Kent Municipal Court

With 20 years of experience defending clients throughout Western Washington, we have built a strong reputation for effective criminal defense and earned recognition for our work, consistently delivering fair outcomes for our clients. Our local experience in Kent Municipal Court gives us a unique understanding of how judges and prosecutors handle cases in our jurisdiction. If you are facing charges at Kent Municipal Courts, call our criminal defense attorneys now. We'll review your case for free and help you plan your next steps.

Types Of Charges We Defend At Kent Municipal Court

The Kent Municipal Court addresses cases that impact the local community, including violations of Kent-specific ordinances. Our attorneys can defend you against most charges, including:

• Assault (Fourth Degree)
• Domestic Violence-Related Offenses
• Theft (Third Degree)
• Criminal Trespass
• Malicious Mischief (Third Degree)
• Disorderly Conduct
• Possession Of Drug Paraphernalia
• Violation Of A No-Contact Or Protection Order
• Speeding
• Reckless Driving
• Driving With A Suspended License (DWLS)
• Hit And Run (Attended Or Unattended Vehicle)
• Driving Without Insurance
• Failure To Obey Traffic Signals
• Animal Control Violations
• Public Nuisance
• Loitering And Panhandling Violations
• Harassment
• Resisting Arrest Or Obstructing Law Enforcement
• Minor In Possession Of Alcohol
• Public Intoxication

For more serious offenses, such as felonies, the prosecution or judge will transfer cases to the King County Superior Court. If you are facing charges in Kent Municipal Court, speak with our experienced attorneys about your case.

What To Do If You Face Charges At Kent Municipal Court?

If you are facing charges at Kent Municipal Court, here's what to do to protect your rights:

1. Understand The Charges You Are Facing: Carefully read the citation, summons, or charging documents provided by law enforcement. These will specify the charges, the relevant legal statutes, and your scheduled court date. Determine whether the charges are misdemeanors, gross misdemeanors, or infractions. Misdemeanors and gross misdemeanors can carry significant penalties, including jail time.
2. Note The Court Location And Your Court Date: Your first court appearance will typically be at the Kent Municipal Court, located at:

Kent Municipal Court

1220 Central Avenue South
Kent, WA 98032
Phone: 253-856-5730

Missing your court date can result in a warrant for your arrest, so make sure to arrive on time. Check the time and courtroom assignment on your documents or online.

1. Hire An Experienced Attorney: As soon as you receive notice of your charges, contact our firm. Our experienced attorneys specialize in municipal court cases, including misdemeanors and gross misdemeanors, and are familiar with the judges and prosecutors in Kent Municipal Court.

Our criminal defense attorneys will review your case, explain the charges, and represent you.

What Happens If You Go To Trial At Kent Municipal Court?

If you face charges at Kent Municipal Court, here’s what you can expect:

1. Attend the Arraignment: At your arraignment, the King County judge will formally read the charges against you, and you will enter a plea. If you hire us, we will represent you at this hearing and advise you on the best plea to enter. Initially entering a not-guilty plea allows time to review the evidence and build your defense in most cases.
2. Request Discovery: Once your arraignment is complete, your case moves into the pre-trial phase. Request discovery from the prosecutor's office, which includes evidence they plan to use, like police reports or witness statements. If you hire us, we will handle this process.
3. Go To The Pre-Trial Conferences: Pre-trial conferences are where your attorneys discuss your case with the prosecutor to consider plea negotiations or alternative resolutions. With our extensive knowledge of Kent Municipal Court, we potentially reduce charges.
4. Prepare For Trial (if necessary): If your attorney cannot reach a resolution, your case will proceed to trial. At trial, we will:
   • Subpoena witnesses and prepare testimony
   • Cross-examine the prosecution's witnesses
   • Present evidence to support your defense
   • Argue for your acquittal
5. Sentencing Or Post-Trial Actions: If you are convicted, the judge will issue a sentence. If the outcome of your case is unfavorable, we can discuss filing an appeal or seeking alternative sentencing options to minimize the impact.

