Criminal Law

Washington Appeals Court Addresses Accomplice Liability vs. Rendering Criminal Assistance

November 28, 2024 | by Blair & Kim, PLLC

A Washington appeals court recently addressed the difference between rendering criminal assistance and accomplice liability in a case in which a defendant appealed her convictions for being an accomplice to second degree burglary and third degree theft.

The state alleged the defendant acted as an accomplice to a woman in a burglary and theft of a family heirloom from a barn. According to the appeals court’s opinion, security footage showed “extracts of actions” taken by the woman at the remote property. The video was divided into parts lasting between five and twenty-three seconds, with gaps in the woman’s conduct between the parts.

The Trial

The state did not present any evidence regarding how close their relationship was and the record did not show the defendant knew about any criminal history or propensity of the woman to steal.

Dismissal of Washington Criminal Charges Pursuant to a Knapstad Motion

October 22, 2024 | by Blair & Kim, PLLC

A Washington criminal defendant may file a Knapstad motion to dismiss criminal charges due to insufficient evidence to establish a prima facie case of the crime. Along with the motion, the defendant must submit a supporting affidavit or declaration that alleges there are no material facts in dispute and stating the agreed facts or a stipulation of facts. The defendant may also attach witness statements, police reports, or other documentation. The prosecutor may also submit affidavits or declarations and attach documentation to be considered by the court. If there are no material facts in dispute and the undisputed facts fail to establish a prima facie case of the crime. The court considers the evidence in the light most favorable to the prosecution. Cr. R. 8.

In a recent unpublished case, the state appealed a dismissal of charges pursuant to the defendant’s Knapstad motion.

The appeals court noted that, in deciding a Knapstad motion, the trial court considers the sufficiency of the evidence based on the facts stated in the defendant’s affidavit. Alleged facts that the prosecution does not specifically deny are deemed admitted. The appeals court recited the facts as taken from the evidence produced by the parties.

Washington Appeals Court Reverses Juvenile Adjudication of Interference with a Health Care Facility

October 15, 2024 | by Blair & Kim, PLLC

A juvenile recently challenged guilty adjudications arising from her actions while being detained and forcibly changed into scrubs at the hospital.

According to the appeals court’s unpublished opinion, a deputy went to the high school because the juvenile refused to leave the school. The juvenile made statements about suicide and self-harm. She was transported to the hospital’s emergency department. When she refused to change clothes, she was restrained and forcibly changed into scrubs. Two nurses told the deputy the juvenile assaulted them.

The juvenile was charged with interference with a health care facility and two counts of assault in the third degree.

Washington Appeals Court Reverses Rendering Criminal Assistance Conviction for Insufficient Evidence

September 17, 2024 | by Blair & Kim, PLLC

Video can be important evidence in a Washington criminal case. A defendant recently challenged his convictions in which video surveillance footage played a significant part.

According to the unpublished opinion of the appeals court, the police department received a report of a shot fired at a motel. The person who reported said there were three men standing in the motel parking lot. When the officer pulled into the parking lot, the defendant and two others walked toward the motel rooms. The co-defendant hid behind some cars and tried to run. The officers caught him.

The officers determined what room the defendant entered based on the motel’s surveillance video. They obtained a search warrant for the room, and found a firearm under the mattress in that room.

Washington Breath Test Admissible Despite “Strands” of Tobacco in Defendant’s Mouth

August 30, 2024 | by Blair & Kim, PLLC

To admit evidence of a breath test in a Washington criminal case, the state must produce prima facie evidence of certain facts, including that the tested person did not have any foreign substances in their mouth in the fifteen minutes before the test. RCW 46.61.506. The state can make this showing with evidence a check of the person’s mouth found no foreign substances or evidence that the person denied having anything in their mouth.

According to the appeals court’s unpublished opinion, the defendant was involved in a dirt bike collision. He told the deputy on the scene that he had consumed alcohol a few hours earlier. The deputy said the defendant had chewing tobacco in his mouth but removed it at the scene. The deputy arrested the defendant for driving under the influence and took him to jail.

At the jail, the deputy prepared to give the defendant a breath alcohol test. He asked if the defendant had anything in his mouth and the defendant answered no. The deputy observed strands of tobacco in the defendant’s teeth that were not taken out before the test.

Washington Appeals Court Reverses Juvenile’s Conviction Based on Judge’s Questioning of Witnesses

August 28, 2024 | by Blair & Kim, PLLC

Individuals facing Washington criminal charges have a due process right to a “fair trial in a fair tribunal.” A person’s due process rights may be violated if the court acts as an advocate instead of a neutral arbiter. A juvenile recently challenged his conviction after the trial judge questioned the prosecution’s witnesses.

