Showing posts with label law and justice. Show all posts
Showing posts with label law and justice. Show all posts

Edmonds woman sentenced to five years probation for wire fraud relating to fire she set in her business

Saturday, January 22, 2022

Aftermath of fire damage

An Edmonds, Washington, business owner was sentenced Friday in U.S. District Court in Seattle to five years of probation, with one year of house arrest, for wire fraud related to the April 30, 2018, fire at her business, CJN Miniatures and More, a dollhouse, miniatures, collectibles, and antiques shop, announced U.S. Attorney Nick Brown. 

Connie L. Bigelow, 54, set the fire to try to collect insurance money to solve her financial troubles. (see previous article)

 At the sentencing hearing U.S. District Judge Robert S. Lasnik said he was opting for home confinement because of the COVID pandemic.

According to records filed in the case, Bigelow set fire to her business to collect insurance money as the store was struggling to make enough money to pay the rent. Bigelow moved her business, CJN Miniatures LLC, into the building at 23030 Highway 99, in Edmonds in September 2017. 

The store maintained an inventory of miniatures and collectables for sale, consigned items on behalf of other individuals, and rented out space to other vendors. Between October 2017 and April 2018, the business fell behind in rental payments and payments to consigners.

Bigelow carried an insurance policy with State Farm Fire and Casualty Company that covered up to $100,000 in loss of business personal property, as well as loss of income. The policy did not cover loss arising from arson.

Bigelow set the fire underneath three Thomas Kinkade paintings worth thousands of dollars. 

In May 2018, Bigelow initiated a claim to State Farm for the losses arising from the fire. On May 3, 2018, Bigelow communicated with the insurance agent via email as part of the wire fraud scheme. Bigelow made false statements to law enforcement, as well as representatives of State Farm as part of the scheme to defraud.

Prosecutors had asked for a year in prison, citing the inherent danger of the fire and the losses to the community. In pleading guilty, Bigelow agreed to make full restitution. Currently the restitution is over $200,000 to the building owners and some 50 victims who lost consigned items in the fire.

The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF), along with the Snohomish County Fire Marshals’ Office. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Amy Jaquette.


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Leader of multimillion-dollar tobacco tax fraud and money laundering conspiracy sentenced to prison

Wednesday, January 12, 2022

Nicholas W. Brown U.S. Attorney
Western District of Washington
Photo courtesy US Dept of Justice
Seattle – A leader of a scheme to cheat Washington State out of more than $10 million in tobacco excise taxes was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Seattle to 26 months in prison, announced U.S. Attorney Nick Brown. 

Hyung Il Kwon, 48, of Henderson, Nevada, was the secret owner of TK Mac, a company that owned and operated two smoke shops in Federal Way and Lynnwood, Washington. 

Kwon conspired with others to cheat the state out of tobacco excise taxes; he also evaded more than $850,000 in federal income taxes. 

At the sentencing hearing, U.S. District Judge James L. Robart noted that Kwon has a prior state conviction from a similar tobacco fraud scheme, and said, “You [Kwon] have almost no respect for the law whatsoever when it gets in the way of making money.”

“For years, Mr. Kwon repeatedly laundered cash and created false invoices to avoid paying tobacco excise taxes. This didn’t just hurt the state coffers, it gave his business a competitive advantage over other small stores,” said U.S. Attorney Brown. 
“Now Mr. Kwon has a substantial restitution obligation, which will follow him even after he serves his prison term.”

See the rest of the story here



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LFP bids farewell to Judge Linda Portnoy after 23 years on the bench

Sunday, November 28, 2021

Judge Linda Portnoy retiring
from LFP bench
Judge Linda Portnoy has served as the presiding judge for Lake Forest Park Municipal Court since 1998, overseeing the operations and growth of the Court and creating one of the outstanding municipal courts in Washington. 

She retires on December 31, 2021 leaving behind a legacy of innovation and commitment to public service. For Judge Portnoy, the role of judge included reaching beyond the courtroom to improve access to justice for everyone impacted by the criminal justice system. 

In 2001, she started the Shoreline Lake Forest Park Youth Court, which is one of the longest running traffic youth courts in Washington. Through her involvement with the LFP Rotary, she helped found the Roger Bouck Rotacare Free Clinic in Lake City. 

