How Reliable Is DNA Evidence?
It’s easy to think after watching any given crime show on TV that DNA evidence is infallible, that it always leads to a just and fair conviction. In real life, however, the situation is... Read More
What is the Washington Statute of Limitations for a Sex Crime?
Sexual harassment and sexual assault claims are having a moment of intense media coverage and focus. While for some this phenomenon means relief from many years of silence, for others it can mean a... Read More
Do the Police Have the Right to Search My Computer?
In the modern world, data privacy is a huge issue. So many parts of our everyday lives and communications now take place over the internet. Many of us are accustomed to thinking of our... Read More
What to do Before You Talk to the Police
It’s the stuff of TV crime dramas – a suspect is called in for questioning, and the first and only thing he says is “I want to talk to my lawyer.” While the idea... Read More
How are Juvenile Sex Offenders Sentenced?
Every adult can remember doing something unwise, even dangerous, as a young person, something that he or she would never do after reaching maturity. While adolescence can be a wonderful time of discovery and... Read More
Can Someone be Falsely Accused of Shaking a Baby?
No loving parent ever dreams that he or she will be the subject of a “shaken baby” investigation or prosecution. Popular belief mistakenly tells us that child abuse allegations are never leveled against good... Read More
Juries No Longer Allowed to Know a Person’s Immigration Status
The Washington State Supreme Court has approved a new rule of evidence that can harm defendants in some domestic violence and sexual assault cases. Effective next year, information about a witness’s immigration status will generally... Read More
Sex Offenders Will Now be Identified on US Passports – Here Is what you need to know
In 2016, Congress passed the “International Megan’s Law.” The law aims to protect children from sexual abuse and exploitation, especially through sex trafficking and sex tourism. The law went into effect in late 2017,... Read More
Five Terms You Need to Know if You’re Accused of Physical Child Abuse
If you’re accused of physically abusing a child, you may encounter any of these five terms. 1. Parental Right to Discipline As a parent, you are legally entitled to discipline your children. The right to... Read More
How to Not Incriminate Yourself on Social Media When Accused of Sexual Assault or Child Abuse
While social media has become an integral part of everyday life and communication for many people, it’s easy to forget that social media content is not really private. Things you post on Facebook, Instagram,... Read More