Category Archives: Seattle Crimes

1. SPD Assistant Chief Under Scrutiny

   May 10, 2012 —

   There’s more negative publicity being directed at the Seattle Police Department. This latest wave is focused on SPD Assistant Chief Mike Sanford. On Tuesday, the department’s Office of Professional Accountability announced that it would open an investigation into the conduct of Sanford, and Seattle’s Ethics and Elections Commission indicated that it may conduct its own … [More]

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2. Charges Brought Against 3 May Day Protesters in King County

   May 3, 2012 —

   The Occupy movement held a march in Seattle on Tuesday as part of a nationwide initiative to protest what members see as corporate greed. And predictably, there was some scattered mayhem which resulted in a number of arrests. Yesterday, three people were arraigned on felony charges in a King County courtroom for crimes which were … [More]

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3. Seattle Man Being Tried for 50-Year Old Crime (No, It’s Not Murder)

   Apr 11, 2012 —

   The statute of limitations is the period of time after which a person cannot be tried for a particular crime. In Washington and the most other states, murder does not have a statute of limitations – meaning that an individual could be tried for a murder that was committed even decades earlier. But practically every … [More]

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4. UPDATE: Officer Acquitted of Kicking Handcuffed Man in Head

   Mar 22, 2012 —

   We told you earlier about the trial of a Seattle Police officer who was charged with kicking a handcuffed man in the head after a scuffle outside a Ballard bar in December of 2010. Garth Haynes was off-duty when he was involved in a brouhaha with three other men who claim they were trying to … [More]

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5. Seattle Police Officer on Trial for Kicking Civilian Outside Bar

   Mar 19, 2012 —

   Opening statements began this week in the trial of an off-duty Seattle police officer who is charged with fourth-degree assault. In December of 2010, a fight broke out near the BalMar nightclub which ended with Officer Sean Haynes stepping on the head of a handcuffed man who was lying on the ground. Jake Baijot-Clary of … [More]

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6. Blair Russ Obtains Dismissal Before Trial

   Feb 18, 2012 —

   The taste of freedom.  After obtaining a dismissal in a difficult case Blair Russ discusses what it felt like to walk out of the courtroom with that client.  Please click on the hyperlink to see the video: Blair Russ Discusses Clients Victory   … [More]

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7. U.S. Department of Justice: SPD Has Problems With Excessive Force

   Dec 16, 2011 —

   For those of you who thought that members of the Seattle Police Department were too quick to use force or too heavy-handed when applying physical force, there are people in the U.S. Justice Department who agree with you. This morning, the DOJ released a scathing report which alleges that SPD has engaged in an unconstitutional … [More]

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8. Seattle Municipal Court Shifts Burden to Medical Marijuana Users For Conditions of Release

   Nov 8, 2011 —

   Whenever new laws are created, they are supposed to balance out the need for regulation of an activity with the rights and freedoms of citizens. Given the thousands of state and federal laws on the books, it is inevitable that some of them will unintentionally conflict with one another. In these cases, some type of … [More]

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9. 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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10. 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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11. 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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12. Forensic Science And A New Sort of Cinderella Story

    Apr 28, 2011 —

    Once upon a time, a 46-year-old woman was walking in her local neighborhood in Queens, NY. She was accosted by two men, one of whom pulled a gun on her. They ordered her to walk to her home. When they arrived, the women secretly hoped that her husband would answer the door. However, they were … [More]

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13. Lakewood Police Officer Investigation Becomes “Open Criminal Courts Caselaw”

    Jan 12, 2011 —

    In the wake of the Maurice Clemons horror that ended the lives of numerous dedicated law enforcement officers, the Washington State Supreme Court ruled that police reports following the conclusion of the police investigation must be considered “open to the public” or public record and subject to the public disclosure statutes. None of the exceptions (that provide for nondisclosure) applied. … [More]

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14. Expected Changes to Washington State DUI Laws in 2011

