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Questions Answered by Cristine Beckwith
1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law and Car Accidents for Washington on
Q: I was involved in a mva I was cited for Careless Driving now after a week later they say they wanna charge me wit

Now they wanna charge me with a Duii after they already released me can they do that

Cristine Beckwith
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Cristine Beckwith
answered on Sep 27, 2022

Hi, sorry to hear. Yes the State can charge you with DUI after releasing you. Washington State has two years to file charges for a gross misdemeanor such as DUI.

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law for Washington on
Q: somebody reported I aimed a gun at them, police searched my vehicle and find a gun out in the open. do they have a case?

Today a vehicle cut me off, so I passed them in the left lane. Their car sat a lot higher than mine and they had a clear view of my passenger seat. Which had my pistol sitting in it. They called the police and said that I had aimed the gun at them when I was passing. They followed me for 2 miles... View More

Cristine Beckwith
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Cristine Beckwith
answered on May 1, 2022

Sorry to hear that this happened to you. From what you have described, it appears they do have evidence to include the firearm and possibly multiple witnesses that were in the other vehicle. It is very likely that the county prosecutor's office will move forward with criminal charges.... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law for Washington on
Q: Assault 3 washington state. What can I do to avoid jail or prison
Cristine Beckwith
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Cristine Beckwith
answered on Dec 22, 2021

Sorry to hear of your situation. The most important thing you can do is to avoid speaking to anybody but an experienced criminal defense attorney about what happened. Speaking to law enforcement or trying to represent yourself are both very bad ideas. Most of us offer free phone consultations and... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Domestic Violence for Washington on
Q: I Live in Washington state . My ex girlfriend filed for a restraining order and accused me of Stuff I didn’t do .

Can I get a lawyer to help Me fight this at my hearing or is this like small claims court where I have to fight for my self? She accused me of abuse And said I molested her which I never did!!

More details: I was given a restraining order from my ex girlfriend of 7 years , and in it she... View More

Cristine Beckwith
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Cristine Beckwith
answered on Dec 2, 2021

Sorry to hear. It would be a good idea to be represented by a lawyer. Cease all contact with her. In this type of scenario, things can quickly spiral out of control while you remain unrepresented. Best of luck.

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law and Animal / Dog Law for Washington on
Q: why would a possession of stolen proprty charge be turned into a felony

the property was a dog

Cristine Beckwith
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Cristine Beckwith
answered on Sep 9, 2021

Sorry to hear. The State may have determined that the value of the dog exceeded $750, which would result in a felony charge. The value of the dog is one of many potential issues that a criminal defense attorney can fight. It would be a good idea to call a criminal defense attorney today. Most of us... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Criminal Law and Constitutional Law for Washington on
Q: An inmate in the county jail Yakima Washington wants me to be his POA to negotiate a plea bargain for him

His assigned counsel refused to submit his written counterplea before the prosecutor's deadline to either accept his plea and sentence or he would add more charges to his cases. He will submit a limited POA notice to an attorney who will make me his legal POA for negotiating a better plea. I... View More

Cristine Beckwith
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Cristine Beckwith
answered on Aug 18, 2021

I agree with Mr. Earl. I will add that there is a good possibility that a non-attorney would unknowingly do something or say something that would make matters worse for the defendant. These are very delicate situations. Best of luck.

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2 Answers | Asked in Criminal Law for Washington on
Q: what is the sentence for the crime assault in the 4th degree
Cristine Beckwith
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Cristine Beckwith
answered on Aug 1, 2021

0-364 days in jail. It is a good idea to contact a criminal defense attorney to fight the charge.

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1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law, Civil Rights and Communications Law for Washington on
Q: Why did I receive a “Notice of Interception Of Oral Communications Inventory” from the prosecuting attorneys office ?

It looked like a court order signed by a judge and was sent to me certified from the prosecuting attorneys office. It listed a 5 day period this last November for when it was approved by the judge for intercepting my oral communications. I am so confused as to why I would receive this out of the... View More

Cristine Beckwith
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Cristine Beckwith
answered on Jul 21, 2021

If you have not done anything wrong, it is possible that you have unknowingly communicated with a person who is being investigated for a very serious crime.

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law and Domestic Violence for Washington on
Q: if cops are called for dv is the accused part going to jail
Cristine Beckwith
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Cristine Beckwith
answered on Jul 18, 2021

The accused person will often go to jail. However, it is not uncommon for the alleged DV victim who called 911 to end up going to jail. When the police investigate, people often unknowingly admit to crimes when telling their side of the story.

2 Answers | Asked in Criminal Law for Washington on
Q: Where do I go to get my possession of controlled substance charges dropped off my record
Cristine Beckwith
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Cristine Beckwith
answered on Jul 15, 2021

They are going to start automatically vacating VUCSA drug possession convictions in Washington State. It's a big project for the State and details of when are scarce.

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1 Answer | Asked in Domestic Violence for Washington on
Q: How do I get a case dismissed?

I wrote a statement against my boyfriend in which I lied on I was angry at the time now he’s facing some time I’ve tried calling and asking for help on what to do I really need help he didn’t do the things I said he did

Cristine Beckwith
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Cristine Beckwith
answered on Jun 7, 2021

Sorry to hear. You need to call a criminal defense attorney ASAP to help you navigate. Most of us offer free phone consultations. Making a false police report is a crime that could result in life changing consequences for yourself if you are not careful.

