In the state of Washington, the criminal court system provides two ways that crime victims can obtain reimbursement for the damages they've suffered as the result of a crime. Victims may be reimbursed through the state's crime victim compensation statutes or by a judge's order to a convicted offender to pay restitution. Precisely what is [...]
Lawyers and lawmakers use different terms to describe different levels of criminality or criminal culpability. A person who is involved in a crime might be considered a principal, an accomplice, an accessory before or after the fact, an aider, an abettor, or a conspirator. It hinges on in what way and to what extent the [...]
"Fake news" is getting plenty of attention these days. There's a lot of it circulating out there, and in California, even the police are spreading some of it. Political groups blame opposing factions for creating fake news, distributing it through both mainstream and social media, and seeking to influence or change the votes and opinions [...]
From the insurance industry’s point of view, the state of Washington has long been a hotbed for auto thieves. Seattle and Spokane are routinely listed among the nation’s top ten cities for car thefts. In October, the police in Renton told KOMO News that more than 8,800 auto thefts have been reported in King County [...]
As drug crimes lawyers, we know that if you’re driving in Oklahoma, you do not want to get pulled over by the Oklahoma Highway Patrol. Sixteen OHP troopers now carry a device that allows them to seize money from any prepaid cards that drivers may be carrying. The device is called an “ERAD,” or an [...]
The Washington Foundation For Criminal Justice is preparing for their annual meeting which will take place December 16, 2016. This year's seminar is called "Blood, Breath, And Tears; Defending The Modern DUI Case." Founded in 1984, the WFCJ originally consisted of a few selected top DUI attorneys in the state of Washington which included Doug [...]
The city of Seattle, Washington is a beautiful city and a popular destination for travelers. When it comes to crime, Seattle ranks number 14 in the state of Washington. This infographic illustrates the statistics surrounding crime in the area. While the overall numbers are much better than other cities, that is of little comfort to [...]
Should police officers be allowed to tempt, cajole, or seduce people into breaking the law? That is the question that almost everyone was discussing in Seattle this summer after the Seattle Police Department arrested 204 men during a 10-day sting operation in the city’s University district. Detectives set up the operation in a massage parlor [...]
Driving under the influence is always a genuinely bad idea, but if someone drives under the influence with a child in the car, it’s even worse. Driving under the influence exposes all of us to potentially fatal collisions, and driving drunk with kids in the car risks their lives as well. There is never, ever [...]
Anyone can be charged – even by mistake – with a crime. If you are arrested and charged with a misdemeanor or a felony in the state of Washington, whether you are innocent or guilty as charged, it is important to know as much as possible about the criminal justice process and about what happens [...]
