Criminal charges are serious business, so your choice of criminal defense lawyer is also of vital importance. Whether you or someone you love has been charged a misdemeanor or felony, you need a Gig Harbor criminal defense lawyer who will fight to resolve your case. It's also important that they understand the law and have experience with Washington Courts.
If you've been arrested and charged with a crime, you likely have questions that you would like answered.
The Gig Harbor criminal defense attorneys at the law office of Jason S. Newcombe offer a free consultation. By scheduling an appointment, you can start getting answers to your most urgent questions. Depending on the severity of your crime, you may be facing time behind bars, expensive fines, the prospect of losing your civil rights, and many other penalties that could alter your life in unforeseeable ways.
The steps you take now will have an impact on the outcome of your case. Our team of Gig Harbor lawyers will work to mitigate your penalties by negotiating with the prosecution, or may even find a way to have your charges dismissed or reduced. They may also be able to petition a judge to allow your enrollment in a diversion program, depending on nature of your crime and whether you have prior criminal convictions. If successful, it would prevent you from obtaining a criminal record.
If you maintain your innocence and believe the charges to be erroneous, your Gig Harbor attorney will do everything the law allows to protect your good name, and even take your case to court if that proves to be the best option.
Our professional legal guidance is available so that we can help you protect your future. Act quickly, because if you've been charged with a crime, you don't have any time to lose.
Gig Harbor Crime And YouWhether coming home from one of the Movies in the Park or a round of Golf at Canterwood Country Club, you don't expect to have a run-in with the law. Sometimes people go out for a good time and end up having one too many drinks or making some other mistake that lands them in trouble with the police.
Crime in Gig Harbor, like everywhere in the country, is a fact of life, but when you find yourself on the other end of a pair of handcuffs, you're suddenly forced to face the question, "What happens next?" Most people who run afoul of the law fall into the category of non-violent or property crimes like DUI, theft or vandalism. Sometimes people in Gig Harbor commit violent crimes because of drug addiction or a domestic violence situation that gets out of hand.
No matter what the situation, if you're charged with a crime you need to understand the facts. The most serious crimes, like those that include violence, are heard in the Pierce County Superior Court.
The Pierce County District Court hears cases that are less serious that include misdemeanor offences involving assault, and theft. They also deal with infractions like speeding and traffic violations.
The Gig Harbor Municipal Court is very similar but hears these cases when they are committed on a municipal level. Even a minor infraction can cause all sorts of problems. Consider how a speeding ticket can make your auto insurance rates skyrocket, or that fact that if you already have points against your driving record you could lose your driving privileges.
Our legal team is familiar with all of the courts in Washington, and we can help you prepare a resolute defense while working to minimize your penalties. Put our extensive experience to work for you, and contact one of our attorneys without delay.
Understanding Common Criminal Charges In Gig HarborOur lawyers have extensive legal experience, and are familiar with how the various courts in Washington State handle criminal cases. Many crimes are categorized by "degrees" that identify the severity of the alleged crime. Crimes in the first degree will carry harsher punishments than those in the second degree, and so on. Prior criminal convictions will most likely lead to even more severe penalties. You may also be charged with more than one crime, which will further complicate the situation.
No matter what situation you're in, you need to have a realistic understanding of the charges against you before you can start preparing a defense. We've provided the following information about common Washington crimes so that you can get a better idea of what to expect. If you have any questions or would like to find out what we can do for you, please contact our Gig Harbor criminal defense attorneys at your earliest convenience.
DUI & Drunk Driving Crimes - Driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol or drugs is a serious crime here in Washington State, and Gig Harbor Police will show little mercy if you're caught driving while inebriated. You will lose your driver's license if convicted, and you may spend time in jail and be required to pay expensive fines. Discretionary penalties are sometimes levied by the judge. These include requirements to install an interlock ignition device on your car and mandatory alcohol counseling, among others.
Sometimes we handle DUI cases where the machines used to measure blood alcohol content are not maintained as required by law. In these situations our Gig Harbor lawyers will take the time to investigate all the details, and petition the court to drop the charges.
Drug Crimes - Drug crimes include trafficking, drug possession, intent to sell drugs, and possession of drug paraphernalia, just to name a few. If you were arrested with a large quantity of an illegal drug, you may be facing serious time in prison. Arrests are sometimes made because of false information from an informant. Your Gig Harbor criminal defense lawyer will investigate the facts surrounding your arrest to ascertain the truth.
