Yearly Archives: 2013

Fall UW Applicants Beware

Fall is not just the start of the football season. It is also the start of a new school year, and applicants are always excited to find out if they made it into their favorite school for the fall semester. Some prospective University of Washington students may not be so happy to find out, however,… Continue Reading »

Emphasis Patrols Abound

Will the extra patrols ever end? The answer is clearly … “no”; they are here to stay. King County law enforcement is yet again putting extra officers on the road until September 2, 2013. The current emphasis patrol is entitled, ‘Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over’. This is a national campaign conducted by the National… Continue Reading »

WA Supreme Court Rules Counties Can Be Liable

Washington’s Supreme Court says cities, counties and utility companies can be liable when faulty road design leads to injuries in car crashes – even when the driver is drunk. In an 8-1 ruling Thursday, the justices overturned a lower court’s decision in a case involving a crash near Anacortes. There, two people who had been… Continue Reading »

Seattle set to Eradicate "Conviction" Stigma

On November 1, 2013 Employers in Seattle must commence following new rules for use of conviction and arrest records for jobs posted within the city limits of Seattle. SMC Ordinance 14.17 institutes the following rules and regulations for jobs not involving unsupervised access to children under the age of 16, developmentally disabled persons, or vulnerable adults:… Continue Reading »

Don't Drive Distracted … Police are on the Hunt

As many Washingtonians are now aware, folks driving in Washington state are prohibited from texting or talking on cellphones without the use of a hands-free device. The fine for violating Washington’s distracted driver law is $124. Teens with intermediate driver’s licenses or learning permits may not use any wireless device at all while driving, unless,… Continue Reading »

Measures and Amendments … Our ever Changing Legal Landscape

On July 28, 2013 new Washington laws related to wrongful convictions and alcohol sales took effect. Wrongfully convicted persons can now be compensated for their tragic ordeal and certain businesses are now permitted easier access to liquor sales and service. The new laws pertaining to wrongful convictions allow people wrongfully convicted of a crime to… Continue Reading »

BUI Emphasis Patrols this Weekend

And there off … not quite yet, but this Sunday the hydroplanes, a high flying airshow and Seafair are back in action and that means … Boating Under the Influence emphasis patrols … yikes. Commencing Friday and ending late Sunday law enforcement will be patrolling our Lake Washington waterways looking for impaired boaters. Last year… Continue Reading »

Washington New BUI Laws go into Effect Today

Washington’s new Boating Under the Influence (“BUI”) laws have taken effect; operating a boat (or other motorized water vessel) while impaired just became a whole lot more riskier. As of today, a person convicted of BUI faces 364 days in jail and a $5,000 fine. Revised RCW 79A.60.040 is aimed at: (1) improving boating safety… Continue Reading »

Tougher DUI Law's Now in Place

And it is official; Thursday Governor Inslee signed into law a measure to more closely monitor motorists who are repeatedly convicted of DUI. As previously posted, under the bill: (1) drivers charged with a subsequent DUI face mandatory arrest and booking into jail, and the pleasure of installing an interlock device on any vehicle they… Continue Reading »

Tougher DUI Laws Coming Your Way

Washington lawmakers advanced a plan Wednesday to more closely monitor motorists who repeatedly drive under the influence, but the Legislature backed away from a costly proposal that would have increased minimum jail times for such offenders. Under the revised bill, drivers charged with a second impaired driving offense would face mandatory booking in jail and… Continue Reading »