When the police arrest you for a drug-related offense, the Washington courts will typically arraign you for a criminal charge. You may face incarceration and the prospect of a lifelong criminal record holding you back from opportunities if convicted for that drug offense. Thankfully, there may be an alternative option. Nonviolent drug offenders clog up the criminal justice system and…
In Washington state, judges often rely on a bail schedule to determine how much they should impose in a case. It’s at the judge’s discretion to decide whether to set an amount higher or lower than the one listed on the schedule. The judge may weigh the circumstances surrounding a case when deciding what bail to impose. Factors such as…
If you have never broken the law before, committing a crime for the first time may seem out of character for you. As a first time offender, you are in a good position compared to repeat offenders. First time offenders are usually treated with more leniency. There is a belief that offenders are less likely to re-offend after committing their…
All people in America have the right to protest. However, there are times when the police may arrest you during a protest if you violate the law. If you want to protest without risk, it’s usually a good idea to get a permit or exception. If you don’t, then the police could decide to arrest you or others at the…
Usually, when people under the age of 18 commit a crime, they are tried as juveniles. The juvenile system has significant penalties, but they do not tend to be as severe as the punishments that adults would face. Sometimes, juveniles can be tried as adults if they have committed specific kinds of crimes. When can that happen? Here are a…
Should you prepare for trial even if a plea is possible? If you are accused of committing a crime, you need to know your rights. Right away, you should get in touch with your criminal defense attorney who can begin working on your case. Your attorney will talk to you about all the factors involved and what they think you…
Washington court ruling leads to release of multiple inmates Most court cases only affect the individual involved in the case or occasionally people in similar circumstances in the future. However, sometimes, the courts reach a ruling that has broad-reaching implications for those who could run afoul of the law in the future as well as those already in the criminal…
Domestic violence incidents rose sharply in 2020 When the coronavirus pandemic began spreading across the United States, forcing large-scale lockdowns in most states, another problem emerged. Domestic violence incidents surged, and victims often experienced more severe abuse. The American Journal of Emergency Medicine reported that domestic violence incidents in Portland, Oregon, rose 22% amid 2020 lockdowns. San Antonio, Texas, saw…
The New Police Reform Measures in Maryland In 1974, the State of Maryland led 20 others in enacting the police Bill of Rights. These legislations shield the police from blame by preventing public inquiries into police misconduct. These laws also allow the erasure of complaint records against individual officers after some time. After a white law enforcement officer, Derek Chauvin,…
Baltimore Permanently Stops Prosecuting Low Level and Nonviolent Crimes. Baltimore won’t prosecute petty offenses anymore, but where did it start? Roughly a year ago, at the time when COVID-19 related lockdowns began, Marilyn Mosby (Baltimore City State’s Attorney) halted prosecuting drug possession, traffic violations, prostitution, among other minor offenses. The aim was to prevent overcrowding and help reduce the spread…
