Jonathan Cruz was 11 years old in 2016 when he allegedly had sexual contact with 5 year old J.Z. Six years late, J.Z. had a triggering event that caused him to remember the incident. The State charged Mr. Cruz, then 17, as an adult with Rape of a Child in the First Degree. The Court Read More…
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Tales From the Trenches Perils of Representing Oneself?!? State v Chhim [Division II : 59710-1-II]
Mr. Chhim was convicted of two separate crimes in two consecutive trials involving two different alleged victims. Mr. Chhim appealed on the grounds: 1) the trial court denied his motion to represent himself and 2) jurors in the second trial saw juror notes left over from the first trial! The Court of Appeals for Read More…
Tales From the Trenches Don’t Look at Child Porn While on Suspended Sentence for Child Rape State v Justin Smith (Division I Published in Part) #86394-1-1
Mr. Smith pleaded guilty to Rape of a Child in the First Degree in 2021. His prison sentence was suspended, pursuant to RCW 9.94.A.670, based on a psychosexual evaluation indicating he was amenable to community based sex offender treatment. He was placed on community supervision by the WA. Department of Corrections (DOC’). In 2024, Mr. Read More…