Many domestic violence charges are the result of situations that have spun out of control during a brief moment in time. Arguments that got heated and the boundaries crossed. What happened may have simply been a misunderstanding between loved ones. Unfortunately, making things right is not as simple as explaining your side of the story and having the charges magically go away. The alleged victim is not a party to the court proceeding; the parties in the criminal suit involve the government against the defendant and often the government does not care if the alleged victim doesn’t want the case to proceed or otherwise move forward. In fact, the government will most likely ask the court to impose a temporary no contact order (NCO) so as to keep the parties separated from one another, whether they want to be or not. This may mean that one of the parties (the victim or the defendant) may find him or herself homeless; it may even cause others in the house to become homeless. Such an awful situation can last weeks, months or even years. This is one of the points of leverage that the prosecution uses to get people to agree to plea deals that may not be a true fit for the circumstances of their case just so they can go home or put their family back together. Another equally harsh tactic prosecutors employ is to overcharge a crime and then offer a plea that does not reflect an accurate picture of what happened.

Restraining orders, the loss of your Second Amendment right to have a gun, not being able to return home, and social stigma are all good reasons to find a qualified Seattle domestic violence attorney who is dedicated to uncovering your side of the story and making sure that it is heard when a domestic violence allegation has been leveled against you.

Because of the grave consequences associated with domestic violence related allegations, it is of paramount importance that a person accused of committing a crime involving domestic violence have a strong and articulate advocate on his/her side. At SQ Attorneys our Seattle domestic violence lawyers have over twenty plus years of criminal trial experience. We believe in systematically investigating the criminal allegations brought against our clients and in bringing each client’s story to light in the courtroom, before prosecutors, judges and the jury. SQ Attorneys works tirelessly to make sure that our client’s stories are told, and that the court sees more than just the fact that they’re criminally charged when they look at them. The Seattle criminal attorneys that make up the criminal defense team of SQ Attorneys have the ability and the passion to accomplish just this goal. If accused of a domestic violence related crime, protect your rights – contact SQ Attorneys at (206) 441-0900 or (425) 998-8384. It will be the best decision you make all day.

Often the legality of a search/ seizure is ripe for contesting, and thus the legality of the search/ seizure is usually hard fought by defense attorneys in a court of law. For instance, in a lot of cases in which drugs are found in a person’s vehicle incident to arrest, the search is invalid for one reason or another. The legal precedent of Mapp v. Ohio dictates that if drugs are found during an illegal search, such evidence cannot be used in a court of law. So although law enforcement agents may appear to have broad power to search an individual incident to arrest, and or pursuant to a warrant, their powers are not inherently absolute. It is therefore important to seek qualified legal representation if you or a loved one has fallen victim to a search and/or seizure conducted by law enforcement in Washington State — every person who lives in the United States has a reasonable expectation of privacy in his/her private affairs and premises.

In any Western Washington criminal case, a qualified Seattle criminal attorney will review the case to determine if law enforcement conducted a search and/or seizure, and if so was the search and/or seizure lawful. If it is determined that a search and/or seizure was unlawfully conducted, a qualified Seattle criminal defense lawyer will move to have any evidence obtained by way of the search suppressed; in other words, exclude that evidence from use at trial because it is “fruit of the poisonous tree”.

The Seattle criminal defense attorneys that make up the criminal defense team of SQ Attorneys are highly qualified Seattle criminal lawyers that are dedicated to providing top notch, aggressive representation for those charged with committing crime in and around Western Washington and the greater Puget Sound region. SQ Attorneys creates success without limits. Call today for a free consultation – (206) 441-0900 or (425) 998-8384.

SR-22 insurance is a document that an insurance company files with DOL. The document affirmatively informs DOL that a person is carrying an acceptable amount of automotive insurance in Washington State. Currently a person does not need to prove he has automotive insurance to get licensed in Washington State. However, if a person losses his privilege to drive because of a traffic related conviction, or because he lost a DOL administrative hearing, he must prove he is carrying automotive insurance.

