Word to the wise – if you are hanging with someone and they are stopped and investigated for a crime, you too can briefly be detained if law enforcement thinks it is necessary to ensure the safety of others while they secure the scene. This is so because recently our state Supreme Court said it was so. The Supremes’ decision came down Thursday and was related to a case involving a person who was walking down a street in Moses Lake with another man who was being sought by the police for pointing a gun at someone. The man was ordered to put his hands up, and it was at this point he told officers that he too had a weapon. In light of this, he was arrested and charged with illegal possession of a firearm. The state Supreme Court overturned the lower court’s ruling that found the man’s detention was unconstitutional. The court found that it was not unconstitutional to briefly detain a companion (in certain circumstances) while his buddy is being investigated.
If you or a loved one is arrested or charged with a crime, you should immediately seek the advice and/or assistance of a qualified Seattle criminal defense attorney. The Seattle Criminal Defense Attorneys that make up the criminal defense team of SQ Attorneys are highly qualified and reputable Seattle criminal defense lawyers that are dedicated to providing top notch, aggressive representation for those arrested or charged for crime all across 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 criminal allegations are considered in creating the fairest, most equitable and just resolution possible in light of all the surrounding circumstances of the given case. So, whether you are arrested or charged with misdemeanor, gross misdemeanor or a felony, protect yourself … call SQ Attorneys at (206) 441-0900.