Assault - Assault may vary in severity, so charged can range from a gross misdemeanor charge for punching another person, to a first-degree felony for an assault with a deadly weapon where injuries were involved. In Washington State, there are four degrees of assault, and each has its own set of penalties. Make sure you understand the penalties you're facing by contacting one of our Gig Harbor criminal lawyers, if you have been charged with assault.
Theft - The crime of theft is a broad term that includes crimes like embezzlement, fraud, and shoplifting, just to name a few. The severity of the penalties associated with the crime increase depending on how much money was taken from the victim. A burglary is different than a theft but still may accompany that criminal charge, if thief remains in or breaks into a building or property where the theft occurs. We've run into situations where shoppers carelessly placed something in their pocket while shopping and forgot about it, only to be charged with shoplifting when they left the sore. If you feel as though you were charged unfairly, contact one of our Gig Harbor criminal attorneys immediately.
Domestic Violence Crimes - Domestic violence crimes are far more common than many people realize, which is why our Gig Harbor criminal lawyers have handled a number of these sensitive cases. People in domestic disputes sometimes make false accusations against their partner and then later tell a whole different story. However, this may not prevent the prosecutor from pursuing criminal charges, so it's vital that you do everything you can to defend your legal rights with help from a qualified WA State attorney.
Sex Crimes - The social stigma surrounding sex crimes makes these cases extremely sensitive. If you're charged with a sex crime, you need a resolute defense to protect your reputation and your freedom. Just being accused of a sex crime can derail your life, but a conviction could incur a long stay in prison and being forced to register as a sex offender. Our Pierce County criminal attorneys understand how urgent these cases are to defendants, so we will act as your personal advocate with the court and do everything the law allows to clear your name.
White Collar Crimes - A number of crimes fall into this category, and they may include mail fraud, identity theft, gambling fraud, insurance fraud, and internet fraud, to name just a few. Your Gig Harbor criminal attorney will pursue a defense strategy based on the details surrounding your arrest. In some situations, the accused may be allowed to enter into a diversion program, which prevents acquiring a criminal record.
Juvenile Crimes - Crimes that involve minors are especially important to our Gig Harbor criminal attorneys, especially when Washington prosecutors seek to charge them as an adult. A criminal conviction at a young age could derail a young person's life in many different ways, even making it hard for them to get a good job or find an apartment. Minor DUI cases are especially problematic because a person under 21 who registers a BAC of .02 or higher may be charged with this serious crime and thus incur a criminal record. This means that one youthful indiscretion can lead to a lifetime of repercussions; and we think this hardly seems fair.
Contact Our Washington Criminal Defense Attorneys Today For A Free Case EvaluationIf you're facing a criminal charge in Washington State, you likely feel angry, confused, and embarrassed. Remember that you do not have to go through this process alone, because our attorneys are ready to help. When you contact our office for a free consultation we will review the facts, scrutinize the details, and start preparing a resolute defense. We will always represent your best interests as our Gig Harbor criminal lawyers help you face your charges head-on.
Swift action now may be critical to the resolution of your case. We urge you to not speak with anyone in law enforcement until you contact a defense attorney who will protect your legal rights, and prevent you from saying something that could be used by the prosecution. This is your legal right, and it's something we vow to protect.
You probably feel overwhelmed, and we realize that this whole experience is embarrassing, and can lead to overwhelming anxiety and stress as you contemplate the possibility of prison, losing your job, or even the destruction of your family. Taking the first step toward resolving your case is never easy, but this course of action is in your best interests.
Our compassionate Gig Harbor attorneys are not here to judge you. However, we will help you face your criminal charges head-on while protecting your civil rights. The Washington State legal system has no regard for your personal interests as countless cases are processed every day. Don't get caught up in the cogs of this relentless machine, especially if you're innocent of the charges against you.
When you retain a WA State criminal lawyer from our law office, you have decades of legal experience in your corner. No attorney can guarantee that your case will be resolved favorably, but attempting to navigate the courts without professional legal guidance would be folly.
Contact our Gig Harbor law office and get help from one of our qualified criminal attorneys. Your initial consultation is free, so there is no risk in seeking professional legal assistance from one of our dedicated professionals. Our Gig Harbor criminal attorneys offer useful payment options that will work with most budgets, so if you're worried about the cost of a lawyer, find out if you qualify.