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# Blogs from May, 2021
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4. May
## Most Recent Posts from May, 2021
##### Categories
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* [May 5, 2021
  **Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month 2021**
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# Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month 2021
4. 
5. Asian American and ...
May 05, 2021
|
By
Guadagno Law, PLLC
## Honoring AAPI Heritage Month 2021
**May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month**, which celebrates the history and achievements of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in the US. These communities have **significantly contributed to American history** and continue to be the **cornerstone of future success in the nation**. For background, the first Japanese immigrants came to the US on May 6, 1843, and the transcontinental railroad was completed — predominantly, by Chinese immigrant workers — on May 10, 1869. This is why the month of May is AAPI Heritage Month.
The state of Washington has close ties to the Pacific Rim in trade, the love of its culture, and in its history with the Asian community. As of 2020, Washington state’s population consists of ** (NHPI)**. Together, 764,220 Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders live in Washington, making them the **second-largest ethnic group in the state**.
Other  in the US include:
* **About 10% of businesses in the US are owned by Asians**
* **About 5,157 businesses in the US are owned by Native Hawaiians and other Pacific Islanders**
* **Asian Pacific American women served in World War II**
* **2017 was the first-ever year that 2 Asian American women served in the Senate**
* **Kamala Harris is the first US vice president of Asian American and African American descent**
* **The AAPI population in the US is expected to , yet it remains one of the most understudied racial groups in the country**
## Anti-Asian Hate Crimes Are Rampant in the US
Since the spread of COVID-19, **Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders have suffered staggering rates of hate crime victimization** in the US. Seattle is one of 16 states with the **highest **, totaling 126 total hate crimes in 2020. In 2020, **Seattle reported 2 hate crime incidents per day**, but hate crimes and biased incidents have soared to **63% in 2021 over 2020,** and the year isn’t even halfway over.
Although overall hate crimes have decreased by 6%, hate crimes against Asian individuals increased by nearly 145%. Stop AAPI Hate reported 3,795 hate incidents between March 19, 2020, and February 28, 2021, and that number may continue to increase over the year.
This is unacceptable. All immigrants have the right to feel protected from harm in the US.
### How to Be an Ally to AAPI Communities
As a person who has immigrated to the US from another country and culture, I staunchly support all people wanting a better life in America. The increase in anti-Asian hate crime incidents is troubling and heartbreaking, but by making conscious efforts to protect our fellow AAPI communities, we can help combat racism against them.
How can you be an ally? According to the Stop AAPI Hate reporting center, you can take action in a number of ways, such as:
* **Encouraging those who experience or witness acts of AAPI hate to report these incidents **
* **Sharing safety tips with your friends and family on how to handle a hate crime encounter as a witness or victim**
* **Staying informed about what is happening and why**
* **Supporting local efforts to stop these incidents through donations**
* **Being civically engaged in your local community**
* **Asking your elected officials how they are helping stop AAPI hate crime incidents**
* **Demanding ordinances or resolutions to condemn hate**
* **Advocating for expanded civil rights protections to safeguard AAPI individuals from harassment and discrimination in the workplace**
Guadagno Law, PLLC is a safe environment for ALL people who not only need zealous and committed representation but also a compassionate and caring attorney who understands immigration to the US himself. **All immigrants are entitled to feel safe in their adopted home**.
My law firm is a safe place in which clients from all backgrounds are **welcomed and respected**. No matter what criminal charges you are faced with, count on me to champion your best interests every step of the way. I am not just a lawyer, but an advocate and ally for all my clients.
**Please don’t hesitate to contact me at (206) 895-6800 to discuss your situation. I look forward to hearing from you!**
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# Blogs from February, 2021
4. February
## Most Recent Posts from February, 2021
* [Feb 25, 2021
  **How to Vacate Convictions in Washington**
# How to Vacate Convictions in Washington
5. How to Vacate ...
February 25, 2021
Having a criminal record can affect multiple areas of your life. If you were unjustly convicted, you may be able to  and get a second chance. Similarly, Washington Law allows some individuals to vacate certain convictions after they complete the terms of their sentences – as long as they do not receive criminal charges in the meantime.
## What Is Vacating a Conviction?
In Washington, vacating a conviction can refer to 3 separate legal processes. Vacating a conviction can be a way to change your plea, appeal a verdict, or “clean up” your criminal record.
If you pleaded guilty due to ineffective counsel, court bias, or juror misconduct, or the court breached its plea agreement, you can file a motion to change your plea or vacate your conviction. If this motion is successful, prosecutors may have the opportunity to pursue your case again.
Essentially, it will be as if your plea, trial, and/or verdict never happened, and you will need to go through the criminal justice system all over again.
Otherwise, the court may dismiss “*information or indictment against the offender*,” which means you will be released from all penalties of your offense, and you will be legally allowed to deny the conviction. Usually, the court only offers this type of vacation after you complete the terms of your sentence and pay all relevant fines.
According to the :
“*When a court ‘vacates’ a conviction, it withdraws a guilty verdict and dismisses the case*.”
Although the conviction will not be completely expunged or destroyed, it will be clear that the case was dismissed or vacated whenever it appears on background checks.
## Vacating Records of Conviction: The Requirements
Anyone can ask for a legal “do-over” if they have just cause and meet the deadlines to file a motion, but only certain offenders can vacate their records of conviction. The process for “vacation of offender's record of conviction” is spelled out in  and  of the Washington State Legislature’s Revised Code of Washington (RCW). The rules are different for felonies and misdemeanor offenses.
**According to RCW 9.94A.640L, an offender may NOT have the record of conviction cleared if:**
* They have criminal charges pending against them.
* The offense was violent, sexually motivated, or committed against a law enforcement officer.
* The offense involved a firearm.
* The offense was a class B or C , and the offender has been convicted of a new crime 5-10 years prior to their application for vacation.
* The offense was a class B or C felony, and it has been less than 5-10 years since the applicant was sentenced, released from full or partial confinement, or released from community custody.
* The offense was a felony DUI.
Of course, there are exceptions for all of these rules, and numerous different statutes apply. The best way to know if you are eligible to have your conviction vacated is to speak to an attorney.
To illustrate:  learned from the King County post-conviction prosecutor that Washington State recently made it possible to vacate some class B and C felonies, such as Assault 2 and 3 and Robbery 2 charges.
It’s worth a call to Guadagno Law, PLLC, to determine if Attorney Guadagno can assist you in vacating even the most (previously) unlikely charges. He can even help you pursue the possibility of vacating multiple convictions at one time.
## Explore Your Legal Options
Whether you want to vacate a wrongful conviction or improve your conviction record and background checks,  can help. Attorney Albert Guadagno is on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to address all your questions and legal concerns, and with experience as a former prosecutor, he brings invaluable experience to your case.
Our firm offers free consultations and payment plans, and we have a track record of success.
**Speak with Attorney Guadagno directly by calling us at (206) 895-6800 or  today.**
# Blogs from 2020
3. 2020
## Most Recent Posts from 2020
* [Oct 7, 2020
  **Know the Facts for National Domestic Violence Awareness Month**
# Blogs from October, 2020
4. October
## Most Recent Posts from October, 2020