Washington’s SR-22 insurance requirement can be fulfilled in one of two ways. First, a person can post $60,000.00 with the Secretary of State’s office for a period of three years. Second, a person can seek an insurance provider who is licensed to provide insurance in the State of Washington to provide the requisite level of coverage and to notify DOL that such insurance is in place by filing a certificate of coverage with DOL. For obvious reasons, the second option is the most common route people take to meet Washington’s SR22 insurance requirement.

If a person finds himself in a position that SR-22 insurance becomes a requirement, he should evaluate what all of the costs, benefits, and possible trouble points are to using his current insurance provider for his SR22 insurance coverage. Some insurance companies will not provide SR22 insurance, some will actually cancel an insured’s policy if SR22 insurance is required, and some may be completely and totally cost prohibitive.

A person facing the daunting task of having to obtain SR22 insurance should do his “due diligence” and get as many quotes as possible (at least 3-5), and find a trustworthy insurance provider to help guide him through the cost/ benefit analysis before making his final decision about who to obtain his SR22 insurance through.

Because of the significant implications a traffic related crime can have on a person, it is imperative that a person who faces losing his Washington State driving privilege retain a qualified Seattle criminal attorney or a qualified Bellevue criminal defense lawyer in order to best minimize potential legal consequences and to protect all of his rights and interests – both civil and criminal. The Seattle criminal lawyers that make up the criminal defense team of SQ Attorneys are highly qualified Seattle criminal defense lawyers that are dedicated to providing top notch, aggressive representation for those folks facing the possibility of losing their Washington State driving privilege. If you or a loved one is facing the possibility of losing the ability to legally drive in Washington State, call SQ Attorneys at (206) 441-0900 or (425) 998-8384 for an initial free consultation.

The Seattle DUI Lawyers that make up the criminal defense team at SQ Attorneys understand the significant impact a DUI conviction can have on not only a person’s personal but also professional life.   The litigators at SQ Attorneys understand that being charged and prosecuted for DUI in Western Washington is one of the scariest experiences an individual can face during his lifetime.

SQ Attorneys is a highly skilled and experienced team of Seattle DUI Attorneys immensely dedicated to aggressively protecting the rights and interests of those accused of DUI in Western Washington and the Greater Puget Sound region.  The team creates success by working with law enforcement and the prosecuting attorney’s office to ensure that their client’s integrity and overarching humanity, as well as the totality of the facts and circumstances related to the allegations, are considered in creating the most just, fair and equitable resolution possible.

If you or a loved one is charged with a DUI in Western Washington, call The Seattle Criminal Lawyers at SQ Attorneys – (206) 441-0900 or (425) 9988-DUI (8384) – for an initial free consultation. 

The signs are regulatory in nature; in other words, all of the information posted on the signs is mandatory, not suggestive. The signs will display speed changes, direction arrows and “X’s” to let drivers know a lane is closed. There will be one sign above each lane on the freeway. If a driver chooses not to heed a signs mandate (i.e. reduce speed or stay out of specific lane), law enforcement will cite the driver for failing to obey our Washington State traffic laws. Failing to obey a traffic sign can result in a $124 fine and increased insurance premiums.

If you or a loved one is cited in Washington State for a traffic violation you should request a contested hearing and immediately contact a Seattle criminal defense attorney or a Bellevue criminal lawyer for advice and/or assistance. The Seattle criminal attorneys that make up the criminal defense team of SQ Attorneys are highly qualified Seattle criminal lawyers that are dedicated to providing top notch, aggressive representation for those ticketed in and around Western Washington and the greater Puget Sound region. The team creates success by working with law enforcement and the prosecuting attorney’s office to ensure that all facts and circumstances related to the allegations are considered in creating the fairest, most equitable and just resolution possible.

