Why I Hate Deferred Sentences

by Mike Brodsky | Nov 2, 2015 | Criminal Defense, Criminal Law, Pages, Sentencing, Updates

RCW 3.66.067, Assessment of punishment–Suspension or deferral of sentence–Dismissal of charges, authorizes Courts of Limited Jurisdiction (District or Municipal courts) to “[a]fter a conviction . . . impose sentence by suspending all or a portion of the...

Vacating Felony Convictions

by Mike Brodsky | Jun 17, 2015 | Post Conviction Relief, Updates

Last month I wrote about how a person with misdemeanor criminal history can go about trying to clean up some of that undesirable past by vacating their misdemeanor and gross misdemeanor convictions. Cleaning up or vacating felony history is more complicated. But is it...

Misdemeanor Criminal History

by Mike Brodsky | May 8, 2015 | Updates

Anybody who has been convicted of a crime knows the detrimental effects of that conviction can linger long after the case has been resolved. These are what we in the law call the “collateral consequences” of having criminal history and they can range from the loss of...

Should You Take the Roadside Field Sobriety Tests?

by Mike Brodsky | Apr 21, 2015 | Criminal Defense, Criminal Law, Updates

A  lot of my DUI clients tell me they agreed to to take the “voluntary” filed sobriety tests (FSTs) offered by the law enforcement officer because they wanted to appear “cooperative” or simply didn’t understand that they had every right...

Should I take the DUI Breath Test?

by Mike Brodsky | Mar 23, 2015 | Updates

Lots of folks ask me if they should agree to take a breath test if they are arrested for a DUI. That used to be a pretty easy question to answer because the penalty for refusing – a two year license suspension with NO possibility of driving during the suspension – was...

Minor in Possession

by Mike Brodsky | Oct 24, 2014 | Updates

Minor in Possession or MIP Minor in Possession or MIP is shorthand for RCW 66.44.270, Furnishing liquor to minors–Possession, use–Penalties–Exhibition of effects, and it is probably the most commonly charged crime in the City of Bellingham, particularly when WWU is in...