Attorney Alexander Floyd Ransom's Legal Cases

Criminal defense

Drive-By Shooting, Robbery, Unlawful Possession of Firearm, Felony Possession of Marijuana #13-1-007**-3

Apr 11, 2014

OUTCOME: Dismissed all Charges Except Possession of Marijuana

Client was arrested and jailed for Robbery, Drive-By Shooting, Unlawful Possession of a Firearm and Felony Possession of Marijuana along with two other suspects. However, it was later discovered the of ... ficers lacked sufficient evidence showing his involvement. My interview with the alleged victim revealed numerous inconsistencies. Her credibility was brought to question. Later, I drafted and filed a 3.6 Motion to dismiss the case for lack of probable cause. Before arguing the motion, however, I negotiated a favorable settlement with the Prosecutor. My client agreed to plead guilty to Possession of Marijuana and Conspiracy to Commit Theft. All other charges were dismissed. My client received credit for time served. He was immediately released from jail and reunited with his family. This highly favorable resolution avoided a "strike offense" conviction, years of prison, parole and probation.

Criminal defense

Rape of a Child Second Degree, Child Molestation Second Degree #12-1-000**-6

Mar 12, 2014

OUTCOME: Entered Favorable Resolution Avoiding Sex Offense and Prison

Client was charged with Rape in the Second Degree and Child Molestation Second Degree. The rape charge was Class A Felony exposing him to a maximum 25 years in prison, mandatory registration as a sex o ... ffender in Washington State, sexual deviancy evaluations, years of treatment, payment of court fines and restitution to the victim. The molestation charge was a Class B felony exposing him to 10 years prison. The case was galvanizing because the allegations involved a child. Despite the challenges, my pretrial interviews with the victim and subsequent investigations uncovered weaknesses in the State's case. Consequently, I drafted numerous motions to challenge the victim's competence, suppress the victim's hearsay statements and circumvent Washington's Rape-Shield laws to admit statements the victim made which undermined her credibility. I also persuaded the judge to allow investigations into the victim's school disciplinary records and CPS records. Moreover, I successfully argued that Washington's Public Disclosure laws allow investigations into the arresting officer's disciplinary records. My tactics - as well as the information obtained from them - facilitated successful negotiations with the Prosecutor. My client pled to a lesser charge and agreed to serve 6 months jail. He received no prison sentence, no sex convictions and no mandatory sex-offense registration. He shall not undergo sexual deviance evaluations and treatment. He shall not be monitored by post-jail community custody. Ultimately, the negotiated plea was a highly favorable resolution in light of the charges he faced.

Criminal defense

DUI, Hit & Run, Unsafe/Improper Backing of Vehicle #3Z08242 & #3Z08243

Feb 18, 2014

OUTCOME: Dismissed All Charges And Infractions

Client charged with DUI, Hit & Run Attended and Unsafe/Improper Backing of a Vehicle. Client and alleged victim had a minor argument while driving separate vehicles. Victim contacted law enforcemen ... t and said my client struck her vehicle and drove away (Hit & Run). The police arrived and immediately suspected my client was under the influence of drugs or alcohol. The Trooper obtained a search warrant for a blood test and incarcerated my client. At arraignment, the judge ordered my client to immediately install an Ignition Interlock Device (IID). At first, the prosecutor wanted my client to plead guilty to all charges. Instead of accepting the State’s plea offer, we decided to press the offensive. The blood test results showed my client was not under the influence of any intoxicants. Also, there was no evidence showing damage to the victim’s car. Consequently, I filed pretrial motions to dismiss the charges due to unlawful stop and lack of evidence under State v. Knapstad, 107 Wn.2d 346 (1986) and State v. Young, 135 Wn.2d 498 (1998). Instead of arguing the motions, the Prosecutor agreed to dismiss all charges. At the dismissal hearing, I persuaded the judge to sign a Court Order mandating the immediate removal of the IID from my client's vehicle.

Criminal defense

Communicating With a Minor For Immoral Purposes #11-1-008**-3

Jan 21, 2014

OUTCOME: Dismissed

Client was charged with two counts of Communicating With a Minor For Immoral Purposes under RCW 9.68A.090. These are Class C Felony sex offenses punishable up to 5 years prison and a $10,000.00 fine. C ... onvicted defendants must also register as sex offenders. The alleged facts involved lurid communications over the internet. Despite the challenges, I undertook the multi-layered task of (1) relaying positive information about my client to the Prosecutor while the case was pending, (2) convincing the Prosecutor to reduce the charges to something other than felonies and sex offenses; and (3) preparing for trial should negotiations fail. During negotiations, my client and I constructed a "merit package" consisting of character reference letters and other documents showing that, despite the charges, he was an otherwise upstanding and law-abiding citizen who was respected by his employer, family and friends. Although our negotiations with the Prosecutor were professional and fairly reasonable, we failed to reach a settlement which prevented my client from registering as a sex offender. Consequently, we requested a jury trial. At this point, our strategy was to conduct recorded interviews with the alleged victims for the purposes of (1) showing inconsistencies in their statements, (2) revealing they were not competent to testify, and/or (3) showing they misrepresented themselves over the internet. Our strategy prompted more negotiations with the Prosecutor. Eventually, he dismissed the case.

