Some people take advantage of the domestic violence laws in Washington state to try to gain an unfair advantage in a divorce or paternity case. These people provoke their significant other, often with physical violence or threats of physical violence, and then call the police when the object of this strategy defends themselves. If you […]
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How Does the Prosecutor Decide to Drop Charges or Take a Case to Trial?
Prosecutors cannot possibly take every single case to trial. After a case gets assigned to a prosecutor, they have to decide whether to drop the charges, work out a deal with the defendant’s lawyer, or try the case. These decisions usually happen out of sight of the defendant, who might be left wondering about the […]
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How Washington State Defines the “Primary Aggressor”
Domestic violence cases are fraught for many reasons. In addition to the emotional implications for everyone involved, there are legal issues that can make such cases challenging for the accused, the alleged victim, and even police and prosecutors. One such aspect of domestic violence cases is identifying the “primary aggressor:” the person alleged to pose the […]
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Ask the Attorney: The person who pressed charges against me now wants to drop them. What happens next?
If you are facing criminal prosecution in Seattle, hearing that the person who pressed charges against you now wants to drop them may come as an immense relief. However, the decision to do so rests not with the alleged victim but with the attorneys prosecuting the case – though the accuser’s change of heart could […]
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Can Entrapment Be a Defense to Prostitution Charges in Washington?
Entrapment can be a valid defense to prostitution charges in Washington if law enforcement induced a person to commit a crime they were not otherwise inclined to commit. Under Washington law, simply providing an opportunity is not enough. The defense focuses on whether police induced the conduct through pressure, persuasion, or repeated attempts. What Is […]
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Should I Ever Give Police Consent to Search My Car, Home, or Person?
Interactions with the police can be high-stress situations. It is essential to know your legal rights and what Washington law requires. You should contact a Seattle criminal defense attorney at once if the police want to search you, your car, or your house. You should always be respectful and, for your own safety, try to […]
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HB 1715: Protections for Victims of Domestic Violence
In recent years, there has been a significant focus on enhancing legal protections for victims of domestic violence in Washington. This commitment to change is crystallized in the recent passing of House Bill 1715, an important piece of legislation aimed at strengthening the rights and protections afforded to these victims. The implications of this new […]
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What Role Does the Grand Jury Play in White Collar Crime Cases, and How Can I Prepare for a Grand Jury Investigation?
Juries in the United States decide innocence or guilt in criminal cases. However, a grand jury is a panel of individuals who decide whether the prosecution has sufficient evidence to prove probable cause for an indictment. They do not decide whether the person is guilty or innocent. The grand jury only decides whether the evidence […]
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Exploring the Different Types of Sex Crimes and Their Consequences in Washington State
Sex crimes vary from one state to another. Conduct that could get charged as rape in the first degree, for example, in one state might be rape in the second or third degree in another. Also, the penalties for getting convicted of sex crimes are different in different states. This blog will explore the different […]
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Defending Against Charges of Misappropriating Funds
If you get charged with misappropriating funds, your first call should be to a Washington white collar crimes attorney. Some defense strategies work better early on in a case. This blog will cover the issue of defending against charges of misappropriating funds. Defenses to Charges of Misappropriating Funds Whether you get charged with a state […]
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