When Judge Portnoy observed the ravages of the opioid crises firsthand in her court, she organized an evening educational program at Third Place Commons so people could better understand this addiction. She also enjoyed welcoming third grade students to her courtroom for their mock trials.

Judge Portnoy strived to incorporate innovative programs into the traditional courtroom to address challenging issues. Those included: “staggered sentencing,” a program targeting recidivist drunk drivers; a pretrial release program creating alternatives to bail; and a probation program incorporating social work and vocational counseling services into traditional court supervision. 

In 2013, Judge Portnoy created an award-winning program called TEC-Hearings, providing for traffic infraction hearings fully through the Court’s website and saving thousands of people a trip to court.

Judge Portnoy also worked to improve the justice system in Washington, serving on the statewide pattern forms and court rules committees, Council on Independent Courts and terms on the District and Municipal Court Judges Association (DMCJA) Board and the State Board for Judicial Administration. 

In 2018 she received the DMCJA Presidential Award. Judge Portnoy is proud of her work as a member of a 2011-2013 statewide task force on domestic violence where she worked on the passage of several laws aimed at protecting victims of domestic violence.

She was a featured teacher at the Washington State Judicial College and many statewide judicial conferences. Judge Portnoy’s publications include Washington Criminal Practice in Courts of Limited Jurisdiction; LexisNexis Practice Guide: Washington Criminal Law (co-author) and editor of the Washington State Judge’s Impaired Driving Bench Book.

Judge Portnoy was asked to reflect on her years of service as a judge.

“It has been my honor to serve the community. The executive and legislative branches have been outstanding partners, respecting judicial independence, and supporting our vision for the highest levels of accountability and service. 
"I have been blessed with wonderful administrators, court staff and work colleagues throughout my 23 years and it will be difficult to leave them. I have been honored to work alongside our probation officer, Phil Stanley; his contribution to our court is immeasurable. 
"I have appreciated the hard work and dedication of those practicing in court before me, including long-time prosecutors Sarah Roberts and Carmen McDonald, the public defenders who have handled the criminal caseload, and Jenny Grogan, the city’s DV advocate. 
"As a judge, I see many people at very low and difficult times in their lives. Countless times I have witnessed how people change their lives through courage and perseverance. Being part of people’s lives in my role as judge changed my life too. 
"I learned never to give up on anyone or to believe a person cannot change. Although words alone are not sufficient to express my feelings, I can say It was a privilege and a joy to serve as your judge."
The City invites people to write to Judge Portnoy.



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Brothers indicted in firebombing of Shoreline coffee shop

Friday, October 29, 2021

Brothers were said to be angry that their car was towed from the
coffee shop and didn't realize that the business had been sold.
The Department of Justice, Western District of Washington has announced that two brothers were arraigned on an indictment Thursday, October 21, 2021 in connection with the September 30, 2020, firebombing of a coffee shop on Aurora Avenue in Shoreline

U.S. Attorney Nick Brown announced that Taylor Lemay Rice, 23 and Daniel Lemay Rice 21, pleaded “Not Guilty” and were released on personal appearance bonds. 

Trial is set before U.S. District Judge Richard A. Jones on January 3, 2022.

The two men are charged with unlawful possession of a destructive device – in this case four Molotov cocktails. The destructive devices darkened the sides of the building, but did not extensively damage the structure.

The men were identified as suspects in the early morning firebombing, after extensive work by law enforcement involving review of surveillance video and cell phone records. Both men have been interviewed by law enforcement and agreed to turn themselves in.

Information in the public record indicates the coffee shop shares the building with Bethany Community Church. The coffee shop was closed and was scheduled to reopen under new operators.

The signs for the old ownership remained on the building. 
Speaking in court at the detention hearing, prosecutors indicated the firebombing may have been motivated by a dispute over one of the brother’s cars being towed from the area around the coffee stand a few months earlier.

Unlawful possession of a destructive device is punishable by up to ten years in prison.

The charges contained in the indictment are only allegations. A person is presumed innocent unless and until he or she is proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

The FBI, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosive (ATF) and the King County Sheriff’s Office are all working on the investigation.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Cecelia Gregson.



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The King County Sheriff's Office collects DNA from 62 registered sex offenders

Tuesday, August 24, 2021

Beginning in October of 2020, the King County Sheriff’s Office Registered Sex Offender Unit, in partnership with Washington's Office of the Attorney General and the United States Marshals Service, launched the Sexual Assault Kit Initiative (SAKI) Lawfully Owed DNA project. 

