Attorney Alexander Floyd Ransom's Legal Cases

Criminal defense

Driving While Under the Influence #C-7846**

Jan 11, 2011

OUTCOME: Full Jury Acquittal.

DUI Refusal case. Trooper failed to establish probable cause for DUI pullover and arrest. Client was driving a car she never drove before, it had a defective tailight and it stalled because it was a ... stick shift vehicle. Trooper believed he smelled "fruity alcohol" on client's breath. After arrest, officer drove her to police station for a BAC breath test. The communication broke down quickly and drastically. Trooper entered a "Refusal" DUI.

Criminal defense

Assault Fourth Degree #CB-718**

Oct 12, 2010

OUTCOME: Dismissed

Client charged with Assault Fourth Degree, a gross misdemeanor. He allegedly attacked an old acquaintance outside of a bar. My investigations revealed the acquaintance burglarized the client years be ... fore and stole numerous family heirloms; including antique firearms belonging to client's father. I shared this information with the City's Prosecutor. We agreed to amend the Assault to Disorderly Conduct, a simple misdemeanor. The judge ordered client to serve 1 day jail, pay $300 fine, no evaluations and no probation. Judge also imposed a 2-year Deferred Sentence. Client's case shall be fully dismissed after 2 years.

Criminal defense

Assault Second Degree #09-1-014**-5

Sep 16, 2010

OUTCOME: Dismissed

Client charged with Assault in the Second Degree, a Class B felony, following a small riot at Boulevard Park in Bellingham. My investigations revealed client was trying to stop the riot because the pa ... rties involved were his friends. The victim(s) suffered no injuries, and none were willing to testify against client. Prosecutor dismissed case one week before trial.

Criminal defense

Vehicular Homicide & Vehicular Assault # 09-1-0118**1

Jul 07, 2010

OUTCOME: Dismissed Vehicular Assault & Reduced Prison Sentence

Client charged with Vehicular Homicide and Vehicular Assault. He was involved in a tragic accident which claimed his girlfriend's life and injured his friend. The crime of Vehicular Homicide is a Class ... A Felony exposing defendants to 25 years life in prison. Vehicular Assault is a Class B Felony carrying 10 years prison. Making matters worse, the blood test revealed defendant was intoxicated during the incident. Defense attorney Michael Tario co-counseled the case with Mr. Ransom. Together, they negotiated a fairly good resolution with the Prosecutor under the circumstances. The defense attorneys assembled a merit packege of various documents showing the defendant was not a career criminal and was, in fact extremely remorseful. Although the defendant pled guilty as charged to Vehicular Homicide, his prison sentence was only 36 months. Additionally, the Prosecutor dismissed the Vehicular Assault case. This dismissal was a key factor in keeping the prison sentence low.

Criminal defense

Attempted Robbery First Degree & Assault Second Degree With a Deadly Weapon #09-1-008**-5

Jan 28, 2010

OUTCOME: Dismissed

Client charged with Attempted Robbery in the First Degree and Assault in the Second Degree While Armed With a Deadly Weapon. Both charges are Class B felonies. My investigations revealed client respo ... nded by defending her friends against the victim's unprovoked attack. Later, I discovered the alleged victim moved out of State, and was unavailable to testify for the prosecution. After sharing my investigations with Prosecutor, he agreed to dismiss.

Criminal defense

No-Contact Order Violation AC-268**

Jan 14, 2010

OUTCOME: Dismissed

Client charged with No-Contact Order Violation against her daughter. At a pretrial motion hearing, I argued a "Knapstad" Motion to dismiss the case. In criminal law, a Knapstad motion is very similar t ... o a summary judgment motion in civil law. In short, the judge reviews the police reports in accordance with the statutes/caselaw and decides whether the Prosecutor has enough evidence to prove their case in chief. Here, the judge was persuaded that the violative "contact" was accidental and unintentional. He granted my motion and dismissed the case.

