Yearly Archives: 2015

A Better Way to Incentivize?

In Washington State driving under the influence (“DUI”) has become increasingly taboo over the years. The government has made a concerted effort to stop people from drinking and driving. As a point of emphasis, Washington (unlike other states in our union, i.e. Oregon) actually does not convict or punish a person for riding a bicycle… Continue Reading »

I’m Not Going To Jail! But I’m On Probation?

You have just pled guilty to a criminal charge and the Judge has suspended all of the jail time but has placed you on active probation. Congratulations! You are not going to jail but are you wondering what probation is? Probation is the suspension of a jail sentence that allows a person convicted of a… Continue Reading »

DV impacts Right to Bear Arms

The tragedy at Marysville-Pilchuck High School last October wherein Jaylen Fryberg killed himself and several classmates resulted, in part, from the actions of his father. Jaylen fatally shot his friends and himself in the school cafeteria last fall. He used one of his father’s firearms in the incident. Now Jaylen’s father, Raymond, is facing six… Continue Reading »

Predictor of Crime?

Should our legal system consider a person’s low resting heart rate (“RHR”) as a mitigating factor in lessening punishment for crimes? Scientists say they can now identify young men who are nearly 50 percent more likely than their peers to become violent criminals via a basic heart rate test. The test measures a person’s resting… Continue Reading »

The Jury Found Me Guilty! Can I Appeal??

Each and every criminal defendant has certain constitutional rights, the most important being the right to have a jury of his or her own peers decide whether they are guilty or innocent of the alleged crime. Taking a case to trial is a risky proposition for those participating, especially for the criminal defendant involved in… Continue Reading »

I’m Charged with a Crime … Am I Going to Jail?

Every day in courts throughout the United States, defendants are sentenced to crimes. Many times the defendant will be sentenced to jail or prison, and sometimes the respective Judge may impose jail alternatives. Sentences for a criminal conviction can take many forms, and a conviction doesn’t always mean a trip to jail or prison. Alternative… Continue Reading »

SR-22 … Not just a State Route

Anyone who is convicted of a DUI or a Reckless Driving charge in Washington state unfortunately loses their privilege to drive for some period of time. It can be 30 days. It can be 4 years. When the person is finally eligible to reinstate their Washington driving privilege, they must first obtain, and then maintain… Continue Reading »

Oh So That’s How Charges Are Brought Forward

Every day, the media reports on big high profile criminal trials that make for great TV drama. We watch movies and TV shows depicting intense, exaggerated trials but the beginning of a trial is often left off of the script. One may often wonder how charges are actually brought and what happens between the arrest… Continue Reading »

Pot Use and Driving

We all know about the government’s crackdown on DUI’s in Washington, and we all know that pot use was recently legalized here in Washington. Now the two are intertwined more than ever before. Recent data from the Washington Traffic Safety Commission appears to evidence that the number of drivers involved in fatal crashes with THC… Continue Reading »

From Subway Hero to Zero; Subway Pitchman Being Sentenced

Today, Jared Fogle, the pitchman for Subway is scheduled to plead guilty to a number of sex offenses, from possession of child pornography to having sex with minors. The standard prison sentence which he is scheduled to face pursuant to his plea deal is between five to 13 years, where the prosecutor will be asking… Continue Reading »