The Columbian reports charges against a Vancouver, WA man including Murder in the Second Degree were dismissed by the Clark County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office on Wednesday, March 12. The case locally drew lots of attention in light of the George Zimmerman case in Florida. [Read more…]
Portland Street Level Crime Watch Starts April 1, 2014
March 12, 2014 By
An article in today’s The Oregonian reveals Portland’s increased efforts to fight street level crime starting April 1, 2014. According to the article, the geographic focus of the “street-crime sweep” will be downtown, inner east side and Hawthorne district. [Read more…]
Marijuana Legalization in Oregon Now in the Hands of Petitioners
March 6, 2014 By
An article in today’s The Oregonian discusses the efforts currently underway to legalize marijuana recreationally in the state of Oregon. Akin to laws previously passed in Washington and Colorado. However, if recreational marijuana is legalized in Oregon, it will first start with getting petitions signed, “[a] measure that would ask voters if they want to legalize marijuana – and leave the regulatory details to lawmakers in the next session — doesn’t have enough votes to pass the Senate and appears certain to die in committee”, according to the article. [Read more…]
Other States May Join Washington & Colorado in the Legalization / Decriminalization of Marijuana
February 28, 2014 By
An article in today’s The Oregonian written by Rick Lyman New York Times News Service indicates, ‘… more than half the states, including some in the conservative South, are considering decriminalizing marijuana or legalizing it for medical or recreational use.’ [Read more…]
Assaulting a Police, Resisting Arrest & Reckless Driving Charges faced by Dave’s Killer Bread Founder
November 15, 2013 By
Sadly, it was reported in the news today, Dave’s Killer Bread founder, David Dahl, was arrested after an alleged disturbance and pursuit that left three patrol cars wrecked in Washington County, Oregon. Dahl was jailed on charges including assaulting a police officer, resisting arrest and reckless driving. [Read more…]
The Intersection Between a School’s Weapon Policy & Self Defense & No Duty to Retreat
November 11, 2013 By
It was reported today in The Columbian, two Gonzaga students were given probation for possessing a weapon in their school owned housing. However, that is not what makes this case unusual. The weapons came to light because a gun was displayed to ward off a potential home invasion.
According to the article, ‘Gonzaga University has agreed to review its weapons policy.’ [Read more…]
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: Diminished Capacity Defense
November 11, 2013 By
Firstly, I want to start by thanking all of our service men and women for their dedication and commitment to defending us and our country.
Sadly, the soldier’s commitment to our Nation can have devastating and long term consequences on the operations of the mind. While many veterans returning to civilian life experience little, if any, of the debilitating effects of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder from exposure to combat in the war including basic training. The same does not hold true for countless other soldiers returning home after the war. [Read more…]
New Law + Old Forms = Legal Issue?
November 8, 2013 By
The Implied Consent Rights and Warnings were written to reflect Initiative 502, codified un RCW 46.20.308, effective December 5, 2012.
RCW 46.20.308 requires law enforcement to give specific warnings to a driver as to the consequences of either taking or refusing to take a breath or blood test. Connolly v. DOL, 79 Wn.2d 500 (1971); State v. Turpin, 94 Wn.2d 820 (1980); Spokane v. Holmberg, 50 Wn.App. 317 (1987). [Read more…]
Visions of Someday Sparking Up in Your Favorite Washington Wateringhole Facing Challenge from Liquor Control Board
October 31, 2013 By
In November 2012, Washington voters passed Initiative 502. The change in the law legalized small amounts of marijuana-related products for most adults, to tax them, and designate the revenue for healthcare and substance-abuse prevention and education. While Washington residents and Law Enforcement Officials are navigating their way thru new changes in the law, Washington’s Liquor Control Board is hard at work establishing 502’s parameters. [Read more…]
I was charged with a misdemeanor offense. Do I need a lawyer?
October 26, 2013 By
Short Answer: Yes.
This is a common question asked in my line of work. And a very simple one to answer. Yes. You need a lawyer. Specifically, a criminal defense attorney. [Read more…]
