Category: Uncategorized

As has happened over the past several years, there was an arrest spike during Seafair weekend this past weekend. Last year twenty six folks were arrested. This year forty four people were arrested, all but one for boating under the influence of alcohol. Like past Seafair years, there were emphasis patrols on Lake Washington which… Continue Reading »

The majority of criminal cases end in a guilty plea or “no contest” (nolo contendre) plea for a variety of reasons. These reasons include purely strategic ones unrelated to actual guilt. For instance, a defendant’s chances at trial may seem slim (and a plea bargain is offered); there may be confusion surrounding the incident; the… Continue Reading »

In Washington state crimes are broken down into two main types – misdemeanors (misdemeanors and gross misdemeanors) and felonies (Class A – C). Misdemeanor cases are heard in District and Municipal Courts. Felony cases are heard in Superior Courts. In Washington, a misdemeanor is generally regarded as a minor criminal offense. Examples of misdemeanors are… Continue Reading »

The criminal justice system for juveniles in every State in the United States is different than adults charged with a crime. Usually, the standards and penalties are different, and these juvenile cases are typically filed in the respective counties Juvenile Court. In the eyes of the law, a juvenile or a minor, is any person… Continue Reading »

Upon an arrest, the very first question the arreste will ask is how he or she can get out of jail expeditiously. Several things must happen before a jail facility can release an individual from jail. The process typically involves a “booking” process and a bail hearing that determines whether the person arrested may be… Continue Reading »

Are body cameras necessary in law enforcement? King County Sheriff, John Urquhart, thinks so, and on July 20, 2017 he made his position clear by sending an email to the Metropolitan King County Council requesting money to outfit his deputies with body cameras. Seattle’s mayor, Ed Murray, is also pushing for officer body cameras. He,… Continue Reading »

Bias free policing is on its way to Seattle? Really? In yet again another Seattle City Council first, something that should go without saying – and is actually a policy that is already ‘in the books’ – has been codified into law; on Monday our ever illustrious stumbling, bumbling City Council codified ‘bias-free policing’. Duh… Continue Reading »

While a DUI case is pending, court’s routinely require the defendant to follow certain guidelines/ conditions. Standard ‘conditions of release’ include don’t drive within 24 hours of drinking, don’t have a BAC of .08 or greater, don’t refuse a breath or blood test if lawfully requested to take one, and don’t commit crime. In DUI… Continue Reading »

All crimes in the State of Washington are enumerated in the Revised Code of Washington (RCW). These codes define what a crime is, lay out the elements of each crime and, in many cases, provide sentencing guidelines for the specific criminal act. Crimes are divided into two categories: misdemeanors and felonies. The less serious offenses… Continue Reading »

Have you been convicted of a crime and are hoping to get it cleared off your record? That process is known as an “expungement.” Expungement is a court-ordered processing which the legal record of an arrest or a criminal conviction is “sealed,” or erased in the eyes of the law. When a conviction is expunged,… Continue Reading »