Alexander Floyd Ransom

Law Office Alexander F. Ransom, PLLC 119 North Commercial Street Suite #1420 Bellingham, WA 98225 Practice Area(s): Criminal Defense, Criminal Defense - DUI / DWI call (360) 746-2642 fax (360) 746-2949 email alex@ransom-lawfirm.com visit website

Biographical Information

Alexander F. Ransom practices criminal defense in Whatcom and Skagit County. He is a dedicated trial attorney who seeks jury acquittals, dismissals and/or favorable resolutions for clients facing criminal charges. In some cases, Alexander may seek civil actions and compensatory damages against government municipalities on behalf of clients who are victims of Police Misconduct.

Mr. Ransom was raised in Seattle and is a 1997 graduate of Western Washington University in Bellingham, Washington. In 2000, he was accepted into the Seattle University School of Law, where he served as a member of the Moot Court Board and Law Review. He interned with the City of Kent’s Prosecutor’s Office and began his criminal trial practice prosecuting misdemeanors and gross misdemeanors under the Revised Code of Washington and the City of Kent Criminal Code.

In 2003, Mr. Ransom graduated from law school and relocated to Whatcom County. He was appointed Deputy Criminal Prosecutor in the tribal court of the Lummi Nation. In this position, Alexander prosecuted federal felony and misdemeanor offenses committed on the Lummi reservation. He also attended the National Institute for Trial Advocacy located in Louisville, Colorado and obtained a diploma in advanced jury trial skills and trial advocacy.

In 2005,Mr. Ransom pursued criminal defense and served as a Public Defender in the Bellingham Municipal Court. In this position, he gained vast experience in defending citizens accused on DUI, domestic violence assault, and various property crimes. In 2007, Alexander entered private practice and today handles serious felonies, gross-misdemeanors and misdemeanors in Federal, Superior, District, and Municipal Courts.

Mr. Ransom has surpassed the coveted “25 trials” benchmark separating experienced attorneys from the inexperienced; and obtained a very impressive win/loss record during the process. He is an avid chess player and enjoys spending time with his family.

Admission Dates & Jurisdictions

Admitted to Practice:

June, 2005.

Jurisdictions:

• Western District of Washington Federal Court

• All Superior Courts, District Courts & Municipal Courts in WA State, and particularly the following criminal courts:

• Whatcom County Superior Court Criminal Defense

• Whatcom County District Court Criminal Defense

• Bellingham Municipal Court Criminal Defense

• Blaine Municipal Court Criminal Defense

• Everson Municipal Court Criminal Defense

• Ferndale Municipal Court Criminal Defense

• Lynden Municipal Court Criminal Defense

• Sumas Municipal Court Criminal Defense

• Skagit County Superior Court Criminal Defense

• Skagit County District Court Criminal Defense

• Mt. Vernon Municipal Court Criminal Defense

• Anacortes Municipal Court Criminal Defense

• Burlington Municipal Court Criminal Defense

• Sedro-Woolley Municipal Court Criminal Defense

Education

• National Institute for Trial Advocacy, Advanced Trial Practice Institute, Boulder CO, 2005

• Seattle University School of Law, Juris Doctorate, Seattle WA, 2003

• Fairhaven College of Western Washington University, Law & Diversity, Bachelor of Arts, Bellingham, WA 1997

Professional Experience

• Litigation Associate at Tario & Associates, P.S. 2011–present.

• Owner Law Office Alexander F. Ransom 2008–present

• Deputy Public Defender at Bellingham Assigned Counsel, P.S. 2005–2007

• Assistant Prosecutor at Lummi Indian Business Council 2004

Honors & Awards

• Client Distinction Award – Martindale-Hubbell – 2015

• “Top 100 Black Lawyers” – National Black Lawyers – 2015

• “Top 10 Under 40” – National Academy of Criminal Defense Attorneys – 2014

• “10 Best Under 40” – American Institute DUI/DWI Attorneys – 2014

• “Top 100 Trial Attorneys” – National Trial Lawyers Association – 2014

• “Top 100 Trial Attorneys” – American Society of Legal Advocates – 2014

• Client’s Choice Award – Avvo.com – 2014

• Top Attorneys & Washington Rising Stars – Seattle Metropolitan Magazine – 2013

• “Super Lawyer” & “Rising Star” – Washington Law & Politics Magazine – 2011

Professional Associations

• Washington Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers

• National College of DUI Defense

• Washington Defender Association

• Loren Miller Bar Association

• Bellingham/Whatcom Chamber of Commerce

• Whatcom Young Professionals

• Whatcom County Bar Association

Press

Hung Jury & Mistrial Declared in Bellingham Bistro Owner Serial Rape Case.

