Category: Uncategorized

Pursuant to Washington State’s implied consent law (RCW 46.20.308), a driver arrested for DUI faces the imposition of a driver’s license penalty in the form of a suspension or revocation of his/her driving privilege for failing (blowing a .08 or greater) or refusing to take a breath/blood test. Prior to the actual imposition of the… Continue Reading »

An interesting article in the Seattle Times today outlines why the Seattle City Attorney’s decision to change the name of a certain crime has caused havoc in folks’ lives. Outside of Seattle the crime is known as ‘Patronizing a Prostitute’. In the City of Seattle it is known as ‘Sexual Exploitation’. Exactly the same crime,… Continue Reading »

As so eloquently outlined in the Criminal Justice Section of the American Bar Association, the primary duty of a prosecutor is to seek justice within the bounds of the law, and to not merely convict an accused person; a prosecutor should consider the interests of both victims and witnesses, and respect the constitutional and legal… Continue Reading »

One of the most important constitutional right a person facing a criminal charge is their right to a jury trial. The OJ Simpson jury trial in the early 90’s captivated American society and showed Americans the importance of their right to a trial by jury. The Constitution guarantees a right to a trial by a… Continue Reading »

To some Seattle may seem to be on the cutting edge, and yet to others Seattle may seem to be over the top. Well … last month our City Council signed into law something that some may very well say is cutting edge, while others may claim is simply – over the top. On May… Continue Reading »

The Washington State Supreme Court, in State v. Fedorov, affirmed a conviction for driving under the influence of alcohol where a police officer remained in a room while a defendant was a on a telephone call with a lawyer before consenting to a breath test. The Court held that the rule-based right to counsel under… Continue Reading »

As with every year, when summer rolls in to town our waterways fill up. Boaters take to the water like ducks on a pond. In like kind, law enforcement agencies step up their crackdown on people boating while under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.  This year Memorial Day weekend marked the beginning of law enforcement’s BUI targeting… Continue Reading »

In the eyes of the law, a juvenile or a minor is any person under the legal adult age. This age varies from state to state, but in most states any person age 18 or younger is considered a juvenile. In several states, such as New York, Connecticut, and North Carolina, a juvenile is age… Continue Reading »

Come August of this year holding an electronic device while behind the wheel (beyond just texting or holding a phone to your ear) will violate Washington law. This is so because Washington Governor Jay Inslee last week signed into law an act prohibiting holding an electronic device — including phones, tablets and other electronic gadgets… Continue Reading »

Did you get arrested recently? Are you feeling as if your rights have been violated? The fact of the matter is, when the police arrest someone, they take away that person’s fundamental right to freedom. As a result there are several procedures the police must follow before they can make a legal arrest so that… Continue Reading »