William Young was again acknowledged (for the second year in a row) as one of the top three Boise, Idaho criminal defense attorneys by "3 Best Rated"
William Young Again Acknowledged As A Top Criminal Defense Attorney In The Boise Area
Idaho Criminal Defense and DUI Defense Blog
Welcome to the Schofield and Young blog!
Below you will find posts that cover a wide variety of topics centered around Idaho Criminal Defense, including:
- Criminal Defense Strategies
- Idaho DUI Defense Topics and DUI Laws
- Answers to Common Questions
- Advice For Criminal Defendants and Their Families
- Boise (Ada County) Specific Criminal Defense Issues
- Idaho Law and Any Changes
- Idaho Supreme Court Decisions
- High Profile Idaho Criminal Cases
- Firm Case Results
- Observations Made By Our Attorneys
- And Anything Else We Think Might Be Important To The Idaho Community
If you are looking for information and can't seem to find it here, contact us! We would be happy to answer whatever questions we can.
Check back for regular updates!
Exceeding The Speed Limit In Order To Pass A Slower Vehicle
I recently received a question on this subject and thought it was worth a blog post. The driver had been cited for speeding due to driving faster than the posted speed limit while he was passing another vehicle. He explained that he was under the impression that the law "allotted" drivers 15 mph ...
SCOTUS Case To Keep An Eye On: Kansas v. Glover
The Supreme Court this morning added just one new case to their merits docket for next term: Kansas v. Glover.
Dismissal in Canyon County
Earlier this week I was able to convince a prosecutor in Canyon County to dismiss a theft charge due to a lack of evidence. This is an extremely good result as most of the time prosecutors would rather take a case to trial, and let a jury decide if the evidence is truly lacking, than agree to an ...
What Factors May Affect A Person's BAC Levels?
Going hand in hand with my last post on how eating may affect your BAC, I decided it was important to provide some information on other factors that may influence BAC levels. Several factors can affect a party's BAC levels when drinking. Some of the more popular include: age – as age incre...
Does Eating Before Drinking Lower My BAC?
What is BAC? BAC stands for "blood alcohol concentration." This is the measure of the amount of alcohol in someone's bloodstream. Blood alcohol concentration is expressed as a percentage – for instance .08%. The higher the number, the more alcohol there is in a person's bloodstream. So...How Do...
Idaho State Bar Lawyer Referral Service (LRS)
If you are in need of an attorney but do not know who to call, the LRS might be a good place to start. This service will help you find an attorney practicing in the Idaho jurisdiction you matter involves who handles legal matters similar to the one you are involved in. What is the Lawyer Referra...
Automatic Gun Rights Restoration After A Felony Conviction
Do I Need To Restore My Gun Rights? Most people have heard that upon being convicted of a felony you lose your gun rights. This is true. However, after probation or parole is complete your rights may be automatically restored.
Man Who Stabbed Tennis Star Petra Kvitova Gets 8 Years In Prison
My wife loves tennis, so I have been following this story. Per reports from ESPN and BBC: A court in the Czech Republic convicted a man of knifing two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova in her home and sentenced him to eight years in prison. The man entered her home, saying he needed to i...
Idaho Probation Violations
As an alternative to jail time, a judge may impose a period of probation on a defendant when a found guilty. Probation allows the defendant to be out in the community but subject to certain conditions for an assigned period of time. Some common requirements of probation may be: meeting with a pro...
The Benefits Of A Private Criminal Attorney
Being charged with a crime, regardless of the severity, is a life changing and very serious event. As I always say it is important to understand what the implications will be from what you are charged with.
NBC News: Great Article On The Use Of Bad Science To Convict Innocent People
The incorrect use of "scientific evidence" by prosecutors continues to be a large issue both in Idaho and Federal Courts. Take a look at this recent article published by NBC News - 'We are going backward': How the justice system ignores science in the pursuit of convictions If you have a case i...
Credit Where Credit is Due...Two Boise City Prosecutors Do The Right Thing
Attorneys From The Boise City Prosecutor's Office Do The Right Thing I have to give credit where credit is due. Yesterday, I appeared at a hearing with a young man who had put himself in a very difficult situation. He is college age, a good kid from a good family, with a very bright future. Unfo...
What Is A Presentence Investigation (PSI)?
In most felony cases a Presentence Investigation, or PSI, is completed after a defendant is found guilty or enters a guilty plea but prior to sentencing. It is up to the defendant to determine how much, if at all, they want to cooperate with the PSI process. However, the terms of most plea deals ...
What is Expungement in Idaho?
After adjudication, the formal judgement on a matter of contention, a juvenile has the opportunity to use the right of expungement.
What is the difference between Jail and Prison?
Jail and prison are ideologically the same thing: to take away the privilege of freedom. If you have been found guilty of a crime, and your punishment entails serving jail or prison time, then you have lost your privilege to freedom. You will be placed in a facility that restricts your access to ...
Misdemeanor and Felony DUI: What Is A Sentencing Hearing?
A sentencing hearing is typically the final step in a criminal case. The Defendant has already been found guilty or plead guilty at or prior to this hearing. After both parties have presented evidence and argument, the court will decide which penalties to impose as a result of the conviction.
I Am "Young"
Today, I was in a meeting speaking to a potential client and her family. As the meeting was coming to a close I asked if anyone had any further questions I could answer. The potential client sat there looking like something was just on the tip of her tongue, waiting to get out.
Understanding The Criminal Justice System: Part 3
The trial in a criminal case can determine whether a person keeps their freedom or if they do not. This is by far one of the largest steps in the criminal justice system process, but is by no means the end of the process. It is important to understand the steps in this process if you have been ...
Drug Abuse in Idaho: Shifting How We Address this Issue
It was recently reported that there were more than 60,000 deaths from drug overdoses in 2016. In 2017, the National Institute on Drug Abuse reports up to 72,000 deaths from drug overdoses. It is a climbing number every year, and as it is already 2019, it is important to continually discuss how we can better treat drug abuse within this country.
New Law Requires All Individuals Who Refuse To Submit To A BAC Test To Install An Interlock Device In Their Vehicle
It does not matter if the individual is convicted of a DUI - Even if they are found "not-guilty" or is never prosecuted for a DUI, the interlock device will be required. All first time DUI offenders and those individuals who refuse to take a roadside test for alcohol or drugs will be required to...
The New DUI Laws In Idaho Are A Mess And You Should Be Upset
Starting January 1st, all first time DUI offenders in Idaho will be required to install an interlock device in their vehicle. An interlock device requires the operator to blow into the system before the vehicle will function; if the device finds alcohol in the driver's system the vehicle will not function. Previously, individual judges had the discretion to decide if an interlock device was necessary on a case-by-case basis. For the most part, this meant that interlock devices were only required for repeat offenders.
New - Harsher- Penalties for First Time DUI Offenders In Idaho
Starting January 1st, all first time DUI offenders in Idaho will be required to install an interlock device in their vehicle.
Understanding The Criminal Justice System: Part 2
If a defendant's case, whether a misdemeanor or felony charge, is not resolved with a plea deal, or during a preliminary hearing, then the case will head to a trial where the defendant will be either proven guilty or not guilty of the charges brought against them. The trial itself is a different ...
Understanding The Criminal Justice System: Part 1
Understanding the Criminal Justice System: Part 1 The criminal justice system can be complex and often intimidating to those new to its rules and processes. This Understanding the Criminal Justice System blog series will help those who have found themselves within this system understand the proc...