Best Family Lawyer in King County, WA
Joseph G. Riemer
Family Lawyer
Innocence Project
Federal District Court Extern
Public Defender Service Investigator
Ramsey County Public Defender
Stein, Lotzkar & Starr
Hawkins & Crawford
Lauren Mariko Wegener
Family Lawyer
I became a lawyer because my grandparents were forcibly relocated and incarcerated by the government in the World War II internment camps. They were locked away without a voice. That’s why I make it my mission to make sure people are heard and their rights are protected. I am passionate about my clients and work tirelessly to achieve the best possible individualized results for them.
I am honored to have the opportunity to get to know you, to help you through a difficult time in your life, to fight on your behalf, and to celebrate with you once we have resolved your case.
As the owner and managing attorney at Emerald City Law Group, Lauren Mariko Wegener is fiercely dedicated to representing and guiding her clients during their most trying times. When you are grappling with a potentially life-altering conviction and the overwhelming emotions that accompany criminal charges, Lauren stands resiliently by your side.
She is a compassionate listener who empathizes with the grief, anger, and fear clients often experience when facing a criminal charge. Lauren is passionate about turning these emotional responses into a successful criminal defense founded upon her unflagging advocacy and negotiation on behalf of her clients.
Lauren recognizes that police reports merely capture a single officer’s fleeting impression. Unfortunately, these reports often fail to accurately capture the positive character and the intentions of the accused, as well as the overarching context of extremely complex events. Lauren orchestrates every defense strategy so that the imprecision of such reports never detracts from her clients’ integrity and underlying humanity. She deeply understands that accusations often present only another’s perspective or a fraction of the whole story. With this insight, she carefully crafts defense strategies that champion her clients’ integrity and capture the entirety of complex events.
Chris Black
Family Lawyer
Chris Black’s entire career has been devoted to defending those charged with crimes. By the time he graduated from the University of Washington School of Law in 2001, he already knew exactly how he wanted to use his law degree: to become a criminal defense attorney to defend people whose liberty, livelihood and future were threatened by allegations of criminal conduct. Chris understands the incredible power the government holds over peoples’ lives and is dedicated to overcoming the imbalance through a combination of expertise, experience and a willingness to do whatever is necessary to vindicate his clients’ rights in every single case.
Chris is a talented criminal defense attorney with extensive experience handling criminal cases at both the trial and appellate levels – in federal, state and local courts throughout Washington. He also routinely represents people who are under investigation prior to being charged or who are the subject of other proceedings where potential criminal culpability is an issue. Chris has honed the many skills necessary for success in cases in all of these different postures. These include being able to identify and take advantage of legal issues that can lead to positive outcomes such as suppression of evidence or dismissal of charges, analyzing and developing the facts to find holes in the prosecutors’ cases, acting as an effective and persuasive oral advocate before judges and juries, researching cutting-edge legal issues and writing well-reasoned and thorough briefs for the court, and the reputation as a tough and tireless advocate who serves his clients well in negotiating resolutions to cases in appropriate situations.
Court Will
Family Lawyer
Court was born and raised in Tacoma and has had an interest in the legal system ever since he can remember. While he always knew he would ultimately make his home in the Pacific Northwest, the draw of the sun and surf beckoned him to Southern California where he completed his undergraduate and law degree at Pepperdine University.
Following internships at multiple Prosecutor’s offices, the FBI, and the United States Attorney’s Offices, Court initially decided to stay in Southern California after school and cut his teeth as a criminal defense attorney in the trenches of the most overburdened court system in the country.
Court has represented thousands of clients from all walks of life for everything from misdemeanors to serious/violent felonies. Court also developed a specialty representing those accused of sex crimes through his involvement with Dateline NBC’s To Catch A Predator show. He was the first attorney in the country to take one of these cases to trial.
After spending many years focusing on criminal defense, Court and Michelle expanded into personal injury law. With close family members that have suffered from lifelong injuries after car accidents, this is an area of law that is close to Court’s heart. As a result, he works tirelessly to ensure his clients get every penny they deserve from the insurance companies.
No matter what area of law, Court thoroughly enjoys the challenge of taking cases to jury trial whenever it’s in his client’s best interest, and he has conducted countless jury trials with great success.
Joshua R. Brumley
Family Lawyer
Joshua is a Washington State native, raised in the Tacoma area. After graduating from the University of Washington, he earned his MBA at Jacksonville University and completed his law degree at Florida Coastal School of Law. Joshua has practiced as a Seattle personal injury attorney with the Washington State Bar Association since 2015. He has served as a pro-tem Judge and is the owner of Brumley Law Firm whose mission is to empower our community by providing client-focused service, one car crash at a time.
