Evidence Illegally Seized The Fourth Amendment to the Constitution of the United States provides that “[t]he right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place… Read More
Common Car Title Scams Mere possession of a car does not establish legal ownership. To legally own a car, the owner must also have the title properly assigned. When a consumer buys a new car at a dealership, the dealer usually completes the steps for title registration as a service and charges a fee for it. If purchasing a… Read More
Associative Criminal Liability in Washington The term, “guilt by association” is a colloquial expression generalizing the notion that if a person associates with criminals, then that person, himself, is criminally culpable. Although this is not a legal principle, it is roughly akin to legal doctrines upon which criminal statutes are based in each of the 50 states. To bring criminal… Read More
Can a Person with Alzheimer’s or Dementia be Charged for Shoplifting? Alzheimer’s and dementia can change a person and cause him or her to behave in ways he or she never has never before acted. In the beginning you may notice your loved one begin acting more irritable, depressed, or anxious. While these behaviors may not point to Alzheimer’s or dementia, as the disease progresses, they… Read More
Stores that offer “the deal” – either pay, or they will call the police Imagine you’re shopping in your favorite store, browsing the latest trends, when suddenly you’re surrounded by security, and being asked to come with them. As authorities lead you away, you are confused and unsure of what is happening. People are staring. Then you realize that you’re being accused of shoplifting. Pay or Get Arrested You are escorted… Read More
My Home Has Been Burglarized, Now What? Suffering from a burglary to one’s home can be a very traumatic and demoralizing event. Families can lose not only a sense of security in their own homes but also priceless heirlooms. Proper measures taken both before and after the fact can help to ameliorate loss, achieve justice, and restore peace of mind for victims… Read More
What to do if your child is being charged with shoplifting If your child is being charged with shoplifting, it may be difficult for you to know how to handle the situation effectively. If your child claims innocence, you will have to do your own investigation to determine the truth. Talking to your child about the problem is usually the best way to find out the… Read More
I was trapped in a store after they closed and now I’m being accused of breaking and entering One of the most difficult things for an ordinary citizen to undergo is to become accidentally swept up in a legal investigation, accused of a crime they never intended to commit. When one of our clients came to us and told us, “I was trapped in a store after they closed and now I’m being… Read More
I Accidentally Bought a Stolen Car…And Got Arrested With the numbers of people relying on online classifieds for everything from apartments to pets and cars, law offices are seeing more cases of people who have unknowingly bought stolen property. While the majority of sellers are legitimate people selling items they own, the Internet’s accessibility makes it easy for scammers to take you for… Read More