A New DUI Defense in Washington State (Click Here)

By Paul | November 22, 2022 | Comments Off on A New DUI Defense in Washington State (Click Here)

stSince July 16, 2021, a new DUI defense has existed in Washington State for DUI for cases occurring before November 6, 2022. On July 16, 2021, the Washington State Patrol (WSP) Breath Test Division admitted that its police Draeger breath test instruments used in Washington DUI cases were not properly calculating their average breath test…

Washington Misdemeanor Case Court Proceedings – Part Two (Click Here)

By Paul | August 23, 2022 | Comments Off on Washington Misdemeanor Case Court Proceedings – Part Two (Click Here)

Washington Misdemeanor Case Court Proceedings – Part Two (Click Here) Continued from Part One,  posted on August 23, 2022 Trials are held if the case does not settle after the pretrial or motion hearings, the charge is not dismissed or if no guilty plea is entered. In Washington, misdemeanor Defendants have a choice of either…

Washington Misdemeanor Case Court Proceedings – Part One (Click Here)

By Paul | August 23, 2022 | Comments Off on Washington Misdemeanor Case Court Proceedings – Part One (Click Here)

Many clients are unfamiliar with the various Washington district and municipal court misdemeanor case proceedings. These court proceedings usually consist of arraignments, pretrial hearings, motion hearings, trial confirmation hearings, trials (jury trials and bench trials (judge only)), and sentencings. Arraignments are usually the first stage of a Washington misdemeanor case. The judge reads the charge(s)…

The Difference Between Reckless Driving and Negligent Driving 2° in Washington (Click Here)

By Paul | August 9, 2022 | Comments Off on The Difference Between Reckless Driving and Negligent Driving 2° in Washington (Click Here)

There is often confusion between the Washington State criminal traffic charge of Reckless Driving, RCW  46.61.500, and the traffic infraction ticket of Negligent Driving 2°, RCW 46.61.525. Reckless Driving is much more serious. It’s a gross misdemeanor criminal offense, punishable by up to 364 days jail, up to a $5,000 fine, and a 30 day…

New Washington Civil Protection Order Laws Start on July 1, 2022 (Click Here)

By Paul | July 19, 2022 | Comments Off on New Washington Civil Protection Order Laws Start on July 1, 2022 (Click Here)

On July 1, 2022, new revised Washington State laws for civil protection orders went into effect. These include domestic violence protection orders, sexual assault protection orders, stalking protection orders, antiharassment protection orders, vulnerable adult protection orders, and extreme risk protection orders. Violation of a domestic violence protection order, a sexual assault protection order, a stalking…

Alive at 25 Traffic Ticket Court Diversion Program (Click Here)

By Paul | May 24, 2022 | Comments Off on Alive at 25 Traffic Ticket Court Diversion Program (Click Here)

The Alive at 25 is a traffic safety diversion program for young drivers (16-24) available in the Snohomish County District Court. Young drivers completing the Alive at 25 class (4 1/2 hours) may get their traffic ticket dismissed. Alive at 25 classes are given at the Edmonds Community College in Lynnwood and Edmonds Community College…

Lynnwood Attorney Paul Hanson Honored by Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Rating (Click Here)

By Paul | May 10, 2022 | Comments Off on Lynnwood Attorney Paul Hanson Honored by Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Rating (Click Here)

Lynnwood DUI / criminal defense attorney Paul Hanson has been honored with the highest possible lawyer rating: “AV-Preeminent” by the nation’s oldest and most respectable national lawyer rating service, Martindale-Hubbell. For over 100 years, millions of clients and attorneys have turned to the Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Ratings to help them select a lawyer.

Washington State Distracted Driving Emphasis Patrols Starts April 2022 (Click Here)

By Paul | April 19, 2022 | Comments Off on Washington State Distracted Driving Emphasis Patrols Starts April 2022 (Click Here)

Every April, the Washington State Patrol dedicates several weeks to putting extra emphasis on cracking down on distracted drivers. That means if you are an avid texter in traffic, you’re much more likely to get a ticket in the next few weeks than in the past. The minimum fine for distracted driving is $136 for…

Clearing Arrest Warrants for Missed Washington Court Dates (Click Here)

By Paul | March 15, 2022 | Comments Off on Clearing Arrest Warrants for Missed Washington Court Dates (Click Here)

Many people miss their Washington court dates for various reasons. Sometimes the court mailed its court date notice to an old address. Sometimes people are out of state on long trips and vacations and didn’t see their court date notice until after their court date has passed. And sometimes people just forget their court dates.…

The Importance of Always Fighting a Traffic Ticket (Click Here)

By Paul | February 11, 2022 | Comments Off on The Importance of Always Fighting a Traffic Ticket (Click Here)

Motorists with bad driving records pay an average of $2,005 annually for car insurance, while drivers with good records pay an average of $1,483 for auto insurance, according to the 2021 study by Insurify, Insuring the American Driver Report – Trends in Costs & Coverage. Just a single traffic ticket can result in an average…