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Questions Answered by Patrick Owen Earl
1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law for Washington on
Q: I have a question ..if I entered a guilty plea can I withdraw my guilty plea ..before sentencing day ?

Can I hire a lawyer and fire the public defender ?

Patrick Owen Earl
Patrick Owen Earl
answered on Jan 8, 2021

Yes you can withdraw a plea of guilty to a case before sentencing but it is VERY VERY HARD to do.

Typically it isn't allowed by the Judge because when you entered your plea of guilty the Judge asked you a bunch of questions about your decision to enter the plea of guilty and whether...
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2 Answers | Asked in Criminal Law for Washington on
Q: Assault case if the alleged victim doesn't show to court and retracts his statement is the case dismissed

the two eyewitnesses testify that it's not the defendant and a police officer is saying it is because he recognizes him supposedly on video

Patrick Owen Earl
Patrick Owen Earl
answered on Nov 3, 2020

There is more to this matter than what you are saying so there is no way for an attorney to answer your question without all of the facts and the possibilities. Please talk to your attorney about this question. If you don't have one GET ONE. One with experience with these type of cases to... View More

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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

Patrick Owen Earl
Patrick Owen Earl
answered on Oct 30, 2020

No this isn't a mistake. You should ask for a continuance from the DOL and hire an experienced criminal defense attorney to help you.

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1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law for Washington on
Q: Can she write a statement recanting what she told the cops? Or if she gets on the stand and recants her statement will

she be charged with perjury?

Patrick Owen Earl
Patrick Owen Earl
answered on Oct 1, 2020

You and she needs to have a personal conversation with an experienced criminal defense attorney. These questions and answers need to NOT be on a public forum. Contact someone today.

3 Answers | Asked in Criminal Law for Washington on
Q: Can my wife's statement to the cops be used against me in court
Patrick Owen Earl
Patrick Owen Earl
answered on Oct 1, 2020

In a criminal prosecution a wife can testify against the husband, there is not immunity for a criminal offense. The person would have to appear in court and testify in person. Please hire an experienced criminal defense attorney to represent you Sir! This is your best bet to make sure your... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Criminal Law for Washington on
Q: I was recently charged with theft through Walmart. I was never taken to jail, but I am still worried about jail time.

I have a previous reckless endangerment charge that is pending upon completion alcohol class and $100 which are both done, however I’m worried this new charge will effect that outcome? Am I able to get this theft charged dropped even though I have a pending other charge. I do plan on trying to... View More

Patrick Owen Earl
Patrick Owen Earl
answered on Oct 1, 2020

The ability to DROP the theft charge depends on whether or not they have a good case or not. If you are under conditions on the Reckless Endangerment charge and one of those conditions was no criminal offense then you are probably looking at getting sentenced on that first charge. Sorry to say... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law for Washington on
Q: From the state of WA, one of my best friends is getting charged with assault in the first degree on 3 counts and

Unlawful possession of a firearm. I need any type of help to hire a very good lawyer because he has 3 kids and is a great father and from what I know, when his situation accrued he got shot and so did his passenger leaving him paralyzed. He shot back and now he’s in pierce county and doesn’t... View More

Patrick Owen Earl
Patrick Owen Earl
answered on Sep 26, 2020

What he is charged with and the facts concerning this matter is what is important. The fact that he is a good person and a father is probably not important to the case but a good factor. It comes down to facts and testimony and what the State can prove. He needs to hire an attorney. If you... View More

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

Patrick Owen Earl
Patrick Owen Earl
answered on Sep 5, 2020

This is a big deal. He needs to get a public defender appointed to him or hire an experienced criminal defense attorney now. Explanations and important conversations need to be done so that he is protected.

You also could consult with an attorney to answer questions concerning your...
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2 Answers | Asked in Criminal Law and DUI / DWI for Washington on
Q: What will my consequences be when my court date comes around?

I just got pulled over for expired tabs,and the cop smelled my weed in my car,he gave me a few options but in the end he didn't search my car because I gave up my weed. There was about a 4th of weed in the jar. I'm 19 and he did no field sobriety tests,and I live in Washington state

Patrick Owen Earl
Patrick Owen Earl
answered on Sep 4, 2020

Sounds like you are in need of an experienced criminal defense attorney my friend. Please do a search for one and have a consultation soon.

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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

Patrick Owen Earl
Patrick Owen Earl
answered on Aug 4, 2020

It is absolutely crucial that he is represented by an experienced criminal defense attorney and that same attorney can advise you if you want. However, there are issues that you should consider separately and I believe that you should have a consultation with an attorney on your own so that you... 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?

