In this article, you discover: How expungement is defined under Washington law The benefits of getting your criminal record expunged Who qualifies for having their criminal record expunged in Washington What Is Expungement, And How Is It Defined Under Washington Criminal Law? Expungement is a statutory-based process where you have a conviction and you're looking to remove it from your criminal history. You must meet statutory requirements; it’s not discretionary. If you meet the requirements, the court will order that your record be expunged. If you do not meet the requirements of the statute, there are no grounds for expungement whatsoever. What Are The Benefits Of Getting A Criminal Record Expunged In Washington State? Suppose you qualify for expungement under the statute. In that case, you can rent an apartment…Read More
In this article, you will discover: When ignition interlock devices are used, and how they work The cost of installing and renting an ignition interlock device Penalties for tampering with an ignition interlock device What Is An Ignition Interlock Device (IID), And How Does It Work In Washington DUI Cases? An IID is the device the court or the Washington State Department of Licensing orders you to install in your vehicle to ensure you’re not under the influence when you start your car. These devices are intended for people who have DUIs. Often, after a driver's license is suspended, installing the ignition interlock device is the precondition that will allow you to drive. To start the car, you must blow into the device and have it register a blood alcohol…Read More
In this article, you will discover: How plea deals work in Washington misdemeanor cases The pros and cons of accepting a plea deal in misdemeanor cases How a Stipulated Order of Continuance works in misdemeanor cases What Is A Plea Deal, And How Does It Work In Washington Misdemeanor Cases? A plea deal is an agreement you make with the city or state's prosecutor's office to either accept a lesser charge or a lesser penalty on a conviction. The plea deal is a negotiation to reach an agreement that satisfies both the prosecutor and the defendant. Typically, the prosecutor may or may not offer a plea based on your criminal history and the facts in the case. Concerning the crime, the prosecutor will consider: What transpired Whether you committed the…Read More
In this article, you will discover: The qualifications for a misdemeanor in Washington What happens during your probable cause hearing Whether you need a criminal defense attorney during your probable cause hearing What Qualifies As A Misdemeanor Under Washington State Criminal Law? Any crime that, in essence, has a maximum sentence of 364 days or less would be considered a misdemeanor in Washington State. What Happens During Your First Court Appearance, Or Probable Cause Hearing, For A Misdemeanor In Washington? It depends on the case. Often, when you're arrested and taken into custody, there's a probable cause hearing, which usually occurs the day following your arrest, unless it's a weekend. If it's a weekend, and you get arrested on Friday, you're likely to wait until Monday before you're in front…Read More
How Do Family Courts Handle Parenting Plans When There Are Domestic Violence Claims? If there is a domestic violence protection order entered, that creates a restriction under the parenting plan. The court takes restrictions very seriously, especially if there are children involved. The court will put parameters in place, such as supervised or limited visitations with no overnights. They will also ask the abuser to undergo treatments and evaluations. Suppose there are mere allegations of domestic violence without any evidence to corroborate. In these cases, the court will frequently appoint a guardian ad litem or third-party investigator who represents your children's interests. They will investigate those allegations before determining what kind of residential schedule the parent alleged to have perpetrated domestic violence will have with their children. The guardian ad…Read More
In this article, you will discover: The stages of a spousal maintenance dispute in Washington state. What happens at a spousal maintenance hearing. Financial documents that are needed in a spousal maintenance hearing. What Are The Typical Stages Of A Spousal Maintenance Dispute? The stages of a spousal maintenance dispute are the same as for a divorce proceeding. Two people are not getting along, and they want to file a petition for the dissolution of their marriage. When you file a petition for dissolution, the form will ask whether you're requesting spousal maintenance. That would be the first time you would declare your request for spousal maintenance. At that juncture, you don't necessarily have to mention the amount or the length of time you’re seeking for spousal maintenance. You can…Read More
In this article, you will discover: What rights a father has prior to establishing paternity through court in Washington. Whether an unmarried father can have his name added to a child’s birth certificate if the court hasn’t established paternity. How a father establishes paternity and files for custody in Washington. What Are A Father’s Legal Rights In Washington Before Paternity Is Established? While a father theoretically has the exact same rights to his child as a mother, Washington looks at the determination of historical parenting plans to determine parental access. For that reason, a presumed father’s legal rights to his children depend on the scenario. If parents were together, the father's parental rights are equal to that of the mother before establishing parentage. If the mother and father are separated,…Read More
Legal disputes involving your family can be emotionally taxing and challenging to navigate. However, with the right strategies, you can protect your children’s well-being, safeguard your finances, and keep conflicts from escalating. This article provides insights into: How to talk to your children about legal disputes in an age-appropriate way. Managing financial strain and avoiding unnecessary legal costs. Tips for de-escalating tensions while protecting your parental rights. What Steps Should I Take To Safeguard My Children During A Legal Dispute? Safeguarding your children during a legal dispute can be one of the most difficult challenges in family law. While your attorney and the court can address legal violations through remedies like contempt or enforcement, they cannot control the other parent’s behavior or words. The best way to protect your children…Read More
Custody disputes are emotionally charged and legally complex, and even small missteps can have lasting consequences – but with the right approach, you can protect your parental rights and focus on what matters most: your child’s well-being. This article explains: Why communication and record-keeping are vital. How unsupported accusations can damage your credibility. The importance of adhering to court orders and seeking professional legal guidance. Mistake #1: Failing To Communicate With The Other Parent Failing to communicate with the other parent can seriously harm your custody case. Courts often emphasize the importance of co-parenting and effective communication, even when the relationship between parents is contentious. If you don’t respond to communication from the other parent, you risk being brought to court for abusive use of conflict or lack of communication.…Read More
Handling Your Divorce On Your Own If you can agree to the terms of your divorce with your to-be ex-spouse, it’s completely reasonable to conclude that you won’t necessarily need a divorce attorney to navigate the process alongside you. Legally, divorce attorneys are not mandatory. The court will accept paperwork you or your to-be ex-spouse have drafted that includes an agreement and the underlying terms. A Word Of Advice Given how emotionally charged divorces are, it’s easy to be clouded by emotions and unreasonable expectations. A general piece of advice I’ll leave you with is this: step outside of yourself. Think of your case from a third party's perspective. Would someone else who looks at your case see it as fair and reasonable? If not, then it isn’t fair and…Read More
