Yearly Archives: 2019

When a CDL is at Stake – Lawyer Up

Many folks who transport commercial goods possess a commercial driver’s license (“CDL”). To have a CDL (like a regular old driver’s license) is a privilege, not a right. Like any privilege – whatever is giveth can be taketh away, and that principle holds true even for CDL’s. In Washington State a CDL can be suspended… Continue Reading »

Arraignment Proceedings

So you have committed a crime and now you want to know what happens next? Once a crime has been committed and the police officers have investigated, they file a police report with the Prosecutor’s office. The State, City or Federal prosecutors will determine what kind of charges to file against a defendant. Once charges… Continue Reading »

Once Bitten, Once Charged

Sometimes a night of heavy drinking can lead to something other than a DUI, as one woman recently found out. She has been charged with assault … for biting her boyfriend’s penis and threatened him with a knife after she accused him of wanting to have sex with another woman. Ouch! Yikes! Dang! The alleged… Continue Reading »

Extradition from Foreign Countries

Extradition laws give a nation the ability to hand over someone to another nation for purposes of criminal trial or punishment. Whether someone can be extradited depends on the laws of the countries involved and whether there’s an extradition treaty in place. Extradition can also take place within the United States in a state-to-state extradition.… Continue Reading »

Decision Making Powers – Criminal Law

In each and every State, the Prosecutors have the power to decide whether or not to charge a particular defendant and which charges to file. This rather broad power is called “prosecutorial discretion.” Under this power, prosecutors also have the authority to enter into plea bargains with a defendant, which can result in the defendant… Continue Reading »

2018 Amendments Impact Adimissibility

As if it weren’t already immensely difficult to get into Canada after being convicted of a DUI or Physical Control in Washington State, in 2018 the Canadians took it upon themselves to make it even more difficult. Last year Canada amended its criminal code to create more significant consequences for those convicted of DUI. The… Continue Reading »

A Search Gone Arigh

Both our State and U.S. constitutions allow for people to be protected from unlawful searches and seizures. This protection is found in the Fourth Amendment, which reads in part: “[t]he right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures shall not be violated …”. Most… Continue Reading »

International Extradition Laws

Extradition laws give a nation the ability to hand over someone to another nation for purposes of criminal trial or punishment. Whether someone can be extradited depends on the laws of the countries involved and whether there’s an extradition treaty in place. Extradition can also take place within the United States in a state-to-state extradition.… Continue Reading »

Eligibility for Expungement

When expungement of an arrest or conviction is an option in a state or county, in most instances a person’s criminal record must meet certain standards in order to qualify for the process. Expungement eligibility usually depends on a number of factors, including: 1) The amount of time that has passed since the arrest or… Continue Reading »

Compounded Problem Abound

When things are bad, it is always a good idea to not compound the situation with another bad decision. Apparently, one Pennsylvania woman didn’t get the memo, as she was arrested for drunk driving after police say she showed up at their station ‘under the influence’ coming to pick up her boyfriend, who had also… Continue Reading »