In 2021, Washington state broadly redefined the term "domestic violence" for legal purposes. To be specific, the legal definition changed as it relates to Domestic Violence Protection Orders (DVPO) in our state. It's important to understand the evolving definition to protect yourself and your loved ones should accusations arise that put you in the crosshairs. Defining Domestic Violence in Protection Order Read More

When faced with a domestic violence protection order in the state of Washington, the legal stakes can be higher than you might initially think. While protection order cases are civil in nature, they often intersect with criminal law in ways that could have serious implications for your future. The decision to handle a protection order on your own, or even with the help of an attorney who does not have an Read More

In recent years, we’ve seen the Washington legislature pass multiple bills aimed at alleviating often crippling debt for juvenile offenders. We’ve seen the unfortunate reality of a juvenile offender not only having to serve time or live with the restrictions of probation but also having to overcome thousands of dollars in debt once they’re free. Three bills in particular have alleviated this issue. In 2022, the Read More

As parents, we put our heart and soul into raising and protecting our children to nurture a bright future. We celebrate their successes and work with them to cut out as many mistakes as we can, but they’re kids and mistakes are a part of the process. But, what happens when those mistakes result in serious juvenile offenses? Children, no matter how hard we try, sometimes veer off course, leading to actions that put Read More

Our law firm is regularly discussing the importance and impact of Washington protection orders. These are often used legal tools that are essential for protecting victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, harassment, and other nefarious actions. What’s important to distinguish, however, is that these Washington protection orders are meant as a protection for victims, not a punishment for alleged Read More

Child Protective Services (CPS) plays a vital role in safeguarding the well-being of our children, ensuring they grow up in safe, nurturing environments. Regrettably, some individuals misuse CPS as a tool in custody battles or personal disputes, leading to baseless allegations against caring, protective parents. Burke Brown Attorneys understands the distress and confusion families in King County face when false Read More

A domestic violence protection order in Washington state is a gravely serious matter with severe consequences, especially for parents. People make mistakes in life, and facing the repercussions in cases of domestic violence often includes losing invaluable time with your children. In our state, the ramifications of a domestic violence protection order frequently involve forfeiting most, sometimes all, time with your Read More

In Washington state, protection orders are a legal mechanism used to protect the people – not to punish those who have orders filed against them. These orders are a critical element in preserving the safety of those who legitimately need protection, which is why the team here at Burke Brown Attorneys feels strongly about ensuring these orders are used effectively and not abused. It is essential for both the Read More

Are you guilty or innocent? As you may know, the answer to that question doesn’t always directly correlate to the outcome of a legal case. How you handle your answer to that question, however, is paramount to the outcome of your Washington criminal case. Under the law, you are innocent until proven guilty. Defendants sometimes are too loose with talking, when the law does not require them to talk or admit guilty.  Read More

Protection orders can dramatically change family life in the blink of an eye.  A temporary protection order can be served out of the blue and a parent can be totally removed from the family home and denied any access to their kids.  The temporary care, custody and control of the children goes to the parent who got the protection order. In King County, if you file for a protection order on Wednesday, you may have a Read More