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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Domestic Violence and No Contact Orders Involving Roommates and House-Guests
Washington has an unusually broad definition of some of the words within the laws that apply to allegations of domestic violence. As a result, a person who does not have a current or former romantic relationship with you could make an accusation of domestic violence and seek to have you removed from your own home. […]
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Can a Prosecutor Drop Charges at the Victim’s Request?
If you are a victim of a crime, you might wonder what will happen if you decide that you do not want the criminal case to go forward. Do you have the power to make the charges go away? Can a prosecutor drop charges at the victim’s request? Whether you are the victim or the […]
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Domestic Violence and Unlawful Imprisonment – What You Need to Know
Domestic disputes do not always go peacefully. Sometimes domestic violence happens when romantic partners or family members have relationship problems. On occasion, unlawful imprisonment, can occur or be alleged in these situations. A Seattle criminal defense attorney can explain what you need to know about domestic violence and unlawful imprisonment. If you face charges of […]
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Do We Need To Be Married For an Offense To Be Considered “Domestic Violence?”
No, you do not have to be spouses to fall under Washington State’s domestic violence laws. The offense can be “domestic violence” if you are a current or former intimate partner or a family or household member of the accuser or alleged perpetrator. A Seattle domestic violence defense attorney can help if someone accuses you […]
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How Do You Get a Domestic Charge Dropped?
The laws in Washington State are unforgiving for domestic violence charges. A person can be arrested for domestic violence, even if the alleged victim does not wish to press charges. If you were arrested on domestic violence charges, your best choice is to contact experienced a Seattle domestic violence defense attorney to discuss defense strategies […]
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What Is a No Contact Order?
When an individual in Washington is accused of domestic violence, the court frequently issues a no-contact order. There are two types of no contact orders in Washington: (1) pre-trial and (2) post-conviction. Both types of no-contact orders prevent the person accused in a domestic violence case from having contact with the alleged victim. Below is […]
Continue reading…Someone has accused me of domestic violence – now what?
Many people from all walks of life find themselves facing accusations of domestic violence at one time or another. A majority of the people I represent on these types of offenses have no prior criminal history and are successful members of their communities, who have close relationships in their lives. A domestic violence allegation can […]
Continue reading…What happens to a domestic violence case that the alleged victim wants dismissed?
1) The Prosecutor and Not the Alleged Victim Makes the Decisions If you have been charged with a domestic violence offense and feel certain the case will be dismissed because the Alleged Victim (A/V) does not want the case prosecuted, think again. Many people believe that a domestic violence prosecution is entirely driven by the […]
Continue reading…Top 6 Reasons Domestic Violence Cases Get Dismissed
If you have been charged with a domestic violence offense, the best outcome you can hope for is a dismissal of your case by the prosecuting attorney’s office that filed charges. A dismissal is different than a finding of not guilty in that a case is dismissed, either because the prosecutor’s office decides not to […]
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