Malicious Mischief Third Degree & Theft Third Degree # CB-927**
Jun 30, 2015
OUTCOME: Dismissed All Charges
Client charged with Malicious Mischief Third Degree under RCW 9A.48.090 and Theft in the Third Degree under RCW 9A.56.050. Both crimes are gross misdemeanors punishable up to 1 year jail and a $5,000 f...ine each. Here, client allegedly became intoxicated at a local lounge, destroyed property and attempted to steal various items. Fortunately, Mr. Ransom assembled a very impressive merit package which greatly humanized Client. Prosecutor was convinced that Client took accountability. Prosecutor dismissed the Theft charges. Although client pled guilty to the Malicious Mischief charge and was ordered to complete 1 day of jail, the Judge granted Mr. Ransom's requests for a Deferred Sentence allowing dismissal of the Malicious Mischief charge after 1 year of good behavior.
Criminal defense
Felony Harassment # 14-1-006**-5
Jun 29, 2015
OUTCOME: Dismissed
Client charged with Felony Harassment (Threats to Kill) under RCW 9A.46.020 after responding to a tense situation where he thought his wife was in danger. Client displayed a firearm. Victim called the... police. Client was arrested and charged with Felony Harassment, which is a Class C felony punishable up to 5 years prison and a $10,000 fine. Mr. Ransom Interviewed the alleged victim and convinced Prosecutor that the incident was a huge misunderstanding; albeit a potentially tragic one. Prosecutor was also convinced that Client may have displayed the firearm lawfully under the circumstances. Consequently, Mr. Ransom and Prosecutor entered favorable negotiations. Prosecutor dismissed the Felony Harassment charge from Superior Court and re-filed the matter in District Court. Although client pled guilty to Unlawful Display of a Firearm under RCW 9.41.270, client shall serve no jail and pay minimum fines. Better yet, the case in its entirety shall eventually be dismissed under a 1-year deferred sentence. Later, Mr. Ransom filed a Motion for Return of Property and successfully obtained the client's knife, gun holster and ammunition from the Sheriff's Office.
Criminal defense
Failure to Obey a Police Officer, Failure to Comply With Traffic Flagger & Hit & Run Attended # 4Z02043**
Jun 08, 2015
OUTCOME: Dismissed All Charges
Client was charged with Hit & Run Attended under RCW 46.52.020, Failure to Obey an Officer under RCW 46.61.021 and Failure to Comply With a Flagger/Officer/Firefighter under RCW 46.61.015.1. Each charg...e is a misdemeanor punishable from 90 days up to 1 year in jail, $1,000 – $5,000.00 fines, mandatory evaluations with treatment and 2-5 years active probation. Here, client allegedly bumped a traffic flagger and disregarded the instructions of police officers to pull over after attending a 4th of July celebration at the Bellingham Marina. The Prosecutor came very close to seeking Vehicular Assault charges under RCW 46.61.522, which is a Class B Felony. Despite the challenges, Mr. Ransom interviewed all witnesses and discovered the driving situation was chaotic, confusing and distracting. Mr. Ransom also assembled a very strong merit package on client's behalf. Consequently, the Prosecutor agreed to dismiss the H&R and Failure to Obey Officer charges. Client was allowed to serve 10 days jail on Electronic Home Monitoring (ankle bracelet). Although Client pled guilty to the Failure to Comply charge, the Prosecutor agreed to enter a 1-year Deferred Sentence. This resolution allows dismissal of the remaining Failure to Comply charge after 1 year of good behavior. This was an excellent outcome for criminal charges which came very close to being filed as felonies.
Criminal defense
Hit & Run Unattended # CB-911**
Jun 08, 2015
OUTCOME: Dismissed
Client is a commercial truck driver who drove a fully loaded semi truck through the City of Bellingham. Unfortunately, he severely damaged a tree, a sign and a bench owned by the City while making a t...ight turn. The damage was over $7,000.00. He was cited by police for Hit & Run. Even more unfortunate was the fact that Client stood to lose his job if convicted. Luckily, Mr. Ransom contacted client's insurance company and the proper City officials involved in assessing the property damages. He worked out a very favorable outcome and convinced all parties to dismiss the case pursuant to RCW 10.22 "Compromise of Misdemeanor" after client's insurance paid the damages. This outcome effectively allowed client to avoid a criminal conviction and maintain his employment.
Criminal defense
Assault Fourth Degree # 4Z8703**
Jun 05, 2015
OUTCOME: Full Jury Acquittal & Reimbursement of Attorney's Fees
Client was charged with Assault Fourth Degree under RCW 9A.36.041. Client allegedly assaulted his neighbor by taking him to the ground and restraining him during an argument. In reality, Client feared... for his safety and responded in self-defense because the "victim" was younger, 4-5 inches taller, outweighed client by 60 pounds and had a history of being confrontational and aggressive. Nevertheless, Client was charged with Assault. The case went to trial. Mr. Ransom successfully suppressed all evidence which was irrelevant and prejudicial to client's case. During cross examination, Mr. Ransom exposed the "victim" as hostile, confrontational and financially interested in the outcome of the case because the victim threatened to sue Client. Finally, in addition to persuading the trial judge to allow Mr. Ransom's "Self-Defense" jury instructions, the judge also allowed Mr. Ransom's jury instructions on "Acting on Appearances" and Washington's "Stand your Ground" defense. As a result of Mr. Ransom's efforts at trial, the jury returned a "Not Guilty" verdict under 30 minutes. Furthermore, the jury entered a special verdict mandating the State to reimburse Client's attorney's fees pursuant to RCW 9A.16.110. Client was extremely happy with the acquittal and reimbursement of his attorney's fees.