This initiative was intended to collect DNA samples from 107 registered sex offenders in King County who, by law, were required to do so.

Procedural, administrative and other reasons, beyond the scope of the Sheriff's Office, contributed to these offenders failing to initially provide their required DNA. 

Once collected, this offender DNA is stored in CODIS (Combined DNA Index System), an FBI-maintained database widely used in criminal investigations.

During the last ten months, detectives with the King County Sheriff's Office Special Assault and Registered Sex Offender Units, despite the challenges of the pandemic, successfully located and collected DNA from 62 offenders. 

All members agree that their work is not done until each person is found and their DNA, as required by law, is collected.

King County Sheriff Mitzi G. Johanknecht states, "Investigators and prosecutors throughout our nation rely on these CODIS samples to solve our most serious cases and bring justice to survivors of sexual assault and other crimes. 
"I am proud to lead a team of detectives and other professionals who battled COVID-19, and other hurdles, to further this critical work."

Please visit this link for more information about the Department of Justice's Sexual Assault Kit Initiative:

Dept. of Justice Sexual Assault Kit Initiative



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State law changes will affect policing in Lake Forest Park

Monday, August 9, 2021

LFP Police Chief Mike Harden. The police
department will present its training to the
City Council at the council’s regular business
meeting on Thursday, August 12 at 7pm
By Tracy Furutani

“We will still provide service,” said Lake Forest Park Police Department Chief Mike Harden. “[However], it will look different.”

The Washington State Legislature passed a series of police reform bills in this year’s now-concluded legislative session, and they are beginning to take effect. 

Specifically, House Bills 1054 and 1310 change the threshold at which law enforcement officers may take certain actions, such as pursuing suspects and using physical force.

Many of the changes in tactics specified in the new laws are already policy within the LFP PD. 

“We have no ‘no-knock’ warrants,” said Operations Lieutenant Rhonda Lehman, referring to the practice of police entering a home without first knocking and identifying themselves. 

Similarly, “we don’t use tear gas,” she said. One of the new laws restricts the use of tear gas to riots, hostage situations and barricaded subjects.

However, some other changes in the laws will make it “harder for victims to get help,” said Lehman. “It makes it easier for the criminal to escape.” Because the standard for using physical force to detain a suspect is higher, the LFP PD will err on the side of letting a suspect go, she explained.

Harden gave an example of a hypothetical situation in which a family with a small child is involved in a traffic accident, where the family’s car is struck by a hit-and-run driver and the child is injured. The police are quickly summoned, and one of the parents gives a vehicle description to the responding officer. 

“An officer may attempt to stop the vehicle described, and if they stop, great; if they flee, we may no longer pursue,” said Lehman. “Why didn’t you go after the bad guy?” is the question that will result, said Harden, and the officer will say it is due to the new policies.

State Rep Javier Valdez (D-46)
State Representative Javier Valdez (D-46), whose district includes Lake Forest Park, said in a statement, 

“We all share the goal of keeping everyone safe, whether it’s members of the community or the men and women in law enforcement. There is some confusion about what new police reform laws mean or don’t mean, and a lot of misinformation out there. Nothing in the new state laws prevents police officers from responding to calls to service.”

In Valdez’s view, “House Bill 1310 creates a statewide standard for the use of force. House Bill 1054 bans dangerous police tactics and unnecessary military equipment from being used by law enforcement.” 

And, further, “the state attorney general is working on clearing up any ambiguities and misunderstandings about certain provisions and is developing a model use of force policy. And if there are issues that do need to be clarified with new legislation, I will support those efforts. Such legislation is typical whenever large reforms are passed.”

Some of the changes in the laws and policing policies will have an effect on other first-responder agencies, who rely on police protection while performing their jobs.

The Northshore Fire Department, which serves LFP, is working with other first responders on a “model” procedure to accommodate changes to the laws, according to Deputy Chief of Operations Doug McDonald. “There should be no changes in the level of service we provide,” he said.

Brook Buettner, program manager for
North Sound Response Awareness
De-escalation and Referral (RADAR)
The new laws brought some positive changes to social service providers. House Bill 988, for instance, will establish a single 988 number for suicide prevention next year, said Brook Buettner, the program manager for North Sound Response Awareness De-escalation and Referral (RADAR), a program set up by a consortium of north King County cities to provide services to people undergoing a behavioral health crisis. 

