Bill 5352, moved out of the senate it is a bill that, if passed into law, would give police more discretion on when they can chase after suspects. Members of many law enforcement agencies have been outspoken in favor of updating the law, arguing that current restrictions give alleged criminals confidence to flee, which, in turn, leads to more crime. Currently, police in Washington can only pursue a suspect when they have proof of one of the following: (1) a crime involving violence, (2) a sex crime, or (3) a DUI. The amended bill would add vehicular assault and certain domestic violence offenses to the list of crimes authorizing lawful police pursuit. The bill is now being referred to the Community Safety, Justice, and Reentry Committee in the state House, which will have a few weeks to have a bill hearing and decide to vote on the legislation. It will be interesting to see in the currently political climate if police authority will be expanded. Stay tuned.
If you or a loved one is in a bind because of a criminal charge, immediately contact a Seattle Criminal Attorney. A Criminal lawyer is not going to judge you and understands that everyone makes mistakes. Hiring a Seattle Criminal Lawyer to help can – at a minimum – reduce penalties and can help direct people on how to best deal with their criminal charge, and many times even get them dismissed. So, it should go without saying that someone cited for a misdemeanor or felony should hire a qualified Seattle Criminal Lawyer as soon as possible. Criminal charges can cause havoc on a person’s personal and professional life. Anyone charged with a crime in Washington State should immediately seek the assistance of a seasoned Seattle Criminal Lawyer. SQ Attorneys can be reached at (425) 359-3791 and/or (206) 441-0900.
