Deferred Prosecution for Mental Health Issues

Deferred Prosecution is a program available to those charged with misdemeanor or gross misdemeanor crimes in Washington. RCW Chapter 10.05 lays out the framework for the program.  The program allows a defendant to avoid a conviction and its penalties by entering into and successfully completing the program.  The defendant has to state under oath that … Read more

Immigration Arrests and Criminal Records

Immigration Arrests and Criminal Records Since the new administration has increased the enforcement of immigration laws, it is more important than ever to up your criminal record if you are not a U.S. Citizen.  Washington law allows you to clean up your criminal record by vacating your criminal history.  Vacating a conviction withdraws your guilty plea … Read more

New DUI Laws for June 2016

New DUI Laws for 2016 The Washington State Legislature has passed two new bills that further increase penalties for DUIs.  Over the past few years Washington has created more aggressive laws to punish DUI offenders than virtually any other state, these two laws will further that trend. The first bill increases the classification of a … Read more

Clark County No Longer Honoring ICE Holds

Clark County No Longer Honoring ICE Holds Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is a federal agency in charge of adjudicating immigration violations.  When an individual is arrested and there is an issue with their immigration status, ICE has traditionally issued what had been referred to as an “ICE Hold” or “ICE Warrant.”  In Vancouver, Washington, … Read more

Marijuana DUI Statistics

Marijuana DUI Statistics After the passage of the marijuana initiative in Washington last year, there has been a record number of marijuana DUI arrests. Statistics released by the Washington State Patrol show that in the first 6 months of the new law 745 drivers that were pulled over for suspicion of DUI tested positive for … Read more

24 Hour Sobriety Program

Field Sobriety Test

24 Hour Sobriety Program   Washington State recently enacted a new set of DUI laws which include a new “24 Hour Sobriety Program” for multiple offenders.  RCW 36.28a.330(5) defines the program as:   “24/7 sobriety program” means a twenty-four hour and seven day a week sobriety program in which a participant submits to the testing … Read more