Seattle Criminal Defense Law Blog
Theft charges can be misdemeanors or felonies
People in Washington are probably familiar with certain criminal offenses in a broad sense, but they may not realize that most charges have different degrees of seriousness. Theft is a good example of this. Charges for the criminal offense of theft -- which involves...
Do police have a right to examine your phone data?
Just about everyone’s lives are contained on their smartphones nowadays, and our devices store gigabytes of potential evidence. But if you are suspected or accused of a crime, can law enforcement force you to hand over phone data? As recent court cases involving...
Is the legalization of pot bad for teens?
In 2012, Washington joined Colorado as one of the first states in the U.S. to legalize the recreational use of cannabis with Initiative 502. According to the law, any adult over 21 years of age can purchase and use marijuana both for medical and non-medical purposes....
For struggling teens, poor coping skills can harm the future
Mental health struggles can develop at any age. When they strike during adolescence, they open the doors for deeply troubling behaviors, which can lead to a lifetime of consequences and other issues if they’re left unchecked. While many teens encounter a transitional...
When mental health is a factor in juvenile offenses
If your child has mental health challenges, you may have concerns about their ability to live a productive and fulfilling life. Your fears may shift into overdrive if your child receives charges for a juvenile offense. With a record weighing over them, you may wonder...
Can someone be too drunk to consent to sex?
It’s possible that if you meet someone at a bar and really hit it off, you might end up heading to your place or hers. Maybe some more drinks, and then the clothes come off. But the next day, your fling could lead to serious trouble. What if the woman wakes up scared...
Why do some people falsely accuse others of rape?
Most women who say they have been raped are telling the truth. Study after study supports this. Yet there are some cases in which the women—or men—who accuse others of rape are lying. In recent years, men have become increasingly concerned about these lies. This may...
Utah woman arrested for exposing herself to her stepchildren
Could you be arrested for going topless? Even as women have launched a global Free the Nipple campaign to challenge the bias they see in exposure laws, the answer seems to depend on where you live. Or where you disrobe. The issue recently made national headlines after...
What does it mean to be arrested for domestic violence?
In just one instant, a heated argument can become something far larger and more frightening. Even if you never lift a finger against your partner. Even if no one is hurt. If the police get involved, you could find yourself arrested for domestic violence. Domestic...
The Troubles with Title IX Assault Allegations
If you’re arrested on criminal charges, you have a right to defend yourself. The law affords you certain expectations for due process. You are innocent until proven guilty. At least, that’s how things are supposed to work. But for those accused of sexual misconduct in...
