Law Office of Kurt Stender, PLLC

07/27/2023

THREE COUNTS OF ASSAULT 1 ... DISMISSED!!!

10/11/2022

Week long trial in Olympia. City accused my client of violating a no contact order three times. His ex-wife insisted that his son be picked up from her apartment, even though there was an NCO. She would only permit his 80-year-old dad who has dementia to assist. Sound like a set-up? It was. My client would drive his dad to the apartment complex, get out of the car and let him go the remaining distance to pick up his son. The ex-wife would secretly walk around in the parking lot, trying to close the gap on my client, then call the police claiming he came within 500' of her. My client is an aeronautical engineer. He hasn't worked in two years because of these allegations. I'm very proud to say that after three-and-a-half days, the jury acquitted him of all three charges!!

11/03/2020

stenderlaw.com has a new look! Check it out when you get the chance.

09/30/2020

Client had a DUI in 2015. The case was resolved. In 2019, she got a Negligent Driving in the First Degree. She blew .06. The video showed her speeding, but not weaving or driving in a way that endangered others. Today, we resolved the case by amending to a Negligent Driving in the Second Degree, which is an infraction that carries a $250 fine. My client is very happy!

07/02/2019

My client was pulled over for speeding. Being that he was on a motorcycle, he decided to speed away from the officer. Naturally, the officer pursued. *This is called Attempting to Elude - it's a Class C felony.* There was a high speed chase.
He eventually lost the police office, but not before the officer obtained his license plate number. The police officer ran the plate, obtained the registered owner's name and address and drove to my client's house where he introduced himself to my client's mother. After a short phone conversation (between mother and son), my client begrudgingly turned himself in. He spent a couple days in jail before bailing out. Later he hired me.
Today, we resolved the case. My client plead guilty to the amended charges of Reckless Driving and Obstructing. Two gross misdemeanors, so he's not a felon. He'll serve ten days of work crew instead of jail and he's agreed to refrain from driving a motorcycle for two years.

10/24/2018

Today ended a long, three-day jury trial. My client, who is a friend of mine, was charged with DUI. He refused the breath test. Unfortunately, he had old DUIs on his record, so there was no deal to be negotiated with the prosecutor. My client adamantly disputed the allegation. The jury deliberated for three hours. Unanimous decision. NOT GUILTY!!!

07/25/2018

Back in January, my client drove his motorcycle home in Parkland. Although it was late, there were people on the side of the road. One of them was homeless and appeared to be under the influence of drugs. For reasons unknown, the homeless man threw himself in front of my client's bike causing it to crash. My client went down and the motorcycle barreled off the road. He sustained minor cuts and bruises. The homeless man suffered a broken leg and the motorcycle was totaled. The police and ambulance were called. When they arrived, they smelled alcohol on my client. Even though he didn't cause the accident, he was arrested. Initially, he was charged with a Class B felony of Vehicular Assault. After meeting with the felony prosecutors, I persuaded them to amend the charge to a gross misdemeanor. At the District Court level, I persuaded the prosecutors to amend his DUI (BAC = .20) again. Today, he plead guilty to the very reduced charge of Reckless Driving with no jail. My client had never been in trouble before. He's a mechanic for the Air Force. He has clearance to work on military aircraft. A felony conviction would have ended his career.

06/22/2018

https://www.cnet.com/news/supreme-court-says-warrant-necessary-for-phone-location-data/

US justices say law enforcement needs a warrant to follow your digital footprints.

12/18/2017

National Su***de Prevention Lifeline

800-273-8255

A client of mine lost his battle with alcohol about two weeks ago. Although he had been sober for years, he relapsed and couldn't get dry again. We got him into treatment and he seemed to be doing ok. Things started to look up. His tipping point occurred when his longtime girlfriend was hospitalized and placed on life support. The nurses turned him away from visiting her because they knew he had been drinking. He went home and took his life.

Depression and substance abuse should never be underestimated. There's always a better way. If you're thinking about hurting yourself, call this number or call 911. There are people waiting to take your call that want to help.