Chris Van Vechten – The Law Office of Chris Van Vechten

About Chris Van Vechten

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But we are proud to say that Chris Van Vechten contributed 21 entries already.

Entries by Chris Van Vechten

Warrantless Seizures and Race

July 6, 2022/0 Comments/in Criminal Defense Law Blog, Law Enforcement and Police Officers/by Chris Van Vechten

The Washington State Supreme Court recently declared that whether or not a person has been seized by a police officer may depend on what race the defendant happens to be.

Is Washington’s Unlawful Possession of a Firearm Statute Constitutional?

August 10, 2021/0 Comments/in 2nd Amendment, Criminal Defense Law Blog/by Chris Van Vechten

Washington’s unlawful possession of a firearm statutes are unconstitutional as they constitute a due process violation. Defense attorneys representing those accused of unlawful possession of a firearm should move to dismiss the charges and – if nothing else – preserve the issue for appeal.

Law Office of Chris Van Vechten Criminal Defense Hand Soaps: Designed for a clean getaway!

March 3, 2020/in COVID-19 and Criminal Defense Law, Criminal Defense Law Blog/by Chris Van Vechten

The CDC recommends thorough and regular hand washing as the primary step individuals can take to protect themselves and their families from the spread of airborne diseases like COVID-19.

This drug test can’t tell the difference between menstrual cramp medication and crack cocaine. Police use it to determine probable cause anyway.

February 25, 2020/in Controlled Substances, Possession/by Chris Van Vechten

Police use inaccurate and confusing narcotics identification tests to determine probable cause. We win criminal defense cases for our clients when they do.

The Family and Offender Sentencing Alternative: Our Most Under-Utilized Tool in the War on Crime

September 9, 2019/in Criminal Defense Law Blog, Criminal Sentencing/by Chris Van Vechten

The Parenting Sentencing Alternative allows some nonviolent offenders the opportunity to avoid prison, or get out of prison, in order to parent their children.

Now It’s Easier to Vacate a Conviction (including immigration convictions)

July 29, 2019/in Criminal Defense Law Blog, Overturning Convictions/by Chris Van Vechten

The law has changed following passage of House Bill 1041, sponsored by Representative Drew Hansen, so that more people can apply to have their criminal records vacated and expunged than ever before.

Pierce County’s High Priority Offender Scam

January 22, 2019/in Civil Rights and the United States Constitution, Criminal Defense Law Blog/by Chris Van Vechten

In 2016, the Pierce County Prosecutor’s Office launched a new division called the High Priority Offender Unit (HPO for short). The idea was that prosecutors would use data from a defendant’s prior criminal history to assess whether this defendant is – compared to other criminal defendants – disproportionately committing crimes. By 2017 the Pierce County Prosecutor’s Office claimed to have sent more than 650 HPOs to prison, which – they claim –dramatically reduced crime in the community. All of these claims range from suspicious to flat out untrue.

Four Rules to Remember When Fighting the DOL (Department of Licensing)

November 12, 2018/in Criminal Defense Law Blog, Law Enforcement and Police Officers, WA Department of Licensing (DOL)/by Chris Van Vechten

Four Rules to Remember When Fighting the Washington State Department of Licensing

Halloween Special on Wills, POAs and other Estate Planning Devices

September 24, 2018/in Criminal Defense Law Blog, Estate Planning/by Chris Van Vechten

One of the great failures of the criminal justice system was the Sentence Reform Act, a piece of legislation designed to promote consistency and fairness in the criminal justice system by restraining the power of judges without taking any steps to restrain prosecutors and police.

Defining Bail Jumping

August 22, 2018/in Bail and Bail Bonds, Criminal Defense Law Blog/by Chris Van Vechten

There are many things involved in the criminal justice system that seem to be purposely designed to prevent the defendant from asserting their right to trial. Bail jumping is one of them, because it gives the State the opportunity to charge the Defendant with an additional crime simply by virtue of missing a court date.

About Chris Van Vechten

Entries by Chris Van Vechten

Warrantless Seizures and Race

Is Washington’s Unlawful Possession of a Firearm Statute Constitutional?

Law Office of Chris Van Vechten Criminal Defense Hand Soaps: Designed for a clean getaway!

This drug test can’t tell the difference between menstrual cramp medication and crack cocaine. Police use it to determine probable cause anyway.

The Family and Offender Sentencing Alternative: Our Most Under-Utilized Tool in the War on Crime

Now It’s Easier to Vacate a Conviction (including immigration convictions)

Pierce County’s High Priority Offender Scam

Four Rules to Remember When Fighting the DOL (Department of Licensing)

Halloween Special on Wills, POAs and other Estate Planning Devices

Defining Bail Jumping

Office Location

705 South 9th Street
Suite 206
Tacoma, Washington 98405

Call or text now:

(253) 666-8987

Free Case Evaluation

Our Criminal Defense Attorney and Staff will be notified immediately.

Criminal Defense Law

The Law Office of Chris Van Vechten is a Criminal Defense Law Office Serving:

Seattle and all of King County

Tacoma and all of Pierce County

Olympia and all of Thurston County

Bremerton and all of Kitsap County

About Chris Van Vechten

Entries by Chris Van Vechten

Office Location

705 South 9th Street Suite 206 Tacoma, Washington 98405

Call or text now:

Free Case Evaluation

Our Criminal Defense Attorney and Staff will be notified immediately.

Criminal Defense Law

The Law Office of Chris Van Vechten is a Criminal Defense Law Office Serving:

Seattle and all of King County

Tacoma and all of Pierce County

Olympia and all of Thurston County

Bremerton and all of Kitsap County

705 South 9th Street
Suite 206
Tacoma, Washington 98405