The law deals severely with those accused of crimes who neglect to diligently and aggressively assert and preserve their legal rights. If you or a loved one has been charged with a crime in Sammamish, our team of experienced and knowledgeable Washington state criminal defense attorneys is here to help.
We understand that being arrested for any crime is traumatic. If you or a loved one is accused of a crime, you have a host of questions you desperately need to answer. Can you fight a criminal charge? Can a conviction be expunged from your record? What should you do if you’re arrested? What does it mean to be charged with a crime?
While you may feel immobilized, now is not the time to delay. You need help from a qualified Washington State criminal lawyer immediately. In the meantime, we urge you not to talk to police or prosecutors because when they tell you that “anything you say can be used against you in a court of law,” they’re not kidding around.
We are a criminal defense law firm in Sammamish that utilizes our unique experience and knowledge of the criminal defense legal system to help all those in need. An outstanding attorney is especially vital when facing criminal charges that could result in prison time. Our team is committed to providing excellent service to our clients, ensuring we listen to their case, their circumstances, and their needs before determining a proper legal defense on their behalf.
In criminal investigations, time is of the essence. The earlier we can preserve the evidence, review the crime scene, and interview any witnesses, the better for you, as it lessens the chances of important information being forgotten, lost, or destroyed. Our firm’s criminal law experience and knowledge of the local court system provide our clients with the best results-oriented defense against the accusations of the government.
Do I Need a Lawyer?Confronting a criminal law matter can be extremely stressful and unsettling. The decision as to whether or not to hire an attorney, and which attorney to hire, can be one of the most important decisions you will ever have to make.
You should know that you do have the option of representing yourself in court, which is called appearing “pro se.” However, most lawyers and judges would agree that pro se representation is not always the best decision for a defendant facing criminal charges. This is because most people lack the experience and knowledge of Washington State laws to put up the best defense.
If you decide to pursue legal representation, you will be given the opportunity to petition the court for a public defender. Public defenders are lawyers who work for the government and represent people who cannot reasonably afford to hire a private lawyer to defend themselves at trial. In Washington, the court will determine your eligibility for a public defender through a financial interview. If you qualify, the court will appoint your public defender, you get no choice in who represents you.
Public defenders have little to no personal investment in your case. They are there to inform you of your charges and the consequences you could face if you plead guilty or are convicted. They will also provide reasonable defense efforts in your case if you have a defense. If you’re facing serious criminal charges, do you want to take your chances with a public defender?
Retaining a private attorney, working as part of a criminal defense legal team who have the time, motivation, and specialized resources to dedicate to your case and thoroughly communicate with you is undeniably the best choice you can make. In almost every criminal matter, hiring one of our Sammamish criminal defense attorneys is the better option, even in situations where you’re simply fighting a speeding infraction. You have the benefit of a team that has the necessary education and skills, experience with the courts, and the time to give your case personal attention.
If you ever find yourself in a legal battle where your freedom is on the line, you’ll want a lawyer on your side. Regardless of the seriousness of the charges, it’s essential to have a qualified WA State attorney in your corner who can make sure your rights and interests are protected.
You don’t want to hire just any lawyer. You need someone you can feel comfortable with and trust, who will help you achieve the best outcome possible. Call us today to get started with your free consultation.
Sammamish Criminal Court OverviewIf you’ve been charged with a crime in Sammamish, you will eventually have to appear in court. Depending upon your charges, there are three different courts you may end up in, municipal court, the district court, or superior court. If the government alleges that you broke a city law, you will end up in municipal court. If the government alleges that you broke state law, you will have to appear in district court. And if the government alleges that you broke federal law, you will have to appear in superior court.
Washington cities may establish Municipal Courts, however not every city chooses to do so. Municipal courts are courts of limited jurisdiction, which means that they are only allowed to hear certain types of cases. Municipal courts have jurisdiction over misdemeanors, gross misdemeanors, and non-criminal traffic violations, but they can not hear civil cases. The King County District Court - East Division is located in the neighboring town of Issaquah and serves as the municipal court for Sammamish and Carnation.
Each of Washington's 39 counties also has a state District Court. The district court is also a court of limited jurisdiction, and adjudicates on misdemeanors, gross misdemeanors, traffic infractions, civil matters, violations of state law, and will also hear preliminary or expedited felony cases. The King County District Court is located in Bellevue, approximately 14 miles from Sammamish.
