Monthly Archives: September 2019

107 – An Unlucky Number for SPD

As tv shows like 20/20, 60 Minutes, 48 Hours and Dateline have all proven over the years – DNA solves cases, both recent and ‘cold’. Heck, 20/20 just had a show about the notorious Mandy Stavik murder case in Whatcom County, Washington. That 1989 cold case was solved with DNA. The guilty culprit, Timothy Forrest… Continue Reading »

Federal Child Pornography Laws

Federal and state laws make it a crime to produce, distribute, or even just possess pornographic materials that portray a minor (someone under the age of 18). Increasingly, child pornography laws are being relied on to punish individuals who use the internet to share or obtain pornographic images and videos involving children. Federal laws addressing… Continue Reading »

The Right To A Speedy Trial

The Sixth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution guarantees a criminal defendant the right to a speedy trial by an “impartial jury.” This means that a criminal defendant must be brought to trial for his or her alleged crimes within a reasonably short time after arrest, and that before being convicted of most crimes, the defendant… Continue Reading »

The Truth Will Set You Free

Juries and judges often base their verdicts, sentences, or other important decisions on sworn testimony and signed documents. Statements given under oath and certain legal documents are presumed to be truthful, or at least made in good faith. But how do we know for sure that witnesses and other parties involved in a legal matter… Continue Reading »

Acting Goofy Not so Fun

There is no doubt that people do all sorts of goofy things when they are inebriated, that goes without saying. But calling 911 to report yourself driving under the influence? That takes a special kind of goofy, right? Well in a stranger than fiction type of moment that is exactly what happened last month in… Continue Reading »

Gettin’ Caught, Gettin’ Cute

Recently, a perfectly good plan was thwarted by an ‘on-the-ball’ WSP trooper in Snohomish County, Washington. The crafty driver, realizing that they could use a black sharpie to color in their expired tab, did just that … colored in a black tab for the year 2019. The trooper was so impressed that she actually tweeted… Continue Reading »

It is All in the Numbers

It seems that with every holiday, Washington State law enforcement compiles and disseminates the state’s driving under the influence (“DUI”) numbers related to the same. This past Labor Day was no exception. On Tuesday Troopers with the Washington State Patrol (“WSP”) released data on the number of DUI arrests made over our sunny Labor Day… Continue Reading »

The Arraignment Process

When you are charged with a criminal offense, the judge will formally state the charges against you the first time you enter the courthouse. This step in the criminal justice process is called an arraignment and differs according to the laws of your respective state. Some states combine this step with the bail hearing but… Continue Reading »