Officers must have probable cause to arrest you for a marijuana DUI. Before they even pull you over, they must first have reasonable suspicion that you committed a crime, are committing a crime, or are about to commit a crime. Once an officer stops you, they begin an investigation to decide whether probable cause exists […]

Washington has legalized recreational marijuana, and police now arrest and convict far more drivers for marijuana DUI than in the past. Deciding whether to arrest a driver for marijuana impairment can be difficult for officers. Unlike with an alcohol-related DUI, there are very few roadside tools that reliably and accurately detect marijuana impairment. To decide […]

Being charged with domestic violence crimes can upend your entire life.  Aside from the criminal fines and jail time, you could be kicked out of your house, blocked from your possessions, and kept from your children while the charges are pending. It is vital to work with a lawyer to protect your rights throughout this […]

If you were charged with a crime, especially a serious one involving domestic violence, you want the case to be over.  However, the length of time for a case can be tricky to predict and depends on a lot of factors. The length of any case will depend on the charges, the complexity of the […]

If you were arrested for a domestic-violence-related offense in Tacoma, Lakewood, Puyallup, or elsewhere in Pierce County, you might assume everything goes away if your spouse tells the court they don’t want to press charges. Understandable—but that’s not how Washington works. Once the State files charges, the case is State of Washington v. You. Your […]

If you were arrested for a domestic-violence-related offense in Tacoma, Lakewood, Puyallup, or elsewhere in Pierce County, “proving innocence” happens by building a record that the State cannot overcome at trial. Washington puts the burden on the prosecution to prove every element beyond a reasonable doubt—and if the defense raises lawful self-defense, the State must […]

If you’re facing a domestic-violence allegation in Washington State and you own firearms or have a CPL, the rules are complex and the stakes are high. Washington courts can require firearm surrender before any conviction, certain DV misdemeanors can bar possession, and federal law can add a separate prohibition. Here’s how Pierce County courts typically […]

Residents of Tacoma, Lakewood, Puyallup, and across Pierce County often ask after a dust-up outside a bar or at a house party: If we both agreed to fight, is it still assault? Short answer: Yes. Washington does not recognize a blanket “mutual combat” defense. Consent is narrow and mostly tied to foreseeable contact in organized […]

Domestic violence is often treated differently from most other criminal offenses because it tends to involve people or family members with deep, personal, and complicated ties. The police may have broad authority to arrest even if no witnesses are present. You may be arrested for domestic violence even if the police do not have any […]

Civil protection orders (CPOs) and no-contact orders (NPOs) are not synonymous, though they are used in similar contexts. And despite their differences, violating civil protection or no-contact orders carries similar consequences in Washington State. Individuals seek civil protection orders by filing petitions with civil courts, while judges overseeing criminal cases involving domestic violence-related offenses often […]