Community involvement in the South Sound region is important to Joshua. In addition to serving on the board of directors for the Pierce County Center for Dispute Resolution, he is a member of the Puyallup Tribal Bar, Tulalip Tribal Bar, South King County Bar Association, Federal Bar Association, and has served two terms as President of the Young Lawyers Division of the Tacoma-Pierce County Bar Association. He has served as a barrister member of American Inns of Court and he is dedicated to promoting the highest levels of professionalism in the practice of law.
Matthew T Hale
Family Lawyer
Attorney Matthew T. Hale has spent more than two decades aggressively defending the rights of good people accused of serious crimes. Throughout his years of practice, Attorney Hale has helped thousands of individuals charged with everything from DUI to cyber crimes to murder. No matter the seriousness of your situation, he is prepared to fight for you.
Attorney Hale was born in 1970 in Kokomo, Indiana. He attended the University of Chicago (ranked fourth in the nation) where he earned his B.A. in political science. After graduating in 1993, Attorney Hale then attended the Indiana University School of Law, which is ranked 25th nationally. He graduated in 1997 with his J.D. before beginning his legal career in downtown Chicago that same year.
In 1998, Attorney Hale and his wife, Anita, moved to Seattle. There, he joined the Washington State Bar Association and began his law practice in the area. In addition to his membership with the Washington State Bar Association, Attorney Hale is a proud member of the Texas Bar Association as well.
In 2001, with three years of practice already under his belt, Attorney Hale began his practice at Hale Law Enterprises. As a Seattle criminal defense attorney, he has successfully handled thousands of cases throughout the state of Washington. Attorney Hale has defended NBA athletes, executives at large companies, and other good people accused of serious crimes. He is a proud member of the Washington State Bar Association, Washington State Trial Lawyers Association, Washington Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, and the Texas Bar Association. Attorney Hale handles all types of criminal defense cases, offering exceptional representation and sound legal counsel every step of the way.
BRADLEY JOHNSON
Family Lawyer
Bradley Johnson is an attorney with a passion for helping people accused of crimes or injured by the negligence of others. He founded Bradley Johnson Lawyers in 1993 and has steadily built a practice full of outstanding attorneys and support staff. All are dedicated to providing exceptional legal support and believe all people deserve strong, compelling advocacy.
Bradley graduated from the prestigious Gerry Spence Trial Lawyers College and received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Rhetoric from the University of California at Berkeley. He earned his law degree from University of Washington. While in law school, Bradley worked for Betts, Patterson and Mines and later for the New York City District Attorney’s Office.
Proud father of his 8-year-old son, Bradley is the Den Master for his little wolf scout’s Boy Scout Troop and is volunteer teacher for his son’s Elementary Chess Program. Living in Seattle is a dream come true for Bradley after spending his first 18 years in parched Bakersfield, California.
For recreation, Bradley can be found avidly digesting independent films at the Seattle International Film Festival, Sundance or the Northwest Film Forum or participating in a Men’s Group he co-founded that has been meeting once per month in his home for more than eight years.
Bradley believes that everyone needs support and encouragement. People needs others who can hold a bigger picture and vision of who they are and that mentorship can make the difference between someone living into who he or she is rather than spending years frustrated and learning through bitter disappointment.
MATTHEW LEYBA
Family Lawyer
Matthew was born and raised in Salt Lake City, UT. After graduation from the University of Utah, he decided to attend Gonzaga University School of Law on scholarship. During his time in Spokane, he developed an interest in criminal defense, in particular, DUI Defense. As a second-year law student, he interned at the Spokane County Public Defender’s Office and developed a love for criminal defense work.
After graduation and in the summer of 2006, Matthew left Spokane to work in Seattle at one of the largest criminal defense firms in the State. While there, he represented thousands of clients who were accused of committing a wide variety of criminal offenses. It was during this time, that he really fell in love with DUI Defense and built his reputation as a skilled trial attorney and a tireless advocate for his clients. Matthew litigated more trials during his first four years as an attorney than most attorneys litigate during their entire career. His success in the courtroom led him to open his own practice.
Matthew is an NHTSA qualified administrator of the standardized field sobriety tests, the same tests every trooper and police officer is trained to administer. Having litigated over 100 jury trials to verdict, he is comfortable and confident in the courtroom. His practice is devoted 100% to litigation. What does that mean? Matthew is fearless and if the prosecution doesn’t offer a deal his client wants to take, he will take the case to trial and present the best defense possible.
