Category: Uncategorized

This past weekend a 50 year old Seattle man was hit by a pickup truck while riding his bicycle along Rainier Avenue South. The man was hit from behind by a red 1980s model GMC or Chevrolet pickup with a wooden structure built on back. The driver of the truck fled the scene of the… Continue Reading »

On July 9, 2018, the Seattle City Council unanimously approved two gun control regulations. These measures relate to the safe storage of firearms, and require residents to pay penalties if they: (1) do not safely store their firearms, or (2) fail to report lost or stolen guns. According to Mayor Durkan’s office, 150,000 adults in… Continue Reading »

Appeals judges generally defer to trial court findings, particularly findings of fact as opposed to matters of law. Courts rarely overturn lower court decisions and “perfect” trials are not guaranteed, although certain safeguards do exist in order to account for errors and oversights. An appellate court will overturn a guilty verdict only if the trial… Continue Reading »

House Bill 2661 rolled into effect last month and as such the Domestic Violence Leave Law (‘DVLL’) broadened its scope. The law now requires employers to make accommodations for the safety and security of employees who are victims of domestic violence. To initiate the protection the employee must show that the accommodation doesn’t pose an… Continue Reading »

Criminal cases receive different classifications according to their severity. The mildest crimes are known as infractions, more serious crimes are known as misdemeanors, and the most serious crimes are known as felonies. The classification of a crime influences both the substance and procedure of a criminal charge, so it’s important to understand the differences between… Continue Reading »

In criminal cases it is common to have facts that involve alcohol and/or drugs. This is so because both obviously inhibit, or otherwise cloud, judgment, and when that happens … well … things like driving under the influence, assaults and even thefts may seem ok to do in the moment. Poor decision making undoubtedly got… Continue Reading »

Second-degree murder is ordinarily defined as: 1) an intentional killing that is not premeditated or planned, nor committed in a reasonable “heat of passion”; or 2) a killing caused by dangerous conduct and the offender’s obvious lack of concern for human life. Second-degree murder may best be viewed as the middle ground between first degree… Continue Reading »

If someone has invaded your home, and you fear great bodily harm or death, then yes — the law will generally protect you if you shoot an intruder. Outside of those very specific circumstances, however, the question is a bit too complicated to provide a black and white answer, especially when you consider the different… Continue Reading »

Last year Washington lawmakers passed a measure creating a two-tiered licensing system. Jay Inslee – Washington State’s governor – thereafter signed the law into effect. As a result, starting September 4, 2018, all issued driver’s licenses and ID cards will have a new driver’s license number. All new cards will have WDL as the first… Continue Reading »

In the past few weeks, SQ Attorneys has represented individuals in several restitution hearings. Restitution is a payment made by the perpetrator of a crime to the victims of that crime. Judges often order restitution be paid in cases where victims suffered some kind of financial setback as the result of a crime. The payment… Continue Reading »