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David Christopher Mason

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Avvo Rating9.0
  • Bellevue, WA
  • Licensed for 37 years
  • Free consultation
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About David

25 years in Criminal Law, Legal Scholarship, Supervising Prosecutor in Seattle, Legal Instructor at the University of Washington, Expert Witness on American and Washington Law in a Canadian Murder Trial.

I grew up in the Los Angeles Basin, went to UCLA as an undergraduate on academic scholarship, majored in english literature, and graduated with academic honors. I attended The Southwestern School of Law on academic scholarship and attended the "SCALE" Program, an accelerated method which completes law school in less than two years in lieu of the standard three.

 

I moved to Seattle in 1991 and worked as an intern at the Seattle City Prosecutor's Office and was hired as a prosecutor that year. I rose into management and helped develop the "High Impact Offender Program,"  a specialized unit that focused  on high profile and high volume individuals in the criminal justice system. Over my eight years at the prosecutor's office, I was able to research, investigate, and prosecute a wide variety of criminal activity. I also trained prosecutors, paralegals, and law enfocement officers in investigation and evidence gathering, trial practice, the rules of evidence, and other disciplines related to criminal litigation. Throughout the HIOP Program, I gave presentations to City Council, other elected officials, and worked with groups of judges. I also sat on city roundtables to discuss economic and program impact. Throughout, I was also able to get a unique inside look into the political and economic workings that, more than evidence and law, can drive a prosecutor's office to make case decisions.   

 

I have now had my own private law practice for over a decade and focus exclusively on criminal defense. I have taught criminal Procedure and the Rules of Evidence at the University of Washington Graduate School of Nursing.  I enjoy the academic challenge of law and continue to find that good criminal defense work takes many of  the same elements that came from the prosecutors office without all the political wardrobe - good investigation, good skepticism, an excellent command of the evidence and legal rules, finding and prosecuting the true wrongdoer, and a good amount of imagination.

 

I have also come to know that the most important element in any client relationship is, once again, the same thing that drives my success with any prosecutor or judge -  trust and respect.     

Practice areas

Criminal defense
  1. Criminal defense: 100%

    My entire practice is devoted to criminal law. The other areas are examples and subsections however my experience covers almost every crime from murder down to small traffic violations. I have also prosecuted many of these crimes in my earlier career and trained others in their investigation and litigation methods. Thus the "percentages" vary.

