August 13, 2009

On September 4,  2008,   Yvette Gaston,  a King County Juvenile Probation Counselor,  sought to help a young man on her case load get school clothes for the upcoming year. She met the young person at a Sears in downtown Seattle and used a clothing voucher to help the young man get school clothes.   After they got the school clothes,  Yvette dropped the young man off at 23rd and Jackson and then she headed home from the day.   Within minutes,   Yvette received a frantic call from the young person who said that he was being harassed by police officer.  An officer eventually got on the phone and said things to Yvette that made her concerned for the young persons safety.   

Out of concern she went to 23rd and Jackson to see if she could be of assistance to the police and assure that the truth prevailed.   Upon arriving at 23rd and Jackson,  Yvette saw that the young man had been placed in a police car.   she approached an officer and stated that she was the young mans probation officer and inquired into whether he was being arrested for jaywalking.   The officer told her to step back and she complied.   As she was stepping back, another officer grabbed her from behind.    Another officer than began to yell and scream at Yvette while Yvette informed the officer that they did not have the right to simply grab her in the way that officer did.   

Out of concern for herself and the young man,  Yvette made the decision to call 911 to get a non emergency response.  After minutes of conversation with dispatch,  one of the officers on the scene was handed the phone and the officer hung it up.   Yvette was eventually charged with assault and obstruction.  

The Law Office of Joe St. Laurent and James Bible decided to represent Yvette Gaston in this case.    The case went all the way through to trial and the Jury found Yvette Gaston NOT GUILTY.    We were happy to be of service to Ms. Gaston.  

James Bible

 Attorney at Law