The 15-year-old juvenile was charged with escape in the second degree. The state alleged he had “knowingly escape[d]” from home custody.

Witnesses

A community placement specialist testified about ankle monitor technology and electronic home monitoring (“EHM”). He was asked on cross examination if he remembered going over the contract with the juvenile or if his answers were based off the reports. He testified that he “felt” like he had, but could not say so for certain.

Washington Appeals Court Overturns Conviction Based on Search of Probationer’s Car

July 31, 2024 | by Blair & Kim, PLLC

The U.S. and Washington Constitutions generally protect individuals from unlawful searches. Although individuals on parole or probation have somewhat diminished privacy rights, there are still limitations on when they can be searched. A defendant recently appealed his conviction, arguing the search of his vehicle was improper.

According to the appeals court’s published opinion, the defendant was pulled over for suspicion of driving on a suspended license in October 2020. When the officer found out the defendant was on probation, he contacted the Department of Corrections and requested a community custody officer (“CCO”). The defendant’s probation arose from a previous firearm conviction.

Upon reviewing the conditions of the defendant’s community custody, the CCO found that the defendant was in violation of a geographic boundary condition which prevented him from being in the Central District of Seattle, where he was pulled over. The CCO testified that the geographic restriction had been requested because the defendant was listed in a police data base as a member of a gang associated with that area.

Washington Appeals Court Remands Juvenile Case for Consideration of Racial Bias

June 29, 2024 | by Blair & Kim, PLLC

In some circumstances, a Washington juvenile court may decline or waive jurisdiction and transfer a case, resulting in the juvenile being tried as an adult. The U.S. Supreme Court set forth the factors to be considered by a juvenile court in making a decision to decline jurisdiction in Kent v. United States. Division One of the Washington Court of Appeals has further held that when a defendant raises the issue of racial bias in a declination hearing, supported by some evidence, the juvenile court must rule on the issue. State of Washington v. Quijas. In a recent case, Division Three also reviewed a case in which the juvenile court had not addressed the issue of racial bias or discrimination.

At the time of the appeals court’s unpublished opinion, the fifteen-year-old defendant was pending trial for first degree murder. The state alleged the defendant shot and killed a nineteen-year-old man. The state also alleged the murder had been unprovoked and premeditated, and that the juvenile and the victim did not know each other.

The defendant was just fourteen years old at the time of the shooting. The state moved to have him tried as an adult. The court admitted 49 exhibits and heard eight witnesses testify, including the defendant’s mother, his school principal, a gang expert, juvenile detention staff, and a forensic psychologist.

Washington Appeals Court Reverses Firearms Conviction Based on Search by Department of Fish and Wildlife

June 11, 2024 | by Blair & Kim, PLLC

RCW 77.15.080 authorizes fish and wildlife officers to temporarily stop a person, based on articulable facts they are engaged in fishing, harvesting, or hunting activities. to ensure they are in compliance with Washington fish and wildlife laws. A defendant recently challenged his firearms conviction, arguing he was improperly stopped by Department of Fish and Wildlife (“DFW”) and the evidence obtained during the stop should not have been permitted.

According to the appeals court’s opinion, DFW officers saw the defendant’s SUV slowly driving on a green dot road during hunting season. They also noticed he had on an orange sweatshirt. They stopped him, believing he was engaged in hunting activities. The officers found a loaded shotgun and a rifle in the vehicle. The defendant was cited and charged with misdemeanor firearms violations.

The defendant moved for suppression of the gun evidence, arguing that the stop been illegal. The trial court found the officers had reasonably believed the defendant was engaged in hunting activities and denied the motion. The jury convicted the defendant.

Washington Appeals Court Upholds Conviction Based on Drugs Found in Defendant’s Wife’s Purse

April 30, 2024 | by Blair & Kim, PLLC

To convict a defendant of possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver, the state must prove the defendant possessed the controlled substance and had an intent to deliver it to someone else. Whether the defendant actually possessed the controlled substances is often an issue. A defendant recently appealed his convictions for possession with intent to deliver because the drugs were found in his wife’s purse.

According to the unpublished opinion of the appeals court, the police saw the defendant put a backpack in a vehicle registered to his father-in-law and his wife put a purse in the area of the front passenger seat. The defendant drove. The police subsequently conducted a traffic stop.

The officers observed a purse in the front floorboard. The zipper was open and they could “clearly see a plastic bag containing what they believed to be methamphetamine. They also saw a glass pipe. They got a warrant to search both the car and the purse. They found methamphetamine, heroin, scales, baggies, and $195 cash. There were two phones mounted on the driver’s side and the wife was carrying another.