Monthly Archives: June 2017

How Can I Erase My Criminal Record

Have you been convicted of a crime and are hoping to get it cleared off your record? That process is known as an “expungement.” Expungement is a court-ordered processing which 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,… Continue Reading »

Back to Basics

Pursuant to Washington State’s implied consent law (RCW 46.20.308), a driver arrested for DUI faces the imposition of a driver’s license penalty in the form of a suspension or revocation of his/her driving privilege for failing (blowing a .08 or greater) or refusing to take a breath/blood test. Prior to the actual imposition of the… Continue Reading »

What’s in a Name Makes a Difference

An interesting article in the Seattle Times today outlines why the Seattle City Attorney’s decision to change the name of a certain crime has caused havoc in folks’ lives. Outside of Seattle the crime is known as ‘Patronizing a Prostitute’. In the City of Seattle it is known as ‘Sexual Exploitation’. Exactly the same crime,… Continue Reading »

Seeking Justice is a Most Curious Concept

As so eloquently outlined in the Criminal Justice Section of the American Bar Association, the primary duty of a prosecutor is to seek justice within the bounds of the law, and to not merely convict an accused person; a prosecutor should consider the interests of both victims and witnesses, and respect the constitutional and legal… Continue Reading »

The Most Important Constitutional Right for a Criminal Defendant

One of the most important constitutional right a person facing a criminal charge is their right to a jury trial. The OJ Simpson jury trial in the early 90’s captivated American society and showed Americans the importance of their right to a trial by jury. The Constitution guarantees a right to a trial by a… Continue Reading »

Codified Law as Law

To some Seattle may seem to be on the cutting edge, and yet to others Seattle may seem to be over the top. Well … last month our City Council signed into law something that some may very well say is cutting edge, while others may claim is simply – over the top. On May… Continue Reading »

The Role of The Defense Attorney

The Washington State Supreme Court, in State v. Fedorov, affirmed a conviction for driving under the influence of alcohol where a police officer remained in a room while a defendant was a on a telephone call with a lawyer before consenting to a breath test. The Court held that the rule-based right to counsel under… Continue Reading »