If you’re seeking a civil protection order in Washington State, the process can feel overwhelming. As experienced criminal attorneys based in Pierce County, we offer professional services to guide you through every step of obtaining a protection order. Here’s an overview of what you need to know and how legal representation can significantly improve your […]

When determining an appropriate sentence for a person convicted of an assault offense, the Washington courts will, among other things, calculate the person’s offender score. Numerous factors can impact the score, including whether the person has prior convictions for certain offenses. As discussed in a ruling recently issued in a Washington assault case, the court […]

In Washington, in order to convict a person of driving while under the influence of alcohol, the State must offer evidence sufficient to establish guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. While the State can use circumstantial evidence to meet this burden, it cannot rely on speculative or misleading evidence, as discussed in a recent Washington DUI […]

In many instances in which the police suspect a motorist is operating a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, they will administer a breath test. Breath tests are only admissible if they are conducted in a certain manner, however. For example, they may be deemed invalid if there was a foreign substance in the […]

One of the core tenets of criminal procedure is that people accused of crimes have a right to question any witnesses who testify against them, pursuant to the confrontation clause. In practice, this means that statements that constitute hearsay are often inadmissible. The confrontation clause does not preclude all out-of-court statements, however, as shown in […]

What is bail, and why is it required in DUI cases? Bail is a sum of money or property given as a guarantee to the court that a defendant will appear at all scheduled court dates after being released from custody. In DUI (Driving Under the Influence) cases, bail is typically set to ensure that […]

It is not uncommon for the Washington courts to issue no contact orders in domestic violence cases. When a person subject to a no contact order shares a child with the individual they are prohibited from contacting, it can make it difficult for the person to exercise their right to parent. As discussed in a […]

While some people may think of assault as a relatively minor offense, the opposite is true. In fact, in many cases, people convicted of assault crimes face lengthy prison sentences. Intervening changes in the law may allow people sentenced to substantial prison terms to challenge their sentence, though, as demonstrated in a recent Washington assault […]

Court Addresses Prosecutorial Misconduct in Tacoma Assault Cases Prosecutors are bound by a certain code of conduct in criminal proceedings. Among other things, they cannot engage in unjust behavior during trial, such as introducing improper evidence or misstating the law. Even proving that a prosecutor engaged in such acts might not be enough to overcome […]

Non-citizens main concern is the risk of deportation or exclusion from the U.S. if convicted of domestic violence crimes or if found in violation of a protection order. What constitutes domestic violence under Washington state law? Domestic violence is defined as physical harm, bodily injury, assault, fear of imminent harm, sexual assault, or stalking between […]