From Our Attorneys
Practical legal information from our Tacoma attorneys on family law, criminal defense, and protecting your rights in Washington State.
A second DUI in Washington: how the 7-year and 15-year lookbacks work, what counts as a prior, and what changes for jail, your license and ignition interlock.
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What happens if you violate probation in Washington: who decides, what the hearing looks like, what a court or DOC can impose, and what to bring to an attorney.
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How a criminal record affects custody in Washington: which convictions matter under RCW 26.09.191, what limits look like, and what changes after the case ends.
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What a Class A felony in Washington State means: which charges are Class A, how the sentencing grid sets the range, and how a case moves through Pierce County.
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Can a closed CPS case be used against you in a Washington custody case? What each CPS outcome leaves behind, how it reaches a judge, and what you can do now.
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A Tacoma attorney explains Washington's theft degrees and current dollar thresholds, what a first offense actually carries, and the store's civil demand letter.
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Served with a protection order in Pierce County? A Tacoma attorney explains the 14-day clock, the hearing, firearms surrender, and your options, with the statute behind each one.
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Simple fentanyl possession is a gross misdemeanor in Washington, not a felony. A Tacoma defense attorney on the charges, the drug sentencing grid, and Pierce County.
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In a Washington dependency case, an indigent parent gets appointed counsel at every stage. The founded finding appeal is the proceeding where the cost falls on you.
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What Washington's permanency planning hearing decides, the twelve-month timeline, concurrent planning, and how parents prepare with documentation.
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What counts as environmental neglect in Washington, what CPS can and cannot do at your door, the clear and present danger standard, and how to prepare.
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How Washington classifies felonies and misdemeanors, the penalty caps for each class, how prosecutors decide, and how convictions can later be vacated.
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A Pierce County attorney explains Washington's juvenile court process step by step: police questioning rules, the 72-hour clock, diversion, and sealing records.
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A Tacoma defense attorney explains how to vacate a criminal record in Washington: who qualifies, the waiting periods by offense, what vacation actually does, and how to file.
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A positive drug test at birth in Washington does not automatically mean CPS removes your baby. Here is what the law requires and what to do in the first 72 hours.
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A Tacoma attorney explains your rights when CPS shows up in Washington: refusing entry, what to say, the investigation timeline, and removal.
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A Tacoma defense attorney breaks down Washington's four degrees of assault, the penalties for each, sentencing, lasting consequences, and how defense works.
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Facing CPS and criminal charges at once in Pierce County? A Tacoma attorney explains how the two cases feed each other and how to protect your family on both fronts.
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Facing a CPS fact-finding hearing in Pierce County? A Tacoma attorney explains the 75-day clock, the burden of proof, and how to protect your parental rights.
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Accused of domestic violence in Pierce County? A Tacoma defense attorney explains your rights, no-contact orders, defense strategies, and how to protect your future.
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Charged with drug possession in Pierce County? A Tacoma defense attorney breaks down Washington law after Blake, penalties, defenses, and alternatives to jail.
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Arrested in Tacoma? A Pierce County criminal defense attorney explains your rights, the booking process, bail, and what to do in the first 48 hours.
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Facing a CPS investigation during your Washington divorce? Pierce County family attorney Chris Torrone explains your rights, defense strategy, and custody impact.
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Charged with DUI in Washington? Pierce County attorney Chris Torrone breaks down 2026 law changes, DOL deadlines, penalties, and defense strategies.
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Fighting false CPS allegations in Washington? Learn your rights, how to build a defense, and how to hold malicious reporters accountable under RCW 26.44.
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Eleven parents settled a federal suit against Mary Bridge's former child-abuse director. What the Woods case means for Washington parents.
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How a CPS founded finding can threaten your teaching certificate, nursing license, or healthcare credential in Washington—and what to do.
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Learn how a Guardian ad Litem shapes your CPS dependency case in Washington, what their report means, and how to protect your parental rights at every stage.
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Learn how long a CPS founded finding stays on your record in Washington, retention periods, DCYF background checks, and how to challenge or limit findings.
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Washington CPS physical abuse defense guide. Learn how founded findings work, your appeal rights, and how to protect your family and career.
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A CPS founded finding Washington determination means Child Protective Services has decided, by a...
