Washington Traffic Infraction Rules Explained
When you receive a traffic ticket in Washington State, the process that follows is governed by the Washington traffic infraction rules, formally known as the Infraction Rules...
Kittitas County Bail Bond Limit: The $250,000 Single-Bond Cap
Families dealing with bail in Kittitas County often assume that if bail is set, any bail bond company can write the bond—regardless of the amount....
Unpublished Washington Court of Appeals Opinion in State v. Martinez-Caraza
In State v. Martinez-Caraza, No. 40627-0-III (Wash. Ct. App. Feb. 26, 2026) (unpublished), Division III of the Washington Court of Appeals affirmed a conviction for second...
IRLJ 3.5 Decisions on Written Statements in Washington Courts
What IRLJ 3.5 Actually Governs IRLJ 3.5 is titled: “Local Rule Options — Decisions on Written Statements.” It governs when a court decides a mitigation...
State v. Damon: Washington Supreme Court on Courtroom Restraints
State v. Damon Restraints Decision Explained In State v. Damon, 144 Wn.2d 686 (2001), the Washington Supreme Court reaffirmed a fundamental principle of criminal procedure: a defendant...
Attorneys Are Like Sushi: Why the Cheapest Lawyer Isn’t Always the Best Choice
When facing a legal issue, one of the first questions people ask is: “How much does it cost?” That’s understandable. Legal representation is an investment....
Washington Community Custody Conditions: Court of Appeals Reinforces Legal Limits
In a recent published decision from Division II of the Washington Court of Appeals (D2 No. 59459-5-II), the court issued an important ruling clarifying the...
GR 14.1: Washington’s Rule on Unpublished Appellate Opinions
GR 14.1 Unpublished Opinions Rule Explained GR 14.1 governs the use and citation of unpublished opinions issued by the Washington Court of Appeals. The rule clarifies...
RCW 2.06.040: Authority and Decisions of the Washington Court of Appeals
RCW 2.06.040 Court of Appeals Decision Authority Explained RCW 2.06.040 governs how the Washington Court of Appeals hears and decides cases. The statute establishes that cases...
Are Courtroom Restraints Allowed at Sentencing in Washington?
A recent Washington Court of Appeals decision, State v. Stapleton (Div. II, No. 59375-1-II, Feb. 18, 2026) (unpublished), reinforces an important constitutional principle: trial courts must conduct an...