What to Do After Getting a DUI in Tacoma/Washington State: A Step-by-Step Guide Facing a DUI charge can be overwhelming, but understanding the steps to take afterward is essential for managing the situation and minimizing its impact on your life. Washington State has specific procedures and laws that apply to DUI cases, including consequences that […]

Driving under the influence (DUI) is a serious criminal offense in the Evergreen State, as it is across the United States. Suppose you’re caught driving with a blood alcohol concentration that exceeds the legal limit. In that case, you can face legal consequences, including the suspension of your driver’s license. One question that frequently arises […]

Q: What is a criminal record, and how is it created in Washington State? A: A criminal record is an official document that contains information about an individual’s criminal history, including arrests, charges, convictions, and sentences. In Washington State, a criminal record is created when a person is arrested, charged, or convicted of a crime. […]

In Tacoma, there are numerous assault crimes of varying degrees, and each offense requires the State to establish different elements. If the State fails to meet this burden, it should not be able to sustain a conviction. This was demonstrated in a recent opinion issued in a Washington assault case, in which the court reversed […]

If you’re seeking a civil protection order in Washington State, the process can feel overwhelming. As experienced attorney based in Pierce County, we offer professional services to guide you through every step of obtaining a protection order. Here’s an overview of what you need to know and how legal representation can significantly improve your case. […]

When determining an appropriate sentence for a person convicted of an assault offense, the Washington courts will, among other things, calculate the person’s offender score. Numerous factors can impact the score, including whether the person has prior convictions for certain offenses. As discussed in a ruling recently issued in a Washington assault case, the court […]

In Washington, in order to convict a person of driving while under the influence of alcohol, the State must offer evidence sufficient to establish guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. While the State can use circumstantial evidence to meet this burden, it cannot rely on speculative or misleading evidence, as discussed in a recent Washington DUI […]

In many instances in which the police suspect a motorist is operating a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, they will administer a breath test. Breath tests are only admissible if they are conducted in a certain manner, however. For example, they may be deemed invalid if there was a foreign substance in the […]

One of the core tenets of criminal procedure is that people accused of crimes have a right to question any witnesses who testify against them, pursuant to the confrontation clause. In practice, this means that statements that constitute hearsay are often inadmissible. The confrontation clause does not preclude all out-of-court statements, however, as shown in […]

How Much Is Bail for a DUI Case in Washington State? Q: What is bail, and why is it required in DUI cases? A: Bail is a sum of money or property given as a guarantee to the court that a defendant will appear at all scheduled court dates after being released from custody. In […]