Yearly Archives: 2017

Overview: Criminal Law

Today, we here at SQ Attorneys would like to provide an overview of what criminal law is? Criminal law refers to federal and state laws that make certain behavior illegal and punishable by imprisonment and fines. The American legal system is largely comprised of two different types of cases: civil and criminal. Civil cases are… Continue Reading »

Write it Down!

One of the first things we at SQ Attorneys have our clients do when they meet with us – do what the officer did – write everything about the incident down. This is so because criminal cases are routinely won or lost on details, details, and more details. Any and every detail may be the… Continue Reading »

Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity

SQ Attorneys

What is an insanity defense is, and how do courts determine whether a defendant falls within the parameters of being legally insane? A defendant charged with a crime, who is found to have been legally insane when he or she committed a crime may be found not guilty by reason of insanity. In some cases,… Continue Reading »

DUI = a Loss of License

As any seasoned Seattle DUI lawyer will tell you, it should come as no surprise that being cited for DUI in Washington State can impact one’s ability to drive. A Washington DUI can lead to a suspension, and even a revocation, of a person’s driving privilege. This is so even if the case is dismissed… Continue Reading »

Juvenile Law Procedure

The juvenile court system is different from the adult system in many ways. After committing an 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… Continue Reading »

Domestic Violence Leave Law

An interesting fact for those charged with domestic violence – in Washington there is a law that allows alleged victims to take leave from work. It is called the Domestic Violence Leave law, RCW 46.76. In short, RCW 46.76 authorizes victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking to take ‘reasonable’ leave from work to… Continue Reading »

Wiping Your Record Clean

Expungement is a court-ordered process where the legal record of an arrest or a criminal conviction is sealed, or erased in the eyes of the law. When a conviction is expunged, the process may also be referred to as setting aside a criminal conviction. The availability of expungement, and the procedure for getting an arrest… Continue Reading »

Not Quite Out of the Woods

For those facing a DUI in Washington State don’t get too excited or overly expectant when reading about Tiger Woods’ resolution of his Florida DUI case. Friday Tiger Woods is expected to enter a ‘diversion program’ for intoxicated drivers. It is one of several programs across the country aimed at reducing the number of repeat… Continue Reading »

I’m on Probation

Did you just plead guilty? … And you are not going to jail? Just probation? Has your lawyer advised you on what probation is and what will be required of you? Probation is the suspension of a jail sentence that allows a person convicted of a crime a chance to remain in the community, instead… Continue Reading »

A Shot Over the Bow or Something More?

Mega media outlets are at it yet again, wading into the sea of aggressively highlighting DUI’s and other types of criminal activity, albeit in a somewhat roundabout way. This past Monday an MSNBC panel slammed the National Football League for allowing players to continue playing after committing crimes, yet remain unified in their alleged outright banning of Colin Kaepernick (from their… Continue Reading »