Category: Uncategorized

Recently the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration commissioned a report by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration asked the Academies to determine which strategies for reducing impaired driving have proven to be effective. The report (a whopping 489 pages and written by a panel) made several recommendations,… Continue Reading »

You’ve probably heard the word “indictment” mentioned on your favorite TV crime drama or the nightly news, typically in the context of someone being charged with a serious crime. You know it’s not a good thing for the person being indicted, but what exactly does it mean? Simply stated, an indictment is a formal accusation… Continue Reading »

SQ Attorneys handles all criminal charges including murder and/or homicide cases. When someone takes the life of another, regardless of intent or other details surrounding the incident, it is called a homicide. Homicide is not always a crime, such as in cases of self-defense or the state-sanctioned execution of certain convicted criminals. Criminal homicides involve… Continue Reading »

Many folks facing criminal charges are often confused by the court process and why ‘everything’ cannot be brought up in a criminal trial. Unfortunately (or fortunately – depending on which side of the case you sit), it is not as simple as throwing the proverbial bowl of noodles at the wall and see what sticks.… Continue Reading »

Many have heard about the “three strikes” law which has been implemented in many States, where in which a defendant with three violent felony convictions may be sentenced to life in imprisonment. In addition to “three strikes” laws, other state and all federal criminal statutes include mandatory sentences that require judges to impose identical sentences… Continue Reading »

Oh how times have changed in the realm of Washington DUI law. Not so many years ago a driver charged with a DUI, and fortunate enough to get an amended charge like Reckless Driving or Negligent Driving, was often spared actual jail time and instead was permitted to ‘do their time’ via community service hours.… Continue Reading »

Earlier this year the Washington State Supreme Court considered whether Article I, section 7 of the Washington Constitution prohibits a requirement of random urinalysis (known in the court system as “UA”) of individuals on probation for a gross misdemeanor DUI offense. The defendant in the case plead guilty to DUI. The trial court imposed a… Continue Reading »

Defending one’s self is a right unto everyone. If you, a loved one or your property is attacked, well … you have a right to defend, within reason of course. In Washington State, the law of “self defense” is very specific and, if established by a preponderance of the evidence at trial, not only exonerates… Continue Reading »

Today we will discuss a well-known rule of evidence called “hearsay.” Many have heard about it, and have a general understanding of what it may be, but today’s blog will focus on explaining the intricacies of the hearsay rule. The rule against hearsay is deceptively simple and full of exceptions. Hearsay is an out of… Continue Reading »

The stigma of domestic violence is quite real and quite impactful. It can cause the loss of home, job, family and friends. This is so because the societal knee jerk reaction is to conclude that someone accused of this type of crime is short-tempered, erratic and even possibly out of control. But what if a… Continue Reading »