Source: https://www.pewittlaw.com/common-misdemeanor-issues
Timestamp: 2019-04-24 09:50:06+00:00

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An experienced criminal, defense attorney will likely review the specific statute a client is charged under to determine if the alleged facts satisfy the elements listed in the statute. If the facts do not support the required elements of the charge, the defense attorney may elect to challenge probable cause at arraignment or may file a pr-trial motion to dismiss for insufficient evidence under State v. Knapstad.
If the defense attorney determines that the alleged facts do support probable cause for the charge, the attorney will review the discovery to ensure that constitutional and due process rights were not violated at any stage of the investigation and arrest. Discovery is a term for the entire collection of the government's evidence against you. Discovery consists of the body of materials the government intends to offer as proof to support a conviction including but not limited to law enforcement reports, videos, photographs, witness statements, and any evidence collected at the scene. Below are some common questions a defense attorney will ask to make sure a client's constitutional and due process rights were respected.
Was the stop or contact lawful?
Was my client free to go or was my client seized?
Seizure of property results when there is a meaningful intentional interference with an individual's possessory interest in that property by government action.
Seizure of a person results when there is a meaningful intentional interference, however brief, with an individuals freedom of movement by government action.
Was the traffic stop improperly extended for a criminal investigation? State v. Myers, State v. Ladsen.
Was the stop based on registered vehicle owner data? Driver must at least minimally match the description of the registered owner (R.O) for an officer to reasonably continue a Terry stop. In State v. Penfield, the court found the stop was unlawful when an officer pulled a driver over who did not match the description of the R.O. and basis of the stop was that the registered owner's licensed was suspended. .
If there was a warrant, was it validly issued and properly drafted? Warrant may only issue upon a showing of probable cause.
Was there a valid or unlawful search incident to arrest? Arizona v. Gant, 129 S.Ct. 1710 (2009)(search of defendants car not "incident to arrest" on driving while license suspended allegation where defendant was handcuffed in police car.) State v. Valdez, 167 Wn. 2d, 761 (2009)(an arrestee is secured and removed from an automobile, the arrestee posses no risk of obtaining a weapon or concealing or destroying evidence of the crime of the arrest located in the automobile, and thus the aresstee's presence does not justify a warrantless search under the search incident to arrest exception.
Was there a plain view search?
If no warrant, was there proper consent to search?
Was my client's arrest lawful?
Does warrantless arrest comply with RCW 10.31.100?
Was my client identified as a suspect at a show up identification? i.e. was he/she in custody and witnesses told that "they got the guy"? Was the witness shown my client in handcuffs or otherwise detained by law enforcement and asked "is this him or is this her?"
Proper line-up? Foster v. California, Ideally: double blind demonstration, consecutive not concurrent viewing and individuals chosen not on their similarity to the suspect but on their consistency with witnesses description of suspect.
Proper photo montage? State v. Boot Ideally: double blind demonstration, consecutive not concurrent viewing and photos of individuals chosen not on their similarity to the suspect but on their consistency with witnesses description of suspect.

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