The Seafair BUI/ DUI emphasis patrol will be staged out of Proctor Landing on Mercer Island. In addition to a temporary 60 foot dock created to accommodate the increased marine patrol units. The Proctor Landing site will also have: (1) a Mobile Impaired Driving Unit, out-fitted with three breath-test analyzers and two holding cells, and (2) a large fenced detention facility to hold people arrested for committing BUI/ DUI and any other criminal offense(s) while SeaFair weekend is underway.  In addition to BUI patrols on Lake Washington, it is anticipated that law enforcement officers will also be conducting increased DUI patrols on the highways and surface streets leading to and from all weekend Seafair events.

Because of the significant consequences one faces when arrested for BUI/ DUI in Washington State, it is imperative that a person arrested for BUI/ DUI immediately retain a qualified Seattle DUI attorney so as to not only best minimize the myriad of legal consequences he faces, but also to protect his rights and liberty interests. The Seattle criminal attorneys that make up the criminal defense team of SQ Attorneys are highly qualified Seattle DUI lawyers that are dedicated to providing top notch, aggressive representation for those charged with BUI/ DUI in and around Western Washington and the greater Puget Sound region. The team creates success by working with law enforcement and the prosecuting attorney’s office to ensure that all facts and circumstances related to the BUI/ DUI allegations are considered in creating the fairest, most equitable and just resolution possible.

If you or a loved one is cited for or otherwise charged with BUI/ DUI in King County, Pierce County, Snohomish County, Kitsap County, Thurston County or one of the following cities or towns: Algona, Bellevue, Black Diamond, Bonney Lake, Bothell, Burien, Des Moines, Duvall, Edmonds, Enumclaw, Everett, Federal Way, fife, Hunts Point, Issaquah, Kenmore, Kent, Kirkland, Lake Forest Park, Lake Stevens, Lakewood, Lynnwood, Maple Valley, Marysville, Medina, Mercer Island, Milton, Monroe, Mountlake Terrace, New Castle, Normandy Park, North Bend, Olympia, Puyallup, Redmond, Renton, Sammamish, Sea Tac, Seattle, Shoreline, Snohomish, Sumner, Tacoma, Tukwila, University Place, and/or Woodinville, or any other city or town in Western Washington, call The Criminal Defense Team of SQ Attorneys at (206) 441-0900; (425) 998-8DUI for an initial free consultation.

It is extremely common for neighbors to call 911 when they hear loud, violent arguments between spouses, ex-spouses, couples, or partners. Even when there is no evidence of an assault, police often  (and under certain circumstances are required by law to)  arrest a spouse, ex-spouse or partner in order to diffuse a seemingly volatile situation. Police rarely, if ever, take the time to determine who started an argument, who acted in self-defense, or who threatened whom; typically law enforcement simply arrests the male who was involved and book him into jail. Similarly, the prosecuting attorney rarely declines to file criminal charges once an allegation has been made. This may be because it is too risky to do otherwise; if there is another altercation, or worse yet, there is serious harm caused to the alleged victim by the accused at a later date, the prosecutor may be held accountable for not taking action when he could have. Prosecutors don’t like to unnecessarily expose their “back-side”. Hence, they may choose to file a criminal complaint even when the allegations may appear silly, i.e. a single poke to the chest or the rising of a hand to strike another.

Because of the life altering impact of a domestic violence allegation, it is imperative that when a person is facing a single or even a multiple criminal charge(s) arising out of an argument that got out of hand, a person cannot simply entrust his life, his future, his reputation or even his profession to an inexperienced and untested Washington State lawyer. He must seek – he must demand – only the very best criminal defense representation available. A qualified Seattle domestic violence attorney will take the time to investigate the events that led up to a person’s arrest for domestic violence. He or she will interview eyewitnesses, subpoena emergency room medical records, and carefully review police reports. In court, the Seattle domestic violence lawyer will interview police officers to determine if they actually understood the situation before they made an arrest, pointing out information and facts that contradict the allegations against his/he client. The attorney will make absolutely sure that jurors get the whole story and not just the one-sided version offered by the alleged victim and the prosecuting attorney. It should go without saying that anyone charged with domestic violence in Washington State should immediately seek the assistance of a seasoned Seattle domestic violence defense lawyer.

