Category Archives: Washington Crimes

1. 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]

   No Comments

2. 2 Skagit County Cities Under Fire For Public Defender System

   Mar 1, 2012 —

   All Americans are guaranteed the right to a fair trial if they have been accused of a crime. The Sixth Amendment allows any criminal defendant to be represented by an attorney; and if the person cannot afford a lawyer, then he or she will be appointed one by the state at no cost. In practice, … [More]

   No Comments

3. 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]

   No Comments

4. Man Who Accosted Thief May Face Manslaughter Charges

   Dec 29, 2011 —

   In theory, law enforcement personnel are supposed to help prevent crimes from taking place. But in reality, most police work involves responding to reports of criminal activity and then arresting the offenders. As a result, the burden of crime prevention often falls on ordinary citizens. One man tried to stop a criminal from committing theft. … [More]

   No Comments

5. Washington Criminal Law Caselaw Update – State v. Steen (November 2011)

   Nov 21, 2011 —

   The crime of obstructing a police officer is designed to punish people who hinder a criminal investigation or impede the activity of law enforcement personnel as they try to carry out their duties. But sometimes, this crime is used as a “catch-all” charge by police when an individual doesn’t obey.  And First Amendment Rights are … [More]

   No Comments

6. Guns and Immigration – Court Upholds Gun Possession Rights of Legal Aliens (State v. Ibrahim, Div. III)

   Nov 14, 2011 —

   In recent years, there has been a lot of rhetoric about two hot-button issues: the right to bear arms and federal immigration policy. Each of these topics has been addressed through legislation and legal battles in a number of states in the U.S. However, the Washington State Court of Appeals issued a ruling last month … [More]

   No Comments

7. 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]

   No Comments

8. 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]

   No Comments

9. Washington State Supreme Court Rules On “Deliberate Cruelty” and “Particular Vulnerability” For Increasing Prison Terms

   Sep 16, 2011 —

    This week the Supreme Court of Washington, in State v. Gordon and State v. Bukovsky, ruled that jurors can define aggravating factors themselves when deciding stiffer punishments. The state of Washington allows criminal juries to consider certain “aggravating sentencing factors” when deciding on the sentence for a convicted person. These are designed to give juries … [More]

   No Comments

10. Eyewitness Testimony Faces Review By U.S. Supreme Court After 34 Years

    Aug 24, 2011 —

    During the early days of the U.S., eyewitness testimony was the primary tool used by police to catch criminals and prosecutors to convict them. It wasn’t until recently that researchers started to question the reliability of witness identifications. Today, even though law enforcement has the benefit of scientific techniques to determine the identity of criminals, … [More]

    No Comments

11. 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]

    No Comments

12. Murder Case Tossed Over “Racist” Comments

    Jun 21, 2011 —

    The Washington Supreme Court has thrown out a murder case in an 8-1 ruling due to “prosecutorial misconduct” for what was deemed racist arguments. In 2007, Kevin Monday was convicted of first-degree murder and first-degree assault in a high profile murder case, that stemmed from a gang related shooting in Pioneer Square, reports the Seattle … [More]

    No Comments

13. Federal Crackdown on Medical Marijuana Creates Confusion

    May 8, 2011 —

    Despite the fact that under federal law marijuana is still illegal, dispensaries and farms have sprung up in 15 states in response to the passing of the medical marijuana laws. Thus far, the federal government has looked the other way, but apparently, those days are over. While states continue to protect and expand the use … [More]

    No Comments

14. Authority of Washington Sentencing Judges Reduced – Maximum Sentence for Gross Misdemeanor Redefined

    Apr 26, 2011 —

    On April 15, 2011, Governor Gregoire signed Bill SSB 5168 into law. This law redefines that maximum sentence for a gross misdemeanor to 364 days, a reduction of one day. This bill had support by both democrats and republicans in both houses. Under the former law, a gross misdemeanor had a maximum sentence of 365 … [More]

    No Comments

15. Concerning The Medical Use of Cannibas In Washington – SB 5073 To Be Debated Today

    Mar 30, 2011 —

    Considered by some to be the most comprehensive piece of Washington State’s medical marijuana legislation, SB 5073 is to be debated today in the Ways and Means Committee after passing the Senate 29-20.  The bill currently has the support of the medical establishment, the entire Seattle City Council, and the King County Medical Society.  The … [More]

    No Comments

16. 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]

    No Comments

17. 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]

    2 Comments

18. 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]

    No Comments

19. 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]

    No Comments

20. 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]

    No Comments

21. 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]

    1 Comment

22. 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]

    No Comments

23. 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]

    No Comments

24. 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]

    Comments Off

25. 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]

    No Comments