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

Context matters. Our actions have consequences, but this doesn’t mean every action comes with the same exact consequences. We must consider the context of why an action took place and the person behind it’s ability to prevent the action. In a Washington criminal trial, these are referred to as mitigating circumstances (as defined by RCW 9.94A.535). The court has specific guidelines that actually allow for these Read More

When you hire an attorney, you want results. It’s why you hire them in the first place. But, what happens when you’re paying all this money to an attorney and don’t hear anything for days or even over a week? You might think “Is my attorney even doing anything?” The answer is likely yes, your attorney is absolutely taking steps to handle your case and move toward a just resolution on your behalf. What’s important to Read More

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