RADAR deploys Navigators, a group of on-call mental health and social workers to bring their services to people experiencing crises.

“I’m proud of north King County doing [this] work before the national movement,” said Buettner. “Navigators are more necessary than ever, especially with these legislative changes.”

The LFP Police Department will present its training to the City Council at the council’s regular business meeting on Thursday, August 12 at 7pm. The public is invited to attend the meeting.



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AG Ferguson issues statement after key court victories in opioid distributors case

State Attorney General
Bob Ferguson
Attorney General Bob Ferguson issued the following statement after two key legal victories on Friday in Washington’s case against opioid distributors McKesson Corp., Cardinal Health Inc. and AmerisourceBergen Drug Corp.

“We won two more key victories in our case against the three largest opioid distributors for their role fueling the opioid epidemic by shipping hundreds of thousands of suspicious orders into Washington state.

“On Friday, a King County judge rejected their attempt to dismiss our Consumer Protection Act claim, and ruled that there is no time period that limits the consumer protection penalties we seek in this case. We assert that these companies violated our Consumer Protection Act in multiple ways over more than a dozen years — and now they are facing potential penalties for every single one.

“Moreover, the judge rejected their efforts to deflect responsibility for their conduct onto others. These Fortune 15 companies tried to evade responsibility for their misconduct by claiming that Washington state did not pass laws preventing them from shipping massive amounts of opioids into our state. Claiming that public agencies should have stopped them sooner is like a burglar blaming the police for not arresting him before he committed the crime — it’s absurd and appalling. Judge Michael R. Scott dismissed all the defenses these corporations planned to present at trial blaming the state for the opioid crisis.

“My outstanding trial team argued both motions and won. Our trial is scheduled for September. We will hold these companies accountable for the devastation they caused.”



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New Law Enforcement Oversight Director appointed for King County: Tamer Abouzeid

Sunday, August 1, 2021

Tamer Abouzeid picked as new director of the
Office of Law Enforcement Oversight for King County
The King County Council has appointed Tamer Abouzeid, an attorney, mediator, community organizer and policy professional, to serve as the new director of the Office of Law Enforcement Oversight. 

He was selected by the council Tuesday afternoon.

Abouzeid is currently an attorney at the Chicago office of a large civil rights organization, focusing on issues of discrimination and policing, and also acts as legal counsel to the Chicago Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression. 

He previously worked at Chicago’s Civilian Office of Police Accountability investigating allegations of misconduct against Chicago police officers.

Abouzeid will officially take over the position effective September 20, 2021.

Council Chair Claudia Balducci stated
“The challenge before our Office of Law Enforcement is steep: build a trusting relationship with and among the diverse communities we serve and our Sheriff’s Office so that we can provide true public safety to all. 
"This will take perseverance, listening, and a focus on common interests so that we provide equitable, fair and effective policing in King County. 
"Tamer Abouzeid brings the combination of experience and drive needed to rise to these challenges. I am delighted to welcome him as our incoming Director of OLEO.” 

 

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Over the fence: State considering placing a work release facility near SR 99 in Mountlake Terrace

Monday, July 19, 2021

Location of proposed work release site.
Republished from our friends at MyEdmondsNews.com

The Washington State Department of Corrections has identified a commercial property in the 7100 block of 224th St SW as a leading site for a work release facility.

That’s according to a news release from the City of Mountlake Terrace, which says that there will be future opportunities for public engagement on the idea.

In 2019, the Legislature directed the Washington State Department of Corrections to identify sites for additional work release facilities in various regions of the state, including Snohomish County.

Such facilities “serve as a bridge between life in prison and life in the community,” the Department of Corrections said on its website. 

“Incarcerated people at work release focus on transition, to include finding and retaining employment, treatment, reconnecting with family members, developing life skills, and becoming productive members of the community.”


The site identified for the facility is located at 7125 224th St.SW in Edmonds along the Interurban Trail on a dead-end street with vehicular access from 22th St SW in Edmonds near Ranch 99 Market (see map). It formerly housed the Seabrook Dental Laboratory, an independent manufacturer of dental prosthetic and therapeutic devices.