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When Child Protective Services removes a child from their home, Washington State law requires the...
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When Child Protective Services removes your child in Washington State, you have the legal right to...
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Understanding what TPR means is essential because Termination of Parental Rights in Washington...
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When Child Protective Services in Washington State accuses you of "failure to protect" after a...
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CPS cases in Washington often begin when Child Protective Services suspects substance abuse and...
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A CPS dependency case Washington occurs when the Department of Children, Youth and Families files a...
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Getting your children back from CPS in Washington State requires completing court-ordered ISSP...
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Yes, Child Protective Services can interview your child without your permission in Washington...
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When CPS investigates a family in Washington State, the agency typically contacts parents within 24...
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No, you don't have to let CPS in your home without a warrant or court order in Washington State....
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A shelter care hearing is the court hearing that happens within 72 hours after CPS removes your...
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Annie and Abram Thigpen spent five years trying to have a baby. Two miscarriages. Fertility...
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Washington State has no dollar amount that turns unpaid child support into a felony. Criminal...
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Yes, Washington State allows child support obligations to continue past age 18 for adults with...
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Class B felonies in Washington carry up to 10 years and a $20,000 fine under RCW 9A.20.021. See the sentencing ranges, record consequences, and how charges get reduced.
Read More Parental divorce affects a child's social development and behavior in a few measurable ways:...
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Winning a child custody battle with a narcissistic co-parent comes down to documentation, strategy,...
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Divorcing a narcissist in Washington takes a different strategy: documentation, protective orders, and parallel parenting. Here's how Pierce County courts handle high-conflict custody.
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A domestic violence apology letter can destroy your criminal case if you write it before talking to...
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No — you can't get a DUI on a regular bicycle in Washington (City of Montesano v. Wells), but e-bikes are a gray area and police can still file other charges.
Read More A family law case in Washington moves through five distinct phases over 12 to 18 months, from...
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Yes, getting a job with a domestic violence charge in Washington State is possible, but it requires...
Read More No, getting married doesn't automatically change child support in Washington. Your new spouse's income stays out of the calculation, and payments hold until someone files a modification.
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The hardest years of marriage hit around years 1-2, 7, and 15-20. Here's what drives couples apart, and what divorce in Washington actually involves if you've reached that point.
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When your husband wants a divorce, he rarely announces it clearly. Instead, you'll notice emotional...
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In Washington you don't need to prove a sexless marriage, or any fault, to divorce: it's a no-fault state. Here's what the law says about intimacy, grounds, and the divorce process.
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When splitting up your life, you need to request marital property, child custody arrangements,...
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The tiny house divorce rate is higher than traditional homeowners. After handling family law cases...
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The most telling signs your wife wants a divorce include emotional disconnect, refusal to resolve...
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How lawyers get Washington traffic tickets dismissed: radar calibration gaps, citation errors, and illegal stops. The Pierce County contest process and when fighting pays off.
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In Washington State, the type of affair doesn't determine if you get divorced, but it does affect...
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Yes, but Washington teachers must report a DUI to OSPI within 30 days or risk their license. Here is how educators keep their credential and what OSPI weighs after a conviction.
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Your wife cannot legally stop you from getting a divorce in Washington State, even if she refuses...
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Yes, you can divorce a disabled spouse in Washington State, and the law protects both parties...
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You can't get a DUI on a horse in Washington (horses aren't motor vehicles), but drunk riding can still bring reckless endangerment or animal-cruelty charges. Here's the WA law.
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When your ex does not comply a court order from your divorce decree, you can file a motion for...
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In Washington, infidelity usually won't change your divorce: it's a no-fault state, and courts divide property justly and equitably, not automatically 50/50. Here's what actually matters.
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Prayer for domestic violence victims brings comfort when you're hurting and scared, but it works...
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The biggest signs of divorce I see after 20 years practicing family law? Lost emotional connection,...
Read More If your spouse is suddenly hiding bank statements, documenting everything you do wrong, or meeting...
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In Washington, an unmarried father needs a court-entered parenting plan, not just a name on the birth certificate. Here are 7 laws every unmarried parent needs to protect time with their child.
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Domestic violence by proxy happens when your abuser weaponizes other people and systems to control...
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