Welcome
Thank you for visiting the website for the Law Office of DC Cronin. We hope you'll spend some time reviewing the information provided and then, if you decide you'd like to inquire about setting a consultation with DC Cronin, give us a call during business hours.
In this electronic age, we understand the temptation to "tell all" in an email contact, but we caution you not to provide any confidential, case specific information in your inquiry. Simply a quick statement of the type of case (i.e. mediation, criminal, family law, appellate, etc.) and your contact information as required in the "Quick Contact" section on our home page will be welcomed. More than likely, you'll get a response requesting you call the office directly. Unless requesting information for a minor or alleged/incapacitated individual, our staff will need to speak directly with the person seeking the legal consult.
The Law Office of DC Cronin
Dennis Charles Anthony Cronin, or "DC" as he is commonly known, believes the practice of law is first a profession, not a business. Founding his solo practice in 2003, DC continues his commitment to his legal services background and specializes in the areas of criminal defense, family law, civil rights and appeals and mediation.
While his record indicates his abilities as a litigator, over 23 years of education and experience have led DC on a journey in which he has come to believe mediation provides parents a substantial degree of self determination over their own lives and the lives of their children.
As a certified mediator, DC provides an environment in which he facilitates options to allow the participants to make decisions and an agreement about their own children and their properties.
It would not be surprising to those who know him, to hear DC's mediation theory, included in his mediation introductory statement, "self determination is the fundamental principle of family mediation". DC believes mediation is a process and, as processes go, sometimes it takes time, but in mediation, participants will be the ones to make all decisions.
DC is fond of saying, "Couples can divorce, parents cannot." He also adheres to the philosophy families do not "break up", they can become restructured.
One of DC's favorite sentiments is from a long-time pyschologist friend and is, simply this, "Sir/Ma'am, think about the next several years to come. Picture yourselves at your child's wedding..dancing or fuming...the dance card is being filled now. What will your child's wedding album reflect after that night? Where will you be upon the birth of your first grandchild? The time is now to make those decisions for your children, not for you, but for your children".
Graduated from Gonzaga's School of Law in 1985, DC was admitted to the practice of law in Washington State in 1986 and in 1990 to the United States Supreme Court. DC is also admitted for practice in the US District Court Eastern District, and the US Court of Appeals Ninth Circuit. DC is also a certified Family Law Mediator.
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For over 23 years, DC has worked tirelessly in the pursuit of justice for his clients. Mentored by the late L. Carl Maxey, and from whom the "DC" moniker was received, DC formerly served the community as local counsel for the NAACP/Spokane and for Spokane's Martin Luther King, Jr. Center, member of the Board of Directors of the Spokane American Civil Liberties Union, Spokane Peace and Justice Action League, Washington State Bar Association Sentencing Committee, and was appointed as the 2008 chairperson of the City of Spokane Human Rights Ordinance Working Group Task Force.
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DC is currently a member of the Spokane and Lincoln County Bar Associations; Chairperson of the SCBA Family Law Sub Committee; a member of the Spokane Superior Court Guardian Ad Litem Committee, Washington State Bar Association including the WSBA Family Law and Criminal Law Sections, WSAJ, NCDL, Federal Bar Association Eastern District of Washington and was appointed in 2006 to the City of Spokane Human Rights Commission.
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Still true to his working class roots, as well as his commitment to access to justice, DC has not raised his rates in over 16 years and still charges the $150.00 per hour, on the tenth of the hour, set by Carl Maxey while DC was employed at the Maxey Law Offices. DC's staff includes a certified paralegal and an M.Ed. office manager. Rates for support staff are $85.00 per hour on the tenth of the hour.
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Feel free to call our office during business hours to speak with our staff. We'll ask you some brief questions to determine if Dennis may be able to help. If so, we will set an appointment for a free no obligation initial consultation. But be prepared. If DC can't help you, or believes you will be best served elsewhere, he'll turn you away.
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"The practice of law is a profession in
which lawyers serve to access justice...
it is not a business to pave the road to
financial excess." --DC Cronin
Published Cases of Note:
FEDERAL
Farrakhan v. Locke, 359 F.3d 1116 (9th Cir. 2004); Farrakhan v. Locke, 338 F. 3d 1009 (9th Cir. 2003); Farrakhan v. Locke, 987 F. Supp. 1304, (E.D. Wa. 1997); Alexiou v. U.S., 39 F. 3d 973 (9th Cir. 1994), cert. denied, 115 S. Ct. 1825 (1993); Madeline Montano v. CWA, 89-35074 (9th Cir. 1990),(published in trade volume).
