Attorney Alexander Floyd Ransom's Legal Cases

Criminal defense

Hit & Run Unattended #4Z5548**

Mar 03, 2015

OUTCOME: Dismissed

Client was a college student charged with Hit & Run Unattended pursuant to RCW 46.52.010. This crime is a gross misdemeanor punishable up to 1 year in jail and a $5,000 fine. Here, surveillance evidenc ... e revealed my client accidentally struck a parked vehicle in her apartment complex. Fortunately, Mr. Ransom facilitated dismissal of the charges via a Compromise of Misdemeanor under RCW 10.22. This procedure requires the victim to provide a written acknowledgment - usually in the form of a signed declaration - that s/he has been compensated for their injury. If the victim provides such an acknowledgement, the court has discretion to dismiss the misdemeanor. The policy behind the compromise of misdemeanor statute is to promote making the victim whole again through restitution, avoid prosecution for minor offenses, and vesting discretion with the trial court to dismiss where a compromise has been reached by all parties involved. Mr. Ransom persuaded the defendant's insurance company to "total out" the victim's vehicle and provide a large cash payment to the victim for the loss of her vehicle. All parties were very satisfied with the outcome.

Criminal defense

Hit & Run Unattended #C424**

Feb 27, 2015

OUTCOME: Dismissed

Client charged with Hit and Run Unattended pursuant to RCW 46.52.010. He is a Montana truck driver from who drove his semi truck through the parking lot of a business and accidentally caused extensive ... property damage. Unfortunately, his employer suspended him from driving and threatened termination of his job unless the criminal matter resolved itself favorably. Fortunately, Mr. Ransom effectively negotiated with the local business owner and their insurance provider. All parties agreed to enter a Compromise of Misdemeanor pursuant to RCW 10.22. This resolution allows dismissal of the charges if the the defendant fully compensates the victim for the property damage and the victim agrees to withhold prosecution. Mr Ransom coordinated the efforts via tight communications, motions practice and the signing of declarations. Mr. Ransom also waived the defendant's numerous court appearances while case was pending. Client was extremely happy with the dismissal. It effectively saved his career.

Criminal defense

Felony Unlawful Imprisonment Domestic Violence #14-1-008**-4

Feb 27, 2015

OUTCOME: Dismissed

Client was charged with Unlawful Imprisonment Domestic Violence under RCW 9A.40.040(1). This is a Class C felony punishable up to 5 years in prison and a $10,000 fine. Here, my client was alleged to ha ... ve forcibly prevented his girlfriend from leaving his car while he was driving. A motorist called 911. Although my client's girlfriend informed police that she was arguing with my client, she did not want to press charges. Nevertheless, the Prosecutor charged the case as a felony. Ultimately, Mr. Ransom sought dismissal of the charges under a "Necessity" defense. Necessity is a defense to criminal charges if (1) the defendant reasonably believed the commission of the crime was necessary to avoid or minimize a harm; and (2) the harm sought to be avoided was greater than the harm resulting from a violation of the law; and (3) the threatened harm was not brought about by the defendant; and (4) no reasonable legal alternative existed. Here, client, sought to prevent his girlfriend from injuring herself while trying to escape a moving vehicle. Under this defense, Mr. Ransom effectively negotiated dismissal of the charges.

Criminal defense

Assault Fourth Degree Domestic Violence #4Z9449**

Feb 25, 2015

OUTCOME: Dismissed

Client charged with Assault Fourth Degree (DV) following an argument she had with her significant other. The argument was regarding her cell phone usage. Client tried preventing her boyfriend from dest ... roying her property. After investigating the witnesses and obtaining a favorable statement from the alleged victim, the prosecutor was convinced that client responded in self-defense and defense of her property. We entered a plea resolution reducing the case to Disorderly Conduct, no jail, $200 fine, no probation and rescission of the No-Contact Order. We also entered a Deferred Sentence dismissing the case after 18 months of law-abiding behavior.

Criminal defense

Possession of Marijuana While Under 21 Years of Age #CB-814**

Feb 03, 2015

OUTCOME: Dismissed

Client was approached by police in her parked vehicle while smoking marijuana. She was cited for Possession of Marijuana under Bellingham Municipal Code 10.08.020. At first, the Prosecutor wanted her t ... o plead guilty as charged, serve a mandatory minimum day in jail and pay a $300 fine. Through careful negotiations, however, Mr. Ransom persuaded the Prosecutor to amend the charges to Possession of Paraphernalia under RCW 69.50.412. This amendment/reduction circumvented the mandatory day in jail that a Possession of Marijuana charge brings. In lieu of jail, client agreed to serve 16 hours of community service and pay a $493 fine. Additionally, Mr. Ransom also negotiated the client would not be monitored by probation. Finally, the Prosecutor and judge allowed client to enter a Deferred Sentencing allowing dismissal of the charges after one year of law-abiding behavior.