Lawsuits and disputes

Victoria Walker v. Island County (Police Misconduct Lawsuit)

Feb 04, 2009

OUTCOME: Obtained $150,000 settlement in client's favor

Ms. Walker was unlawfully imprisoned and assaulted by someone she thought was a friend. She called 911 from the assailant's home two times. The officer who was dispatched to the 911 call failed to ad ... equately respond and/or investigate the matter. Ms. Walker eventually escaped from the cabin and contacted authorities. The deputy was terminated from employment. I filed a public disclosure request seeking all information regarding the case. We successfully obtained all police reports, internal investigation reports, an arbitration decision and a past disciplinary notice given to the deputy for similar failures to respond. I also filed a Notice of Claim against Island County claiming police negligence. The case was resolved through out-of-court negotiations with the Washington Counties Risk Pool. For more information, please review the following email address: http://www.pnwlocalnews.com/whidbey/swr/news/39677784.html

Criminal defense

Burglary First Degree, Assault Second Degree With Deadly Weapon, Malicious Mischief First Degree #08-1-0056**1

Oct 08, 2008

OUTCOME: Dismissed All Charges

Client faced serious felony charges surrounding his alleged involvement in a home invasion where the victim was brutally beaten. The Burglary and Assault charges are "strike offenses." Also, the Burgla ... ry charge was a Class A felony exposing client to life in prison (25 years) and $50,000 fine. Fortunately, Mr. Ransom's pretrial investigations revealed client took no part in the home invasion; nor did he have any knowledge that his co-defendants were involved either. Mr. Ransom filed a Knapstad motion to dismiss. Later, Mr. Ransom and Prosecutor entered a favorable resolution. Prosecutor dismissed the felonies in exchange for client pleading guilty to the misdemeanor charge of Obstructing a Law Enforcement Officer under RCW 9A.76.020. Client received no jail, paid minimum fines and was not monitored by DOC or a parole officer.

Criminal defense

Malicious Mischief Third Degree Domestic Violence #CB-632**

May 14, 2008

OUTCOME: Full Jury Acquittal

Client faced one count of Malicious Mischief Third Degree Domestic Violence. He allegedly struck a wall with his fist and damaged it while arguing with his wife and son. Defendant testified to lack o ... f intent and said his hand accidentally struck the wall while he was gesticulating rapid hand movements. At trial, the City tried to produce photos of the damaged wall. The evidence was suppressed because the City prosecutor failed to provide the pictures until the day of trial. The City Prosecutor was severely admonished for the discovery violation. Mr. Ransom served as co-counsel on Mr. Webb's defense team.

Criminal defense

Felony Harassment & Assault Fourth Degree #08-1-001**-7

Apr 16, 2008

OUTCOME: Jury Acquittal on Assault charges, Hung Jury & Mistrial on Felony Harassment.

Client was charged with Felony Harassment and two counts of Assault Fourth Degree. The incident involved a confrontation between client and numerous grocery store employees who refused to sell him alc ... ohol. The case was tried in Whatcom County Superior Court before a 12-person jury. Numerous obstacles arose throughout trial. In short, because client chose not to testify, the trial judge refused to allow Mr. Ransom to argue self defense. Despite these obstacles, the jury returned favorable "not guilty" verdicts on the Assault charges and was undecided on the Felony Harassment charge. The hung jury resulted in a mistrial of the State's Felony Harassment charge.

Alexander Floyd Ransom's Legal Cases (153)

Driving While Under the Influence #C-7846**

Assault Fourth Degree #CB-718**

Assault Second Degree #09-1-014**-5

Vehicular Homicide & Vehicular Assault # 09-1-0118**1

Attempted Robbery First Degree & Assault Second Degree With a Deadly Weapon #09-1-008**-5

No-Contact Order Violation AC-268**

Victoria Walker v. Island County (Police Misconduct Lawsuit)

Burglary First Degree, Assault Second Degree With Deadly Weapon, Malicious Mischief First Degree #08-1-0056**1

Malicious Mischief Third Degree Domestic Violence #CB-632**

Felony Harassment & Assault Fourth Degree #08-1-001**-7