STATE OF WASHINGTON
In re: Custody of A.C., ___ Wn. 2d____ (2009) reversing trial court and court of appeals custody decision involving UCCJEA (assisted counsel on briefing, research and preparation of argument); In Re: Custody of CWS, 157 Wn. 2d 126 (2005) reversing, 120 Wn. App. 108, 84 P. 3d 905 (Div. III, 2004), upholding trial court, (as guardian ad litem); Becker v. Pierce County, 126 Wn. 2d 11, 890 P. 2d 1055 (1995); Marriage of Dodd, 120 Wn. App. 638, 86 P. 3d 801 (Div. III, 2004); State v. Rehn, 117 Wn. App. 142, 69 P. 3d 379 (Div. III, 2003); State v. Yuille, 111 Wn. App. 527, 45 P. 3d 1102 (Div. III 2002); Spratt v. Crusader Ins. Co., 109 Wn. App. 944, 37 P. 3d 1269 (Div. III, 2002); Estate of Lee v. Spokane, 101 Wn. App. 158, 2 P. 3d 979 (Div. III, 2000); State v. Johnson, 96 Wn. App. 813, 981 P. 2d 25 (Div. III, 1999); State v. Jones, 82 Wn. App. 871, 920 P. 2d 225 (Div. III, 1996); Spokane County v. AFSCE, 76 Wn. App. 765, 888 P. 2d 735 (Div. III, 1995); Long v. Harrold, 76 Wn. App. 317, 884 P. 2d 934 (Div. III, 1994); Marriage of Luckey, 73 Wn. App. 201, 868 P. 2d 189 (Div. III, 1994); In Re: Kevin L., 45 Wn. App. 489, 726 P. 2d 479 (Div. III, 1986).
HONORABLE MENTION
Recently cited in the book: Conned, How Millions Went To Prison, Lost The Vote, and Helped Send George Bush To The White House, Sara Abramsky, The New Press, 2006.
Also, published article: Mediation Confidentiality, Wash. Fam. Law. Newsletter, March 1994.
UNOFFICIAL ANNOTATIONS
Farrakhan v. Locke, 359 F.3d 1116 (9th Cir. 2004); Farrakhan v. Locke, 338 F.3d 1009 (9th Cir. 2003); Farrakhan v. Locke, 987 F. Supp. 1304, (E.D. Wa. 1997) is a case of national importance concerning the alleged wrongful disenfranchisement of minority felons in disproportionate numbers based upon alleged discrimination in the criminal justice system. The case has progressed farther then any other similar case in the nation. The case has been to the United States Supreme Court on a petition seeking certiorari at the request of the State of Washington. The case is presently winding back up the Ninth Circuit, after remand to the Honorable Robert Whaley, with assistance from the NAACP Defense and Educational Fund Inc., University Legal Assistance, and the Brennan Center.
Alexiou v. U.S., 39 F. 3d 973 (9th Cir. 1994) was a significant case before the Honorable William Frem Nielsen, involving the ability of a United States Attorney to coerce a young attorney to disclose allegedly confidential information about his client if the information would allegedly be a link in the chain of potentially incriminating conduct. The attorney ultimately never had to divulge the requested information sought in the grand jury proceedings due to an inartfully drafted grand jury subpoena, thus making the pending petition for certiorari moot.
Madeline Montano v. CWA, 89-35074 (9th Cir. 1990) was a significant case involving the Communication Workers of America concerning an alleged violation of the duty of fair representation. I briefed and argued the case in the Ninth Circuit and opposing certiorari and was assisted on the briefing opposing certiorari by Ralph Nader’s organization. The case ultimately settled, making the pending petition filed by my Washington D.C. opponent seeking certiorari, moot.
In Re: Custody of CWS, 157 Wn. 2d 126, (2005) reversing, 120 Wn. App. 108, 84 P. 3d 905 (Div. III, 2004) (as guardian ad litem). A re-affirmation of the standard for non parental custody in the State of Washington as previously enunciated in Division III. The opinion came after the Court’s previous surprising enunciation of the new common law de facto parent concept. Although my role was fully ratified by the Honorable Richard Miller and the Court of Appeals, the Supreme Court decided my role as a guardian ad litem was in error as I had the temerity to voice the idea, as ratified by Justice Bobbie Bridge, that children may have constitutional rights to be weighed in the balance of any decision about their future. This, however, was not the holding of the Court of Appeals.
