphone for only certain drivers. Violations will result in fines.
Talking on a Cell Phone & Texting While Driving in Colorado
Colorado’s distracted driving laws prohibit text messaging for all drivers and talking on a cellphone for only certain drivers. Read about the law's specifics, including the costs of a cellphone or texting ticket.
Move-Over Laws: Making Way for First Responders
“Move-over” laws generally specify what motorists must do when approaching or being approached by first responders dealing with an emergency. Drivers who don't follow these rules can be ticketed.
How Do Driver’s License Point Systems Work?
How DMV demerit point systems work and consequences of having too many points.
Red Light and Stop Sign Tickets in Illinois
Motorists must come to a complete stop at a red light or stop sign in Illinois. If you get caught running a stop sign or red light, you’ll typically be looking at a fine and points on your driving record.
Red Light and Stop Sign Tickets in Texas
Texas drivers who run stop signs or stop lights will likely have to pay a fine. A red light or stop sign violation will also add demerit points to a motorist’s driving record.
Red Light and Stop Sign Tickets in Tennessee
Tennessee drivers who run stop signs or stop lights will likely have to pay a fine. A red light or stop sign violation will also add demerit points to a motorist’s driving record.
Red Light and Stop Sign Tickets in Ohio
Ohio drivers must come to a complete stop at a stop sign or red light. Running a stop sign or red light will likely result in a fine. A red light or stop sign conviction will also add points to a person’s driving record.
Red Light and Stop Sign Tickets in Indiana
Motorists must come to a complete stop at a red light or stop sign in Indiana. If you get caught running a stop sign or red light, you’ll typically be looking at a fine and points on your driving record.