3 Answers | Asked in DUI / DWI for Washington on
Q: I just received a request for DUI hearing But I have never been arrested. Is this a mistake?

UPDATED INFO: This happened eight months ago. Why am I just now getting notice? Also, is there a police report out there that I can review?

I had a medical emergency, pulled over to the side of the freeway. Police recalled, they took a breath test and ambulance was called. I was... View More

Cristine Beckwith
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Cristine Beckwith
answered on Oct 29, 2020

I'm sorry to hear. The Department of Licensing can and will take administrative action on your license when they receive a police report that meets certain criteria for suspicion of DUI. The license suspension will range from 90 days to 1 year depending on what is alleged in the report. This... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law, Domestic Violence and Civil Rights for Washington on
Q: I was arrested and made aware of an restraining order by officer. He showed me on computer. I ever got paper copy¿

This has now caused me to miss court date as I never received any info on court date or what allegations I was. Looking at. I call the court and was told officer had done the service but never received any paperwork

Cristine Beckwith
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Cristine Beckwith
answered on Oct 9, 2020

Sorry to hear. An attorney can file a motion to reconsider for lack of service. You should contact an attorney ASAP.

2 Answers | Asked in Criminal Law and Domestic Violence for Washington on
Q: My boyfriend and I are involved in a DV case and he had a court date this week but missed it

Is there anything he can do to fix this? If not what is in store for him? I still want to be with him and am so afraid that we won’t legally be able to. He hasn’t hired a lawyer because he can’t afford one... I myself have filed to get the no contact order dropped and we have a court date in... View More

Cristine Beckwith
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Cristine Beckwith
answered on Sep 4, 2020

Be very careful. If you attempt to change your story, you could be charged with making a false or misleading statement or obstruction of justice. Also, remaining in contact with your boyfriend puts him at risk for a violation of the No Contact Order.

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1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law for Washington on
Q: Can a probation officer go to a business and get my information off of a piece of paper and give it to the courts ?

I’m not on probation

Cristine Beckwith
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Cristine Beckwith
answered on Aug 25, 2020

Unfortunately, if your name was in a clear place and they were not violating any privacy laws by obtaining it, they can turn that information over to the prosecutor. The prosecutor can then choose to charge you based on the credibility of the information. You should retain an experienced attorney... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Criminal Law and Domestic Violence for Washington on
Q: My boyfriend got arrested for dv I’m wondering if it would be extremely beneficial to hire a lawyer or not?

Someone called the police on us and when they arrived @ his apartment I was packing my things to leave and didn’t want to speak to them at all but they kept pressing me for info and had kinda made up their minds up about what happened before they got there. We now have the mandatory protection... View More

Cristine Beckwith
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Cristine Beckwith
answered on Aug 3, 2020

Yes, your boyfriend definitely needs an attorney to fight for him as the consequences can be life changing. Unfortunately, the state can press charges against your wishes. You also need to be advised by an attorney. If you recant your statement made to police, you can be criminally charged with... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Criminal Law and Domestic Violence for Washington on
Q: What happens if the police knowingly leave out crucial information from a police report?

.

Cristine Beckwith
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Cristine Beckwith
answered on Jul 29, 2020

Unfortunately, police investigations and the subsequent reports generated can be woefully inaccurate and mischaracterize the information given to them by the involved parties. Omitting important information can be used as a strategy by your defense attorney to question the credibility of the... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law and Domestic Violence for Washington on
Q: How common is it for the convicted of a DV assault 4 be the one with injuries but the victim had no injuries?

.

Cristine Beckwith
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Cristine Beckwith
answered on Jul 23, 2020

Things of this nature are unfortunately common with domestic violence. For this reason, it is important to be defended by a criminal defense attorney with domestic violence experience.

Assault 4 does not require an injury. The contact only needs to be considered offensive.

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law and Domestic Violence for Washington on
Q: Is a prosecuting attorney obligated to charge the alleged victim when evidence shows they were the assailant?

.

Cristine Beckwith
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Cristine Beckwith
answered on Jul 21, 2020

The prosecuting attorney has discretion on who to charge after reviewing the available evidence and has no obligation to charge anyone. If you are facing criminal charges, the fact that your boyfriend was the main aggressor would be relevant to your defense. You need to be represented by a criminal... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Criminal Law, Traffic Tickets, Civil Rights and Constitutional Law for Washington on
Q: Does an officer have to have a provable reason to pull u over

Case Description: So I had been driving home from getting my daughter and got lit up by a sheriff. I was about 100 yards from my driveway so I made the decision of not stopping right away and continuing to my driveway so my car wouldn’t possibly get towed and my daughter would have to be stuck in... View More

Cristine Beckwith
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Cristine Beckwith
answered on Jul 11, 2020

If a police officer obtains a reading on his LIDAR of excessive speed, he has probable cause to pull you over. Once his/her lights have been activated to initiate a stop, you must pull over as soon as reasonably safe to do so. There are defenses that can be made to the charges that you are facing... View More

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