DNA Demand Letters from the attorney general: refusal to provide DNA – RCW 43.43.754(11)

This practice advisory explains why Washington Attorney General letters demanding DNA samples may not create a valid legal obligation to comply, particularly when the State failed to follow the notice and hearing procedures requir...

PRACTICE TOOL: Incarcerated Defendant-Effects on Social Security

Does a conviction prevent a client from getting Social Security? How many different types of Social Security could my client have? Is there anything I can do or tell my client to do related to their date of release from incarcerat...

Fighting For Family Integrity

This practice advisory accompanies the WDA IPP live webinar held on November 14, 2025.   This training is for family defenders, who are interested in protecting the parental fitness presumption as a means to defeat family separa...

Practice Advisory-Changing or Removing Postconviction (RCW 10.99) Orders

This practice advisory is for criminal defense attorneys, postconviction defense attorneys, people sentenced for misdemeanor and felony offenses with a “domestic violence” special designation, and people sentenced to community...

Name Change in Washington (1.2025)

This WDA Practice Advisory discusses the process and resources available for a Legal Name Change, with information specific to King County as an example.

Understanding DOC Discipline and Infractions (2025)

Fugitive from Justice: Extradition, Writs, and Other Client Options

Here is a summary for the description box: Information for defenders handling a fugitive from justice cases. Includes applicable timelines options available to clients on fugitive cases, when to file a writ, and how extradition an...

Obstruction Charges for Mere Speech or Refusal to Give Name

Refusal to give a name or giving a false name cannot form the basis for obstruction as the obstruction statute prohibits obstructing conduct, not speech.

Scoring Juvenile Points 2025 Update (3.2025)

This practice advisory explains 2023 changes to the SRA scoring statute providing that prior juvenile court adjudications will not be counted in the adult offender score, except for juvenile adjudications for murder 1 or 2 and cla...

Ending the Duty to Register_ Under 18 at Offense (8.2024)

This Practice Advisory discusses the rules governing the end of the duty to register for people who were under 18 at the time of a sex offense triggering registration.