Evidence Illegally Seized September 8, 2016 The Fourth Amendment to the Constitution of the United States provides that “[t]he right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place… Read More
Is Protesting Really Legal? August 29, 2016 The First Amendment to the Constitution guarantees the freedom of speech. In other words, the government cannot censor the expression of citizens. “Speech” goes beyond verbal language and includes print and other media as well. The right to peacefully assemble also arises out of the First Amendment. However, these rights are not absolute. A permit… Read More
Common Car Title Scams August 22, 2016 Mere possession of a car does not establish legal ownership. To legally own a car, the owner must also have the title properly assigned. When a consumer buys a new car at a dealership, the dealer usually completes the steps for title registration as a service and charges a fee for it. If purchasing a… Read More
Can I Legally Carry a Firearm in Washington? August 18, 2016 There is no statute that addresses whether a Washington citizen is legally allowed to openly carry a firearm. However, if a firearm is carried openly, RCW 9.41.270 regulates misuse of a gun, or other weapons, resulting from threatening gestures. Concealed carry With proper licensure, qualified citizens in the State of Washington can legally carry a concealed… Read More
Good Samaritan Laws August 10, 2016 The Constitution of the United States separates our country from many other nations on earth because it guarantees several types of freedom. Citizens are generally free to act at their own discretion, so long as they do not violate the rights of others. Citizens are also generally free not to act if they so choose,… Read More
Accident Investigation Forensics August 5, 2016 The vast majority of the time, police arrive on-scene well after the occurrence of a traffic crash and therefore have no first-hand knowledge of the events involved. Such events can range from mere fender-benders to major, multi-car incidents causing death and complete destruction of vehicles. Incidents involving several cars and therefore, several different impact events, can… Read More
Associative Criminal Liability in Washington July 26, 2016 The term, “guilt by association” is a colloquial expression generalizing the notion that if a person associates with criminals, then that person, himself, is criminally culpable. Although this is not a legal principle, it is roughly akin to legal doctrines upon which criminal statutes are based in each of the 50 states. To bring criminal… Read More
Hate Crimes in Washington July 20, 2016 In the overwhelming majority of states, hate crime statutes elevate the gravity of certain underlying offenses if the motivation for committing the crime is proven to be hate or other bias against members of a specific, protected group. Separate offense defined by motivation Washington defines its hate crime offense in RCW9A.36.080, which states in part… Read More
How Do The Different Forms Of Murder Differ From One Another? July 15, 2016 RCW 9A.32.010 defines homicide as “the killing of a human being by the act, procurement, or omission of another, death occurring at any time,” and is either (1) murder, (2) homicide by abuse, (3) manslaughter, (4) excusable homicide, or (5) justifiable homicide. The classifications of killing a person vary so greatly that the penalties range… Read More
What to Do if You Are Stopped by Police July 10, 2016 Being stopped by the police can be a very disturbing and unwelcome experience. Often, a stop by police is conducted on a person who is altogether innocent, but who faces scrutiny by virtue of being in the wrong place at the wrong time or by fitting the description of an offender of a proximal crime.… Read More