Seattle criminal defense attorneys are on notice that on Wednesday the Washington State House of Representatives passed a bill making it a criminal misdemeanor to ski in ski areas that are clearly marked as closed and hazardous. The bill applies to runs that are both out-of-bounds, and to runs that are in-bounds and have been intentionally marked and closed off for safety reasons.

The House approved the measure after a contentious debate. Supporters of the bill argued that a criminal trespassing charge and a potential $1,000 fine would help deter behavior that causes avalanches and endangers the lives of not only other recreational skiers but also ski-patrol and search-and-rescue workers. Conversely, opponents of the bill claimed criminalizing recreational behavior is overreaching and could result in young people unwittingly receiving blots on their permanent criminal history records; opponents favored a fine of $500 and signs that would be more harshly worded. The measure now returns to the Senate for approval of amendments.

In many instances, a qualified Seattle criminal attorney can significantly reduce the impact that a criminal charge will have on an individual’s life and profession. The right Seattle criminal lawyer will be worth his/her weight in gold when protecting a person’s rights, freedom and future. The Seattle criminal defense lawyers that make up the litigation team of SQ Attorneys are dedicated to defending those accused of committing a crime. They have the experience, knowledge and resources to successfully defend your case and to protect you from the consequences that may arise as a result of the criminal allegations. Unlike other law firms that practice in many areas of the law, SQ Attorneys is focused on criminal defense in Western Washington.

If you or a loved one is faced with a criminal charge in Western Washington, you deserve the assistance of a reputable and qualified Seattle criminal attorney who will relentlessly defend your case. You deserve a Seattle criminal defense lawyer who has an intimate understanding of Washington’s criminal laws and the legal issues that could win your case. You deserve a Seattle criminal defense attorney who is not afraid to stand up against the prosecution and aggressively fight for your rights and interests. SQ Attorneys is the right Western Washington law firm for the job. Call for a free initial consultation – (206) 441.0900 (Seattle); (425) 998-8384 (Eastside) – it will be the best decision you make all day.