VIOLENT CRIMES
SKILLED DEFENSE LAWYERS FIGHTING FOR SEATTLE RESIDENTS AND OTHERS IN WASHINGTON
The criminal defense lawyers at Black Law represent people in many Washington communities who have been charged with violent crimes, as well as other offenses. The most common violent crimes that are Seattle criminal lawyers see are:
- Burglary
- Assault
- Robbery
- Vehicular Assault and Vehicular Homicide
- 1st Degree Murder
- 2nd Degree Murder
- 1st Degree Manslaughter
- 2nd Degree Manslaughter
We rely on nearly two decades of legal experience as Seattle violent crime attorneys to provide comprehensive and professional services for the people whom we represent. We are committed to guiding our clients through each step of the process, exploring all of their options and using every tool at our disposal to defeat the charges or minimize their consequences.
Violent crimes are those that involve physical aggression, whether it is assault and battery, rape, robbery, manslaughter, or murder. What they all have in common is that the person who allegedly committed the crime used force or threats of force against the victim. Local law enforcement officers and prosecutors take these cases very seriously because their job is to keep the community safe. This means that a conviction may come with a heavy fine and a long period of imprisonment, so it is important to fight these charges head-on from the outset.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
The following are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions our Seattle criminal defense attorneys receive with regards to violent crime charges.
CAN A DEFENDANT RAISE A LEGAL DEFENSE TO CHALLENGE A VIOLENT CRIME CHARGE?
Yes. There are a number of defenses that may be available for a person charged with a violent crime. These cases often rely heavily on witness accounts of the incident, so it is vital that a person charged with a crime seek the counsel of an experienced criminal defense attorney as soon as possible in the process. An attorney familiar with the dynamics of these cases will often be able to develop evidence to successfully challenge witness credibility. It is also important for an attorney to be familiar with forensics and other investigative techniques, in order to find and exploit the problems with the investigation and the weaknesses in the prosecution’s case. A lawyer may often start investigating the case before someone is officially charged with a crime so that they can build a strong defense, which may even help a defendant avoid charges altogether.
IS SELF-DEFENSE A VALID DEFENSE?
It can be, yes. Some violent crime cases raise complicated questions about whether the person charged with the crime was acting in self-defense. State law allows a person to use force to protect themselves in situations in which they reasonably believe that someone else is going to seriously injure them. The use of force is also permitted in situations when it is necessary to prevent “malicious interference” with your personal property, to detain a person trespassing on your property, or to prevent a mentally handicapped person from doing harm to others. Each of these forms of self-defense depends heavily on the facts of a specific case.
WHAT ARE THE PENALTIES FOR A CONVICTION OF A VIOLENT CRIME IN WASHINGTON?
In Washington, there is not just one blanket penalty for a “violent crime.” The consequences depend on: (1) the felony class of the crime, (2) the seriousness level, (3) your criminal history, and (4) any sentence enhancements (like weapons or victim factors) that may apply to your case.
Since most violent crimes are charged as felonies, please note the general penalties below for the three classes of felonies in Washinton.
Class A felonies are the most serious crimes. An example is murder. The maximum penalties for Class A felonies are up to life in prison and a $50,000 fine.
Class B felonies are the next serious of the three classes of felonies. An example is robbery. The maximum penalties for Class B felonies are up to 10 years in prison and a $20,000 fine.
Class C felonies are the least serious of the three classes of felonies. An example is a lesser form of assault. The maximum penalties for Class C felonies are up to 5 years in prison and a $10,000 fine.
EXPLORE YOUR OPTIONS WITH THE GUIDANCE OF A VIOLENT CRIME LAWYER IN SEATTLE
At Black Law, our Seattle violent crime attorneys understand the legal issues that often emerge in these cases. We also know how to build a robust defense for the people whom we represent. The process starts by giving each client an open and honest assessment of their case that avoids either overly optimistic or overly pessimistic projections. We want you to be fully informed so that you can effectively weigh your rights and options. We represent people in Seattle, Tacoma, Everett, Kent, and Bellevue, among other areas of King, Pierce, and Snohomish Counties. We can also arrange translation services for clients who speak Amharic, Arabic, French, Korean, Russian, Spanish, Tigrinya, Somali, Vietnamese, and many other languages. Do not hesitate to call (206) 623-1604 or contact us online to schedule a free appointment to discuss your case with us. We are also available to represent Washington residents who need a drug crime attorney or guidance in other criminal matters.