.

Patrick Owen Earl
Patrick Owen Earl
answered on Jul 29, 2020

You don't have the ability to ask or compel the police to include or exclude anything from a report, all you can do is collect all the information available from whatever source you can and then if it is relevant to your situation and defense then you hire an attorney to present this evidence... View More

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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

Patrick Owen Earl
Patrick Owen Earl
answered on Jul 11, 2020

They don't have to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that you committed an infraction or something to pull you over. But there has to be a reason that they can explain and have some testimony towards the reason(s). For example, he could be saying I saw that this vehicle was traveling over the... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law for Washington on
Q: Can you be charged for posession because of a pipe being positive for a substance
Patrick Owen Earl
Patrick Owen Earl
answered on Jun 29, 2020

Good question. Hire an experienced criminal defense attorney if you are charged with a crime and get the analysis that you seek and the answers that you are asking for.

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law and Domestic Violence for Washington on
Q: What form does a judge sign to recall/quash/terminate a bench warrant in Pierce County Superior Court?
Patrick Owen Earl
Patrick Owen Earl
answered on Jun 25, 2020

There has to be an agreement from the prosecutor to quash a warrant OR the person needs to present him/her self to the court and ask to quash the warrant. These are the best ways to do it.

If you are thinking about taking a document to the clerk and asking him/her to ask the Judge to sign...
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2 Answers | Asked in Criminal Law for Washington on
Q: This is from the state of WA. I am currently under investigation for criminal burglary after looting in the riots-

This is from the state of WA.

I am currently under investigation for criminal burglary after looting in the riots from the protests. I was arrested in one store with nothing stolen on my person and was released on PR. My 72 hour period has surpassed and i have not been charged yet.... View More

Patrick Owen Earl
Patrick Owen Earl
answered on Jun 4, 2020

If you were in the store, do not talk to anyone about this other than a specific attorney and get an experienced criminal defense attorney hired and ready to go because i am sure IF they can charge you they will.

These are very serious allegations and you need to get out in front of this NOW.

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2 Answers | Asked in Criminal Law for Washington on
Q: can a person be held for stealing a motorvehicle if he doesnt remember anything please see details

my son got arrested for auto theft but he was messed up he does not remember anything about what happened he parked his van got out and when he got back in he accidentally got into the truck parked next to him thinking it was his van but also the judge cops and my sons lawyer are all best friends... View More

Patrick Owen Earl
Patrick Owen Earl
answered on Jun 4, 2020

Yes he can be held or investigated. The question is can he be held accountable for the alleged action. Please hire an experienced criminal defense attorney NOW for him. These issues are very important and he needs someone that has dealt with these type of arguments over years. I have 27 years... View More

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3 Answers | Asked in Criminal Law for Washington on
Q: If a case against me is waiting for prosecuting attorney to review it, how long do they have to decide to file charges?
Patrick Owen Earl
Patrick Owen Earl
answered on May 30, 2020

That depends on what category of a criminal case you are looking at.

Gross Misdemeanor 2 years

Class C Felony 5 years roughly

And then up from there.

If you believe you are going to be charged with a criminal offense you should consult with an experienced criminal defense attorney.

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1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law for Washington on
Q: My truck was impound because I did not consent to search it and now I can't get it back and I need help.

Case number is 8202. Wolff is the name of the cowlitz county sheriff deputy. My name is Jason preston

Patrick Owen Earl
Patrick Owen Earl
answered on May 28, 2020

If the police had probable cause to seize your vehicle in connection with a crime then you can't get it out. You would have to hire an attorney to inquire to see what their reasons were or are and then see if there is an argument to try and get it released.

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law for Washington on
Q: If I attach a GPS tracker to my lawn mower (small push-type) and it gets stolen, can the police recover it with me?

Could I then supply the police with the location and go with them to confront the thief?

To be clear, I'm more concerned about whether or not knowing the location of the stolen property gives the police the ability to go confront the thief and recover my stolen property. I'm not... View More

Patrick Owen Earl
Patrick Owen Earl
answered on May 20, 2020

At times police allow a ride along. But if they would allow this you would have to ask them. I doubt that they would allow you to confront the person.

1 Answer | Asked in Juvenile Law for Washington on
Q: to use a confession of a juvenile custodial interrogation as evidence does it have to be recorded?
Patrick Owen Earl
Patrick Owen Earl
answered on May 19, 2020

You need to get an attorney if you don't have one. This is a question for your attorney. One would have to have all the necessary information to answer this correctly and completely. Hire an experienced criminal defense attorney NOW.

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