Seattle has a drug problem, as we all know. In light of this, last year Seattle lawmakers expanded the city’s ability to crack down on misdemeanor crime and disorder in commercial areas. The proposal involved setting up six “stay out” zones for those arrested on drug-related offenses and expanding the number of jail beds available for Seattle-based bookings. Police, via the law, are now authorized to arrest someone found in the designated area where they have been banned. To date, however, neither law enforcement nor the judiciary have made much of an effort to implement the authorized ‘crack down’.
Drug arrests in 2024 have not meaningfully increased since the zones were established, and Seattle is also not using its full allotment of beds in the downtown jail, even after city officials negotiated a higher number last fall. So far, the average daily population of Seattle-based misdemeanor arrests in the downtown jail has stayed relatively flat. Out of the 135 beds now available, on average, 84 were filled per night in December. Will things pick up over the next several months? Will the crackdown on drugs expand to serve the needs of Seattle’s downtown? We shall see.
If you or a loved one is in a bind as a result of criminal allegations, immediately contact a Seattle Criminal Attorney. A Criminal lawyer is not going to judge you and understands that everyone makes mistakes. Hiring a Seattle Criminal Lawyer to help can – at a minimum – reduce penalties and can help direct people on how to best deal with their criminal charge, and many times even get them dismissed. So, it should go without saying that someone cited for a misdemeanor or felony should hire a qualified Seattle Criminal Lawyer as soon as possible. Criminal charges can cause havoc on a person’s personal and professional life. Anyone charged with a crime in Washington State should immediately seek the assistance of a seasoned Seattle Criminal Lawyer. SQ Attorneys can be reached at (425) 359-3791 and/or (206) 441-0900.