THE STRUGGLES OF INNOCENT PRISONERS
…from behind bars. The Jeffrey Deskovic Foundation for Justice, The Campaign to Free Lorenzo Johnson, and his Huffington Post blog entries are among the ways Johnson is pursuing his fight…
JUVENILE COURT: WHAT HAPPENS WHEN A MINOR BREAKS THE LAW?
…decision to take the juvenile to a detention facility is less common and based on the seriousness of the charges, criminal history, and whether the accused is thought to be…
INVALID MARRIAGES AND ANNULMENTS IN WASHINGTON STATE
Defined: Annulment is a commonly used term for a court procedure that dissolves a marriage, treating it as though it never happened. In Washington State, a marriage annulment is called…
DON’T PANIC! WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU ARE PULLED OVER FOR A TRAFFIC CITATION
The rear-view mirror fills up with red lights… Your heart starts beating fast as you begin to anticipate comes next… DON’T PANIC! Take a deep breath and use these steps…
PROTECT YOURSELF! DON’T BE IN THE DARK ABOUT YOUR FAMILY’S FINANCES
…disconcerting as she realized the extent of what she did not know. She applied to The Seattle Times for a free money makeover and a pro bono financial planner got…
IDENTITY THEFT: UNDERSTANDING THE LAW AND PROTECTING YOURSELF
…Washington State (RCW 9.35.020): If a person knowingly obtains, possesses, uses, or transfers someone’s personal identification or financial information with the intent to commit crime, or to aid or abet…
SEAFAIR IS COMING! FAMILIARIZE YOURSELF WITH WASHINGTON STATE BOATING UNDER THE INFLUENCE (“BUI”) LAWS
…boating significantly increases in the Seattle area this time of year. Alcohol is frequently a common component of the experience of boating, but in Washington State BUI is a significant…
ASSAULT CHARGES IN WASHINGTON STATE: CATEGORIES & PENALTIES
…depending on the circumstances of the offense. The degrees are separated by level of seriousness and corresponding penalties, with First Degree Assault being the most serious. *First Degree Assault (Assault…
COMMITTED INTIMATE RELATIONSHIPS: UNDERSTANDING WHAT “LIVING TOGETHER” MEANS IN WASHINGTON STATE
…to be in a committed intimate relationship. Rights in Committed Intimate Relationships: When an unmarried cohabitating couple separates, if their relationship constitutes a committed intimate relationship as determined by the…
UNDERAGE DRINKING LAWS IN WASHINGTON STATE: MINOR DUI AND MINOR IN POSSESSION
…discretion of the judge, up to the maximum. Commonly, the judge will order community service, work crew, fines, or alcohol classes as alternatives to jail time. A Minor DUI arrest…
MALICIOUS MISCHIEF: UNDERSTANDING THE LAWS AND PENALTIES
…crime Malicious Mischief. This can include graffiti, vandalism, or other modes of destruction. It may also include erasing records, information, or other computer-related files, or interference with the use of…
CHILD SUPPORT MODIFICATIONS IN WASHINGTON STATE
…Washington State child support modification is the legal process by which an Order of Support is adjusted to reflect the current finances of both parents. It is very common that…