Criminal defense
DUI, H&R Attended and Driving With Wheels Off Roadway Infraction #5Z2463** & 5Z2463**
May 12, 2015
OUTCOME: Dismissed DUI, Reduced Remaining Charges
Client charged with Driving While Under the Influence of Intoxicants (DUI) under RCW 46.61.502 and Hit & Run Attended under RCW 46.52.020. Both crimes are gross misdemeanors punishable up to a year in ...jail and a $5,000.00 fine each. Finally, Prosecutor charged Driving With Wheels Off Roadway under RCW 46.61.670. This is a traffic infraction which negatively increases car insurance rates. Police reports alleged the defendant drove his vehicle while intoxicated, crashed it and fled the scene. Police located him at his home injured, disheveled and under the influence of intoxicants. He made incriminating statements against his best interests.
Despite the challenges, Mr. Ransom drafted pretrial motions to suppress the evidence and dismiss the case under the theory of corpus delicti. This defense theory holds that the State needs independent evidence beyond a defendant's own statements to prosecute them for crimes. Here, the State lacked witnesses linking Mr. Ransom'c client to the crashed vehicle. In short, Mr. Ransom argued the Prosecutor had no evidence supporting the notion that his client operated a motor vehicle while under the influence. Instead of arguing the motion, the Prosecutor offered to dismiss the DUI, reduce the H&R to "Unattended" and reduce the traffic infraction to the non-moving violation of Expired Tabs under RCW 46.16A.030. Mr. Ransom further negotiated no jail, a $250 fine, no alcohol evaluations and 8 hours of community service. Along with avoiding an alcohol-related driving charge, these reductions also avoided increased car insurance rates. Client was satisfied with the outcome and happy he avoided a risky jury trial.
Criminal defense
Criminal Trespass Second Degree # 5Z308**
Apr 21, 2015
OUTCOME: Dismissed
Client charged with Criminal Trespass Second Degree under RCW 9A.52.080. Client allegedly became drunk and disorderly at his company's hotel party. Police arrived. He was alleged to have disobeyed thie...r instructions to leave the premises. After being forcibly removed from the premises, client found himself facing the above criminal charges. Making matters worse, the Prosecutor threatened to charge Resisting Arrest and Failure to Cooperate charges under RCW 9A.76.040 and RCW 46.61.020. Fortunately, Mr. Ransom assembled a very powerful merit package on his client's behalf. Through that, Mr. Ransom entered a favorable resolution which (1) reduced the charge to Disorderly Conduct and (2) entered a deferred sentence allowing dismissal of the Disorderly Conduct after one year of good behavior. The resolution also avoided jail, evaluations and probation.
Criminal defense
Hit & Run Unattended #SC166**
Apr 09, 2015
OUTCOME: Dismissed
Client charged with Hit & Run Unattended under RCW 46.52.010. This is a gross misdemeanor punishable up to 1 year jail and a $5,000 fine. Client allegedly struck a telephone pole while driving and fled... the scene on foot. The police failed to locate him on the night of the incident. There were also no witnesses to the incident. Eventually, the police contacted the defendant via cell phone and obtained a statement that he did, in fact, crash his vehicle into the telephone pole. Despite the challenges, Mr. Ransom persuaded client's insurance company to pay the damages to the City's telephone pole. Mr. Ransom also drafted a motion to dismiss the charges under the theory of "corpus delicti." This defense allows dismissal of criminal charges if the Prosecutor fails to bring independent evidence of the charges outside of the defendant's confession. Prosecutor dismissed the charges.
Criminal defense
Felony Theft Second Degree # 14-1-003**-9
Apr 02, 2015
OUTCOME: Dismissed
Client charged with Theft Second Degree under RCW 9A.56.040. This crime is a Class C Felony exposing my client to 5 years prison and a $10,000 fine. Allegedly, client exerted unauthorized control of fa...mily credit cards. The family hired me to try dismissing the charges because they considered the circumstances a "family matter" which did not need to involve the prosecutorial powers of the State of Washington. I communicated their wishes with the Prosecutor. Since the family was the only witness and no independent evidence of the charges existed, he dismissed the case.
Criminal defense
Felony Possession of Methamphetamine #14-1-014**-7
Mar 04, 2015
OUTCOME: Dismissed
Client pulled over for speeding and executing a U-turn. Police conducted a highly questionable search of his person and recovered Methamphetamine. He was subsequently charged with Possession of Methamp...hetamine under RCW 69.50.401. The charge is a Class C Felony punishable up to 5 years prison and a $10,000 fine. Mr. Ransom drafted numerous pretrial motions to suppress the evidence and/or dismiss the charges. Rather than argue the motions, the Prosecutor agreed to dismiss.
