Category: Uncategorized

Both our State and U.S. constitutions allow for people to be protected from unlawful searches and seizures. This protection is found in the Fourth Amendment, which reads in part: “[t]he right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures shall not be violated …”. Most… Continue Reading »

Extradition laws give a nation the ability to hand over someone to another nation for purposes of criminal trial or punishment. Whether someone can be extradited depends on the laws of the countries involved and whether there’s an extradition treaty in place. Extradition can also take place within the United States in a state-to-state extradition.… Continue Reading »

When expungement of an arrest or conviction is an option in a state or county, in most instances a person’s criminal record must meet certain standards in order to qualify for the process. Expungement eligibility usually depends on a number of factors, including: 1) The amount of time that has passed since the arrest or… Continue Reading »

When things are bad, it is always a good idea to not compound the situation with another bad decision. Apparently, one Pennsylvania woman didn’t get the memo, as she was arrested for drunk driving after police say she showed up at their station ‘under the influence’ coming to pick up her boyfriend, who had also… Continue Reading »

Last week the Washington State Supreme Court elected to uphold citizen privacy rights and struck down “Hailey’s Law” (RCW 46.55.360) as an unconstitutional invasion of privacy. Prior to this landmark decision, anyone arrested in Washington State for driving under the influence (or physical control) automatically had their car impounded for a minimum of 12 hours.… Continue Reading »

Sentences for a criminal conviction can take many forms, and a conviction doesn’t always mean a trip to jail or prison. Alternative sentences are sometimes offered and include different combinations of the following: a suspended sentence, probation, fines, restitution, community service and deferred adjudication/pretrial diversion. As an alternative to imprisonment, a judge can issue a… Continue Reading »

‘Go Green’ has been a big push in Washington State for years now, and at least one law enforcement agency is actively joining the movement. The Washington State Patrol has announced that it is buying three 2020 Ford Interceptor hybrid SUVs at approximately $45,850 a pop. The purchase is the first of its kind for… Continue Reading »

Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary defines collusion as “secret cooperation for an illegal or dishonest purpose.” According to Black’s Law Dictionary, collusion is “a deceitful agreement or compact between two or more persons, for the one party to bring an action against the other for some evil purpose, as to defraud a third party of his right.” Definitions… Continue Reading »

It is no secret that the City of Seattle is having a heck of a time battling crime within its borders. In fact, a recent report commissioned by business associations in Ballard, Sodo and Downtown evidences that now – more than ever – Seattle workers and residents are being harmed by failures of Seattle’s criminal… Continue Reading »

Second degree murder is defined as intentional murder that lacks premeditation and is intended to only cause bodily harm while demonstrating an extreme indifference to human life. The exact legal definition of this particular crime varies by the State and jurisdiction in which the offense is committed. While some states don’t use the term “second-degree… Continue Reading »