While being accused of any crime in Washington state is a big deal, there are few crimes that carry the weight of domestic violence. If you find yourself in a position where you are being falsely accused of domestic violence, it is important to know the steps...
Criminal Defense
Criminal Defense
How are fraudulent insurance claims identified?
While the majority of insurance claims filed are legitimate, insurance companies are constantly on the lookout for fraudulent claims. To help identify them, the National Insurance Crime Bureau created a list of suspicious loss indicators, which investigators look for...
The effects of distracted driving on a criminal case
Distracted driving may take many forms in Washington state. Anything that takes a driver's attention away from the road is a distraction and causes distracted driving. However, the biggest issue of this kind, according to the Insurance Information Institute, is...
Can a DUI affect your scholarship?
If you get into a DUI-related incident in Tacoma, could your scholarship be affected? Today, we at the Law Office of Michael Austin Stewart examine just how big of an impact a potential DUI conviction could have on your future as a student and your subsequent career....
3 problems with eyewitnesses
Eyewitnesses were once thought to be the best type of evidence to present in a courtroom. However, this is no longer true. Research and history have shown that eyewitnesses are notorious for being wrong. A person may swear he or she saw someone commit a crime, when...
Should Tacoma follow Seattle’s lead when dealing with drug crimes?
The fight against drugs in Washington mirrors that of every other state. This is a losing battle on many fronts. Prisons are filled with people in on drug charges. The morgues are lined with those who have overdosed. Despite these things, the problem does not seem to...
DUIs and insurance rates
Washington police make it extremely clear that people need to avoid driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Throughout the summer, police conducted a “Plan Before You Party” campaign, in which officers told people to arrive home safe without putting...
What should I know about juvenile shoplifting?
There are many reasons why a juvenile might choose to shoplift in Washington state. Oftentimes, it is a result of an impulsive, one-time bad decision. However, even though a juvenile will not be charged in the state of Washington as an adult for shoplifting, it is...
Understanding tax evasion
At The Law Office of Michael Austin Stewart in Washington, one of the most important things we do is represent clients accused of allegedly committing a state or federal white-collar crime. Consequently, we know that you will face severe penalties if you receive a...
What are white collar crimes?
When you hear your Washington friends and neighbors talking about white collar crimes, you may not know exactly what they are talking about. Basically, according to FindLaw, a white collar crime is one in which someone defrauds someone else by engaging in some kind of...