The officers apparently elected to enter the home because they were convinced that there was a report of someone attempting to jump or push someone else out of a fourth-floor window, amounting to a life-threatening emergency — arguably, an exception to the warrant requirement for entry into the apartment without permission. Continue Reading »
In the State of Washington, disorderly conduct laws are in place to make unruly or obnoxious conduct illegal in public. These types of laws can include anything from disturbing the peace to public intoxication. Under Washington state law, disorderly conduct falls under the umbrella of a “public disturbance” and can arise out of many different… Continue Reading »
tackling and arrest of a health care worker during the height of the Covid 19 pandemic. Continue Reading »
The right to a fair trial is an essential aspect of the justice system. This fundamental right applies to both civil and criminal cases. But what does a “fair trial” truly mean? To answer this question, it is vital to understand what the U.S. Constitution establishes as “fair” regarding a trial. The Sixth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution guarantees the right to… Continue Reading »
Seattle police are now officially prohibited from deliberately misinforming (in certain circumstances) a citizen by way of a ruse in the hopes of developing proof that they committed, or are about to commit, a crime Continue Reading »
In criminal law, complicity is the act of assisting, encouraging, or soliciting another individual to commit a crime. Common law refers to this as aiding and abetting. One who is complicit in committing criminal conduct is an accomplice. Although an accomplice does not actually commit the crime, their actions help someone in the commission of the… Continue Reading »
Seattle law enforcement personnel started enforcing the new public drug use ordinance Continue Reading »
In criminal law, “double jeopardy” refers to protections that prohibits the government to not prosecute someone in criminal court more than once for the same offense. Double jeopardy protects defendants from the constant threat of prosecution after a court decides a case. Double jeopardy has a long history in criminal law. It is based on the Fifth Amendment to the U.S.… Continue Reading »
The United States Supreme Court again reiterated what it had said just two short months ago – while appeals rage, President Biden’s administration can continue to regulate ‘ghost guns.’ Continue Reading »
No-contact orders typically belong between family law and criminal law. A no-contact order is usually the result of allegations of domestic violence, although they can arise in other circumstances such as stalking, harassment and/or during a pending divorce. The recipient of a no-contact order may not fully understand what it entails. Does no contact include… Continue Reading »
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