Monthly Archives: May 2015

State’s Official New Liquor and Cannabis Board

Big changes are coming to the state Liquor Control Board, including a name change. The same law that will change the Liquor Control Board’s name July 24 to the “Liquor and Cannabis Board” also directed the agency to decide which unlicensed medical-marijuana shops and grow operations to legitimize by July 1, 2016. The process will… Continue Reading »

Another Crackdown in Seattle

Another crime crackdown is in the works in the City of Seattle. Seattle is out to squelch hate crimes by stepping up its efforts to reduce malicious harassment around the city. Mayor Murray announced this past Thursday, along with Police Chief Kathleen O’Toole, that the city is going to make a concerted effort to reduce… Continue Reading »

Base Fines Increase in July

We all know all too well that getting a traffic ticket proverbially hurts.  And now the sting just got a bit more painful. Effective July 1, 2015, base fines for most traffic infractions will increase by $12. This monetary bump is the largest since 2007, and is said to be initiated so as to help… Continue Reading »

Oregon Police May Retire Pot-Sniffing Dogs for Being to Good

The two drug-sniffing canines that work for Medford police could face early retirement because they are too good at detecting marijuana, which will become legal July 1. The issue arises because drug-sniffing dogs are often used to provide leads – probable cause – that can allow police to search people or property for drugs. If… Continue Reading »

VP Biden's call for Heigtened Awareness Undoubtedly Increases the number of Criminal Complaints Filed

Like DUI’s, domestic violence is getting a ton of exposure over this past year. The latest hyperbole of exposure in Seattle revolves around the Seattle Seahawks first round draft pick of 2015, Frank Clark. As is well known by now, Mr. Clark was alleged to have struck his then girlfriend in an Ohio hotel room last year.… Continue Reading »

No Duty to Retreat Alive and Well

In another case of ‘stand your ground’ precedent, two Utah men who fatally shot would-be criminals over the weekend are not expected to face criminal charges for their actions. This comes on the heels of the well publicized Florida case involving George Zimmerman, who shot Trayvon Martin in ‘self defense’. The Utah cases were separate… Continue Reading »

Take a Page out of the Bama Playbook Prosecutors

Recently there was an interesting outcome in an Alabama domestic violence case involving a University of Alabama football player, Cyrus Jones. In dismissing the case against Mr. Jones, the prosecutor actually acknowledged, and gave credit to the fact, that Mr. Jones ‘attempted to de-escalate the situation by contacting the Tuscaloosa Police Department’. As is well… Continue Reading »