Man Arrested for Hit and Run Accident When you cause a car accident, the law says you must remain at the accident scene. Otherwise, you could be charged with hit and run, which comes with serious penalties depending on the extent of the damage involved. It could be charged as a misdemeanor or felony. A Washington man is facing hit and run… Read More
Rapper Nelly Accused of Rape in Washington Nobody is immune to the law—not even celebrities. Rapper Nelly, who was scheduled to perform in Washington on October 7, had a run-in with the law the morning of his concert. Police responded to a 911 call from a woman who claimed she was raped on the rapper’s tour bus. They found Nelly on his… Read More
What is Considered a Hit and Run Accident? If you are driving and end up in an accident, what are your responsibilities as a motorist? If you are uninjured, can you simply drive away and keep going to your destination? When any type of accident occurs—whether it involves a pedestrian, bicycle, motorcycle or other vehicles—you must stop at the scene. If the… Read More
What is an Ignition Interlock License? Driving while intoxicated comes with serious penalties in Washington and other states. One of those penalties is license suspension. Depending on the circumstances, you may have your license suspended anywhere from 90 days to four years. This is a long time to be without a driver’s license, especially if you work, go to school or… Read More
The Difference Between Misdemeanor and Felony Charges Being charged with a crime is a serious matter, requiring a swift and aggressive legal defense. Even otherwise minor incidents could leave you with a criminal record that prevents you from obtaining a job, a loan, or a place to live. The following outlines basic types of criminal charges in Washington and penalties associated with… Read More
Where Am I Entitled To A Reasonable Expectation Of Privacy? A person is entitled to a reasonable expectation of privacy within his own place of residence, among other places. Courts are extremely protective of the home along with the privacy citizens are entitled to therein. For the government to intrude into the inner sanctum of the domicile, one of three things is required: a warrant… Read More
What is a Requisite Mental State for a Criminal Charge in Washington? Criminal charges contain elements. These elements are conditions that, in part, define prohibited behavior and must be satisfied in order for charges to lead to a conviction for any given set of actions carried out by a citizen. In other words, an element is a subcomponent of a criminal offense, and each element must be… Read More
Identifying Accused Criminals When a crime occurs, police become informed by citizens who call either 911 for emergencies, recently committed crimes, and crimes in progress, or who call non-emergency police numbers for cold crimes. When calls are received, trained police dispatchers gather information from the caller. When a crime is in progress or recently committed, dispatchers will ask… Read More
Criminal Driving Offenses Most people realize that while driving a car, failure to comply with traffic laws carries a risk of being pulled over and issued a citation. Receiving a traffic ticket is usually a minor event that involve less than two hundred dollars and possibly traffic school to prevent a conviction on one’s record. However, some do… Read More
Evidence Illegally Seized 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