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…
EHM / SCRAM Electronic home monitoring or EHM (i.e. ankle bracelet) is one method in which a person who has been sentenced to some period of detention can serve that time at home. EHM is an alternative to incarceration in…
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…
Parking Lot Fiascos At The Holidays With packed parking lots and stressed drivers, hit and run unattended accidents are not uncommon during the holidays. Unfortunately, they can be a pain given you are short on time, the mall is crowded,…
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…
The topic of bail can be confusing—particularly when you are under stress and trying to bail out a loved one. There are rare circumstances when a defense attorney might actually want your loved one to stay in jail until the…
If you are searching the internet about punishments for a first or subsequent DUI conviction, you should stop. The grids you are incessantly reviewing and likely panicking over are simply minimum and maximum penalties. However, if you get good legal…
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…
