Both federal investigators and law enforcement officers in Washington State rely on sting operations and other setups to catch people breaking the law. Many sting operations rely on Stings are about as old as standing police forces, and society justifies them as ways...
Paving The Way To Justice
Paving The Way To Justice
Criminal Law
What is a collateral attack to challenge a conviction?
In Washington State, people who have been convicted of a criminal offense and are facing penalties because of it may want to think about their options to challenge the decision. This is not necessarily limited to appeals which are frequently based on some type of...
Man convicted of murder loses appeal, but still has options
Violent crimes happen all-too frequently in Washington State. People want to feel safe and trust law enforcement and the court system to deal with those who have been accused of committing violent felonies like rape and murder. While the goal is to penalize people who...
What happens when you appeal a criminal conviction?
Although millions of criminal cases in America are resolved via plea agreements these days, there are still many cases that go all the way to trial. A trial could be a “bench” trial, meaning that the judge is the only one to hear evidence and make a decision, or it...
Post-conviction relief possible for simple drug possession cases
In Washington State, drugs are one of the most common reasons for which people are arrested and convicted. While this often relates to high-level activities with manufacturing, trafficking and distribution, those who have a small amount in their possession were also...
Prosecutor missteps lead to successful appeal for new trial
In Washington State, people who are accused of violent crimes have a great deal to worry about. There is a chance they will be convicted and spend a significant time incarcerated. Depending on the crime, they might even be imprisoned for the rest of their lives....
Washington strikes down felony possession law
In an unexpected move that took many lawmakers off guard, the Washington Supreme Court recently declared the state’s current drug possession law unconstitutional, effectively striking the law from the books. The ruling may be welcome news for criminal justice...
Options for cleaning your criminal record
Anyone who has ever been convicted of a crime knows how the penalties can carry on long after they have served their time and paid their fines. A criminal conviction on one's record can interfere with job prospects, housing choices and other parts of a person's life...
Plummeting crime and mass incarceration in Washington state
The need for criminal justice reform has never been more hidden from plain sight as it is now, and much of the evidence is illustrated in Washington state. With a hardening of sentencing laws and fewer avenues for early release for good behavior or parole, the state’s...