Many drivers receiving traffic tickets are unaware that there is a strict 15 day deadline to deliver their filled out ticket copy to the listed court, with either the full penalty $ payment included or their request to contest their ticket. Failure to do so within the 15 day deadline will result in the court…
In 2013 Washington State enacted a wrongful conviction statute. RCW 4.100 streamlines the procedures for those wrongfully convicted to obtain compensation. The statute offers such persons $50,000 per year of incarceration, plus additional benefits, such as a tuition waiver at state colleges for themselves and their minor children. Call Lynnwood / Shoreline criminal defense lawyer…
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…
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.
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…
On November 17, 2015, the Snohomish County District Court judges ruled that the Prosecution and the Washington State Patrol must provide full information to DUI defense attorneys concerning the new police Draeger breath test instruments now being used in DUI cases. The new Draeger instruments were introduced in Snohomish, Skagit, Whatcom and Island Counties in…
If you are not a US Citizen, getting a DUI conviction is much more serious. Even a very old DUI conviction can really hurt you. Immigration authorities can lock you up in detention centers, then deport you. The best defense is to show the immigration authorities that you’ve obtained alcohol / drug treatment and fully…
As of September 26th it is illegal to have an open container of Marijuana in your vehicle. Just as an open container of alcohol is. Marijuana must be in its original sealed package and stored in the trunk of your car or behind the backseat. This law also extends to pot-infused edibles, like cookies and candies. Driving…
New 2015 DUI Law (Continued) DUI Drivers Driving Without Valid Licenses, Auto Insurance or Ignition Interlock Devices (IIDs) – A mandatory 30 day jail sanction must be imposed by the court for any DUI driver probation who drives without a valid license, auto insurance, or a functioning Ignition Interlock Device (IID) in their vehicle. Open…
New 2015 DUI Laws (Continued) 24/7 Alcohol Monitoring by Courts – Courts may now order pretrial 24/7 alcohol monitoring on DUI defendants facing a second or subsequent DUI charge in a lifetime. Ignition Interlock Devices (IIDs) Violation Penalties – Defendants convicted of IID violations will now have their sentences now consecutively added to any DUI…