State law requires cities to accommodate “essential public facilities,” such as work release facilities, and Mountlake Terrace allows this type of facility, with conditions, in the light industrial/office park zone, the city said in its announcement. Although the Department of Corrections stressed in a meeting this week that no decisions have been made, and a public process with stakeholder engagement will continue, the department’s next steps would be to meet with Mountlake Terrace’s Community Development Department to discuss the site and use, along with potential conditions.

If the site becomes a viable option, state law requires the Department of Corrections to conduct a public hearing process, which includes notification to all addresses within a half-mile radius of the site.

For more information about the state’s work release program, visit www.doc.wa.gov/corrections/incarceration/work-release/default.htm.



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Wear your life jacket when paddleboarding in Lake Forest Park

Saturday, July 17, 2021

The 'paddleboarder' pictured here is a KCSO MRU deputy who agreed to 'take the plunge' during a recent multi-city water rescue training exercise on Lake Washington.

 By Tracy Furutani

Education, not enforcement, will be the emphasis of implementing the recent Lake Forest Park ordinance that mandates the wearing of personal flotation devices (PFD) while using human-powered watercraft, such as paddleboards.

The law was passed at the May 13, 2021 City Council meeting, and went into effect later that month.

“We’re not arresting anybody,” said Lake Forest Park Police Chief Mike Harden. 

He noted that his department was still considering options on the law’s enforcement, noting that the LFP Police Department does not have a boat or a Jet-Ski. 

State law currently requires that people using human-powered watercraft carry PFDs but does not require wearing them.

“We don’t have a mechanism to get out in the water,” said Lt. Rhonda Lehman of the LFPPD, thus the department’s officers will be using social media and city council meetings to get information about the law to the public. 

She referred to the Wear It Washington safety campaign as a source of good information on safety on the water.

The idea behind this ordinance was being discussed before the pandemic, according to Tom French, the LFP City Councilmember who sponsored the legislation. 

“In 2011, there was a heat wave that resulted in record [lake] fatalities that spring,” he said, which resulted in the King County Council passing a temporary requirement for wearing PFDs while on the water. 
“First responders were getting hurt [during water rescues],” said French. Additionally, as noted in the preamble to the ordinance, “there were 53 boating fatalities in Washington in 2020, 24 of which involved paddle craft.”

Lake Forest Park contracts with the King County Sheriff’s Office Marine Rescue Dive unit to patrol the Lake Washington waters along the city’s shore. 

“We’ve had a ton more [calls for service],” said Deputy Kyle Broderson. 

He noted that there were only four deputies assigned to the unit, with two assigned to Lake Washington and two to Lake Sammamish. He said that therefore response times to incidents could be upwards of an hour, so requiring the wearing of PFDs could increase water safety.

The Northshore Fire Department, which serves LFP, is supportive of the new measure. 

“Nothing is changing,” said Deputy Chief of Operations Doug McDonald. “All our firefighters maintain [and wear] PFDs operating around the water.”

The department is ordering an inflatable to assist in rescue operations. In addition, there are nine staff members who are certified rescue swimmers.

Other cities acknowledge that water safety is a concern but are using different strategies. 

“I support this [ordinance],” said Nigel Herbig, the deputy mayor and a city council member of Kenmore, but “a regional approach is better.” A rule crafted by the King County Public Health Department could make the rules about wearing PFDs more uniform across the county, he said.

The City of Bothell’s authorized kayak and paddleboard concessionaire, Bothell Kayak, requires its clients to wear PFDs when on the water in their equipment.

LFP Councilmember French agrees. “My fervent hope is that we see a regional response to this,” he said. “It’s a public health consideration.”



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Rent Smart: I Cannot Pay Full Rent - What Are My Options?

Tuesday, July 13, 2021


A free workshop for people who need advice.

Rent Smart: I Cannot Pay Full Rent-What Are My Options? 

Wednesday, July 14, 2021 from 2-4pm

Join Solid Ground tenant counselors along with legal advisors on better understanding what rights you have if unable to make rent and what comes next.

A visiting attorney from the Tenant Law Center will be on hand to help with answering questions.

If you are currently living in King County and being threatened with eviction, contact the Housing Justice Project for legal assistance at 253-234-4204 or hjpstaff@kcba.org

Please register with an email address by 6pm on Tuesday July 13. You will receive an email with a Zoom link. You can also connect to this program by telephone.