    Jan 10, 2011 —

    The third proposed change calls for harsher sentences for fatal DUI crashes. This bill is being presented by King County Prosecutor Dan Satterberg based on the King case as well. With regard to this proposed change, he said, “we punish the reckless use of a weapon whether it’s a gun or a knife as a First Degree Manslaughter for a death, so why should the reckless use of a car particularly at the hands of a drunk why should that somehow be less?” … [More]

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15. A Strange New World-A Look at Marijuana Dispensaries

    Dec 31, 2010 —

    In Seattle, as in other parts of the country like California, there seems to be a noticeable upsurge in the amount of marijuana dispensaries being opened. Smoking marijuana has certainly come a long way from being a clandestine, criminal activity. Entrepreneurs and marijuana activists are boldly blazing the trail, and slowly but surely the taboo … [More]

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16. Washington’s Medical Marijuana-What is a “Qualifying Patient”

    Dec 24, 2010 —

    Doctors Note does not prevent Prosecution Under the medical marijuana initiative, it is perfectly legal for individuals to use marijuana for specific medical ailments. If a person has a medical condition that qualifies, a physician can grant them a medical marijuana authorization after they have been advised of the benefits vs. risks. The law provides … [More]

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17. With More Budget Cuts Proposed, the Mentally Ill will be on the Streets

    Dec 21, 2010 —

    The irony here is that while the state tries to save money, it is not taking into account the cost of public safety and crime prevention. The programs that are being cut would actually save tax payers in the long run. Without these programs, mentally ill patients will be out on the streets, where they are apt to engage in criminal behavior. … [More]

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18. Medical Marijuana Certificate Won’t Stop the Police

    Dec 16, 2010 —

    A medical marijuana certificate will not prevent police officers from obtaining a search warrant, entering your home, and hauling you away to jail. In addition, according to the Supreme Court, your prosecution won’t be barred by the medical marijuana certificate and you will have to hire an attorney to assert a defense in a criminal trial … [More]

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19. Masks-Not Just for Halloween Anymore

    Dec 14, 2010 —

    Thieves have found another innovative way to disguise themselves during the commission of a crime. Gone are the days of donning a nylon stocking or ski mask to conceal their identity. Bank robbers are now  using hyper-realistic masks. These masks are so lifelike, they can make a young 20 year old man look like someone 50 years older, or make you look like a different race or ethnicity … [More]

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20. Criminal Trespass Policy Changes in Seattle

    Dec 14, 2010 —

    Local store owners together with Seattle PD entered into an agreement that if someone is caught loitering in front of a business establishment, a police officer can ban them from not only that particular establishment, but all participating businesses. If they return to that establishment or any other, they can be arrested for criminal trespass … [More]

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21. Expansion of Warrants Includes Barbie Doll could be Linked to Child Pornography

    Dec 7, 2010 —

    The doll looks like a regular Barbie but with one distinct difference, it comes conveniently equipped with a video camera built into her chest. The FBI is concerned that this toy will be used to sexually exploit children … [More]

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22. Police Conduct “Operation Grinch”

    Dec 7, 2010 —

    The timing of this crackdown was inspired by the onset of the holidays. Hoards of shoppers actually provide cover for drug dealers and gang members that are dealing crack, heroin and marijuana … [More]

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23. A Look at Holiday Cyber Crime

    Nov 29, 2010 —

    Authorities often see a spike in criminal activity during the holidays, and with America still in the grips of a shaky economy, this holiday season will likely be no different. Financially strapped Americans feel tremendous financial pressure during the holidays and will often resort to clever, if not desperate new ways to pull off their crimes. … [More]

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24. Washington State Cocaine Users are Getting More than they Bargained For

    Nov 15, 2010 —

    There is an alarming trend happening with the production of cocaine. When cocaine arrives in the United States, it is normally thought to be in a relatively pure state. With every step in the distribution process, the drug is inevitably cut with various substances. This is done to provide more product to sell to maximize … [More]

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25. Facebook is a New Tool for Identity Theft in Washington State

    Oct 29, 2010 —

    With the incredible advances in technology in the recent past, there are new kinds of fraud being committed and Washington police are trying to keep up. With over a half a billion people now on Facebook, it has become a new area for identity theft. Facebook is a social networking site, where people can connect … [More]

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