Criminal defense

Assault Second Degree With a Deadly Weapon #13-1-001**-0

Nov 20, 2013

OUTCOME: Full Jury Acquittal

Client charged with Assault in the Second Degree With a Deadly Weapon (Handgun) under RCW 9A.36.021(c). This crime is a Class B Felony punishable up to 10 years in prison and/or $20,000.00 fine. Making ... matters worse, the charge is a strike offense under Washington's 3-strike laws. Also, the "Deadly Weapon" sentencing enhancement automatically adds 3 additional years of prison if my client was convicted. The facts involved my client trying to contact and negotiate a settlement with an unseemly character who owed him thousands of dollars. The prosecution refused to reduce the charges and/or jail time to our satisfaction. At trial, and surprisingly, the judge granted the prosecution's motion to preclude our self-defense theory. Nevertheless, we convinced the jury that the prosecution lacked evidence and the witnesses were biased. The jury returned a verdict of "Not Guilty." My client walked out of court a free man; his bail and pistol later returned to him.

Criminal defense

Possession of Cocaine #13-1-003**-7

Nov 14, 2013

OUTCOME: Reduced Felony Drug Charge to Disorderly Conduct

Client was Canadian citizen driving into the U.S. through the Peace Arch Border. He was accompanied by two friends. His vehicle was searched. Border Patrol found a small baggie of cocaine residue. Clie ... nt was unaware the drugs were in his vehicle because he allowed other friends to recently drive his vehicle. Mr. Ransom filed a pretrial motion arguing suppression of the evidence due to the questionable nature of the alleged possession. Mr. Ransom also constructed a favorable merit package describing the client's lack of criminal history, education and willingness to undergo trteatment. Most important, Mr. Ransom persuasively described how a drug conviction would substantially harm the client's present and future career/profession. The Prosecutor agreed to enter a favorable resolution to a simple misdemeanor conviction. The resolution also avoided a drug conviction, felonies and jail. Best of all, client may continue to enter the U.S. for business purposes.

Criminal defense

Unlawful Aiming/Discharge of Firearm #2Z05768**

Nov 07, 2013

OUTCOME: Dismissed

Client charged with Unlawful Aiming or Discharging a Firearm under RCW 9.41.270 following an incident with a gang of hoodlums who lived nearby his home. One day, they threw debris at client's vehicle a ... s he drove by. Client stopped his vehicle. They rushed toward him, presumably to attack. Client pulled out his handgun in self defense and pointed it toward them. The hoodlums ran away. Later, police contacted my client, seized his handgun and charged/arrested him. During plea negotiations, the Prosecutor offered a lower charge, however, the Prosecutor also wanted to strip client of his gun rights and keep his gun forever. Client refused the plea offer. We immediately sought trial. Our defenses were “Self Defense” under WPIC 17.02, “Acting on Appearances” under WPIC 17.04 and “Stand Your Ground” under WPIC 17.05. On the day of trial, the Prosecutor dismissed the case. Client retained his gun rights and avoided a criminal conviction. The City returned his gun.

Criminal defense

Hit & Run Unattended #CB-816**

Nov 04, 2013

OUTCOME: Dismissed

Client charged with Hit and Run Unattended under RCW 46.52.010. I contacted the victim and persuaded him to enter a Compromise of Misdemeanor under RCW 10.22.010. As a result, my client paid the damage ... s to victim's property in exchange for a signed Declaration from the victim stating he did not want my client prosecuted, and that he indeed received compensation for his damaged property. We forwarded this declaration to the Prosecutor and entered numerous Motions and Orders to dismiss the charges before the court. The City dismissed the case.

Criminal defense

Rape Second Degree & Assault Fourth Degree #11-1-006**-1

Oct 10, 2013

OUTCOME: Entered Favorable Resolution Avoiding Sex Offense and Prison

Client was charged with Rape in the Second Degree and Assault Fourth Degree. The rape charge was Class A Felony exposing him to a maximum 25 years in prison, mandatory registration as a sex offender i ... n Washington State, sexual deviancy evaluations, years of treatment, payment of court fines and restitution to the victim. My pretrial investigations uncovered flaws and weaknesses in the case. Consequently, I drafted numerous motions to challenge the victim's competence, suppress evidence and dismiss the case. My tactics facilitated successful negotiations with the Prosecutor. My client pled to a lesser charge and agreed to serve 6 months jail. He received no prison sentence, no sex convictions, no sex offense registration, no probation, no sexual deviance evaluations, no treatment and no community custody. Ultimately, the negotiated plea was a much shorter sentence than his potential exposure to a Rape 2° conviction.

Criminal defense

Possession of Cocaine #3Z07045**

Oct 09, 2013

OUTCOME: Dismissed

Client immediately hired us to resolve the situation and mitigate potential drug/felony charges ASAP. Through quick action, I convinced authorities to file the case within a municipality instead of the ... County. This avoided felony charges. Thereafter, I successfully negotiated the City's gross misdemeanor drug charge to Disorderly Conduct, which is a non-drug simple misdemeanor. Even better, the Disorderly Conduct shall be dismissed in two years if the client avoids any further law violations. This was a very favorable resolution which ultimately avoided both a drug charge and a felony. Also, my client may continue to travel through the U.S./Canada border.

Alexander Floyd Ransom's Legal Cases (153)

Drive-By Shooting, Robbery, Unlawful Possession of Firearm, Felony Possession of Marijuana #13-1-007**-3

Rape of a Child Second Degree, Child Molestation Second Degree #12-1-000**-6

DUI, Hit & Run, Unsafe/Improper Backing of Vehicle #3Z08242** & #3Z08243**

Communicating With a Minor For Immoral Purposes #11-1-008**-3

Assault Second Degree With a Deadly Weapon #13-1-001**-0

Possession of Cocaine #13-1-003**-7

Unlawful Aiming/Discharge of Firearm #2Z05768**

Hit & Run Unattended #CB-816**

Rape Second Degree & Assault Fourth Degree #11-1-006**-1

Possession of Cocaine #3Z07045**

DUI, Hit & Run, Unsafe/Improper Backing of Vehicle #3Z08242 & #3Z08243