Monthly Archives: June 2018

Alcohol/ Drugs and Crime

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 »

Murder in the Second Degree Explained

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 »

Self-Defense is an Affirmative Defense

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 »

Licensing Change on the Horizon

SQ Attorneys

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 »

Restitution Hearing

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 »

DUI Test Results – breath or blood

SQ Attorneys

In DUI alcohol content cases there are two ways to get a ‘test result’. First, a breath test. Second, a blood test. Breath tests are more often than not conducted at a police precinct. Blood tests, on the other hand, are more often than not conducted at a hospital. Breath test results are obtained immediately… Continue Reading »

Deferred v. Diversion

Certain types of offenses and defendants may qualify for programs that result in the dismissal of the case against the defendant upon completion of specified conditions. These programs go by several different names, but they all remove the defendant from the ordinary channels of prosecution so that the defendant may complete certain conditions. Once the… Continue Reading »

A Pilot’s Obligation

People from all walks of life can, and do, get cited for DUI in Washington State. Teachers, doctors, plumbers, and construction workers are but just yet a few of the many professions impacted. But what about aviation professionals 9 (i.e. Pilots), how are they impacted by a DUI citation? A drunk driving arrest does not… Continue Reading »

Posting Bail

Upon an arrest, most people have one thing going through their minds, and that is how or when they will be released? This is generally accomplished by posting “bail,” which usually consists of cash or a piece of property with cash value that you give to the court in return for your promise to show… Continue Reading »