Monthly Archives: February 2022

BAC Suppressed in Seattle?

SQ Attorneys On February 10, 2022, Seattle Municipal Court judges issued a ruling that suppresses BAC results due to methamphetamine contamination at the Washington State Patrol forensic toxicology lab. What is important to note, however, is that the suppression ruling only impacts very specific cases, namely those involving actual methamphetamine. Other cases, were not impacted… Continue Reading »

What is a Burglary in Washington?

In the State of Washington, the charge of burglary consists of the unauthorized breaking and entry into a building or occupied structure with the intent to commit a crime inside. Each of these elements forms the components necessary to establish a burglary charge. A defendant facing burglary charges needs a strong defense. Fortunately, defendants have… Continue Reading »

What may Constitute Domestic Violence?

SQ Attorneys

Domestic violence can come in many forms. The Washington State Supreme Court confirmed that last week when it unanimously ruled that animal abuse can, and does, constitute domestic violence. The high court confirmed that a Tukwila man did, in fact, commit domestic violence when he savagely beat his girlfriend’s dog to death. Ultimately, the justices… Continue Reading »

What are the Different Types of Orders of Protection?

Domestic violence is one of the more common criminal charges that one can be charged with. Once a defendant is charged with a domestic violence allegation, the court will usually issue a no contact order against the defendant, which protects the victim. Survivors of domestic violence have several civil and criminal protection or restraining order… Continue Reading »

Did Another Bill Die in the Senate?

SQ Attorneys

Senate Bill 5843 isn’t moving forward. It died in the Senate. SB 5843 would have created a gross misdemeanor penalty for elected officials or candidates who knowingly, recklessly or maliciously lie about results on an election if those falsehoods led to violence. The concept of the bill arose after the January 6th insurrection at the… Continue Reading »

Can a Judge Reject a Plea Agreement?

SQ Attorneys

Criminal cases can be resolved in many different ways. In most criminal cases, defendants choose to enter in to a plea agreement. In a plea bargain, a defendant agrees to plead guilty in exchange for concessions from prosecutors when it comes to sentencing. Courts also often encourage plea deals because they reduce backlogs, and judges… Continue Reading »

Fewer Bookings in the King County Jail?

SQ Attorneys

If you are arrested in King County for a nonviolent offense, you may just be in luck, at least as it relates to being booked into jail. Why? Because the jail is currently facing staffing shortages, and there is a mega surge in coronavirus cases, all of which is leading to what some are calling… Continue Reading »

Can I Get Arrested for Bicycling While Drunk?

Even though most Driving Under the Influence (DUI) laws involve motor vehicles and sometimes motorcycles, there are a large number of DUI cases involving vehicles that may be quite unlike the standard car, such as a boat, where one can be charged with Boating Under the Influence. Many times courts are faced with cases that… Continue Reading »