Category Archives: Uncategorized

1. Lakewood Police Officer Embezzles Money?… From Fund for Fallen Officers

   Feb 9, 2012 —

   What’s the worst way that you can insult a police officer? We’re not looking for specific answers (nor are we encouraging anyone to try anything that would be insulting to law enforcement). But we’re betting that no matter what you come up with, a story out of Lakewood will top it. You may remember Lakewood … [More]

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2. Man Kicked by SPD Officer Lee Now Convicted on Gun Charge

   Feb 4, 2012 —

   There’s an ongoing debate about gun laws in Seattle and the state of Washington. Gun control activists decry the dangers of firearms, while gun rights advocates claim that every person has a right to defend himself or herself against those who could do them harm. This difference of opinion crossed my mind when I found … [More]

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3. 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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4. 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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5. Youngest Defendant Charged As Adult (Savoie) to Get New Trial

   Sep 30, 2011 —

   The Sixth Amendment guarantees the right to a public trial. Our founding fathers inserted that measure into the Constitution to ensure that anyone in America who was charged with a crime would not be tried behind closed doors, where due process and the rights of the accused could be ignored. That legal concept was the … [More]

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6. The Cost of Criminal Defense Attorneys Draws Class Action Lawsuit

   Jun 30, 2011 —

   A Skagit County Class action lawsuit claims that Public Defenders are too busy to do their job. When the defense attorneys are not doing there job the adversarial system fails. To say that Richard Sybrandy is busy is an understatement. Every year he deals with up to 1,000 misdemeanor cases. The state bar says that … [More]

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7. Seattle Police Officer Charged With Assault

   Apr 15, 2011 —

   Yet another incident has arisen with the Seattle Police Department regarding the use of excessive force. Police officer James J. Lee was charged with 4th degree assault for kicking a youth in convenience store back in October. Officer Lee is the first officer to be officially charged with a crime in a series of incidents … [More]

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8. Medical Marijuana Is Big Business

   Apr 5, 2011 —

   A report this week released by the See Change Strategy, and independent financial analysis firm, stated that medical marijuana is now a $1.7 billion dollar market. This figure rivals the popular drug Viagra, which brings in $1.9 billion annually for drug giant Pfizer. These figures are garnering interest from entrepreneurs and venture capitalists, as the … [More]

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9. Prosecutor Misconduct Reverses 18 Convictions in 2010

   Apr 4, 2011 —

   The Northern California Innocence Project at Santa Clara University School of Law has released an enlightening new study. In this study, it was found that California prosecutors committed 130 instances of misconduct in 2010. Some of these instances were so flagrant that 18 convictions were reversed, including 8 murder convictions. Calif. study: Prosecutors’ misconduct reverses … [More]

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10. Fentanyl Gaining Popularity in Seattle Washington

    Mar 14, 2011 —

    Fentanyl is used as a cutting agent for heroin. It is cheap, synthetic and inexpensive to manufacture. The problem with this drug is that 100 more potent than heroin. The drug has been around medically for years, and is often used to control extreme pain, when morphine is not adequate. F Is the New H … [More]

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11. Can Using Medical Marijuana Get You Fired?

    Mar 4, 2011 —

    The Washington Supreme Court will soon be deciding an interesting question that has until now been unanswered. Can legally using medical marijuana get you fired from your job? Local News | Can legal use of medical marijuana get you fired? State Supreme Court to decide | Seattle Times Newspaper A woman who is going by … [More]

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12. Law Enforcement or Education? Drugs to Mugs Campaign

    Feb 28, 2011 —

    A new anti-drug campaign aimed at kids may reach them where others have not, by appealing to their sense of vanity. “From Drugs to Mugs” was the brainchild of Deputy Bret King of Multnomah County, Oregon Shocking mug shots reveal toll of addiction – Health – Addictions – msnbc.com The 48-minute documentary consists of a … [More]

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13. Seattle Reeling from Decision in Williams Case

    Feb 21, 2011 —

    Seattle got a shock this week when King County prosecutors announced that they will not be filing any criminal charges against Seattle police officer Ian Birk for the fatal shooting of John T. Williams Local News | No charges against Seattle officer who shot woodcarver | Seattle Times Newspaper. The Firearms Review Board reached their … [More]

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14. Medical Marijuana Legislation Up For Review

    Jan 31, 2011 —

    Stacey T. runs the Ballard Herbal Collective in Seattle. Open since November, he hands out medical marijuana to people who have a medical note, free of charge. He admits that while being one of the first storefronts in Seattle, his neighbors do not like him there. In fact, his landlord has asked him to move … [More]

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15. Washington Medical Marijuana Use Experiencing Growing Pains

    Jan 25, 2011 —

    Washington continues to struggle with growing pains as it applies its medical marijuana laws to the people who need it. As it stands now, patients can obtain an authorization from a physician to legally use marijuana for a specific list of approved illnesses. Local News | Washington struggles with use of medical marijuana | Seattle … [More]

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16. Washington Medical Marijuana Use Experiencing Growing Pains

    Jan 21, 2011 —

    Washington continues to struggle with growing pains as it applies its medical marijuana laws to the people who need it. As it stands now, patients can obtain an authorization from a physician to legally use marijuana for a specific list of approved illnesses. Local News | Washington struggles with use of medical marijuana | Seattle … [More]

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17. Seattle Police In The News For Punching Handcuffed Man

    Jan 20, 2011 —

    In an incident occurring on January 13, witnesses say that Seattle police officers were seen punching a man multiple times while he lay handcuffed on the ground. The defendant was initially arrested for wandering in traffic and would not stop when requested to do so by police. When the man was wrestled to the ground … [More]

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18. 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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19. 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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20. Vigilante Justice Hits the Streets of Seattle

    Jan 10, 2011 —

    This past week, a Seattle area resident found someone trying to break into his car, when out of nowhere, a man dressed in a superhero costume came on the scene and chased the would-be robber … [More]

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21. Police Seize Cell Phone and Search Text Messages and Email Without Warrant

    Jan 6, 2011 —

    If You Visit California, You May Not Want to Take Your Cell Phone A controversial decision was made this week by California Supreme Court. Now, if you are arrested in California, the police have the ability to search your cell phone, text messages and all, without a warrant. Any information that is obtained on your … [More]

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22. 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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23. 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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24. 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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25. 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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