Register HERE https://kcls.bibliocommons.com/events/5fce73324ad4962f004c1bca

This workshop will be offered multiple times over the next few months. Register for other sessions HERE 



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Inslee signs commutations following court decision on simple drug possession

Wednesday, April 14, 2021

Gov. Inslee
file photo pre-pandemic
Gov. Jay Inslee has signed commutations for 13 individuals convicted of drug possession charges under a law that was recently struck down by the Washington State Supreme Court. Those individuals have been released from Department of Corrections custody.

More commutations are expected in response to petitions from incarcerated individuals, with the governor planning to sign at least two more today. 

Last week, Inslee offered unconditional commutations to individuals remaining in Department of Corrections (DOC) custody solely on simple drug possession convictions.

In February, the court struck down a portion of state law that makes simple drug possession a crime. A majority of justices said the law was unconstitutional because it did not require prosecutors prove a suspect knowingly or intentionally possessed contraband. 

The court’s decision essentially invalidated the statute that was the basis for the criminal convictions and related sentences for numerous individuals, including many in DOC custody in state prisons solely for these now-invalidated drug possession convictions.

While prosecutors and the courts have worked to vacate the convictions of individuals convicted and sentenced under this now-invalidated drug possession statute, the governor has endeavored to use his clemency authority to expeditiously facilitate a more immediate release for other individuals in custody solely on these convictions.



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AG Ferguson, Gonzaga University will host two-day Environmental Justice Symposium

Thursday, March 18, 2021

Gonzaga University

OLYMPIA — On March 23 and 24, Attorney General Bob Ferguson and Gonzaga University School of Law will convene a symposium to discuss environmental justice issues around Washington and the work being done to address them. 

The goal of the symposium, titled “Environmental Justice: Race, Poverty and the Environment,” is to provide a platform for communities disproportionately impacted by structural racism, climate change and pollution.

The online, two-day event will include a series of panel discussions that will shine a light on the work these communities across the state are doing to pursue environmental justice. The panels will focus on topics in four major areas: air, water, land and the built environment, and racism. 

Panelists will discuss their ongoing environmental justice work, examine the latest research and discuss ways to improve environmental protections that meaningfully involve the communities affected most.

The symposium is free, online and open to the public. Registration and a full agenda for the event is available here. Registrants will receive the video conference login information by email closer to the event date. Event participation is capped at 500 at any one time.

More information here



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AG Ferguson: Some cases against federal government will continue despite President Biden taking office

Tuesday, January 26, 2021

Attorney General Bob Ferguson
has filed 97 cases against federal 
government
Attorney General’s Office has filed 97 lawsuits against the federal government since January of 2017

OLYMPIA — Attorney General Bob Ferguson offered an update on his lawsuits against the federal government in the wake of President Joe Biden’s inauguration last Wednesday.

Washington was the first state to challenge President Trump in court. Beginning with his successful lawsuit challenging President Trump’s first travel ban filed just 10 days after Trump took office, Ferguson filed 97 cases against the federal government during President Trump’s term in office.

To date, he scored 39 legal victories in those cases, including multiple victories at the United States Supreme Court. He experienced only two legal defeats.

The Attorney General’s Office maintains a list of all 97 lawsuits on his website.

Ferguson’s office led 36 of the 97 legal challenges. The lead state typically does the overwhelming majority of the work. Financial recoveries from successful lawsuits paid for nearly all of the legal work on these cases, not the state Legislature.

In other words, corporations and individuals that violated the law funded these lawsuits, not taxpayers.

More than 60 of the 97 cases — including 17 legal victories and one adverse ruling — are still being actively litigated. Many of them are likely to continue working their way through the courts despite President Biden taking office.

In recent weeks, the Trump Administration filed a flurry of so-called “midnight regulations” further weakening critical environmental protections in the waning days of the former president’s term. 

Washington joined 12 multistate lawsuits led by other states in the last week challenging these last-minute attempts to undermine our environment.

“If someone had told me four years ago that, by the time President Trump left office, I would file 97 lawsuits against the federal government, I would not have believed them,” Ferguson said. 
“Republicans sometimes asked me why I filed so many lawsuits against the Trump Administration. I would respond that they should ask the president why he pursued so many illegal policies that hurt our state. 
"Throughout his term, the president demonstrated his contempt for the rule of law, and our record in court speaks for itself.”
Read more here


 

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Civil Lawsuits without Tears: The Basics of Representing Yourself in Court

Saturday, January 2, 2021

Civil Lawsuits without Tears: The Basics of Representing Yourself in Court

Register: https://kcls.bibliocommons.com/events/5fc5512017e1da2400caae46

Wednesday, January 6, 6-7:30pm
Presented by The King County Law Library.

