Monthly Archives: May 2016

Mandatory Arrest, it is the Law

What has become clear over the many years we have practiced criminal law at SQ Attorneys is that most Washington residents do not know that when police respond to a domestic violence situation they are required – under our laws – to arrest someone if they arrive on scene within 4 hours of the “911”… Continue Reading »

Citizens Arrest 101

In certain situations, private individuals have the power to make an arrest without a warrant. These types of arrests are known as citizens arrests, and they occur when ordinary people either detain criminals themselves or direct police officers to detain a criminal. Citizens arrests are subject to fewer constitutional requirements than an arrest by law… Continue Reading »

Belt Yourself In; Avoid a Citation

Recently high school seniors throughout Washington State helped launch a statewide seat belt campaign. The title of this grass roots campaign? “Buckle Up! Your Family is Waiting for You!” A senior at Asotin High School in Eastern Washington, Stanzi Hay, decided to lead the way by tackling the issue through the development of a yearlong… Continue Reading »

Juvenile Law Explained

The juvenile court system vastly differs from the criminal adult system. After committing a criminal offense, juveniles are detained rather than arrested. Next, a petition is drawn up which outlines the jurisdiction authority of the juvenile court over the offense and detained individuals, gives notice for the reason for the court appearance, serves as notice… Continue Reading »

Warrantless Blood Draw Invalid

Earlier this year the Washington State Court of Appeals addressed the issue of whether a warrantless blood test violated the rights of a defendant charged with a Marijuana (non-alcohol) related DUI. In City of Seattle v. Pearson (Wash. Ct. App. Feb. 29, 2016), a pedestrian was struck by the defendant’s car. The defendant suffered from… Continue Reading »

My Kid Is Cited For MIP!?!?

Most states have minor in possession (hereinafter “MIP”) laws concerning alcohol and drugs found in the possession of minors, regardless of whether they were using the substances. Some states strictly enforce MIP laws and prosecute minors to the fullest extent of the law. In other states, however, a MIP case may be able to receive… Continue Reading »

Tax to Stem Sno-County Crimes

Is there a new criminal justice tax on the way in Snohomish County? That is what officials of the county are considering in response to what they perceive as a growing drug problem and – by association – a spike in local property crimes. If the tax is implemented it will take effect on January 1, 2017.… Continue Reading »

Can I Drink In Public???

Las Vegas, Bourbon Street in New Orleans and Times Square in New York City on New Years, are all places where a person can walk around with an open container of alcohol. The question many people ask is: can you carry an alcoholic drink in a plastic beer mug while walking down your city’s main… Continue Reading »

Make Hay with this Bail

When a suspect has been charged with a crime, prosecutors often ask the court to impose bail. What is bail you ask? In simple terms, bail is the collateral pledged to the court so as to persuade the presiding judge to release the person from custody while his case is pending – otherwise, he is… Continue Reading »

Three Strikes and You’re Out

Under the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994, the “Three Strikes” statute (18 U.S.C. § 3559(c)) provides for mandatory life imprisonment if a convicted felon has been convicted in court of a “serious violent felony” and has two or more previous convictions in federal or state courts, at least one of which… Continue Reading »