Archives : 2012 : January

1. U.S Supreme Court Rejects Warrantless GPS Tracking Devices

   Jan 23, 2012 —

   Law enforcement science is advancing at an incredibly fast rate. But sometimes, the changes in the laws themselves aren’t keeping up with the rapid technological progress. That’s why we sometimes need the courts to intervene. On Monday, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a decision in a case surrounding the tracking of suspects using global positioning … [More]

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2. Seriously Injured Man Mocked by SPD Cops

   Jan 17, 2012 —

   What’s worse than getting hit by a tractor-trailer while jogging, cracking half a dozen ribs, fracturing your skull, and breaking your back? Getting mocked by police officers who are supposed to be “helping” you. That’s what happened to a West Seattle man back on October 24. Tim Nelson was jogging on the West Seattle low … [More]

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3. Washington Criminal Caselaw Update – State v. Griffin (January 2012) – Aggravating Circumstances And Hearsay At Sentencing

   Jan 12, 2012 —

   An aggravating circumstance is a fact, condition, or event which, when combined with a specific crime under Washington law, permits a judge or jury to impose a harsher sentence on a convicted individual than is otherwise permitted by statute. One such aggravating circumstance is committing a crime shortly after being released from incarceration. Of course, … [More]

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4. Constitutional Life Ring Curbed in State v. Hayes – By Blair Russ

   Jan 9, 2012 —

   Just last month, Division One of the Court of Appeals curbed the “manifest injustice” doctrine by its decision in State v. Hayes. The manifest injustice doctrine is the quintessential Constitutional life ring for the accused. This doctrine allows the appellate Court to review unchallenged issues at trial where the unchallenged issue is both obvious and … [More]

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5. Washington Criminal Caselaw Update – State v. Floren (December 2011) – Blood Stain Pattern Evidence

   Jan 6, 2012 —

   The court summarized the case well:  Tracy Floren was convicted of murder in the first degree while armed with a firearm arising from the shooting death of his wife, Nancy. At trial, the prosecution argued that Floren had staged the scene to convince authorities that a burglar had killed Nancy. Consistent with this theory of … [More]

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6. Auburn Policeman’s Badge, Uniform, Gun Stolen From Car

   Jan 5, 2012 —

   In most jurisdictions, people who steal equipment and other essentials owned or used by police officers are dealt with more harshly by the law than those charged with thefts of non-police items. That’s because law enforcement agencies do not want people running around with weapons, badges, clothing, or other accessories which may later be used … [More]

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