Monthly Archives: September 2022

What is Stop Hate Crime?

SQ Attorneys

With the increasing volume of hate crimes occurring in-and-around King County, the county has created a new community based hate crime hotline called the Stop Hate Hotline. The hotline should help victims of hate crimes access services more quickly and efficiently than in times past. It should also improve the county’s ability to collect relevant… Continue Reading »

Can I Buy a Gun from a Pawnshop?

SQ Attorneys

Purchasing a firearm from a pawnshop can be a cost-effective way to purchase a gun for those who feel the need to own a firearm. Prior to making this transaction, there are things that you one should know before buying from a pawnbroker. Every gun dealer including pawnshops, must be federally licensed. Under the Federal… Continue Reading »

SMC Traffic Ticket? You Best Respond!

SQ Attorneys

  Tickets, tickets, tickets – Seattle Municipal Court (‘SMC’) again wants its stipend of money. Hence, the time has come to pay all those parking, red-light camera and other miscellaneous traffic tickets that have being doled out in-and-around the City of Seattle. Late fees are again going to be charged by SMC.  The pandemic induced… Continue Reading »

What is Corporal Punishment?

SQ Attorneys

In the State of Washington, corporal punishment is prohibited. Corporal punishment refers to the use of physical force such as slapping, spanking, or hitting as a means of discipline. Many states still allow public school teachers and administrators to use corporal punishment. In 1977, the U.S. Supreme Court confirmed the legality of disciplinary corporal punishment… Continue Reading »

Dismissed With or Without Prejudice?

SQ Attorneys

Recently we at SQ Attorneys have been getting a bevy of questions asking what is the difference between a dismissed case with prejudice vs. one without prejudice. So we thought it wise to post this blog. A criminal case that is dismissed with prejudice is a case that the prosecutor cannot refile charges on later.… Continue Reading »

What Does Expungement Mean?

SQ Attorneys

Expungement is a court-ordered process in which the legal record of an arrest or a criminal conviction is taken off ones criminal record. Another way to see it is erasing a record in the eyes of the law or setting aside a criminal conviction. This legal process can be life-changing for someone with a past… Continue Reading »

Mass Surveillance Legal?

SQ Attorneys

Across the nation there are law enforcement agencies using special cell phone tracking tools without first getting search warrants. The device – called Fog Reveal – allows agencies to track someone’s movement back in time so they can do location analysis and follow a person’s ‘pattern-of-life’. Fog Reveal has been used in criminal investigations since… Continue Reading »

What is the Punishment for Stealing a Car ?

SQ Attorneys

In the State of Washington, a theft occurs when a person takes another’s property with the intent to permanently deprive the owner of that property. State theft laws often use some form of this general definition, but differ regarding the treatment of general theft compared to auto theft. Based on the value of the property… Continue Reading »

Is Interference with an Abortion a Crime?

SQ Attorneys

Recently, Seattle made interference with someone’s health care a crime. In short, discriminating against someone for seeking or receiving an abortion is now deemed a misdemeanor crime in Seattle. The law was enacted to further the City’s efforts to preserver reproductive rights locally after federal protections were gutted by the US Supreme Court earlier this… Continue Reading »