Washington State Court of Appeals

 By statute, the court is empowered to hear the following types of cases: 

As a matter of right, all appeals from final judgments' of the Superior Court

Appeal Division

Our Services for Possible Relief

Support for SB 6164 & Comprehensive Investigative Reports

We have extensive experience assisting clients with the SB 6164 process, which can provide critical relief. This service now includes a detailed report prepared by your assigned investigator. The report highlights your accomplishments, offers tailored recommendations, and identifies any mitigating factors that could influence the outcome of your petition. The flat fee for this service is $1,500.

We understand that recent reports indicate a low number of granted 6164 petitions, which can be disheartening. However, this data doesn’t tell the full story. Our office has a high success rate with these petitions, and upon further investigation, we discovered that many counties are not reporting their statistics. This means that the available numbers only reflect a portion of the total cases, leaving many successes unaccounted for.

 Clemency Assistance Amidst Leadership Changes

Over the past year, a notable number of clemency grants were issued, even for historically challenging cases like life sentences. With Bob Ferguson now officially elected, some clients are concerned about how this may impact clemency.

What to Expect: Ferguson has expressed support for clemency and may continue some of Inslee’s policies. While the board's standards remain steady for now, there may be changes ahead. For those seeking clemency, now could be a strategic time to apply, as the board still emphasizes mitigating factors and evidence of rehabilitation. The current session for board reviews and hearings is fully booked, but scheduling for January 2025 is already underway.

Our service ensures your application is prepared with precision, aligning with both current and anticipated policies. This assistance is available at a flat rate of $1,500.

 Document Preparation Services

Even if you have conducted your own investigation and need help assembling the results, we can assist. We’ve partnered with a company specializing in preparing court documents in the correct legal format and language, ensuring your motion is polished and professional.

Their service includes incorporating the results of your investigation and highlighting what you feel is important. While they are not attorneys and cannot provide legal advice, they focus on documenting your evidence and thoughts effectively.

Their fee is $1,500 per motion for up to four grounds with supporting documentation. For motions with more than four grounds, the fee is $2,000.

Please note that while this service is designed to ensure your documentation is well-prepared and accurately represents your case, we cannot guarantee the outcome or the court's decision.

 Legislative Reforms Offering New Opportunities for Inmate Relief Assistance

The recent update to Washington State's three-strikes law is retroactive, which means individuals previously sentenced to life imprisonment under this law for second-degree robbery may now be eligible for resentencing. This significant change could lead to reduced sentences or even release for some individuals affected by the old law. The update specifically removes second-degree robbery from the list of crimes that could result in a life sentence for third-time offenders. As a result, those convicted of second-degree robbery will no longer face a life sentence under the three-strikes law for future offenses.

To take advantage of this change, you would need to file a Personal Restraint Petition (PRP). Our services include gathering the necessary paperwork and preparing a comprehensive report outlining how these legal changes affect your case. The total cost for these services is $3,000, which covers $1,500 for the investigation and report preparation and $1,500 for filing the PRP.

**We're closely monitoring HB 2065, which aims to make Bill 1324 retroactive concerning the calculation of juvenile scores. The bill has already passed successfully and is gaining strong support going into its third reading. There's a possibility it could be enacted within the next couple of months—exciting news for those impacted!

Independent Investigations and Evaluations
Our primary service is conducting full, independent investigations and comprehensive evaluations of the evidence used against you. We understand that many wrongful convictions result from incomplete or flawed investigations, where crucial details are overlooked, witnesses are not contacted, or evidence is mishandled. Our goal is to uncover every piece of evidence and every detail that can support your case, ensuring that nothing is missed in the pursuit of justice.

Here’s what a full investigation includes:

    • Thorough Review of Discovery: We start by examining the Discovery provided in your case. This includes reviewing police reports, witness statements, forensic evidence, and any other documentation that was used against you in court. Our team looks for discrepancies, broken policies, and procedural errors that could point to weaknesses in the prosecution’s case.
    • Independent Witness Interviews: Often, witnesses who were not contacted or fully interviewed during the original investigation may hold critical information. Our investigators reach out to these individuals to gather new statements or clarify previous ones. This can be vital in uncovering inconsistencies or new evidence that could support your defense.
    • Evaluation of Counsel’s Performance: If you believe you were subject to ineffective counsel, we investigate the performance of your legal representation. This includes pulling records from the Washington State Bar Association and examining whether similar concerns have been raised by others.
    • Evidence Custody and Chain of Custody Issues: We scrutinize the handling of evidence throughout the investigation process, looking for any signs of tampering, mishandling, or chain of custody issues. Such problems can severely undermine the integrity of the prosecution’s case.
    • Brady Violations and Newly Discovered Evidence: We search for any Brady violations (where the prosecution failed to disclose exculpatory evidence) and examine any newly discovered evidence that could serve as an exception to time-bar constraints. Our goal is to identify anything that could support a Personal Restraint Petition (PRP) or other motions that may provide relief.
    • Background Checks on Key Witnesses: Our investigators conduct thorough background checks on the witnesses used against you, looking for any history of dishonesty or other factors that could affect their credibility.
    • Pulling Emails and Communication Records: We can retrieve emails between prosecutors, and anyone involved in your case. These communications can bring a wealth of helpful information that could support your case. They can sometimes reveal problems within your case, falsified court documents and even mishandling of evidence.
    • ISRB Communications: If you're facing issues with the ISRB board, we can pull communications between the board members and your CCO, dating back to the time you were placed under their supervision. These records can reveal important insights that can significantly impact you.
    • Concerns with Key Players in Your Case: If you have concerns about key players in your case, such as officers, judicial officers, or coroners, we can look into their history. We’ve compiled a shockingly long list of such individuals who have been charged with crimes, and we can access detailed records like internal affairs investigations. For example, Yakima County Coroner Jim Curtice recently admitted to stealing drugs from deceased bodies and consuming them. Additionally, a judge overseeing multiple counties was convicted of sex crimes and has since been removed. All of this critical information would come to light in a full investigation of your case and may bring you significant relief.
    • Comprehensive Report Preparation: After gathering all the necessary information, we compile a detailed report outlining our findings and recommendations. This report is crafted to support any legal action you may take, whether it’s a PRP, clemency petition, or another type of motion. While we strive to uncover information that can be of significant help to your case, the strength of our findings will depend on the available evidence.
    • Intake Interview: Once we are retained, your case will be promptly assigned to your lead private investigator. Within 24 hours, your investigator will contact you via Securus to introduce herself and schedule your intake interview. This interview is your opportunity to share any details about what you feel went wrong and any additional concerns you may have. It also allows your investigator to thoroughly assess your case and identify areas that may require further investigation.

A full investigation is an intensive process that can take anywhere from 2 to 6 months, depending on the complexity of the case and the age of the records. We are committed to being as thorough as possible, and while it may take time, our diligence ensures that we leave no stone unturned in your defense.

This service is a flat fee of $3500, which covers the extensive work involved in these investigations. We work hard to keep this cost as low as possible by optimizing our processes, passing the savings directly to you.

We know how much is at stake for you, and we treat every case with the seriousness it deserves. Our clients’ success stories are a testament to our commitment and expertise, and we take pride in being the only independent investigative agency in Washington State that offers such comprehensive services. And we treat all our clients with kindness and respect,t and with a deep understanding of your situation.

Unfair Treatment by the Washington ISRB?  We Can Help You Seek Justice!

If you believe you are being treated unfairly by the Washington Indeterminate Sentence Review Board (ISRB), you may have the option to file a Personal Restraint Petition (PRP) with the Court of Appeals. This can challenge decisions that are unjust or unsupported by evidence, such as arbitrary denials of parole or release.

How We Assist You:

Our firm specializes in helping individuals gather the necessary evidence and prepare PRPs to present your case effectively to the Court of Appeals. While we are not attorneys, we have extensive experience in investigative services and legal documentation for these types of situations. Total Cost: $3,000

Services Include:

  1. Licensed Private Investigation ($1,500):
    • We will collect evidence to demonstrate how ISRB’s actions have affected you.
    • Our licensed investigators will generate a comprehensive report to support your petition.
  2. Preparation of the PRP ($1,500):
    • We will draft a clear, well-organized Personal Restraint Petition (PRP) on your behalf for submission to the Court of Appeals.
    • Our team ensures all necessary documents and supporting evidence are included to strengthen your case.


Why Choose Us?

With a strong reputation in the industry, we provide professional, thorough, and ethical services. We are here to help you navigate this challenging process and seek the relief you deserve.   Contact Information: Free Consultation Line: (509) 426-5970 Office: (509) 504-7909

 "The Supreme Court, of course, has the responsibility of ensuring that our government never oversteps its proper bounds or violates the rights of individuals"  

- Elena Kagan

© Copyright Criminal Defense Services Inc.