    30 years

Languages spoken

English

Contact

2200 112th Ave NE #120
address map

Phone

2200 112th Ave NE #120
Bellevue, WA, 98004-2951

      Resume

      License
      StateStatusAcquiredUpdated
      WAActive199102/24/2021
      MOGood Standing, Active198311/20/2020
      We have not found any instances of professional misconduct for this lawyer.
      Avvo Contributions
      Legal answers94
      Legal guides0
      Awards
      Award nameGrantorDate granted
      Level 8 Legal ContributorAVVO2015
      Trial Skills CertificateKing County Bar Association2007
      Effective Use of Expert Witnesses in Domestic Violence CertState Bar Association2005
      Law School Academic ScholarshipSouthwestern University School of Law1989
      Cum LaudeUCLA1986
      Dean's List Grade AverageUniversity of California1986
      Dean's Academic Honors ListUniversity of California1985
      Dean's Honor ListUCLA1984
      Dean's Honor ListUniversity of California, Los Angeles1983
      Chancellor's Academic ScholarshipUCLA1982
      Work Experience
      TitleCompany nameDuration
      Law Firm of David C. Mason2001 - Present
      Legal Instructor Criminal ProcedureUniversity of Washington Graduate School of Nursing2007 - 2008
      Legal Instructor EvidenceUniversity of Washington, Graduate School of Nursing2007 - 2008
      Criminal Defense Attorney Felony & MisdemeanorN. Law Firm1998 - 2001
      Legal TrainerCity of Seattle Prosecutor's Office1995 - 1998
      Seattle Law Department High Impact Offender Program Unit Head1994 - 1996
      Legal Supervisor High Impact Offender UnitSeattle Law Department1994 - 1996
      ProsecutorSeattle Law Department1991 - 1998
      Associations
      Association namePosition nameDuration
      Washington Association of Criminal Defense Lawyersmember2002 - Present
      Washington State Bar Associationmember1991 - Present
      Southwestern Law School Alumni AssociationMember1991 - Present
      UCLA Alumni AssociationMember1982 - Present
      Washington Association of Prosecuting Attorneysmember1991 - 1998
      Publications
      Publication nameTitleDate
      Kiro MyNorthwestBike Club President Suspect in Trooper Crash2011
      MyNorthwest.com / Kiro RadioProsecutors: No Evidence Suspects Taunted Trooper2011
      Seattle TimesCharges Dropped in Trooper Taunting Case2011
      King Five News911 Callers Witness Reckless Driving But No Taunting2010
      King FiveMotorcyclist Taunt Pursuing Trooper2010
      King Five NewsTrooper Says Speeding Bikers Taunted Him2010
      MyNorthwestAcused Biker Caught on Video2010
      Seattle PIThree Bikers Charged in Trooper's Crash2010
      Washington Appellate CaseLaw (Trial Counsel)Kim V. Dean, 135 P.3d 978, 133 Wn.App 338 (2006)2006
      Education
      School nameDegreeGraduated
      University of WashingtonLegal Instructor Evidence2008
      University of WashingtonLegal Instructor Criminal Procedure2008
      University of WashingtonLegal Instructor Evidence2007
      University of WashingtonLegal Instructor Criminal Procedure2007
      Crown Counsel BC Regina v. Eric WalshExpert Witness2006
      Crown Counsel Vancouver BC - MurderExpert Witness2006
      Washington State Criminal Justice Training CommissionLegal Instructor1997
      Southwestern Law SchoolJD - Juris Doctor1991
      University of California - Los AngelesENGLISH1986
      Speaking Engagements
      Conference nameTitleDate
      University of Washington Graduate School of NursingThe Rules of Evidence2009
      University of Washington Graduate School of NursingCriminal Procedure2008
      University of Washington Graduate School of NursingEvidence2008
      Legal Instructor University of Washington Graduate School of NursingCriminal Procedure2008
      University of Washington Graduate School of NursingLegal Instructor Criminal Procedure2007
      University of Washington Graduate School of NursingLegal Instructor Rules of Evidence2007
      Expert Witness on American and Washington Evidence and Criminal ProcedureCrown Counsel BC Regina v. Eric Walsh2007
      Expert Consultation on Washington and American Evidence and Criminal ProcedureCrown Counsel Vancouver BC - Murder2006
      Washington State Criminal Justice Training CenterDomestic Violence & Criminal Investigation Techniques for Law Enforcement1997
      Statewide Domestic Violence ConferenceDV Prosecution for Prosecutors, Advocates, Law Enforcement1997
      Washington State Criminal Justice Training CenterDomestic Violence & Criminal Investigation Techniques for Law Enforcement1996
      Washington Association of Prosecuting AttorneysPublic Records Access1995
      WAPA ConferenceSelf Defense1995
      Seattle City CouncilHigh Impact Offender Program Presentation1995
      Legal cases
      Case nameOutcome
      High Profile Reckless DrivingCase Reduced And Driver's License Saved
      Felony Attempt to Elude a Police OfficerCase Dismissed by Prosecutor!
      Felony Attempt to EludeCase Dismissed by Prosecutor
      City of Seattle v. Ceferino Fernandez 59693-4-ILegal error corrected but appeal denied on other grounds
      Crown Counsel BC Regina v. Eric WalshPlea Bargain
      Kim V. Dean, 135 P.3d 978, 133 Wn.App 338 (2006)Trial Court and Judgment Reversed
      Assault of a Child Second DegreeHung Jury - Resolved with Lesser Plea Bargain
      State of Washington v. Christopher R. Romans 90026-4Pending

      Reviews

      (14)
      5 Star
      		93%
      4 Star
      		0%
      3 Star
      		0%
      2 Star
      		0%
      1 Star
      		7%
      Review David Mason

      Best Criminal defense attorney

      Posted by

      David Mason had represented me on the misdemeanor matters for 9 months. My cases were very complicated but finally he helped me to dismiss one of the charge and got a great deal of another charge. He is a very experienced, brilliant and considarate attorney with a lot of respect from other attorneys and clients. I recommend him to anyone who needs a good criminal defense attorney.
      This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
      Hired attorney

      Excellent Job

      Posted by

      We received a knock on the door at 2am with the police looking for our son who had never been in trouble in his very young 18 year old life. The police arrested him for rape of a girl he was dating. By 7am I contacted a friend who recommended David. He returned our call in 30 minutes. This was the beginning of our 21 month nightmare. David walked us through every detail and kept this mom and son calm through it all. Because of David picking up on one small detail the case was dismissed and the protection order was even dropped by the so called victim. David went beyond what I hoped, especially when I thought all hope was gone. He believed in our son and went on to prove he was not wrong, even though the justice system doesn't seem to care about guilt or innocence. I would highly recommend David Mason to everyone.
      This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
      Hired attorney

      A True Lawyer

      Posted by

      A wonderful human being that helped my family and I tremendously. Was recommended from a family friend and I'm glad we went to him for help. He has a great personality that allows you to trust him and believe in him as well. Was very easy to get a hold of, explained the process thoroughly and kept my family and I in the loop throughout the entire process.

