E.A. Gjelten

Legal Editor

E.A. (Liz) Gjelten has been a legal editor at Nolo since 2016. She enjoys using her research, analytical, and writing skills to translate complex legal issues into jargon-free language that’s accessible to lay readers without compromising accuracy.

Legal background. Before coming to Nolo, Liz worked for 12 years as a legal author for Thomson Reuters, writing about new legal developments in family law and workers’ compensation for Westlaw and print publications. She also researched and wrote the annual roundup of new California legislation for a monthly family law journal. Before that, Liz worked for 15 years as an author, legal editor, and managing editor for California Family Law Report, a small legal publishing company.

Working at Nolo. Since 2021, Liz has worked as the legal editor for family law and divorce, drawing on her years of experience researching, writing, and editing in that area. Before that, Liz was a special projects editor, writing articles on a range of topics, including workers’ compensation, civil rights, and animal law.

Other pursuits. Liz has a B.A. in Political Science from the University of California at Los Angeles and an M.F.A. in Creative Writing from San Francisco State University. She is a produced playwright and has taught at San Francisco State University and New College of California. She’s also worked as a freelance book editor, journalist, and grant writer.

Articles By E.A. Gjelten

Mississippi Misdemeanor Crimes by Class and Sentences
Learn how Mississippi law determines which crimes are misdemeanors and what penalties come with those crimes.
Washington Felony Crimes by Class and Sentences
Learn the felony sentencing rules in the State of Washington, as well as the maximum prison sentences and fines for different types of felonies.
West Virginia Felony Crimes and Sentences
Learn the basics of how felony sentencing works in West Virginia, including when you might be eligible for a suspended sentence and probation rather than prison.
Red Flag Laws: Constitutionality and Enforcement of Extreme Risk Protection Orders
Learn about state laws that allow law enforcement, family members, and sometimes other community members to request court orders to disarm people who pose a risk of gun violence.
Gun Storage Laws in California
California gun owners must store their weapons safely and securely to keep them from children and adults who aren’t supposed to have firearms.
Maryland Red Flag Laws and Extreme Risk Protective Orders
Maryland allows family members, certain health professionals, law enforcement, and others to request orders that require dangerous gun owners to give up their weapons.
What Can the Police Arrest You for at a Protest?
Learn about your constitutional rights when protesting, the limits on those rights, and when your actions could be illegal.
Washington Misdemeanor Crimes by Class and Sentences
In Washington, misdemeanors are crimes that carry potential jail sentences of less than a year.
District of Columbia Felony Crimes and Sentences
Learn how felony sentencing works in Washington, D.C., when you might get probation instead of imprisonment, and when the law requires sentence enhancements.
Maryland Felony Crimes by Class and Sentences
Learn how criminal sentencing works in Maryland, when felony sentences might be served in a local jail rather than prison, and how previous convictions affect potential sentences.