Category: Criminal Defense

Usually, yes. Washington’s ethics rules protect what you tell a lawyer during a consultation, even if you never retain the firm. Jennifer Horwitz Law describes a one-hour consultation as a confidential conversation. Two protections usually apply. Courts have long applied the attorney-client privilege to preliminary conversations about hiring a lawyer, although whether it applies can […]

Often, yes. Washington law imposes no general duty on a detective to tell an employer that a worker is under criminal investigation, and none to tell the worker either. What the law regulates is intrusion, not notice. The limits bite when officers want to record a private conversation or get into places and records you […]

Not automatically. A gap or error in the chain of custody does not by itself make evidence inadmissible in Washington, although a serious enough defect can keep it out. In a chain-of-custody challenge, the court asks a narrower question. Is there enough proof that the item is what the State says it is, and that […]

Yes. In Washington and across the United States, police are generally allowed to lie to you during questioning. An officer can claim to have evidence that does not exist, say that a co-defendant already blamed you, or suggest that talking is your only way out. Courts have permitted these tactics for decades, which is exactly […]

AI-generated images, videos, and audio recordings can potentially be introduced as evidence in a criminal case. However, prosecutors must still demonstrate that the evidence is authentic, reliable, and relevant before a court will consider it. As artificial intelligence becomes more advanced, concerns about manipulated digital evidence are growing. In domestic violence cases, where allegations may […]

Online sting operations in Washington involve law enforcement officers posing as minors online to investigate and arrest individuals suspected of illegal sexual communication with minors. These operations are generally lawful when officers provide an opportunity to commit a crime but do not improperly induce it. How Do Online Sting Operations Involving Minors Work in Washington? […]

After you and a partner break up, you might have a final conversation or two to get closure. Another option is that you may never speak to your ex again after your relationship ends. In either case, you may feel blindsided when your ex falsely accuses you of harassment. Whatever the reasons for your ex’s […]

Why do people hesitate to talk to Washington State criminal defense lawyers?  Thinking about getting legal advice but not quite ready to call a lawyer? You’re not alone. Many people pause at the idea of contacting an attorney for a variety of reasons. The hesitation usually comes down to three things: Maybe you received a […]

Getting a call or knock on the door from law enforcement can be alarming, especially when you haven’t done anything wrong—or at least don’t think you have. If you’ve been contacted by police in Washington State, but you haven’t been formally charged with a crime, what happens next matters a lot. These early moments are […]