Representing yourself in court is a complicated process and can be overwhelming.

In this workshop, learn the basics of the civil litigation process with a focus on court rules, court procedures, forms, scheduling and deadlines. 

Attendees will receive blank copies of some of the most commonly used civil litigation forms and will be granted access to a password protected website with additional information and resources.

Note: This class does not cover criminal litigation.

By registering for this workshop, you agree to and acknowledge the following:
  • The King County Law Library and the SRL Workshop do not provide legal advice.
  • Attendance at the SRL Workshop does not create an attorney-client relationship between me and any of the staff or volunteers of the workshop.
  • SRL staff and volunteers are not available for hire as legal representatives

Please register with an email address before 6pm on January 5. You will receive an email with a Zoom link the day before the event. You can also connect to this program by telephone.

Reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities are available upon request. Please contact jgibson@kcls.org at least seven days before the event to request ASL interpretation, captioning services and/or other accommodation for the library's virtual programs.

This is part of a series. Please register for each program:

Civil Lawsuits without Tears: The Basics of Representing Yourself
Wednesday, January 6, 6-7pm

The Nuts and Bolts of Motions
Wednesday, January 13, 6-7pm

Exploring Pretrial Discovery
Wednesday, January 20, 6-7pm

Examining Evidence: The Basic Issues of Evidence
Wednesday, January 27, 6-7pm



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LFP Municipal Court Bench Warrant Amnesty Program

Thursday, December 24, 2020

The Lake Forest Park Municipal Court is announcing a Bench Warrant Amnesty from December 1, 2020 to March 30, 2021.

If you have an outstanding bench warrant with this court and would like to have it quashed or set for a warrant quash hearing before the Judge, please contact the court at 206-364-7711 or go to the Court webpage for further instructions. 

All hearings will be held via Zoom. Note, there is NO FEE to quash a warrant.



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King County District Court suspends commencement of jury trials through January 11, 2021, due to COVID-19

Saturday, November 28, 2020

To help keep the public, jurors and court employees safe during a time of rapidly increasing novel coronavirus infections in Washington state, King County District Court is temporarily suspending commencement of new jury trials through January 11, 2021.

Shoreline District Courthouse

The court will continue to assess the suspension period on a bi-weekly basis, which could result in an earlier re-start of jury trials or extension of the suspension, as conditions warrant.

As part of its COVID-19 response, King County District Court previously had expanded its capability to conduct hearings via videoconference. In its latest emergency order, the court encourages video hearings, whenever possible and appropriate, and has expanded the types of hearings that may presumptively be conducted by video without the court’s prior approval.

“The court will continue to monitor the public health situation and will rely upon guidance from the State Department of Health and other health experts to further alter our operations, if needed,” says King County District Court Presiding Judge Susan Mahoney. 
“The health of our staff and other court users is our primary consideration in all operational decisions.”

Court users can find the latest information on changes to court operations and services online at COVID-19 Impacts to King County District Court or by calling (206) 205-9200.

About King County District Court

King County District Court is the largest court of limited jurisdiction in Washington state, processing approximately 200,000 matters per year. The district court operates at 10 locations throughout King County: Auburn, Bellevue, Burien, Issaquah, King County Courthouse (Seattle), King County Jail (Seattle jail calendars only), Redmond, Maleng Regional Justice Center (Kent), Shoreline and Vashon Island (one day per month). www.kingcounty.gov/courts/district-court.aspx



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Virtual Resource Center offers easy online access to dozens of community service providers in King County

Saturday, September 26, 2020



King County District Court provides online and telephone options while in-person resource centers are closed during the COVID-19 Pandemic

To provide King County residents with ready access to dozens of community service providers during the COVID-19 Pandemic, King County District Court is making available a Virtual Resource Center (VRC).

Operated as part of the court’s community court program, the VRC is open to anyone in the community to visit via Zoom videoconference or by telephone. Services at the VRC include access to education, work training, substance abuse treatment, transportation discounts, Public Health / DSHS, and many more.

