law

Same Sex Marriage: What Happens Next?

The Conversation With Ross Reynolds — Wed, 01 May 2013 19:29:21 +0000

Last November Washington became the first state to legalize same sex marriage at the polls but today we want to check in on what is happening with the same-sex marriage debate in and out of the Evergreen State.

Governor Inslee Pushes For Tougher DUI Penalties

The Conversation With Ross Reynolds — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 21:26:20 +0000

According to the Centers for Disease Control, the average drunken driver has driven drunk 80 times before their first arrest. Here in Washington after a rather horrific spree of drunk driving related deaths, the governor is getting tough on drunken drivers by proposing tougher penalties for first-, second- and third-time offenders. One of the governor's more strident proposals would ban third-time offenders from purchasing alcohol. In this segment of the conversation listeners share their thoughts on these new and tougher proposed penalties.

Why Was Pete Holmes In Copenhagen?

The Conversation With Ross Reynolds — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 19:00:27 +0000

Pete Holmes is Seattle’s city attorney and that means his clients include the mayor, the City Council, the police and the public. Pete Holmes previously worked as a private attorney in Seattle for almost 25 years before being elected city attorney in November 2009. He was also an original member of the Seattle Police Department's Office of Professional Accountability Review Board (OPARB) and served as chairman from 2003 to 2008. Ross Reynolds talks with Seattle City Attorney Pete Holmes about the recent retirement of Police Chief John Diaz, the Department of Justice and what he was doing in Copenhagen.

Are Washington's DUI Laws Tough Enough?

The Conversation With Ross Reynolds — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 18:51:26 +0000

Washington Governor Jay Inslee wants to crackdown on drunken drivers in the wake of some recent tragedies involving intoxicated drivers. Today, Ross Reynolds talks with New York University Langone Medical Center professor, Baron Lerner about how DUI laws and enforcement in Washington compare nationally.

For Legal Pot Sellers, A Big Tax Problem

Grace Hood — Tue, 02 Apr 2013 21:17:00 +0000

An obscure tax code provision crafted for drug dealers is giving state-licensed medical marijuana dispensaries a headache.

In Colorado, federal income tax rates for dispensaries can soar as high as 70 percent because of a tax code section that does not allow businesses to claim certain deductions.

The section is known as 280E, and it was originally written for illegal drug traffickers. But today it's a thorn in the side of licensed dispensary owners like Erica Freeman.

Freeman is co-owner of Choice Organics in Fort Collins, Colo.

Day Two Of Same-Sex Marriage Cases At Supreme Court

Mark Memmott — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 16:18:00 +0000

(We most recently updated the top of this post at 1:45 p.m.

Duwamish Tribe Renews Hopes For Federal Recognition

Liz Jones — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 00:39:05 +0000

At the Duwamish Longhouse in West Seattle, Cecile Hansen traces her finger down a plaque of names. “Look at all our leaders, starting with the chief here,” Hansen says.

Happening Now: Supreme Court Hears First Of Two Gay-Marriage Cases

Mark Memmott — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 14:10:00 +0000
(Our most recent update was at 12:50 p.m. ET.)
In the first of two hearings on one of the nation's most controversial issues — same-sex marriage — Supreme Court justices on Tuesday poked holes in the arguments made by supporters and opponents of bans on gay marriage.

Ask State Attorney General Bob Ferguson

Producer — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 16:00:00 +0000

Last November, Bob Ferguson became Washington state’s 18th attorney general. One of the biggest issues he faces is how the federal government will approach legalized marijuana in Washington state. Ferguson met with Attorney General Eric Holder in January and so far, a clear policy has yet to emerge. Ferguson says if legalized marijuana is challenged by the feds, he'll defend it. What questions do you have for Attorney General Bob Ferguson? What should his priorities be? Call us at 800.289.5869 or email weekday@kuow.org.

Forensic Advances Raise New Questions About Old Convictions

editor — Wed, 20 Mar 2013 21:06:00 +0000
Advances in forensic technology are showing that what used to be considered clear-cut proof of guilt may be nothing of the kind. A California case highlights a growing problem facing courts: what to do when an expert witness changes his mind because of better science and technology.
William Richards was convicted of brutally murdering his wife and is serving 25 years to life. The evidence against him was mostly circumstantial and two different juries were unable to reach a verdict.