In addition to the district court, each of Washington’s 39 counties also contains a superior court. The King County Superior Court, located in downtown Seattle, is a court of general jurisdiction, which means that they can hear all civil and criminal matters occurring within the county. The superior court also has exclusive jurisdiction over family law cases, estate and probate matters, juvenile proceedings, and felonies.
No one expects to get arrested. Showing up to court can be extremely jarring, and facing the potential consequences of a criminal conviction can be a terrifying experience. Poet Ralph Waldo Emmerson once wrote, “knowledge is the antidote to fear.” One of the first ways our team can help you adjust to your situation is by arming you with all the knowledge you’ll need to fight your charges.
If you are facing criminal charges or allegations, you are worthy of the best representation from a Sammamish criminal defense attorney who will strongly and passionately defend your freedom and attain the best possible outcome.
What can a Washington State criminal Attorney do for You?Our legal team will provide you with complete knowledge of the legal minutiae of Washington’s criminal laws combined with years of hands-on experience defending cases just like yours in local Sammamish area courtrooms. To give you an idea of the types of cases we handle and how we handle them, here is some information on 5 of our most common practice areas.
Driving Under the Influence (DUI)- In Washington state, you can be charged with DUI if your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is at or above .08%. However, under certain conditions, you may be charged even if you have a lower BAC. If you are driving a commercial vehicle, you can be charged for a BAC at or over .04%, and if you are under the legal drinking age of 21, you can be charged if your BAC reaches .02%. You can also be charged for driving under the influence of drugs. For example, having a concentration of at least five nanograms of THC (the active ingredient of marijuana) constitutes a DUI.
Minors charged with DUI face even more serious repercussions. Consider the following Washington Statute, RCW 46.61.503:
Driver under twenty-one consuming alcohol or marijuana—Penalties.
(1) Notwithstanding any other provision of this title, a person is guilty of driving or being in physical control of a motor vehicle after consuming alcohol or marijuana if the person operates or is in physical control of a motor vehicle within this state and the person:
(a) Is under the age of twenty-one; and
(b) Has, within two hours after operating or being in physical control of the motor vehicle, either:
(i) An alcohol concentration of at least 0.02 but less than the concentration specified in RCW 46.61.502, as shown by analysis of the person's breath or blood made under RCW 46.61.506
What does this mean? It means that a teenager can have one beer and face the prospect of acquiring a criminal record that may very likely haunt them for the rest of their life. Do you think one common teenage mistake should derail a young person’s life? We don’t. If your child is charged with a Minor DUI, we will aggressively fight to protect their interests.
Domestic Violence (DV) - Domestic violence is defined as physical harm, bodily injury, assault, the infliction of fear of imminent physical harm, sexual assault, or stalking. Washington state has a mandatory arrest law for cases relating to domestic violence, which means that if the police are called to a DV disturbance, they must make an arrest if there is probable cause.
Did you know that Washington state law defines domestic violence as almost any criminal act committed by a "family or household member?” That vague wording allows for charges to be brought, not just against spouses or domestic partners, but also grandparents, adult children, cousins, partners, ex-lovers, or roommates. Washington state prosecutors and judges tend to prosecute DV to the fullest extent of the law, so if you’ve been charged with domestic violence, you need an experienced Sammamish criminal defense lawyer on your side.
Theft- Did you know that theft, robbery, and burglary are all different charges in Washington state?
Theft is the most common of these charges that are filed in Washington state. Our Sammamish criminal defense attorneys have defended numerous theft, burglary, and robbery charges and can help you resolve your case.
Juvenile Crimes- Washington State created juvenile courts in 1905 under the premise that most juvenile offenders have more in common with neglected children than with adult criminals. Juvenile court aims to rehabilitate through means other than incarceration. However, the state statutes allow that a minor can be transferred from juvenile court to the adult court and tried as an adult in specified serious or violent cases, even if the minor is as young as 14. If you are a parent seeking to defend your minor child who has been accused of a crime, or one who wants to keep a conviction off your child's record, please reach out to our Sammamish criminal defense attorneys today.
Reckless Driving- Statute RCW 46.61.500 is defined as follows:
Reckless driving—Penalty. (Effective until January 1, 2022.)
(1) Any person who drives any vehicle in willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property is guilty of reckless driving. Violation of the provisions of this section is a gross misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to three hundred sixty-four days and by a fine of not more than five thousand dollars.
(2)(a) Subject to (b) of this subsection, the license or permit to drive or any nonresident privilege of any person convicted of reckless driving shall be suspended by the department for not less than thirty days.
