Dec 16
We often talk about criminals who have "paid their debt to society"—that is, they've gone through the legal system in accordance with the law, served time or paid all of their fines, and are, theoretically, even with the justice system. read more
Dec 10
If you're stopped by police during the season's increased holiday safety patrols, it's in your best interest to be polite to the officer, be cooperative, and say as little as possible to avoid self-incrimination. These are basic, but they're good to remember should be situation arise. Another good tip? Don't snort cocaine during a traffic stop. read more
Nov 17
Racketeering isn't a crime that most people hear much about outside of crime dramas—but it's recently been in the news on the west coast, as alleged murderer Raymond "Shrimp Boy" Chow takes the stand in San Francisco. read more
Oct 23
"Selfies" and "Sexting", terms that are spoken and exchanged on a daily basis with the younger crowd. For the uninitiated, a "selfie" is a self-portrait photograph that's often taken with a smart phone; "sexting" is sending sexually explicit text messages and/or nude photos between mobile phones. The explosion of smart phones equipped with cameras and video capabilities has created endless opportunities for anyone to share nude self-portraits and text explicit sexual fantasies with whomever and whenever they want. These emerging technologies are a natural fit for most teens and, typically, the worst offense they might commit is sharing too often. There is, however, the potential for criminal action and liability under child pornography laws when selfies and sexting involve underage nudity or sexually explicit situations. read more
Oct 16
Know your rights in Washington State if you have been arrested for robbery. Robbery isn't just considered a theft crime; it is a theft crime with an added factor of violence which makes it a much more serious offense and it is because of the violence factor that robbery is punished far more severely than a theft offense. A robbery occurs when a person forcibly takes another person's property by threatening to use or using a weapon. Penalties for armed robbery can carry a sentence of up to life in prison and fines reaching $50,000. read more
