Washington’s “Move Over Law” requires all motorists to change lanes If it’s safe or, if it’s not, to slow down when passing police or any emergency vehicles who have pulled to the side of the roadway and have their emergency lights flashing. Motorists must do this at least 200 feet before and after passing the…
In October 2016, all the Snohomish County District Court (SCDC) judges ruled that the DUI Draeger breath instrument test results cannot be admitted into evidence in any DUI breath test trials in their four divisions (Lynnwood, Everett, Monroe, and Arlington). Such breath tests are the strongest evidence against DUI defendants. The SCDC judges found that…
Many Washington drivers are unaware that they can be charged for sleep impaired dangerous driving. Driving after 18 hours without sleep mimics a 0.05% blood alcohol concentration. Driving after 21 hours without sleep mimics driving over the 0.08% legal limit for alcohol (Source: 2016 Governors Highway Safety Association). So legally driving with too little sleep…
A recent Seattle area study found that having traffic tickets on your driving record significantly increases your auto insurance rates. Especially for younger drivers (16 to 24) . Quote Wizard, an insurance comparison website, commissioned a just released study to obtain a snapshot of Seattle’s car insurance market. The study surveyed 500 Seattle based drivers.…
There is an alternative to serving jail time and paying off fines / financial obligations imposed by King County District Court judges. Instead, convicted persons can do work crew if authorized by the sentencing judge. Work crew is administered through the King County Community Work Program (CWP). Each work crew day consists of working outside…
The City of Lynnwood pioneered the use of red light intersection and school zone speeding traffic cameras about 10 years ago. So far its one of the very few cities in Snohomish County to use them. Red light cameras operate in several major Lynnwood intersections. School zone speeding cameras operate during the school day. The…
The person standing on the street corner, wearing regular clothing, might just cost you a $136 ticket. Local law enforcement are now going undercover to catch drivers talking on their cell phones. The undercover officer is in plain clothes, and after spotting you talking on your phone while driving, will radio to the patrol car…
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. Attorney Hanson organized LAW DAY student run mock criminal trials for over 875 fifth graders from the local…
Felony Drunk Driving (where someone is killed or seriously injured) is changed from a class C felony to a class B felony under House Bill HB2280, effective June 9, 2016. Felony drunk driving now carries a longer prison sentence and a higher fine. Contact Lynnwood / Shoreline DUI attorney Paul Hanson for more details.
House Bill 2ESHB 1153, effective June 9, 2016 created a Certificate of Restoration of Opportunity (CROP) which certifies that a person convicted of a felony has been rehabilitated. It will open the door to obtaining Washington professional licensees required for jobs in teaching, financial services, and health care which are currently closed to those with…