Legal Question in Criminal Law in Washington

Re: Police corruption

Perhaps it�s the way you�ve written your question, but I�m really wondering if what you say happened is true. If you were a witness to a murder and your words resulted in the suspect�s admission, then why are your receiving threats for making your statement? Did you falsely accuse the suspect? Wasn�t what you said the truth? And who are these people threatening you? Haven�t you reported that to the police? Presumably these people threatening you are in league with the murder suspect. That should make you concerned about your safety and you need to report it.

As for the fraud case, that makes no sense as well. How could you be interviewed by two police officers concerning a bounced check and then just 30 minutes later, be arrested and taken to jail for fraud? In Washington State, police officers can issue citations for �unlawful issuance of bank checks� which is a gross misdemeanor under RCW 9A.56.060, but the charge of �fraud� under RCW 9A.60.020 is a felony. To arrest you for felony fraud, the detective would have needed a warrant if you were arrested at your home and a criminal information form would have to been filed by the prosecutor�s office. Usually these kinds of charging decisions take weeks and in some cases, months to decide. I dare say that this is impossible to happen within thirty minutes or so.

And then there is the divorce and the POA. If the divorce isn�t final and your husband never rescinded the POA and it�s still within the expiration date listed on the form (if any was listed � some don�t state an expiration date), you are legally able to use it despite your separation. The cops should know this, and so it makes no sense to arrest you for stealing from your husband�s account. Is it a separate business account? Are you sure that the POA covers this? What was your intention in writing the check? Does that intention fall within the scope of the POA?

In summary, I think you�re either the victim of extremely bad police work and you�re in extreme danger and you�ve suffered a false arrest - or - the question you have written is way off kilter. I recommend that you post another question making the facts more clear so the body can provide you appropriate legal advice.