Legal Blog

As a domestic violence attorney who has handled hundreds ofcases both criminally and civilly (Domestic Violence Protection Orders) in Vancouver, Washington and elsewhere, I have seen this area of law change dramatically over the last 20 plus years.  Washington State has added a new law effective June 11, 2020 to cases involving domestic violene.  Specifically, the State of Washington State

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Part I of the two-part series explored minor modifications of a Parenting Plan. Part II of this article will explore a major modification of a Parenting Plan under Washington law.  A major modification to a parenting plan is just that:  asking the court to make a substantial different parenting plan than what the court ordered previously.  The law on major

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As an experienced Family Law Attorney in Clark County (Vancouver) Washington, one of the most contentious aspects of a Family Law case is usually the Parenting Plan.  Two parents who are used to seeing their children on a daily basis are now faced with the fact that both parents will not see their child/children every day, even if that parent

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As a divorce attorney in Vancouver, WA, who regularly appears in Clark County Superior Court on divorce/dissolution matters, dealing with litigating issues involving child support, child custody/parenting plans, spousal maintenance and other related matters, it is unfortunately a common practice to enforce the orders of the court through the contempt process. In the contempt process, if a party does not

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Part one of this continuing article explored the mandatory sentencing term for jail and fines under Washington law for a Misdemeanor DUI conviction.  Part II of this article will describe the non-jail and fine consequences of a Misdemeanor DUI conviction in Washington State.  As a criminal defense attorney in Vancouver, Clark County, Washington, advising clients on these issues is a

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As a criminal defense attorney in Vancouver, Clark County, Washington, sentencing is a critically important aspect to any case, as obviously it can have the most profound consequences for a criminal client.  In Washington, with respect to Misdemeanor DUI sentencing, DUI offenses carry mandatory sentencing that includes confinement, loss of license, ignition interlock device installation and other requirements. Thus, it

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Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity A Victory Today but A Long-Term Loss Tomorrow Part II While the Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity Defense is a necessary and vital tool that should be utilized when appropriate, sometimes the long-term effects aren’t always clear. In my work to successfully advocate for a partial-conditional release for a client at a State

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Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity A Victory Today but A Long-Term Loss Tomorrow As a criminal defense attorney in Vancouver (Clark County) Washington one of my primary responsibilities when defending an individual is to evaluate the alleged evidence and determine if there are any defenses that may apply to a case, beyond of course general denial.  Insanity rarely comes

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This is the final segment related to the “rules of the road” for the new Clark County Mental Health Court, a program that could make a huge difference for someone accused of a Felony or Misdemeanor criminal offense in Vancouver, Clark County, WA. Graduation Requirements Fulfilled all probation and court conditions for case. Full payment of all financial obligations (program/filing

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Program Fees ​All Mental Health Court Participants are required to pay a minimal program participation fee as well as all other court costs, fees, fines and/or restitution. Some fines may be eligible to be worked off on an alternate plan a case -by-case basis (work crew). The amount of the program fee and any associated cost, fines, fees, restitution and

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