      A lawyer anyone would be lucky to have

      Posted by

      With our first encounter we felt comfortable with Atty Madon right await. He is a very good listener and guided us all the way. He is very precise and direct to the options we had for our case. He exertec all the best that he can to have fair trial. We were very lucky to have him represent us in our case. Again thank you very much for all the support and guidance you have given us.

      An Attorney I Trust and Recommend

      Posted by

      I have used David on two very high profile cases. In the first instance I was accused of evading and eluding police in which a state trooper was in a rollover accident. The media portrayed me as guilty before charges were even filed. I immediately had a consultation with David. Throughout the process David did an outstanding job at keeping me up to date on the status of the case. During David’s investigation he uncovered huge amounts of unprofessional and unethical acts that the officer involved had committed throughout his career and more importantly the day of the incident. Throughout the entire process David encountered challenges and pushback from the state to produce information that would help with my defense. In the end due to David’s hard work, and professional counseling, the case was dismissed With Prejudice. In my second case I was charged with Reckless Driving and DUI, I again contacted David. Due to the prior high profile case, this was also in the news with video from an aircraft. This case was dragged out for almost 2 years and during which time several plea agreements were made, we held out and finally a plea was given in which the DUI was dismissed and Reckless driving was lowered. I did not lose my license nor did I have any jail time. David has been a great lawyer for me in the past and I have and will continue to recommend him to anyone seeking counsel.

      Great DUI Defense Lawyer

      Posted by

      Being arrested for DUI can change your life into a nightmare. It was the first time when I had to face our criminal justice department. Scared and upset with my mistake ,without a clue what to do I had the luck of my friend recommending David Mason, an attorney that he previously hired . My friend told me that he used different lawyers before but David was the best so I decided to give him a call. During our free half hour consultation where I explained my case ,he gained my trust . Before taking on my case David wanted to look over the Police report to see if he can help me and he sure did. He found a technical problem with the Police Report .The outcome was a favorable one with the DUI being reduced to a Negligence driving. I was very happy not to spend any time in jail due to David's understanding of the law. His reputation with the prosecutor's office sure helped a lot. He really fights for you and treats you with respect. I cannot say enough positive remarks about David , he is sure worth his fee. He helped me through this difficult period in my life he will help you too. I highly recommend David Mason ! Thank you

      Western State

      Posted by

      I had a very complex situation and a very difficult one. This challenge included temporary mental health issues, procedures in both criminal court and Western State Hospital and a family that was divided and distraught over how to best deal with the situation. David helped me through every step, took great care to listen, gained my complete trust, saw my criminal case dismissed, got me released from both systems, made sure my treatment providers and sytems followed through and showed compasion and concern throughout. I recommend David for any criminal defense

      Outstanding lawyer!!!

      Posted by

      I was a victim in a recent DV case and hired Mr. David Mason to help me lift the no contact order. This was a highly difficult case and our chances for dropping the order were very slim. David Mason, however, did a fabulous job in presenting this case to the judge and representing this entire case in a different light. He always kept me informed about the proceedings and he did plenty of research about similar situations nationwide with similar DV charges. He went above and beyond what he had to do and it is only because of him that the judge dropped the no contact order at the very first court date. David Mason is a great attorney with a big heart. He is very compassionate and professional which is so rare to find nowadays. I was so blessed to have met him. He is an amazing person and an even more amazing attorney.

      Against all odds

      Posted by

      I was facing a First degree Burglary (Class A Felony) - 15-20 months but with Daivd by my side i was sentenced with two misdemeanors & no jail time. For the quality of his work i would have to say he is the best!!!

      Dave Mason prevented me from wasting 30 days of my life in jail.