The term ‘willful’ means intentionally, knowingly, and purposely. ‘Wanton’ means that the accused drove the vehicle with a conscious and intentional indifference to consequences and with the knowledge that damage was likely to be done to persons or property. Reckless driving can also be charged for erratic driving while sober or street racing. A qualified attorney can explain how the law applies to the facts of your case and help you decide on how best to handle your situation.
This is, by far, not an exhaustive list. If you don’t see your charges listed here and want to know if we cover them, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with our team for a free consultation.
Sammamish - A City That's Growing With the TimesNestled between Lake Sammamish and the Snoqualmie Valley, the city of Sammamish is located in Kings County, Washington, approximately 20 miles east of Seattle. The city of Sammamish has been steadily seeing a swelling in population size, going from approximately 45,000 residents in 2010 to approximately 65,000 residents as of 2019. This boom in new denizens may be caused by some of the many accolades Sammamish has received in the past 10 years including
Pretty impressive achievements for a city that has only been incorporated since 1999.
Sammamish is considered to be an oceanic climate, which means that the area generally features mild summers and cool but not cold winters, with a relatively narrow annual temperature range and few extremes of temperature. The city does get a higher than average amount of rainfall each year, approximately 53 inches per year versus the national average of 38.
Popular Sammamish attractions include Beaver Lake Park, 54 forested acres of parkland with picnic pavilions, hiking trails, and an off-leash dog park, as well as Pine Lake Park, located right on Lake Sammamish for fishing and boating enthusiasts. In October, residents and tourists alike flock to Nightmare at Beaver Lake, which is the Seattle area’s biggest indoor/outdoor haunted house. Visitors and residents to Sammimish also have the good fortune to be in close proximity to Seattle and Bellevue if they are looking for more food and entertainment options.
It’s fun to be scared at a haunted house but it’s no fun at all to discover how scary prison can be. If you’re charged with a crime, contact one of our Washington criminal attorneys today and get the help you need to deal with the courts.
Let Us Help You - Contact Us TodayCriminal charges can jeopardize everything you have worked so hard to build in your life: your career, your reputation, and your personal and professional relationships. A conviction could threaten your freedom and future. With everything on the line, there is no option but to retain the services of our powerful, proven team of Sammamish criminal defense attorneys.
Now is not the time to take chances. With your future hanging in the balance, you need bold, experienced, and aggressive legal representation. If you are facing criminal charges in Sammamish, let our Washington criminal defense lawyers put their experience to work for you.
Sammamish criminal defense lawyers with the right experience and reputation.To be accused of a crime is one of the most difficult experiences that a person can have. During this frightening and complicated time, it is important to have a criminal defense attorney who you trust on your side to defend you in court.
At the Law Offices of Sammamish criminal attorney Jason S. Newcombe, we understand how you’re feeling - and we take it upon ourselves to help you and those close to you in any way that we can. Our passion is representing you fairly at trial, and we treat each of our valued clients without judgment and with all of the respect that they deserve.
When Should I Hire a Sammamish Criminal Defense Lawyer?If you or someone you love has been arrested or accused of having committed a crime, it is essential to confer with a Sammamish criminal defense lawyer as quickly as possible. As an accused individual, the state and federal constitutions afford you certain rights - including the right to speak with legal counsel before answering questions from the police.
Law enforcement officials are sometimes known to take advantage of individuals unaware of their rights, and consulting Sammamish criminal defense attorneys ensures that you will be protected. Many of our clients come to us for legal aid after they have already pleaded guilty or made self-incriminating statements to the police. Some of our clients feel they were pressured by law enforcement into accepting a resolution for their case that they did not feel comfortable with. It is essential to speak to a Sammamish criminal lawyer as soon as possible.
The effects of being charged with a crime can affect you for the rest of your life. Even if you have only been accused of a misdemeanor crime, your criminal history can interfere with your job, your driving privileges, and your ability to take out a bank loan.
Why Choose Us?Our Sammamish criminal defense lawyers understand your unique legal circumstances, and we’re equipped to help you understand what might happen to you and how to best handle your situation. Our thorough knowledge of the state justice system helps us build a plan for you, and our experience means that we have already worked with the prosecution who will be trying your case.
By thoroughly exploring all evidence against you, delving into, examining your case, and conferring with the District Attorney, our Sammamish criminal defense attorneys will do anything we can to help have the charges against you reduced or even dropped. Our Sammamish criminal defense attorneys handle many different misdemeanor and some felony criminal charges.
We offer affordable low, flat fees and flexible payment plans. Contact us online or call us today to learn more about how our legal team can help you.