One of the most common questions in domestic violence (DV) cases is whether the charges will be dropped if the alleged victim decides they no longer want to move forward. While it might seem logical that the case should end…
Prosecutors use a number of factors to decide whether a reported crime should be charged as a misdemeanor or a felony. Generally, it is the severity of crime and whether the facts as reported by law enforcement most closely meet…
Washington State defines Assault in the Fourth Degree broadly under its criminal statutes. While many people think of assault as requiring physical contact, Washington law does not make physical touching a mandatory element of the offense. Instead, the state considers…
Understanding the difference between a criminal charge (a formal accusation) and the charging process (the steps leading up to that accusation) is important because it affects a person’s legal status and rights. It is important that those being investigated or…
There are many unfair aspects of criminal investigations and prosecutions that lay people just do not fully appreciate. When you watch movies or tv shows, the length and quality of investigations are very unusual. Most misdemeanor charges are based on…
Miranda warnings were established by the U.S. Supreme Court in Miranda v. Arizona (1966) and are designed to inform individuals of their constitutional rights before they are interrogated while in police custody. The goal of Miranda warnings is to protect…
Posting bail allows a defendant to be released from custody while awaiting court proceedings. In most cases, posting bail prior to Arraignment can put the defendant in a better position from the outset of the case. However, where the person…
Pretrial and Omnibus hearings are both procedural steps in the criminal justice system, but they serve different purposes and occur at different stages in the process. Generally speaking, you will only hear the term Omnibus in Superior Court for a…
Thurston County District Court provides courthouse services to the City of Lacey. This includes criminal misdemeanors and gross misdemeanors, infractions, and parking infraction violations of City codes. However, while the cases are heard at the Thurston County District Court, City of…
Port Orchard Municipal Court and Kitsap County District Court differ primarily in jurisdiction but they hear similar types of cases and process criminal charges in a similar way. Here’s a breakdown of the key differences between these two courts: Jurisdiction Port Orchard Municipal Court…