The Seattle criminal attorneys that make up the criminal defense team of SQ Attorneys are highly seasoned and reputable Seattle domestic violence defense lawyers that are dedicated to providing top notch, aggressive representation for those arrested for domestic violence in and around Western Washington and the greater Puget Sound region. The team is designed to create success by working with law enforcement and the prosecuting attorney’s office so as to ensure that all facts and circumstances related to the criminal allegations brought against the accused are considered in creating the fairest, most equitable and just resolution possible in light of all the surrounding circumstances. If accused of a crime protect your rights – contact SQ Attorneys, (206) 293-9590; (425) 998-8384 – it will be the best decision you make all day.

Because of the protocols and principles that must be followed by police officers in Washington State, it is important that in all Washington State DUI cases an accused preserve as much evidence as possible. For example, if there is an in-car camera it is imperative to request and obtain any film footage the camera may have caught during law enforcements’ contact with the accused. Similarly, if there is a camera in the room where a breath test is obtained at the police station, it is extremely important to request and obtain the film footage the camera may have caught during the accused’s breath test processing. Obtaining film footage is important because it may confirm or dispel whether all protocols and procedures were followed by the law enforcement officer during his processing of the person accused of DUI. Many folks believe, for example, that the NHTSA Standardized Field Sobriety Tests are designed to ensure failure; it goes without saying that a good percentage of the population will have difficulty performing some, if not all, of the tasks required. This is true because of age, weight, height and whole host of other impactful factors. The tests are “standardized” and thus how they are administered is very important. Viewing film can help determine if the tests were administered correctly, and thus can help assess whether the police officer truly did have sufficient grounds (“probable cause”) to arrest the person accused of DUI.

Because of the significant implications a DUI arrest and/or conviction can have on a person, it is imperative that a person charged with DUI in Washington State retain a qualified Seattle DUI attorney or a qualified Bellevue DUI lawyer in order to best minimize potential legal consequences and protect their rights and interests. The Seattle criminal attorneys that make up the criminal defense team of SQ Attorneys are highly qualified Seattle DUI lawyers that are dedicated to providing top notch, aggressive representation for those charged with DUI in Western Washington. The team creates success by working with law enforcement and the prosecuting attorney’s office to ensure that all facts and circumstances related to the DUI allegations are considered in creating the fairest, most equitable and just resolution possible.

If you or a loved one is cited for, or charged with, DUI in King County, Pierce County, Snohomish County, Kitsap County, Thurston County or one of the following cities or towns: Algona, Bellevue, Black Diamond, Bonney Lake, Bothell, Burien, Des Moines, Duvall, Edmonds, Enumclaw, Everett, Federal Way, fife, Hunts Point, Issaquah, Kenmore, Kent, Kirkland, Lake Forest Park, Lake Stevens, Lakewood, Lynnwood, Maple Valley, Marysville, Medina, Mercer Island, Milton, Monroe, Mountlake Terrace, New Castle, Normandy Park, North Bend, Olympia, Puyallup, Redmond, Renton, Sammamish, Sea Tac, Seattle, Shoreline, Snohomish, Sumner, Tacoma, Tukwila, University Place, and/or Woodinville, or any other city or town in Western Washington, call The Criminal Defense Team of SQ Attorneys at (206) 441-0900 for an initial free consultation.

The concept behind the campaign is to have law enforcement and prosecutors work more cohesively and in unison to create arrest reports and to prosecute Washington State DUI cases in and around King, Pierce and Snohomish Counties. It goes without saying that Target Zero’s success will undoubtedly be measured by the number of stops, arrests, and convictions for DUI in King, Pierce and Snohomish Counties. Quotas? Of course not. At least not outwardly. But clearly the “powers-that-be” will be expecting to see some positive numerical results, that is only to be expected.