Becker v. Pierce County, 126 Wn. 2d 11, 890 P. 2d 1055 (1995) a once seemingly momentous case before the Honorable Donald H. Thompson, involving the auditor of Pierce County concerning how votes are allegedly canvassed in the State of Washington. While the case was pending, and after hearing before the Washington State Supreme Court, the legislature surprisingly amended the statute making the matter moot.
Marriage of Dodd, 120 Wn. App. 638, 86 P. 3d 801 (Div. III, 2004) clarified the basis for the imputation of income in child support modification actions and the standard of review upon appeal. Although I prevailed before Commissioner Royce Moe, the Honorable Paul Bastine revised the Honorable Commissioner and was upheld on appeal.
State v. Rehn, 117 Wn. App. 142, 69 P. 3d 379 (Div. III, 2003) involved a search and seizure case out of Lincoln County concerning the ability to question and search a passenger of a car in violation of his constitutional rights. The Honorable Philip Borst was affirmed with a nice dissent from Justice John Schultheis.
State v. Yuille, 111 Wn. App. 527, 45 P. 3d 1102 (Div. III 2002) a civil case involving immunity when a person erroneously reports child abuse, leading to an erroneous deprivation of a parent’s child in a dependency action. After prevailing in the dependency proceedings, and after the longest shelter care hearing in Ferry County History at the time, the Honorable Salvator Cozza’s decision in the subsequent civil case, dismissing the case on summary judgment, was affirmed despite the dissenting opinion of Justice Kato.
Spratt v. Crusader Ins. Co., 109 Wn. App. 944, 37 P. 3d 1269 (Div. III, 2002) involved a tragic case of liability concerning a local tavern. Originally representing the tavern owner at the Liquor Control Board proceedings and later in defense of a civil claim, I subsequently joined Richard Kuhling against the insurance company before the Honorable Michael Donohue in an effort to obtain the maximum coverage available.
Estate of Lee v. Spokane, 101 Wn. App. 158, 2 P. 3d 979 (Div. III, 2000) involved an allegation of wrongful death concerning a police shooting. Rocco Treppiedi and I were both reversed in the Court of Appeals, and the case dismissed, contrary to the learned opinion of The Honorable Linda Tompkins.
State v. Johnson, 96 Wn. App. 813, 981 P. 2d 25 (Div. III, 1999) The Honorable Robert Austin’s order granting restitution to the victim of a first degree assault was reversed as the time to set the matter for hearing had passed. I represented Mr. Johnson through the entire proceedings and in his companion dissolution action as the alleged victim was his then wife.
State v. Jones, 82 Wn. App. 871, 920 P. 2d 225 (Div. III, 1996) then a case of first impression in Division III involving the defense of multiple personalities, also known now as dissociative disorder. The Honorable Evan Sperline aquitted Ms. Jones after a bench trial but convicted her alternate personality “CAT” thus requiring Ms. Jones incarceration. I always wondered what would happen if the alternate personality “CAT” had escaped?
Spokane County v. AFSCE, 76 Wn. App. 765, 888 P. 2d 735 (Div. III, 1995) was a case before the Honorable Richard Miller, involving the right to strike and the issuance of a writ of prohibition preventing Spokane County employees from commencing a work stoppage in a wage dispute.
Marriage of Luckey, 73 Wn. App. 201, 868 P. 2d 189 (Div. III 1994) a case clarifying that profile evidence is not admissible to profile a parent in a dissolution action as unfit to be around a child and re-enunciating the often heard phrase “the purpose of spousal maintenance is to support a spouse, usually the wife, until she is able to earn her own living or otherwise become self supporting.” The case also involved evaluation of a professional practice for goodwill.
Long v. Harrold, 76 Wn. App. 317, 884 P. 2d 934 (Div. III, 1994) a case before the Honorable Larry Kristiansen, explaining the difference between a voidable judgment and a void judgment involving a motion to vacate arising from Pend Oreille County.
