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Richard Laws
Law Office of Richard A. Laws PLLC
Badges
Claimed Lawyer Profile
Education
- University of Idaho College of Law
- J.D.
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- Honors: *William and Carolyn Folz Law Scholarship, 2002-2005 *Idaho Law Review, Spring (2005) Edition Editor *Underprivileged: What's Wrong with Rule 516?, 40 IDAHO L. REV. 695 (2004) *Idaho Law Review award for Outstanding Student Writing, 2004 *Theron W. Ward Ethics Award, 2004 *Phi Delta Phi honor society, 2003
- Activities: *Tribal and Immigration Legal Aid Clinic, 2004-2005 *Honor Court Prosecutor, 2004-2005 *Tenure Review Committee, 2004-2005 *Legal Research & Writing tutor, 2004 *Idaho Innocence Project 2002-2004 (President 2003-2004)
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- Washington State University - Tri-Cities campus
- B.A. | English (pre-law)
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- This was actually one year at WSU Tri-Cities and two years at the main campus in Pullman, but for some unknown reason WSU Pullman isn't one of the options.
- Honors: *Graduated summa cum laude, May 2001 *Basil and Ella Jerard English Scholarship, 2000-2001 *President's List every semester, Fall 1999-Spring 2001 *Phi Beta Kappa, 2001 *Sigma Tau Delta, 2000 *Minor in history, December 2000
- Activities: *Writing Center tutor *GenEd 302 (writing in the major) tutor
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Professional Experience
- Felony Public Defender
- Asotin County
- - Current
- I am one of three contract public defenders in Superior Court. I handle adult felonies of all types, juvenile offenses, child support contempt, and representation of children in dependency and Becca actions.
- Attorney
- Law Office of Richard A. Laws PLLC
- - Current
- My private practice is largely focused on advice and representation of family law and criminal defense clients and frequent appointments as a Title 11 and Title 26 guardian ad litem.
- Member
- Broyles & Laws PLLC
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- Special Assistant Attorney General
- Department of Social and Health Services
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- I represented the Division of Children and Family Services in Asotin and Garfield counties under contract with the Attorney General's office. In this capacity, I was responsible for all juvenile litigation in which the Department has a legal interest: dependency, termination, at-risk youth and CHINS petitions under the Becca Bill, intervention and concurrent jurisdiction in family court when necessary to protect the Department's interests.
- Interim City Attorney
- City of Asotin
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- Felony Public Defender
- Asotin County
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- I am one of three attorneys appointed to felony criminal cases in which the accused qualifies for indigent defense counsel.
- Assistant City Attorney and Municipal Prosecuting Attorney
- City of Asotin
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- Municipal Prosecutor
- City of Clarkston
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- Responsible for prosecuting misdemeanor criminal offenses within city limits.
Publications
Articles & Publications
- Underprivileged: What's Wrong with Rule 516?
- Idaho Law Review
Awards
- Pro Bono Award
- Hells Canyon Bar Association
- I received this recognition for donating a significant portion of my time to represent indigent clients, mostly in family law cases.
- Pro Bono Award
- Hells Canyon Bar Association
- I shared this recognition with my friend and colleague Jane Richards, for donating a significant portion of my time to represent indigent clients, mostly in family law cases.
Professional Associations
- Washington Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
- Member
- - Current
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- Washington Defender Association
- Member
- - Current
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- Washington State Bar # 36654
- Member
- - Current
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Jurisdictions Admitted to Practice
- Washington
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Practice Areas
- Criminal Law
- Criminal Appeals, Drug Crimes, Expungement, Fraud, Gun Crimes, Internet Crimes, Sex Crimes, Theft, Violent Crimes
- Estate Planning
- Guardianship & Conservatorship Estate Administration, Health Care Directives, Trusts, Wills
- Family Law
- Adoption, Child Custody, Child Support, Father's Rights, Guardianship & Conservatorship, Paternity, Prenups & Marital Agreements, Restraining Orders, Same Sex Family Law
- Juvenile Law
Languages
- English: Spoken, Written
Social Media
Websites & Blogs
- Website
- Website
Contact & Map