The Intersection of Mental Health and Police Encounters: A Legal Perspective
When police respond to mental health crises, situations can escalate in moments and leave long-lasting effects. People struggling with mental health conditions may be treated as dangerous instead of as individuals in need of support. Looking at these encounters through a legal lens shows where rights and protections matter most.
Seeking Justice and Promoting Change After a Police Shooting Incident
A police shooting can leave lives shattered in seconds. Whether someone was injured or killed, these incidents often involve more than just a single moment—they reflect a breakdown in trust, responsibility, and safety. When law enforcement uses deadly force, victims and families deserve answers. At Stritmatter Law, we help you hold officers...
Police Misconduct: The Constitutional Right to Be Free from Excessive Force
Over the past decade, the American public has become increasingly aware of police misconduct and the use of excessive force against civilians. Here in Seattle, many high-profile incidents and independent investigations have underscored the urgent need to understand—and protect—your Constitutional rights.
What Is “Excessive Force” Under the...
Ninth Circuit Ruling in Estate of Soakai v. Abdelaziz Strengthens “Shock the Conscience” and State-Created Danger Claims in Police Chase Cases
In the case of Estate of Soakai v. Abdelaziz, --- F.4th ----, 2025 WL 1417105 (May 16, 2025), the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals addressed a 42 U.S.C. § 1983 action involving two police officers, Walid Abdelaziz and Jimmy Marin-Coronel, who...
Police Brutality in Seattle: What Are Your Legal Rights?
If you or someone you love has suffered harm at the hands of the Seattle police, you are not alone. Area cops have a long history of abusing their badge.
At one point, things got so bad the federal government stepped in to try and get the...
SCOTUS Ruling in Barnes v. Felix: Removing “Chronological Blinders”
Today, the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) delivered an important decision in the case of Barnes v. Felix Barnes v. Felix, No. 23-1239, slip op. at 5-6, 2025 WL 1401083, (U.S. May 15, 2025). It took the opportunity to...
Blast Balls, Flash Bangs and the Seattle City Council
Today, I testified for the 1 minute allowed by the Seattle City Council on the issue of lifting bans on using blast balls, flash bangs, and other munitions against protesters.
Before testifying, I wrote a long letter with 23 illustrated stories of some of the 51 clients we represented...
The Heinous Killing of Sonya Massey by a Sheriff’s Deputy Cannot Be Tolerated by a Civilized Society
Say their names. Floyd. Bland. McAtee. McClain. Lyles. Castile. Clark. Sarey. Strickland. Say their names, the names of all of those who left too soon who left mothers weeping, say all their names, and now say Massey.
They say, on July 6, 2024, four days after...
7 days too late to stop a killer cop
By Mo Hamoudi
What you do. What you leave undone. In 2019, while at the Federal Defender, my colleagues and I brought to light a frightening truth. Jeff Nelson, an Auburn Police officer, had a penchant towards violence but the public was unaware. It was a penchant that...
Family Files Wrongful Death Lawsuit After Fatal Police Shooting of Beloved Father
Seattle, WA – Stritmatter Law filed a wrongful death lawsuit on behalf of the family of David Babcock against the City of Mount Vernon, City of Sedro-Woolley, Skagit County, and Officer Maxwell Rosser. The complaint alleges that the involved officers broke the law and ultimately used excessive force to shoot and...