      Posted by

      Dave Mason prevented me from wasting 30 days of my life in jail. Dave crushed the judge’s will to jail me by making strong legal, humanitarian, and common sense arguments. This judge has a hardcore reputation, but Dave made him put the noose away. I am a recipient of traffic/court policies gone wild; the sentence for my infraction was off the chart. No doubt, if not for Dave’s excellent representation I would have gone to jail. Dave is very strategic, he knows how to deal with a screwed up system, and I recommend him highly.
      See all reviews

      Attorney endorsements

      (12)
      Are you an attorney? Endorse this lawyer

      Julie Gaisford, Criminal defense Attorney on Apr 23, 2015
      Relationship: Worked together on matter

      I endorse this lawyer. I have worked with David on a consulting basis and have hired him to write legal briefs. He has superior writing and editing skills. He also has analytical skills that produce great results for his clients.

      Kim Hunter, Criminal defense Attorney on Mar 29, 2015
      Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

      I endorse this lawyer. Dave has a knowledge of the law and the court system that is unsurpassed. His creativity and professionalism in working with clients is superb. !! Here receives my highest endorsement.

      Peter Marek, Criminal defense Attorney on Jan 24, 2015
      Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

      I endorse David. 23 years of practicing criminal law is extremely experienced. He has a huge advantage over most defense attorneys having been a prosecutor for 7 years. They know that he knows what they know. His knowledge of both the law and procedure is excellent and evident in his pro bono contributions. If you want the right result do yourself a favor and schedule a consultation with him first.

      Barry Rose, Criminal defense Attorney on Jan 20, 2015
      Relationship: Worked together on matter

      I endorse this lawyer. David is knowledgeable and experienced. I have referred my family law clients to him and he has always been responsive, competent and effective. David is also a very friendly and approachable fellow. Barry Rose

      Shawn Crowley, Criminal defense Attorney on Jan 16, 2015
      Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

      Dave Mason is a hard working, highly competent attorney. His experience as a prosecutor gives him valuable insight about how to best represent his clients. I endorse him without reservation.

      Vito De La Cruz, Criminal defense Attorney on Jan 13, 2015
      Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

      I have been practicing law for almost 30 years both in criminal defense and most recently as a personal injury attorney. When it comes to defending folks accused of crime, tough, aggressive criminal defense attorneys are few and far between. There are those who talk tough and those that roll their sleeves up and get deep into their cases; those that talk about trials and those that actually go to trial to defend a client tooth and nail. Dave Mason is a trial lawyer who works exceptionally hard for his clients. He approaches cases with a skill set honed in the trenches trying cases of all kinds and seriousness, powered by a highly analytical, inquisitive mind. Dave Mason is one of those attorneys to whom I would turn if I ever found myself in need of a tough, aggressive, thorough criminal defense. I endorse David Mason without qualification.

      Michael Waddington, Criminal defense Attorney on Jun 11, 2014
      Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

      I endorse David. He is a highly skilled attorney that is well respected in the legal community.

      Lloyd Edwards, Criminal defense Attorney on Oct 3, 2013
      Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

      I endorse this lawyer. Mr. Mason has long been an inspiration to me with his encyclopedic knowledge of court rules and case law. His extensive experience as a prosecutor and many years of criminal defense work have enabled him to rise above the pack.

      Lennard Nahajski, Criminal defense Attorney on Aug 26, 2013
      Relationship: Supervised lawyer

      My first experience with Mr. Mason was when he worked as a prosecutor. It was his knowledge and professionalism that impressed us, and we were happy to have him join our firm. Mr. Mason is one of the most creative and tenacious lawyers I have worked with. Even after leaving our firm, his hard work and legal knowledge continue to make him an extremely effective attorney.

      Kirk Davis, Criminal defense Attorney on Aug 20, 2013
      Relationship: Co-worker

      I got to know David when we worked together as prosecutors in Seattle. He was known in the office as a workhorse. David was also known for his wry wit and his ability to make people comfortable even in the most trying times. I highly recommend David for creative and compassionate defense.

      Joseph Pendergast, Criminal defense Attorney on Mar 5, 2010
      Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

      I have known Dave since he was a prosecutor for the City of Seattle. He is an intelligent, hard working, and well respected attorney in the community. I have referred him several clients over the years and they have all been very impressed with his work. He is always looking after his client's best interest. I highly recommend him.

      Eric Schurman, Criminal defense Attorney on Jun 12, 2007
      Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

      I have known Mr. Mason professionally for many years as both a prosecutor and fellow defense attorney. We have worked together as co-counsel as well as legal adversaries, and he has a proven record as a very effective legal advocate. His keen intellect and tireless work ethic set him from others in his field of practice. I have the utmost respect for his judgment and skill. I endorse this lawyer's work.

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