The police have a lot of power when it comes to investigating crimes and searching for evidence. Even so, their power is not limitless, and you have rights that must be protected. If the police ask for permission to search your car and you say no, they cannot search without a warrant. However, the police […]

In Washington, assault charges do not always arise out of one person striking or hitting another. Instead, they can be based on conduct deemed offensive under the law. When reviewing convictions arising out of such charges convictions, courts consider both the intentionality of the act and its impact on the victim. A recent Washington case […]

Facing a DUI charge can be overwhelming, but understanding the steps to take afterward is essential for managing the situation and minimizing its impact on your life. Washington State has specific procedures and laws that apply to DUI cases, including consequences that affect your driver’s license, criminal record, and more. Here’s a step-by-step guide for […]

Driving under the influence (DUI) is a serious criminal offense in the Evergreen State, as it is across the United States. Suppose you’re caught driving with a blood alcohol concentration that exceeds the legal limit. In that case, you can face legal consequences, including the suspension of your driver’s license. One question that frequently arises […]

A criminal record is an official document that contains information about an individual’s criminal history, including arrests, charges, convictions, and sentences. In Washington State, a criminal record is created when a person is arrested, charged, or convicted of a crime. This information is recorded in various databases, including those maintained by the Washington State Patrol […]

In Tacoma, there are numerous assault crimes of varying degrees, and each offense requires the State to establish different elements. If the State fails to meet this burden, it should not be able to sustain a conviction. This was demonstrated in a recent opinion issued in a Washington assault case, in which the court reversed […]

Understanding Civil Protection Orders in Pierce County, WA: What You Need to Know Before You File If you’re considering seeking a civil protection order in Tacoma or elsewhere in Pierce County, the legal process can feel intimidating. At Smith & White, we understand how emotionally charged these situations are—and we’re here to guide you. Whether […]

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 […]