Washington

Court to Parents: No Tough Love, No Cars

A lack of tough love has cost two Washington state parents their cars. Because they didn’t act quickly enough to snatch back their car keys from a son who apparently was using their vehicles to deal drugs, according to authorities, they were properly seized by the government under drug-forfeiture laws…

Sep 19, 2007 11:48 PM CDT

Fuss Over Firm’s $1.8 M ‘Pro Bono’ Fee

A major Seattle-based law firm’s effort to collect $1.8 million from taxpayers in a pro bono case has ignited a firestorm of controversy. As provided for by statute, Davis Wright Tremaine wants to collect for seven years of work for a prevailing plaintiff in a reverse-race-discrimination case that went to…

Sep 17, 2007 9:35 PM CDT

$350K Legal Bill in Closed-Meetings Case

A town in Washington state has racked up $340,000 in legal fees to defend litigation over allegedly illegal closed-door meetings of the municipal council. And that amount could rise by another $250,000 if the plaintiffs win their case against four current and former members of the Shoreline City Council, and…

Sep 13, 2007 9:15 PM CDT

Releasee’s Car Crash Costs City $1.8 M

A city in Washington state has agreed to pay $1.8 million to the widow of a man killed eight years ago in a hit-and-run accident. That’s because the driver should have been incarcerated, but was released prematurely from jail in an Algona drunken driving case, reports the Seattle Times. Tracy…

Sep 11, 2007 7:29 PM CDT

‘Pee-In’ Tests New WA Restroom Law

Dozens of attendees at a Seattle gender conference reportedly staged a “pee-in” recently to protest the eviction of two female-to-male transgender cohorts from a men’s restroom at a downtown shopping mall. The reported removal of the two, by mall security, after a male restroom patron complained apparently violates a year-old…

Sep 7, 2007 8:05 PM CDT

Bad Day for WA Judge: 2 Ethics Issues

When Judge Mark Chow made a quick—and, he admits, lewd—remark one day in January as he was presiding in King County District Court, he immediately realized he’d made a mistake. Although the 53-year-old jurist was responding to a man’s suggestion that he perform a sexual act, Chow’s response was inappropriate…

Aug 30, 2007 9:55 PM CDT

‘New’ Low-Tech Crime Tool: Trackers

In an age of increasingly high-tech criminal investigation techniques, some are finding that a low-tech traditional method is underused. Special trackers, whose skills are similar to those used for thousands of years by hunters but honed for criminal investigation, can see a great deal in crime scenes that reveal little…

Aug 29, 2007 7:03 PM CDT

Visa Squeeze Sparks Legal Creativity

A land rush on coveted visas permitting skilled foreigners to work in the U.S. legally is prompting alternative approaches by those who don’t win the lottery. Some denied the so-called H-1Bs—three-year visas for skilled workers with college degrees—are going back to school or applying for other types of visas. But…

Aug 27, 2007 8:28 PM CDT

Criminal Lawyer in Contempt for Defending Client

A Washington state lawyer has been found in contempt of court for his defense of an alleged serial rapist who has already served his 25-year sentence for a single rape conviction. Kevin Coe, 60, is still being held, however, because he is considered likely to re-offend, and Tim Tragesser advised…

Aug 24, 2007 3:25 PM CDT

Prosecutor Apology Ends Iraqi’s ‘Nightmare’

A federal prosecutor has apologized to an Iraqi refugee who was improperly arrested and jailed for failing to register under a special system. U.S. Attorney Jeffrey Sullivan of the Western District of Washington said the arrest was because of a good-faith mistake by Border Patrol Agents, the New York Times…

Aug 24, 2007 2:43 PM CDT

Proposed Laws Target Abusive Bosses

Nobody wants to work for a jerk. But unless abusive bosses violate specific prohibitions, such as discriminating against someone because of race or gender, treating employees badly generally isn’t illegal. That could be changing, however. At least four states are considering legislation that would give workers a right to sue…

Aug 21, 2007 4:37 PM CDT

More Sex Issues for WA Prosecutor

Originally accused of having an affair with the mother of a 17-year-old arson defendant and using the relationship to get confidential defense information a Washington state prosecutor is now facing additional professional issues. Liam Michael Golden’s sexual conduct reportedly may have been intermingled with his office’s handling of as many…

Aug 16, 2007 10:16 PM CDT

Did Affair With Mom Help Prosecute Son?

A prosecutor in Washington state has been accused of gaining information through an affair with the mother of an arson defendant to help prosecute her 17-year-old son. Lewis County Prosecutor Michael Golden reportedly admits he had a relationship with Kristine Wallace, but denies any wrongdoing, saying that the relationship ended…

Aug 7, 2007 9:16 PM CDT

WA Teens Sue for Custody of Parents

In what may be the first case brought under a new Washington state law that gives children a legal pathway to seek a restoration of parental rights, two twin brothers are petitioning to be put back in the custody of their parents. Timothy Wolcott was removed from the family home…

Aug 7, 2007 8:32 PM CDT

Dentist Wins Toothy Coverage Case

The joke isn’t on Dr. Robert Woo after all. The Washington state dentist is going to get the last laugh—and $750,000—the Washington Supreme Court has decided, in an insurance coverage case over an office prank. The prank—temporarily implanting an assistant with fake boar tusks and photographing her while she was…

Jul 27, 2007 11:38 PM CDT