Seattle Municipal Court Warrant Outreach Event

Today from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM the Seattle Municipal Court is hosting a Warrant Outreach Event at the Rainier Beach Community Center, located at 8825 Rainier Ave S. in Seattle. Court officials say this is not a trap. There will not be police waiting to arrest you. It is just for you to come…

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Seattle to Vacate All Misdemeanor Marijuana Possession Convictions

Seattle City Prosecutors will soon request the Seattle Municipal Court to vacate (remove) all misdemeanor marijuana possession convictions prosecuted by the City before marijuana was legalized in Washington State in December, 2012. During a press conference today (02/08/2018) new Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan and Seattle City Attorney Pete Holmes will announce the City’s plan to…

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Drivers holding a phone behind the wheel will face a $136 ticket

The grace period for Washington’s distracted driving law ended January 1st. Washington State Patrol (WSP) troopers will now start ticketing all drivers caught talking, texting, or even holding their phones in the car. The first offense will cost drivers $136. A second ticket will cost $234. These offenses are reportable to insurance companies, which could…

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New Illegal School Bus Passing Tickets

On Monday October 2, 2017, the King County Sheriff’s Office will being issuing $419.00 tickets for illegally passing an unloading school bus. Exterior cameras have been put on 120 Seattle Public School buses. These cameras, similar to the school zone cameras, will get video of the illegally passing vehicle and its license plate. The vehicle’s…

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Tickets for Not Stopping for School Buses

When do you stop for a school bus? Get it wrong and you could get a $430 ticket in Washington State. Many drivers get it wrong on two lane roads. If you’re driving on a two lane road, cars coming from both directions must stop when the school bus puts out its stop signal or…

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Drunk, Drugs or High: It's a DUI

Extra DUI police patrols will hit King and Snohomish County roads starting Friday September 1st  to target those who get behind the wheel after having a few drinks or smoking too much marijuana. This DUI emphasis patrol is aimed at encouraging everyone to get a safe ride, especially if alcohol, prescription or over-the-counter medicine, or…

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Other New State Laws Starting Sunday, July 23rd

Other new laws that take effect Sunday: —Prosecutors will be able to file felony charges if a person gets a fourth DUI within 10 years. Under the new law, offenders would be sent to prison for 13 to 17 months, rather than serve shorter sentences in county jails. —Courts will be allowed to issue permanent…

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New Distracted Driving Law Starts Sunday 7/23/2017

Starting this Sunday, July 23rd Washington drivers will have to put down their phones or else face tougher penalties under a new distracted driving law. Texting or holding a phone to your ear is already against the law in the state, but the new measure now prohibits anything else that requires drivers to hold their…

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2017 Law Day in Snohomish County District Court (South Division)

Attorney Paul Hanson was pleased to receive a Certificate of Appreciation from the Judges at the Snohomish County District Court (South Division) in Lynnwood, WA for his volunteer attorney services at the court’s annual LAW DAY events. Now in its 31st year, Law Day was founded when several South Division court employees and Lynnwood attorney…

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New Law Bans Cell Phones While Driving

In mid July, 2017, drivers will no longer be able to hold any electronic device (cell phones, tablets, and other electronic devices) in their hands while driving. Not even while stopped in traffic or while waiting for a traffic light to change. It replaces the current Washington law which on prohibits texting or holding a…

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