Archives : 2011 : October

1. Seattle Police Domestic Violence Sergeant Arrested on Domestic Violence Charges

   Oct 27, 2011 —

   Any police department is most effective when it has the trust of the people it serves. But one of the quickest ways to erode that trust is for members of any law enforcement agency to disobey the laws they are sworn to enforce. An incident in Chelan County earlier this month is especially troubling. A … [More]

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2. Seattle Police Dash-cam Usage Under Review

   Oct 23, 2011 —

   Dashboard-mounted cameras in police cars are intended to improve the transparency of the criminal justice system. Law enforcement officials like dash-cams because they can exonerate officers who are accused of illegal or unethical behavior. Civil rights advocates like dash-cams because they can provide evidence of improper or unlawful police activity. So why aren’t Seattle Police … [More]

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3. Washington Criminal Caselaw Update – State v. Fitchitt (August 2011)

   Oct 22, 2011 —

   Scientific Evidence has an enormous impact on Jurors.  When government witnesses assume the role of experts the jury assumes their neutrality and scientific objectivity.  Trial lawyers battle to uncover the prosecutorial bias of police officers masquerading as experts based on their experience.  In State v. Fitchitt the Second Division of the Court of Appeals affirmed … [More]

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4. New Diversion Program In Seattle’s Belltown Aims To Lower Recidivism – “LEAD”

   Oct 22, 2011 —

   People who are convicted of nonviolent “street crimes,” such as prostitution, drug dealers, and substance possession are often thrown in jail or prison. Advocacy groups have pointed out that incarceration greatly increases the chances of recidivism without rehabilitating the offenders involved. But because these crimes affect public safety, law enforcement officials don’t want to turn … [More]

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5. Washington State Patrol Lieutenants Union Unhappy About Probe Into Lieutenant Gardiner’s Overtime

   Oct 12, 2011 —

   How many jobs do you know where a supervisor makes less money in a year than his subordinate? (OK – besides professional sports.) Not many, right? So if someone told you that a lieutenant in the Washington State Patrol earned more money in 2010 than the chief of the entire unit, would that make you … [More]

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6. City Attorney Files Charges Violating First Amendment Rights Of Occupy Seattle Activists

   Oct 7, 2011 —

   Yesterday the City Attorney’s Office filed charges against peaceful demonstrators at Westlake Mall.  Public Cola wrote an article mentioning the First Amendment issues.  Please read it here. … [More]

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7. Amanda Knox Wins Her Appeal

   Oct 4, 2011 —

   Former University of Washington student Amanda Knox is back in the U.S. after her long ordeal in Italy. The now 24-year old woman was convicted of murdering her flat-mate back in 2007 in Perugia, but that conviction was vacated on appeal earlier this month. Knox spent over 1,000 days in an Italian prison before being … [More]

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