Prior to COVID-19, King County District Court operated in-person community resource centers in Redmond, Shoreline, and Burien. To help slow the spread of the novel coronavirus, the in-person options have been replaced by the VRC until they are safe to re-open after the pandemic.

“Having a community resource center with so many vital services available at one time makes a significant difference for the entire community,” said Chief Presiding Judge Susan Mahoney.

Anyone in the community can access the King County District Court Virtual Resource Center at the following days and times, when service providers are available to assist and answer questions:
  • Tuesdays, 1:30pm – 3:00pm
  • Wednesdays, 2:00pm – 4:00pm

Details for accessing the VRC online or by telephone can be found at: kingcounty.gov/VRC

Service providers that would like to participate in the VRC can contact Ericka Cooley, community court coordinator for King County District Court: 206-477-4990, email: Ericka.Cooley@kingcounty.gov

About King County District Court

King County District Court is the largest court of limited jurisdiction in Washington State, processing approximately 200,000 matters per year. The district court operates at 10 locations throughout King County: Auburn, Bellevue, Burien, Issaquah, King County Courthouse (Seattle), King County Jail (Seattle jail calendars only), Redmond, Maleng Regional Justice Center (Kent), Shoreline, and Vashon Island (one day per month). [Note, courthouse hours and services are currently modified due to the COVID-19 Pandemic.]



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New Certificate helps students prepare to improve the Criminal Justice System

Thursday, September 17, 2020

Shoreline Community College campus entrance
Photo by Steven H. Robinson



The first of its kind in the nation, Shoreline Community College is launching a new Criminal Justice Advocacy Certificate (CJAC) this fall.

The fully online 15-credit certificate is designed for people working or planning to work in or alongside the criminal justice system who want to advocate for vulnerable populations and find effective ways to work with different professions to improve the criminal justice system.

The training is of particular relevance for those studying or working in the areas of sociology, legal studies, social work, psychology, counseling, healthcare, public health, law enforcement and corrections, community outreach, or community organizing.

Taught by a forensic social worker, the certificate uniquely focuses on the intersection of law and psychology. Class topics explore historical trends and current issues in crime and social justice, models of crisis intervention, de-escalation and conflict resolution, and criminal justice theory with a multicultural perspective.

“These classes explore how different professionals can work in tandem to help people in crisis who often cycle through the health care and criminal justice systems repeatedly. The curriculum is a forward-looking, systems-oriented approach to strengthening and reforming society’s responses to social problems,” said Associate Faculty Anura Shah, LICSW, MHA.

“The Criminal Justice Advocacy Certificate provides useful ways for professionals to deescalate situations and build new ways of responding to those in crisis. It’s an excellent choice for someone who wants to go into direct service work as well as for someone already working in a related field who wants to add a new advocacy-based skillset,” Shah added.


Additionally, as interest in new models of crisis intervention grows, the College is debuting a new online professional development series specifically intended to help mental health and social service professionals increase their understanding of the criminal justice system and its applicable laws. 

Registration is now open for the first course in the series, The Interprofessional Practice of Law Enforcement and Social Work, which takes place October 1-2, 2020.

The CJAC certificate classes begin on September 23 and are open to anyone who has applied to Shoreline Community College. Learn more about Shoreline’s Criminal Justice program and the Interprofessional Practice of Law Enforcement and Social Work continuing education course.

About Shoreline Community College 

Founded in 1964, Shoreline Community College offers more than 100 rigorous academic and professional/technical degrees and certificates to meet the lifelong learning needs of its diverse students and communities. Learn more at www.shoreline.edu.



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Use zoom to connect with needed services through virtual Resource Center

Sunday, August 16, 2020

When the court was live, friendly volunteers showed participants to the lobby where service providers were set up at tables. With COVID-19 the service providers are now on zoom and easily available to all. Photo by Jamie Holter.


Shoreline Community Court’s virtual resource center can help anyone in King County connect to a broad range of health and human service providers, including those connected to behavioral health, housing, legal assistance, health insurance, transportation and employment.

When: August 25th and each Tuesday thereafter between 1:30 - 3:30pm.

How to connect
  • Log on via Zoom (someone will immediately assist you): Zoom Virtual Resource Center Login Meeting ID: 930 683 3892 Password: 459890
  • Or if you do not have video on your computer/phone, call any of these numbers: 253 215 8782, 669 900 9128, 346 248 7799, 312 626 6799, 646 558 8656, or 301 715 8592.



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