Criminal Defense Questions Criminal charges are extremely serious. When facing a criminal charge, personal liberty and freedom are at stake. An experienced criminal defense attorney can help to protect your legal rights. In this situation, you have many questions about hiring a criminal defense lawyer. Here are some of questions prospective clients ask: 1. Should I represent myself?… Read More
Misdemeanors vs. Felonies The distinction between misdemeanors and felonies lies in the severity of the criminal offense. This distinction is made by legal authorities and serves as the basis for criminal charges, indictments, trials and sentencing. The many and varied levels in the severity of crimes committed requires corresponding guidelines for charging, convicting and punishing offenders. In criminal… Read More
Juvenile Crime Accusations: First Steps Parents hope their children grow up to become productive members of society, but that growing up period is often challenging. Kids make mistakes. Some kids are troublemakers, and sometimes good children do bad things. Sometimes, innocent children are accused of doing wrong. Either way, for parents, hearing that their child has not only been accused… Read More
What to do if your child is being charged with shoplifting If your child is being charged with shoplifting, it may be difficult for you to know how to handle the situation effectively. If your child claims innocence, you will have to do your own investigation to determine the truth. Talking to your child about the problem is usually the best way to find out the… Read More
Hire an Experienced Criminal Defense Attorney When legal help is needed, it can be easy to turn to a phonebook or the Internet in order to find a professional for assistance. However, not all available professionals have the experience that many people require. An inexperienced criminal defense lawyer can cost more time and money than one who has valuable experience. There… Read More
What is expungement of criminal records? Many individuals who have been convicted a crime do not realize that expunging criminal records concerning their personal criminal history may be accomplished if the particular conviction qualifies. Expunging a criminal history essentially means the court sealing of the conviction record, which then makes the conviction unpublished. While the court and state authorities can still… Read More
Washington Laws on Criminal Damage to Property Malicious Mischief Defined Malicious mischief is defined as the intentional, criminal damage to the property of another. Chapter 9A.48 of the Washington Criminal Code of the Revised Code of Washington addresses three degrees of malicious mischief: RCA 9A.48.070 – First-Degree Malicious Mischief A person is guilty of first-degree malicious mischief if he or she intentionally… Read More
Theft in Washington Not all theft cases in Washington are treated the same. The Revised Code of Washington defines theft as “wrongfully obtaining or exerting unauthorized control over the property or services of another or the value thereof with the intent to deprive of such property or services.” RCW 9A.56.020. The theft penalties vary depending on the value… Read More
Extortion in the State of Washington What is extortion? The Revised Code of Washington states that “Extortion means knowingly to obtain or attempt to obtain by threat property or services of the owner, and specifically includes sexual favors.” RCW 9A.56.110. Extortion has different degrees of punishment, based upon the type of threat made. A Washington criminal defense attorney can explain in… Read More
Arson and Criminal Damages in Washington Arson is the act of deliberately setting a fire with intent to destroy property. Although most arson cases concern setting fire to buildings, it can also be charged if, for intense, someone deliberately burns forest land. Arson may be charged in three degrees. Both the intent and result of the crime determine the charge and… Read More