Criminal defense

Malicious Mischief Third Degree & Minor in Possession of Alcohol #CB-907**

Jan 13, 2015

OUTCOME: Dismissed

Client was charged with Malicious Mischief Third Degree under RCW 9A.48.090 and Minor in Possession and/or Consumption of Alcohol (MIP) under RCW 66.44.270(2)(a). Each charge is a gross misdemeanor pun ... ishable up to 1 year in jail, $5,000.00 fine, mandatory evaluations with treatment and 2-5 years active probation. Client was caught "tagging" graffiti on a local business while under the influence of intoxicants. Despite the charges, I assembled a strong merit package and approached the Prosecutor with creative solutions to resolving the matter. Together, we agreed to dismiss the MIP and enter a Deferred Sentencing on the remaining Malicious Mischief charge. This resolution allowed dismissal of the Malicious Mischief conviction after 1 year. The judge accepted the agreed recommendations and the City's motion to dismiss. Along with the eventual dismissal of all charges, my client also successfully avoided jail and probation.

Criminal defense

Felony Vehicular Assault (2 Counts) #14-1-007**-8

Jan 08, 2015

OUTCOME: Dismissed Count I and Reduced Count II

Client charged with Count I and Count II upper-level Vehicular Assault under RCW 46.61.522(1)(a). Each charge is a Class B Violent Felony Traffic Offense exposing the client to 10 years prison and $20, ... 000 fine. Here, client was comparing speeds with another vehicle and drove with two passengers while doing so. The racing vehicles were speeding up to 135 mph down county roads. Client lost control of his vehicle, left the roadway, struck a mailbox, sheared off a power pole and drove through a horse fence before stopping in an open pasture. Although nobody was seriously injured, the Prosecutor aggressively charged the case. Despite the challenges, Mr. Ransom constructed a compelling merit package which showed the client's positive attributes and willingness to take accountability for his actions. As a result, Prosecutor dismissed Count I and amended Count II to a lower-level, non-violent "Disregard for the Safety of Others" Vehicular Assault under RCW 46.61.502(1)(c). Mr. Ransom also effectively negotiated 18 months of prison down to 30 days jail. Fortunately, the downward reduction also allowed client to serve the 30 days on Electronic Home Monitoring. The dismissal and reduction was extremely favorable in avoiding incarceration and saving the client's employment.

Criminal defense

Criminal Trespass #AC526**

Jan 05, 2015

OUTCOME: Dismissed

Client allegedly trespassed into the private property of a wooded area belonging to a nearby indian reservation. The tribal property runs through the Canadian border. Client was not a tribal member. My ... investigations revealed client was never warned on previous occasions that they could not enter the property. I also contstructed a favorable merit package which humanized my client before the eyes of the Prosecutor. Based on this - and the lack of evidence regarding any suspicion of lateral nefarious activities - the Prosecutor agreed to dismiss the case under a Stipulated Order of Continuance agreement (please read my Legal Guide titled, "Getting Cases Dismissed via Stipulated Order of Continuance").

Criminal defense

Hit & Run Unattended #CB-918**

Dec 16, 2014

OUTCOME: Dismissed

Client charged with Hit and Run Unattended under RCW 46.52.010. This is a gross misdemeanor punishable up to 1 year jail and a $5,000 fine. I contacted the complaining witness and persuaded him to acce ... pt monetary payment for the damage to his property. He also agreed to sign a declaration in support of my motion to dismiss the case under Compromise of Misdemeanor pursuant to RCW 10.22.010. The Judge granted the Prosecutor's motion to dismiss the charges.

Criminal defense

Negligent Driving First Degree # PA-46**

Dec 09, 2014

OUTCOME: Dismissed

Client was charged with Negligent Driving First Degree. He executed a U-Turn on a dark county highway late at night and near a local casino he frequented earlier. Client was investigated for DUI. He wa ... s taken to the police station and provided a breath test sample of .06. The State decided to charge him with alcohol-related Negligent Driving in the First Degree under RCW 46.61.5249. This is a simple misdemeanor exposing my client to 90 days jail, $1,000 fine, alcohol evaluation, treatment, 2 years of active probation and DOL consequences of 6 months of mandatory Ignition interlock Device with an Ignition Interlock Device License. I assembled a favorable merit package and carefully negotiated dismissal of the charges with the Prosecutor. In exchange for the dismissal, client was found "committed" on the traffic infraction of Negligent Driving Second Degree. The infraction included a small fine. Client paid the fine and left court a happy man with no criminal convictions, jail time, probation or Department of Licensing consequences.

Alexander Floyd Ransom's Legal Cases (153)

Hit & Run Unattended #4Z5548**

Hit & Run Unattended #C424**

Felony Unlawful Imprisonment Domestic Violence #14-1-008**-4

Assault Fourth Degree Domestic Violence #4Z9449**

Possession of Marijuana While Under 21 Years of Age #CB-814**

Malicious Mischief Third Degree & Minor in Possession of Alcohol #CB-907**

Felony Vehicular Assault (2 Counts) #14-1-007**-8

Criminal Trespass #AC526**

Hit & Run Unattended #CB-918**

Negligent Driving First Degree # PA-46**