In Re: Kevin L., 45 Wn. App. 489, 726 P. 2d 479 (Div. III, 1986) reversing the termination of parental rights ordered by The Honorable Thomas Merryman and establishing that any one can file a dependency, the importance of the social file, and the provision of services. Also delineated the parens patriae powers of the State.
OTHER CASES OF NOTE AT THE TRIAL LEVEL
Marriage of Brunjes, --- an appeal upholding the trial court’s denial of a motion to vacate a decree of dissolution involving a deferred compensation award of $386,435. (2008)
State of Washington v. M.N.,--- an exceptional downward sentencing departure of twelve months jail with work release in a vehicular homicide case with three victims one being an adult mother and the other being her seven year old and nine month old daughters. (2007)
State of Washington v. K.O.,--- an exceptional downward sentencing departure of twelve months with work release and electronic home monitoring despite an offender score of five after being a fugitive from sentencing for eighteen years. (2007)
State of Washington v. V.N,--- a contested dependency case involving alleged physical abuse to a child and a general court martial of the spouse (with both in the military) in which DC secured a dismissal of the dependency. (2006)
State of Washington v. N.N,.--- a contested dependency case involving alleged failure to thrive and other medical maladies in which DC secured a dismissal. (2005)
State of Washington v. G.H.,--- a contested dependency in which parents were alleged unfit in which DC secured a dismissal. (2005)
State of Washington v. A.S.,--- a contested dependency case involving an allegation of Munchausen’s Syndrome by Proxy in which I secured a dismissal. (2004)
State v. E. B. III, --- alleged kidnapping and rape charges involving three foreign students enrolled at Mukogawa Fort Wright (2001)
State v. A. B.--- alleged controlled substances homicide. (2000)
R. H. v. Spokane County, --- alleged wrongful incarceration in Spokane County Jail (1999)
Estate vs. Boise Police Department, --- alleged excessive force leading to death of two individuals (police shooting), co-counsel F. Lee Bailey (1999)
State of Washington v. S.C., --- a bench trial involving charges of adult rape before resulting in acquittal. (1999)
State v. J.J.,--- first case in Spokane County involving alleged malicious harassment based upon an alleged racial slur. DC represented the local chapter of NAACP at sentencing in Spokane District Court. (1999)
State of Washington v. H.B.,--- assisted co-counsel through preliminary hearings. Case went on to sentencing and changed the law nationally after I withdrew. (1998-2000)
United States of America v. H.B., --- secured dismissal of federal charges and transfer of the prosecution to Grant County involving an alleged kidnapping, assault, of a spouse and son and travel across state lines. (1998)
Trust v. H.B., --- assisted in the appointment of a guardian ad litem at the eve of a trial relating to trust proceeds despite DC's opponent, Dennis Hession’s, objection. (1998)
Estate of S. M. v. City of Spokane, --- alleged excessive force, 42 U.S.C. 1983 and wrongful death, United States District Court. (1998)
J. S. v. City of Spokane,--- an allegation of false arrest and wrongful identification as a gang affiliate (1998)
State v. M. D.--- former congressional candidate for Eastern Washington’s 5th Congressional District alleged to have committed arson. (1998)
T. B. v. K. B.- - - a citizen’s complaint in Spokane District Court seeking institution of criminal charges. (1997)
State v. W. J.--- alleged first degree murder involving an alleged stabbing after a party. (1996)
B.H. and F.C. v. Hayward--- a judgment of $400,000.00 for alleged anti-gay harassment over three years. (1995)
B.H. & F.C. v. Tri County Health--- alleged well pollution. (Mediation) (1995)
J.B. and M.S. v. Spokane County, --- alleged wrongful termination by the Spokane County Prosecutor. (1995).
State v. M. B.,--- alleged attempted first degree murder and second degree murder, exceptional downward sentence. (1994)
S. J. v. Grant County, --- alleged wrongful death and jail suicide (1994)
Jane Doe v. SFCC Day Care, --- alleged sexual molestation of child by day care employee (1993)
State of Washington v. C. R., --- alleged gang rape charges against youths dropped (1993)
R. S. v. Spokane Police Department,--- a taxi cab driver was allegedly placed in the middle of a police hostage scene to the driver’s damage. (1992)
State of Washington v. F.H.,--- a bench trial on charges of child molestation resulting in acquittal. (1991)
A. C., --- a local Jazz musician was allegedly wrongfully arrested (1990-1991)