A Superior Court judge declared a mistrial in a serial rape case as a jury could not reach a verdict after four women testified they were sexually assaulted by Jamison Scott Rogayan. Over a three-week trial, the women testified they were drunk, high, or both, when Rogayan made unwanted sexual advances at his apartment on Chestnut Street. Rogayan, 32, co-owned Cosmos Bistro, a restaurant on the first floor of the Herald Building, where he was known to customers for his upbeat personality.

The jury members deliberated for four days before telling the judge they could not reach a verdict on three counts of second-degree rape, one count of indecent liberties, and one count of unlawful imprisonment. Defense attorney Alexander Ransom argued the women had a motive to collude their stories and slander Mr. Rogayan on Facebook before charges were even filed. After the allegations of rape “went viral” on social media in September 2015, the women – who did not know each other beforehand – discussed their encounters with Rogayan on a secret Facebook page. Mr. Ransom saw that as evidence of witness collusion.

Attorney Alexander Ransom Selected for List of Top-Rated Lawyers in WA.

The 2014 list of top rated attorneys in WA as published in the July, 2013 issue of Seattle Met Magazine includes Alexander Ransom of Bellingham, WA. This distinction is given to only a very small percentage of Bellingham’s attorneys each year. Attorneys are only considered for inclusion in the list of top rated attorneys if they have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement across 12 indicators. Lawyers cannot buy their way onto the list. The selection process, recognized as legitimate by bar associations and courts across the United States, is multi-phased and includes independent research, peer nominations and peer evaluations. Only attorneys who can be retained by the general public are considered. Honorees are selected annually for each state and practice areas.

Attorney Alexander Ransom Obtains $150,000 Settlement in Police Misconduct Case.

Island County’s insurance pool has reached a $150,000 settlement with the woman who was allegedly held captive in a Freeland cabin three years ago. The 2006 incident was one of the biggest scandals in memory for the Island County Sheriff’s Office.

Ms. Walker was unlawfully imprisoned and assaulted by a former friend. Twice, she called 911 from the assailant’s home. The dispatched police officer failed to adequately respond and/or investigate the matter. Ms. Walker eventually escaped from the cabin and contacted authorities. The deputy was terminated from employment. Mr. Ransom investigated the matter and discovered the police officer had prior failures to respond under similar circumstances. Mr. Ransom filed a public disclosure request seeking all information regarding the case. He obtained all police reports, internal investigation reports, arbitration decisions and a past disciplinary notice given to the police officer. Mr. Ransom also filed a Notice of Claim against Island County claiming police negligence. The case was resolved through out-of-court negotiations with the Washington Counties Risk Pool.

Verdicts & Settlements

JURY TRIAL ACQUITTALS:

• Hung Jury & Mistrial for Rape in the Second Degree (4 Counts), Indecent Liberties and Unlawful Imprisonment, #15-1-01172-6, 2017

• Hung Jury, Mistrial & Dismissal Assault Fourth Degree (DV) # CB-938**, 2016

• Full Jury Acquittal Assault Fourth Degree (DV) and Malicious Mischief Third Degree (DV) #4Z9623**, 2015

• Full Jury Acquittal on Making False Statements to Law Enforcement, Rendering Criminal Assistance Second Degree & Obstructing Police # 4Z9289**, 2015

• Hung Jury & Dismissal, Child Molestation First Degree, #13-1-012**-8, 2015

• Full Jury Acquittal Assault Fourth Degree, # 4Z8703**, 2015

• Full Jury Acquittal Reckless Endangerment (two counts) #4Z230**, 2014

• Full Jury Acquittal Felony Assault Second Degree Deadly Weapon #13-1-001**-0, 2013

• Hung Jury and Dismissal of Assault Fourth Degree #2Z-6010**, 2013

• Full Jury Acquittal on Felony Burglary Second Degree #11-1-010**-3, 2012

• Hung Jury and Dismissal of Felony Burglary First Degree #11-1-011**-2, 2012

• Full Jury Acquittal Felony Harassment and Possession of Weapon by Inmate #12-1-008**-9, 2012

• Full Jury Acquittal on Assault Fourth Degree Domestic Violence #CB-699**, 2011

• Jury Acquittal for Witness Tampering and Intimidating a Witness #10-1-000**-3, 2011

• Full Jury Acquittal on Reckless Driving Charge #CB-697**, 2011

• Full Jury Acquittal on DUI #C-7846**, 2011

• Jury Acquittal on 2 Counts Rape of a Child Third Degree #09-1-005**-9, 2010

• Full Jury Acquittal Malicious Mischief Third Degree Domestic Violence #CB-632**, 2008

• Full Jury Acquittal Assault Fourth, Mistrial on Felony Harassment #08-1-001**-7, 2008

