Shoplifting is a serious issue, especially for teens. When someone catches your child who suffers from bipolar disorder, the situation becomes even more challenging to manage. The legal system must balance justice and understand your child's mental health challenges....
Firm News
Accused of being a stalker? Here’s what you should know
Washington state law is fairly clear on what actions constitute stalking, but someone can still be arrested for alleged actions that only broadly resemble the definition. A defendant might even be surprised to learn that another person is accusing them of being a...
For struggling teens, poor coping skills can harm the future
Mental health struggles can develop at any age. When they strike during adolescence, they open the doors for deeply troubling behaviors, which can lead to a lifetime of consequences and other issues if they’re left unchecked. While many teens encounter a transitional...
Felony Crimes and the Stripping Away of Rights
The House of Representative’s Over-criminalization Task Force asking for the Congressional Research Service to provide a complete accounting of all felony crimes did not make banner headlines in 2013. Also, not reported was the failure to secure the information due to...
Fines: Dependency or Addition
For a variety of reasons, many cities see their budgets stretched to the maximum even in the best of times. However, when they face economic challenges, they seek new ways to generate revenues. Frequently, filling their coffers comes on the backs of citizens,...
The Suspect is Dead. The Case Continues.
The death of Jeffrey Epstein did not represent the death knell of the investigation into allegations of sex trafficking. The criminal case is expanding and focusing on new suspects connected to Epstein, including high-profile entrepreneurs and powerful politicians. No...
The Financial Burdens Plaguing Criminal Suspects and Parolees
Prison populations have skyrocketed over the past 50 years. Currently, 2.2 million people are incarcerated in facilities throughout the United States, an increase of 500 percent with longer sentences contributing to that massive growth. More prisoners mean an outlay...
The Unlikely Survivability of R. Kelly’s Freedom
After years of rumors and criminal charges surrounding his supposed proclivities for minor females, R. Kelly has replaced a wardrobe custom-made for a wealthy R&B mogul for an orange jumpsuit and ankle shackles. This appearance was not his first time in front of a...
Parolees Getting Out the Vote
For decades, few paid attention to a felon sitting in prison and not having the right to vote. It was considered part of the punishment. “Doing the time” meant stepping behind the curtain on any given election day was not an option. Recently, a groundswell of activity...
Emojis as Evidence
Early in the existence of the “Internet Age,” a form of shorthand developed to convey laughing out loud and other reactions to random posts or direct messages. Yet, for those online aficionados, abbreviations did not go far enough in their brevity. Thus, emojis were...