When is Speeding a Felony? Understanding the Legal Consequences
Speeding is typically treated as a minor traffic violation, resulting in fines and points on a driver’s license. However, there are circumstances where speeding escalates into a felony offense. Understanding when speeding can lead to felony charges is crucial, as it carries serious legal consequences, including significant fines, suspension of a driver’s license, and even imprisonment.
1. Extreme or Excessive Speeding
In most states, felony speeding occurs when a driver exceeds a certain speed threshold. For instance, driving 20-30 miles per hour (mph) over the posted speed limit could elevate the charge from a misdemeanor to a felony. Some jurisdictions also consider speeding over 100 mph to be a felony due to the extreme danger it poses to public safety.
2. Speeding in a School or Construction Zone
Speeding in designated areas such as school zones or construction zones often carries harsher penalties. In certain states, exceeding the speed limit in these areas can be classified as a felony, especially if it leads to injury or harm.
3. Reckless Driving and Endangerment
When speeding is combined with reckless driving behaviors—such as weaving between lanes, running red lights, or driving while intoxicated—it can lead to felony charges. Reckless driving puts others at significant risk of harm, and many states classify it as a felony when these dangerous conditions are present.
4. Speeding Resulting in Injury or Death
Speeding that leads to a crash causing injury or death is almost always treated as a felony. Charges like vehicular manslaughter or negligent homicide may be filed when speeding results in fatal consequences, potentially leading to long-term imprisonment.
5. Repeat Offenses
For individuals with a history of speeding violations or other traffic offenses, repeated speeding may be charged as a felony. States have “habitual offender” laws, where continuous violations can lead to more severe penalties.
Legal Consequences of Felony Speeding
Felony speeding can result in:
- Large fines
- Jail or prison sentences
- Probation
- Mandatory driving school
- License suspension or revocation
- Increased insurance rates
Understanding the seriousness of speeding and adhering to traffic laws is crucial to avoid felony charges and the significant impact they can have on one’s life.
6. Speeding While Fleeing Law Enforcement
Attempting to evade police officers during a traffic stop or while being pursued is a serious offense. If speeding is involved in an effort to flee from law enforcement, it is often categorized as a felony. In these cases, the driver may face charges such as “felony evasion,” which can lead to harsher penalties than typical speeding violations, including longer prison sentences and the permanent revocation of a driver’s license.
7. Speeding in a Stolen Vehicle
If an individual is caught speeding in a stolen vehicle, the crime becomes more severe. In many jurisdictions, driving a stolen car while speeding is automatically treated as a felony due to the compounded nature of the criminal activity. The penalties for this may include both felony speeding charges and additional charges for theft and reckless endangerment.
8. Speeding While Driving Under the Influence (DUI)
When speeding is combined with driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, the offense can quickly escalate to a felony charge. DUI laws vary by state, but speeding while intoxicated can result in aggravated DUI charges, which carry felony penalties. This is particularly true if the driver has prior DUI convictions or if the speeding behavior causes harm to others.
How to Avoid Felony Speeding Charges
The best way to avoid felony speeding charges is to follow all posted speed limits and drive safely. Here are some practical tips to help drivers stay compliant:
- Observe Speed Limits: Always adhere to the speed limit, especially in areas with special considerations like school zones or construction sites.
- Practice Defensive Driving: Be mindful of road conditions, traffic flow, and other drivers. Avoid aggressive driving behaviors like tailgating or weaving between lanes.
- Don’t Drink and Drive: Never operate a vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Even prescription medication that impairs your ability to drive can lead to dangerous situations and harsher legal penalties.
- Stay Calm if Pulled Over: If you are stopped by law enforcement, remain calm and cooperative. Attempting to flee or evade the police will almost always result in more serious charges.
The Importance of Legal Representation
If you find yourself facing felony speeding charges, seeking legal representation is critical. An experienced criminal defense attorney can help navigate the complexities of the legal system and possibly reduce the charges or penalties. They can also investigate the specifics of the case, such as radar accuracy or improper handling by law enforcement, to build a strong defense.
Conclusion
While speeding is often considered a minor traffic offense, certain behaviors and circumstances can turn it into a felony with serious legal repercussions. Whether it’s excessive speeding, reckless endangerment, or driving under the influence, understanding when speeding crosses the line into a felony is crucial. Practicing safe driving habits and adhering to the law can help drivers avoid life-altering consequences, but if charges are brought, obtaining legal advice is essential to navigate the complexities of felony speeding cases.