Monthly Archives: May 2017

Drinking Boaters Beware

As with every year, when summer rolls in to town our waterways fill up. Boaters take to the water like ducks on a pond. In like kind, law enforcement agencies step up their crackdown on people boating while under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.  This year Memorial Day weekend marked the beginning of law enforcement’s BUI targeting… Continue Reading »

Juvenile Law

In the eyes of the law, a juvenile or a minor is any person under the legal adult age. This age varies from state to state, but in most states any person age 18 or younger is considered a juvenile. In several states, such as New York, Connecticut, and North Carolina, a juvenile is age… Continue Reading »

A Change in Plans

SQ Attorneys

Come August of this year holding an electronic device while behind the wheel (beyond just texting or holding a phone to your ear) will violate Washington law. This is so because Washington Governor Jay Inslee last week signed into law an act prohibiting holding an electronic device — including phones, tablets and other electronic gadgets… Continue Reading »

Criminal Procedures Officers Must Follow

Did you get arrested recently? Are you feeling as if your rights have been violated? The fact of the matter is, when the police arrest someone, they take away that person’s fundamental right to freedom. As a result there are several procedures the police must follow before they can make a legal arrest so that… Continue Reading »

A Picture is Worth a 1K Words

In domestic violence cases it is immeasurably important to understand the full context of the parties’ relationship. The relationship itself often tells a story, and paints a picture of the actual situation giving rise as to why police were called in the first place. Rarely is it as simple as someone hit their loved one.… Continue Reading »

Washington State Laws

All crimes in the State of Washington are enumerated in the Revised Code of Washington (RCW). These codes define what a crime is, lay out the elements of each crime and, in many cases, provide sentencing guidelines for the specific criminal act. Crimes are divided into two categories: misdemeanors and felonies. The less serious offenses… Continue Reading »

Noteless in Seattle

Last Thursday Senate Bill 5404 was signed into effect. Somehow common sense finally prevailed. The new law exempts sunblock from being classified as a medication and thus children are now permitted to use it at school and during school field trips; students finally no longer need a prescription from a doctor and a note from… Continue Reading »

Three Strikes and You Are Out!

The “three strikes” law has been implemented in many States, where in which a defendant with three violent felony convictions may be sentenced to life in imprisonment. In addition to “three strikes” laws, other state and all federal criminal statutes include mandatory sentences that require judges to impose identical sentences on all persons convicted of… Continue Reading »

Five Down to Four

Well that didn’t take long. Another law change in the DUI sector. In April, the Washington State legislature approved a measure that would make a fourth driving under the influence offense a felony in Washington state. Not too long ago the law was changed to make a fifth driving under the influence offense a felony… Continue Reading »

Crime and Punishment

After a criminal defendant is convicted or pleads guilty, a judge will decide on the appropriate punishment during the sentencing phase of a criminal case. In some circumstances, the judge is able to enhance or reduce a sentence based upon factors specific to the crime and the defendant. A sentence may include fines, incarceration, probation,… Continue Reading »