If you are charged with a crime in Washington State, one of the most serious factors that can increase your sentence is the use of a deadly weapon. Washington law includes a "deadly weapon sentencing enhancement," that can significantly increase the amount of time you spend behind bars, even beyond the standard sentencing range for [...]
Community custody is a form of supervision imposed by the Washington Department of Corrections (DOC) as part of an offender’s sentence. It functions similarly to probation or parole but applies specifically to certain felony offenders after their release from prison or as a direct sentence alternative. This period of supervision ensures compliance with court-imposed conditions [...]
In Washington, individuals facing their first felony conviction (as opposed to a misdemeanor conviction) may have an opportunity to avoid some of the harsh penalties associated with a conviction through the First-Time Offender Waiver (FTOW). This provision, set forth under RCW 9.94A.650, offers eligible offenders a chance for leniency while addressing their rehabilitation needs. Please [...]
Washington law says you are guilty of the crime of residential burglary if you enter someone's residence with the intent to commit a crime. The offense is charged as a felony (as opposed to a misdemeanor) and a conviction can result in a decade behind bars. Please contact a skilled criminal defense attorney now if [...]
Washington’s robbery laws say that you are guilty of robbery in the first degree if you commit a robbery and do so under aggravated circumstances (like while armed with a deadly weapon or while injuring someone). The crime is charged as a felony (as opposed to a misdemeanor) and a conviction can lead to a [...]
Under Washington law, malicious mischief in the second degree is a separate crime than malicious mischief in the first degree. You are guilty of malicious mischief in the second degree in certain situations when you maliciously damage property. The crime is a felony offense (as opposed to a misdemeanor) that is punishable by up to [...]
Washington’s criminal laws say you commit the crime of malicious mischief in the first degree in certain situations when you maliciously damage property. The crime is a felony offense (as opposed to a misdemeanor) that is punishable by up to ten years in state prison. Please contact a skilled criminal defense attorney now if you [...]
Washington law carves out several degrees for the crime of assault. You are guilty of assault in the second degree under certain circumstances that do not amount to assault in the first degree (for example, assaulting someone and inflicting substantial bodily harm on the “victim”). Assault in the second degree is a serious felony in [...]
Washington law says that you commit the crime of assault in the first degree in certain situations when you threaten to harm or use force against another person, and you do so with the intent to inflict great bodily harm. The offense is charged as a felony (as opposed to a misdemeanor) and a conviction [...]
Washington law recognizes two degrees of the crime of extortion. These are first degree extortion and second-degree extortion. You commit second degree extortion if you obtain someone else’s property or services and do so by a certain type of threat (for example, a threat to accuse another person of committing an offense). Extortion in the [...]