• Jury Acquittal on Assault Fourth Degree Domestic Violence and Interfering 911 Call Domestic Violence #CB-542**, 2006

• Full Jury Acquittal on Theft Third Degree #CB-529**, 2006

Representative Cases

DISMISSALS

• Dismissed Negligent Driving First Degree #7Z595**, 2017

• Dismissed Assault Fourth Degree (DV) #7Z6017**, 2017

• Dismissed Assault Fourth Degree #MC329**, 2017

• Dismissed Trafficking Stolen Property in the First Degree #16-1-012**, 2017

• Dismissed Assault Fourth Degree With Sexual Motivation #CB1005**, 2017

• Dismissed Assault Fourth Degree (DV) #MC328**, 2017

• Dismissed Assault Fourth Degree (DV) #BUC194**, 2017

• Dismissed Assault Fourth Degree (DV) and Malicious Mischief Third Degree (DV) #7Z2238** 2017

• Dismissed Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance (Lorazepam & Methadone) #15-1-00*** 2017

• Dismissed Felony Harassment, #16-1-014**-8, 2017

• Dismissed Theft Third Degree, #BUC0175**, 2017

• Dismissed Assault Fourth Degree (DV), #MC329**, 2017

• Dismissed Assault Fourth Degree (DV) & Malicious Mischief Third Degree (DV), #7Z02154**, 2017

• Dismissed Welfare Fraud, #16-1-0059**, 2017

• Dismissed Unlawful Use of Drug Paraphernalia, #5Z6321**, 2017

• Dismissed Disorderly Conduct, #CC098**, 2017

• Spotlighting Big Game Second Degree & Unlawful Hunting of Big Game Second Degree (2 Counts), #C801**, 2017

• Dismissed Minor in Possession of Alcohol, #6Z587***, 2017

• Dismissed Malicious Mischief Third Degree (DV) #CB998**, 2017

• Dismissed Assault Fourth Degree #CB0942**, 2016

• Dismissed Assault Fourth Degree (DV), #6Z05003**, 2016

• Dismissed Assault Fourth Degree, #PA1337**, 2016

• Dismissed Malicious Mischief Second Degree, #14-1-00****, 2016

• Reduced & Dismissed DUI, #6Z05627**, 2016

• Dismissed Assault Fourth Degree (DV), #SC00162**, 2016

• Dismissed Assault Fourth Degree, #BUC196**, 2016

• Dismissed Possession of a Legend Drug #6Z04338**, 2016

• Dismissed Assault Fourth Degree (DV), Malicious Mischief Third Degree (DV) & Malicious Mischief Third Degree (non-DV), #5Z665727, 2016

• Dismissed Interfering With Federal Officer & Dumping a Vehicle on Federal Land, #15-PO-2**, 2016

• Dismissed Kidnapping First Degree, Robbery First Degree & Assault Second Degree, #15-1-014**-1, 2016

• Dismissed Felony Unlawful Imprisonment & Possession of Heroin, #14-1-012**-3, 2016

• Dismissed Felony Unlawful Possession of Vicodin, #14-1-000**-1, 2015

• Dismissed Theft Third Degree, # CB-929**, 2015

• Dismissed Unlawful Hunting of Big Game, Spotlighting and Criminal Trespass, # C546**, 2015

• Dismissed Theft Third Degree, #PA-129**, 2015

• Dismissed Shoplifting, #CB-940**, 2015

• Reduced Robbery First Degree to Robbery Second Degree, Dismissed Attempted Robbery, Conspiracy & Theft in the Second Degree, Adjudicated All Charges in Juvenile Court Cause # 15-1-002**-1, 2015

• Dismissed Nuisance & Littering, #CB-823** & IB-1840**, 2015

• Dismissed Malicious Mischief Third Degree & Theft Third Degree, # CB-927**, 2015

• Dismissed Felony Harassment (Threats to Kill), # 14-1-006**-5, 2015

• Dismissed Hit & Run Attended, Failure to Obey Police Officers & Failure to Comply With Flaggers, # 4Z02043**, 2015

• Dismissed Hit & Run Unattended # CB911**, 2015

• Dismissed Driving While Under the Influence of Intoxicants, # 5Z2463**, 2015

• Dismissed Criminal Trespass Second Degree # 5Z308**, 2015

• Dismissed Felony Theft Second Degree # 14-1-003**-9, 2015

• Dismissed Hit & Run Unattended # SC166**, 2015

• Dismissed Felony Possession of Methamphetamine, #14-1-014**-7, 2015

• Dismissed Hit & Run Unattended #4Z5548**, 2015

• Dismissed Felony Unlawful Imprisonment Domestic Violence #14-1-008**-4, 2015