Because of the significant implications a DUI arrest and/or conviction can have, it is imperative that a person charged with DUI in Washington State retain a qualified Seattle DUI attorney or a qualified Bellevue DUI lawyer in order to best minimize potential legal consequences and protect their rights and interests. The Seattle criminal attorneys that make up the criminal defense team of SQ Attorneys are highly qualified Seattle DUI lawyers that are dedicated to providing top notch, aggressive representation for those charged with DUI in Western Washington. The team creates success by working with law enforcement and the prosecuting attorney’s office to ensure that all facts and circumstances related to the DUI allegations are considered in creating the fairest, most equitable and just resolution possible.

If you or a loved one is cited for, arrested or charged with DUI in King County, Pierce County, Snohomish County, or any other county, city or town in Western Washington or the Greater Puget Sound region, call The Criminal Defense Team of SQ Attorneys at (206) 441-0900 for an initial free consultation.

Often folks ask me about how the government would ever know a No Contact Order was being violated, especially if no one affirmatively disclosed the contact to the court, probation or even law enforcement. Does the government do random checks at their home or work? Are there police officers that are specifically dedicated to following up and/or watching? Is “Big Brother” spying on them? In short – “no”. Law Enforcement has neither the funds nor the man power to conduct such auspicious and far reaching maneuvers. But below following are but just two examples that I personally have heard of that have lead to the government becoming aware that someone is violating a No Contact Order, which, by the way, is not only a violation of probationary conditions but also a crime in and of itself – one in which the government will file a criminal complaint and seek a jail sentence against the offender.

First, a police officer is cruising the streets during day-light hours. Not much happening on his “beat”. Thus, he decides to drive by hotels and conduct random license plate checks on the vehicles parked in the hotel parking lots (a common and lawful practice of law enforcement). As he does this, he notes that the registered owner of one of the vehicles at hotel “A” has a No Contact Order imposed against him. This person is not to have contact with a specific person. The police officer continues running the random license plate checks of all the vehicles at hotel “A”. In short order the police officer determines that a registered owner of one of the other vehicles parked in the parking lot of hotel “A” is the beneficiary of the No Contact Order that is in place. The officer determines what room these folks are in and thereafter proceeds to contact and arrest the person who he deems is violating the terms of court probation, and the conditions of the No Contact Order that is in place.

Second, a police officer is traveling the streets late at night. He knows that it is lawful to conduct random license plate checks. He also knows that people at night often drive after consuming alcohol. He conducts a random license plate check on a vehicle that is stopped directly in front of him at a red light, waiting for the light to turn green. The registered owner of the vehicle has a suspended license, a crime in Washington State. The officer initiates a traffic stop of the vehicle. There is a passenger in the vehicle. The officer obtains names and after a background check determines that there is a No Contact Order in place that prohibits the passenger from having contact with the registered owner of the vehicle, which happens to be the driver. End result – both folks are arrested and put in jail for committing crimes in Washington State.

Because of the significant implications that a Washington State domestic violence and/or a No Contact Order related conviction carries, it is imperative that when a person is facing single or even multiple criminal charges arising out of an argument that got out of hand, a person cannot simply entrust his life, his future, his reputation or even his profession to an inexperienced and untested Washington State criminal lawyer. He must seek – he must demand – only the very best criminal defense representation available. Anyone charged with domestic violence in Washington State should immediately seek the assistance of a seasoned Seattle domestic violence defense lawyer.

The Seattle criminal attorneys that make up the criminal defense team of SQ Attorneys are highly seasoned and reputable Seattle domestic violence defense lawyers that are dedicated to providing top notch, aggressive representation for those arrested for domestic violence in Western Washington and the greater Puget Sound region. The team is designed to create success by working with law enforcement and the prosecuting attorney’s office so as to ensure that all facts and circumstances related to the criminal allegations brought against the accused are considered in creating the fairest, most equitable and just resolution possible in light of all the surrounding circumstances. If accused of a crime, protect your rights – contact SQ Attorneys – (206) 441-0900; it will be the best decision you make all day!