No matter the charges you face at Kent Municipal Court, our attorneys will protect your rights.

Why You Need An Attorney At Kent Municipal Court

A conviction at Kent Municipal Court can lead to serious penalties like jail time and fines. With our experience in Kent Municipal Court, we'll guide you through the process and fight to minimize the impact of your charges. Here are some of the benefits of hiring our local attorneys to defend you:

• Knowledge of local procedures at Kent Municipal Court
• Effective legal defense strategies
• Strong negotiation skills
• Effective challenges to the prosecution's evidence
• Skilled representation in Kent Municipal Court hearings and trials
• Minimizing penalties, including reducing fines or securing alternative sentencing options like community service or probation

We handle everything to reduce your stress throughout the legal process. Having our Kent attorneys in your corner will protect your future and your freedom.

Leverage Local Legal Expertise For Your Kent Municipal Court Case

As local attorneys in Kent, Washington, we're deeply connected to protecting the rights of our neighbors. You'll see us around town enjoying local events like the Kent Farmers Market, Cornucopia Days, and the Kent International Festival. We often visit Lake Meridian Park, stroll through Meeker Street for a bite to eat, or participate in activities at the ShoWare Center. Whether we're at the Kent Memorial Park or supporting local businesses, we're proud to call the city home and bring that local knowledge into our practice.

At Kent Municipal Court, we believe every case can and should be challenged. With our specialized knowledge of court procedures and effective defense strategies, we know how to fight for a favorable outcome. Whether it's questioning evidence, negotiating a plea, or exploring alternative sentencing, we have the expertise to challenge your charges. Call us today to learn more.

Our Kent Municipal Court Attorneys Are Ready To Help You

A misdemeanor conviction could cause irreparable damage to your reputation, cost you a great deal of money, and land you in jail. The Kent Municipal Court has jurisdiction over misdemeanor crimes, gross misdemeanors, and civil infractions, but do not handle any civil or small claims cases like the District Court. The Municipal Court also handles protection and no-contact orders.

If you're facing a situation that entails the Kent Municipal Court, it's important to take steps to protect your legal interests. Before appearing in any courtroom, you should take the time to be fully prepared, understand the charges you face, and the penalties associated with a conviction. Our Kent Municipal Court criminal attorneys are familiar with all of the Washington Courts, and can help you prepare for your appearance. We will defend your interests, explore avenues of defense if necessary, and work tirelessly to resolve your case.

Criminal Penalties And The Kent Municipal Court

If you've been charged with a misdemeanor or gross misdemeanor, you probably have questions about the possible punishments associated with the crime. Kent misdemeanor convictions can lead to 90 days in jail and fines totaling $1,000.

Convictions for gross misdemeanors incur penalties that are even more severe, and could include up to a year in jail and $5,000 in fines. Gross misdemeanor charges are often related to municipal crimes like DUIs, shoplifting, and DUIs.

Municipal infractions are not crimes, with traffic violations being the most common example. Penalties for municipal infractions and crimes often have a negative impact on your life. While the magnitude of a guilty verdict may not be evident right away, the full impact may be felt at a later date. As an example consider a speeding ticket. It may not seem like a big deal because you can simply pay the fine and put it behind you. But when you're auto insurance rates skyrocket, you suddenly wonder if you should have taken the time to challenge the ticket.

A DUI conviction is another fine example because a conviction can affect your job, reputation, and family life in countless ways.

Our Municipal Court Attorneys Work To Mitigate Your Punishments

Our Kent Municipal Court criminal lawyers know how problematic a misdemeanor conviction can be. If you're ready to fight back against a criminal charge or municipal infraction, seek help from a qualified Kent lawyer who cares about the outcome.

Dealing with the Kent Municipal Court requires experience with the law, so defend your legal rights with help from the experienced Kent Municipal Court lawyers at the Law Office of Jason S. Newcombe. With our more than 30 years of combined legal experience with local Washington courts, we know how to protect your interests.

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