Posts by Adin Johnson
Washington State Is Reviewing Granting Released Prisoners the Automatic Right to Vote
Defendants who are convicted of crimes in Washington may be imprisoned and required to pay large fines. Even when they are released from prison, their criminal record may haunt them. It may be hard to own a gun, to find employment, and to rent an apartment. In Washington, felons also lose the right to vote…
Read MoreChain of Custody in Drug Cases
The police and prosecutors must account for the evidence they seize from you, or that is used against you. In drug cases, the accounting must take place from the moment any drugs are seized, and from the moment there are any chemical evaluations of the drugs. It’s only through an accounting of who handled the…
Read MoreDUI Arrests Are Down During the Pandemic, Even Though People Aren’t Drinking Less
The pandemic is affecting people in different ways. The isolation caused by social distancing, closures of many activities, and more people working from home – makes life a little rougher for many. Some people find comfort in alcohol and drugs. As the coronavirus pandemic continued through 2020, the good news appears to be that fewer…
Read MoreAfter 50 years, Seattle’s Police DUI Unit Is Scheduled to Be Cut
In 1970, the Seattle police department developed a special Driving Under the Influence (DUI) police unit. The unit was created with the help of federal funds. Now comes word that the officers in the unit, including many with expertise in drug recognition and suspicion of DUI arrests, will be reassigned to patrol duty. The news…
Read More2019 Hate Crime Statistics Release by the FBI
Many federal and state crimes are motivated by hate and prejudice. Hate crimes include offenses that are based on bias toward victims because of their race, national origin, gender, sexual preference, disability, religion, and other identity factors. These offenses usually are distinct crimes separate and apart from other offenses. Hate crimes also include standard criminal…
Read MoreField Sobriety Tests in Washington State
If a police officer pulls you over for suspected drinking and driving, they may conduct what’s called field sobriety testing (FST). The first thing you should know and share with others is you have an absolute right to refuse field sobriety tests in the State of Washington. If you are pulled over and an officer…
Read MoreWhat Are the Penalties for Shoplifting in Washington?
Shoplifting might sound like a minor crime – slipping something into your pocket and walking away. However, under state law, shoplifting charges are a misdemeanor or even a felony, meaning not only might you have to pay fines and perform community service if convicted, but you may also have to serve jail time. The severity…
Read MoreHow Does Criminal Forfeiture Work?
The federal government and the State of Washington both have criminal forfeiture laws. The essence of these laws is that if you commit certain crimes, the government may be able to seize some of your property – if there’s reason to believe that property was used in connection with any criminal activity. For example, if…
Read MoreCan I Get a DUI Riding a Bike?
On a strict reading of Washington’s DUI law, an argument could be made that you can be charged with driving under the influence of alcohol while riding a bicycle. Fortunately, the Washington courts have wrestled with this issue and ruled that, while a bicycle is a type of “vehicle,” the legislators did not intend to…
Read MoreDomestic Assault: Is it a Misdemeanor or a Felony?
Domestic violence is taken seriously by society and the law alike. But how it’s classified, and consequently prosecuted, can vary from one state to the next. If you’ve been accused of domestic assault, you need to know the law, and a good domestic violence attorney to mount an effective defense. How Washington State Classifies Domestic Assault Similar…
Read More