Big Probation Changes at Snohomish County District Court

On May 1, 2018, all four divisions / courthouses of the Snohomish County Distirct Court (SCDC) will restructure their probation model. New evidence based practices will be introduced for all defendants placed on court probation. The Ohio Risk Assessment System (ORAS) will be used as the probation assessment instrument. It will classify Defendant’s probation as…

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Cell Phone Distracted Driving Emphasis Patrols in April 2018

There will be extra police patrols in April on Washington State roads looking for drivers who are distracted by their smartphones / electronic devices. The Washington Traffic Safety Commission has declared April “Distracted Driving Awareness Month” and over 150 law enforcement agencies will be looking closely for drivers who are using their phones. Under the…

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Snohomish County DUI Case Won

Recently I won a hard fought DUI trial in the Snohomish County District Court (Everett Division). My client had become sleepy on his way home at night to Mill Creek after consuming several drinks earlier in Monroe. So he pulled safely of the roadway, parked his car, turned off the engine, and went fast asleep…

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Expunging Old Criminal Records

Proposed Legislature in the upcoming January 2016 Washington Legislature session will include making it easier to clear old criminal records for misdemeanor convictions and creating sanctions for private internet companies who obtain official criminal record databases but never later remove court vacated convictions and dismissals. Contact Lynnwood Shoreline criminal defense lawyer Paul Hanson for more…

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Criminal Charges – New 2016 Proposed Legislation

There will be several criminal legislative proposals in the upcoming January 2016 Washington Legislative session. Some of these are increasing eligibility for the residential drug offender treatment programs, decriminalizing minor driving without license offenses, and abolishing the death penalty. Contact Lynnwood / Shoreline criminal defense attorney Paul Hanson for more information.  

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Criminal Charges – For the Non US Citizen

Even a simple Theft 3° shoplifting conviction can have serious immigration consequences for a non US citizen. Same for a DUI conviction. Strangely, under current immigration law, these misdemeanor offenses can even have more harmful immigration consequences than more serious felony offenses, such as burglary, possession of stolen property or even robbery! So non citizens…

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