Being charged with any crime is a serious matter. Your choice of criminal defense lawyer can have a dramatic impact on how your case is resolved. Whether you're facing a misdemeanor charge, or a more serious felony charge, you need a Kent criminal defense lawyer who understands the law and will aggressively defend your interests.
If you or a loved one has been accused of a crime, you likely have questions running through your mind that include:
The professional Kent criminal defense lawyers at the law office of Jason S. Newcombe offer a free consultation, so you can start getting answers to these serious questions. Depending on the nature of your crime, you could be facing significant time behind bars, expensive fines, the loss of your civil rights, and a host of other penalties that could alter your life in countless negative ways.
The actions you take right now are crucial. Your Kent lawyer may be able to work out a plea arrangement with the prosecution in an effort to reduce the charges against you, and the punishments you face. Depending on the situation, they may be able to get you into a diversion program, which would prevent you from obtaining a criminal record. If you maintain your innocence, your Kent attorney will do everything the law allows to have your charges dropped or take your case all the way to court.
Protect your future with our professional legal guidance. You don't have any time to lose.
Understanding Common Crimes In KentOur extensive legal experience has familiarized our attorneys with how the court handles all sorts of criminal cases. Many crimes are categorized into degrees, which identify the severity of the offense. More severe crimes warrant more damaging punishments. Prior criminal convictions may also increase the severity of the penalties. Sometimes, multiple criminal charges accompany one crime, which may also lead to more severe punishments.
One thing is certain: You need a realistic understanding of the charges you're facing before you can prepare a defense. The following information about various crimes in Washington will be helpful as you take the first step toward resolving your case. If you have further questions, please contact one of our Kent criminal defense lawyers and get the facts.
DUI Crimes - Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol is a serious offense in Washington State. If convicted, you can lose your driver's license, spend time in jail, and be forced to pay expensive fines. You may also face discretionary penalties like being required to use an interlock ignition device on your car, or mandatory alcohol counseling. Sometimes the machines used to conduct breath tests on motorists are faulty, so your Kent lawyer will take the time to investigate the details.
Drug Crimes - You may be charged with drug possession, intent to sell, trafficking, or even for possession of drug paraphernalia. If you're in possession of large amounts of an illegal drug, you could be facing serious time in prison. Sometimes drug arrests are made because of some untrustworthy informant's information, which is something your Kent criminal defense lawyer will seek to determine.
Assault - Crimes associated with assault can vary from a gross misdemeanor charge for punching or hitting another person, to a severe first degree assault with a deadly weapon where injuries were involved. There are four degrees of assault a person may be charged with, each with its own set of penalties, so contact our Kent criminal attorneys if you've been arrested for assault.
Theft Crimes - Shoplifting, embezzlement, fraud, are just a few theft crimes for which a person may be charged. The severity of the punishments increases depending on the amount of money that was 'stolen' from the victim. A burglary is a separate crime that may accompany a theft charge if the perpetrator remains in, or breaks into, a building or property where the theft takes place. Sometimes a person accidentally shoplifts merchandise because of carelessness, so don't hesitate to contact one of our Kent criminal lawyers if you feel like you've been charged with retail theft without just cause.
Domestic Violence - Because crimes involving domestic violence are so common, our Kent criminal attorneys routinely handle these sensitive cases. Sometimes people make false accusations against a spouse or partner and then later recant their claim of abuse. Still, the prosecutor may still pursue criminal charges, so it's vital that you do everything you can to protect your legal rights.
Sex Crimes - The social stigma surrounding sex crimes warrants a resolute defense to protect your future, your freedom, and your reputation. Even the accusation of a sex crime can derail a person's life, and a conviction could lead to a lengthy stay in prison and require they register as a sex offender. Our Kent criminal lawyers understand the stakes in these cases, and will act as your personal advocate with the court in an effort to protect your good name.
White Collar Crimes - There are a number of crimes that fall into this broad category and they include mail fraud, identity theft, insurance fraud, gambling fraud, and internet fraud, among others. Your Kent criminal attorney will pursue a defense based on the details of your case. In some cases it's possible to enter a client into a diversion program, which will prevent the acquisition of a criminal record and help you protect your reputation.
Juvenile Crimes - Our Kent criminal lawyers take cases involving minors very seriously, especially when prosecutors seek to charge them as an adult. Any conviction at a young age can result in a criminal record, which could derail a young person's life in countless ways. Minor DUI cases are especially troublesome because a person under 21 years of age need only register a BAC of .02 or higher to be charged with this serious crime. This means that one youthful indiscretion could lead to a lifetime of difficult repercussions, something that hardly seems fair.
Contact Our Washington Criminal Defense Lawyers For A Free ConsultationFacing a criminal charge in Washington State can leave you feeling embarrassed and bewildered. You do not have to go through this process alone. Our Kent criminal attorneys can help you face these charges head-on by reviewing the facts, investigating the details, preparing a legal defense, and representing your interests with the court.
The actions you take now are the most important. If you've been charged with any crime in Washington State, do not speak with any authorities until you contact a defense attorney who will protect your legal rights. Anything you say could be used against you by the prosecution, even if the authorities promise leniency.
You can contact our Kent law office right now and get help from a qualified lawyer. Best of all, your initial consultation is free of charge, so you have nothing to risk by seeking professional legal guidance. Our Kent criminal lawyers also offer convenient payment options that will suit most budgets, so you can enjoy quality legal representation from litigators who care about the end result of your case.