Words carry weight in the eyes of the law. People often contact a criminal defense attorney dumbfounded that the things they say can actually have criminal consequences. Harassment is one particular charge that is often thrown at alleged offenders who make threats, but there are varying levels to these charges. It’s important to avoid charges of any form, but short of that, you need to understand the distinct Read More

Mental health matters. People from all walks of life deal with hurdles in life due to mental health challenges each and every day. Unfortunately, stigmas surrounding mental illness remain and people often associate mental illness with violent, irresponsible, and criminal behavior. In reality, mental health challenges are not always a precursor to criminal acts. A large percentage of people dealing with these issues Read More

We live in a digital world. Government systems often lag behind technological advancements but a recent change for Washington state courtrooms catches the system up to modern technology. Historically, all court proceedings in our state had to take place in person outside of select circumstances where that wasn’t possible. Now, both clients and their attorneys have the option to appear virtually in the courtroom. This Read More

As a parent, you have given your children as much love and opportunity as possible, but as their minds develop, they are still likely to make mistakes. The thought of your child getting in trouble with the law or being accused of a crime can be terrifying and overwhelming. It can seem like everything you’ve worked towards is falling apart, but it’s important to know that you and your family don’t have to go through Read More

A protection order can be a necessary tool to enable someone to protect themselves from a dangerous situation. Unfortunately, these tools can also result in unfair, unnecessary, and unintended consequences for those who have improper orders brought against them. It’s important to understand how a protection order can impact your life and potential legal situations in the future. Defending yourself against Read More

Whether you’re under investigation or on the receiving end of a complaint, it is important to know that everything that is said to law enforcement can and will be used against you. The police recite the “Miranda” rights of the accused - “you have a right to remain silent, everything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law; you have the right to have an attorney present before and during Read More

Child Protective Services (CPS) is a government agency that ensures the health, safety, and well-being of children in each state. When utilized correctly, CPS makes sure that children who are abused or abandoned have a safe place to stay and work to find appropriate guardianship. However, when CPS is misused, they have the power to ruin reputations and tear families apart. Even if your family is not under Read More

When a student faces an allegation that he or she has violated the student conduct code, consideration should always be taken regarding potential criminal liability. In other words, is the behavior alleged also a potential violation of city ordinance or state law? If yes, or if you don’t know, it is important to consult with an education attorney who also has criminal defense experience so that any action taken by Read More

An Overview of Washington’s New Protection Order Act There are many types of protection orders for different scenarios where someone has done another person wrong and they want protection.  Anyone can file a civil protection order to protect themselves and set legal boundaries in a variety of cases from domestic violence to extreme risk protection orders and more.  In July 2022, the state of Washington enacted a new Read More

The 2022 Apple Cup is in the books, and the Huskies are enjoying their well-deserved 365 days of bragging rights. That also means the end of the semester is drawing near; college students across Washington will soon be taking final exams and submitting final projects.  The end of the semester is usually the most stressful for students. That stress may be compounded by a student’s lagging GPA, as they often need to Read More