All of us are taught at a very young age that all Americans have certain rights. We are also taught that no American is denied these rights. However, after you were convicted of a crime you found out that there was indeed an exception to this rule. There is a class of people that are […]

What should I do after I have just shot someone? As an attorney, I am often asked this question in my practice. Mostly this comes from fellow gun owners who, like me, carry a gun for self-defense. They have trained on what to do during the encounter, how to act non-confrontational, how not to draw […]

RCW 9A.16 lists common legal defenses. But these are not the common defenses to a DUI charge. Common DUI defenses are as follows: Rising blood alcohol defense: This defense argues that a defendant’s blood alcohol concentration (BAC) was below the legal limit at the time of driving, but rose above the limit while the defendant […]

If you drive in the state of Washington, you are presumed to have consented to a breath test once you are lawfully arrested. If you refuse, you can lose your license. However, there is no breath test for a marijuana DUI. Usually, the chemical test used when a marijuana DUI is suspected in Washington is a […]

Washington has legalized recreational marijuana, which means that there are many more drivers arrested and convicted for marijuana DUI now than there used to be. Police officers can find it difficult to determine whether to arrest a driver for marijuana DUI. Unlike with an alcohol-related DUI, there are very few tools that can be administered […]

Although recreational marijuana has been legalized in Washington, it is unlawful to drive while influenced by marijuana. Whether you are charged with an alcohol-related or marijuana DUI, it is important to consult a skillful attorney. The Tacoma marijuana DUI lawyers at Smith & White can help you fight your charge. We also can explain marijuana […]

There are several ways that our Tacoma Criminal Defense Lawyers can work to get your case dismissed. These include: Lack of probable cause: If the police did not have a valid reason to stop, detain or arrest the defendant, the case may be dismissed. This could occur if the police did not have probable cause […]

A language barrier can be used as a defense in a DUI case in Washington State if the defendant can demonstrate that the barrier prevented them from understanding the consequences of their actions or the instructions given to them by law enforcement. This defense can be raised in several different contexts, such as: During the […]

It can be terrifying and humiliating to be arrested for the first time. When the police respond to an altercation between a husband and a wife or between other family members in a household, Washington law often requires them to arrest somebody. There are mandatory arrests for domestic violence in Washington when the police arrive […]

Assault charges in Tacoma, Washington, can have serious legal consequences. Whether you’re facing charges or trying to understand the legal landscape, it’s crucial to know the different degrees of assault, potential penalties, and defense strategies. Types of Assault Charges in Washington State Washington classifies assault into four degrees, each with varying levels of severity: First-Degree […]