Criminal Defense Lawyers In Bellingham Can Make A Difference

Facing criminal charges is a very scary situation. It’s natural to feel like the walls are closing in and that you could lose everything–your family and friends, your freedom, and even your future. With over 30 years of defending good people just like you, we know how tough it can be. We’ve dedicated our lives to helping people facing criminal charges in Bellingham, and we can help you.

Our Bellingham criminal defense team believes that a mistake should not define the rest of your life. We’re here to support you at every step of the legal process. We’ll prepare you for court appearances, present a powerful defense showcasing your remorse and reparations, and fight for the best possible outcome for your case. With our years of experience and expertise in Washington criminal law, we know the local prosecutors and judges of the Whatcom County court system. We know what defense they find most compelling.

Contact our law office now for a free consultation for your criminal case. We’ll help you explore your legal options and start working on an effective defense. Our Bellingham lawyers can help you with the following types of cases:

Misdemeanors are still considered crimes in Washington State. However, the nature of these crimes is deemed less severe and is divided into two categories. So, while misdemeanors would still go on record as a criminal offense, the consequences of misdemeanors are typically fines of no more than $1000 or jail time of no more than 90 days.

The second category is Gross Misdemeanors, which, as the name suggests, is considered more serious than a common misdemeanor but still not serious enough to be considered a felony. Punishments here scale up appropriately, with fines that have a maximum of $5000 and jail sentences that have a maximum of one year.

Felonies are more serious crimes. A felony conviction, like a misdemeanor, has different categories – and in this case, three of them. The different categories have different degrees of punishment based on severity. These are classified as:

In many respects, a Class C felony is a step up from a gross misdemeanor. The punishments here are jail time of up to five years, a fine of up to $10000, or both.

This level of felony is for more severe or damaging criminal acts, with imprisonment of up to 10 years, a fine of up to $20000, or both.

The most serious felonies can result in a life sentence, which is a minimum of 25 years, with or without the possibility of parole. A maximum fine of $50000 is also possible, as well as both a jail sentence and a fine being handed down at once.

Driving Under the Influence, better known as DUI, is a serious breach of traffic law and is considered a criminal act. However, depending on the situation, it may be classed as either a gross misdemeanor or a class C felony. The two most common types of DUI are:

By far the most common class of DUI, this occurs when drivers are stopped, evaluated, and found to have more than the legal limit of alcohol in their bloodstream. This is usually determined by conducting a breath test, and there may be legal consequences for refusing to take this test.

The legality of cannabis, or marijuana, is determined by the state government. In Washington, marijuana is legal to purchase and use privately but is in breach of law when used publicly. As with alcohol, there are laws that charge drivers with a criminal offense if they are found operating a vehicle while using marijuana.

As the name implies, negligent driving is when careless—or negligent—actions are observed in a driver. There are two types of negligent driving. The less severe, negligent driving in the second degree, is considered a traffic infraction and results only in a fine.

The more serious negligent driving in the first degree is considered a misdemeanor, and may be charged in first-time DUI offenses involving alcohol or marijuana or the possession of while in a vehicle. Due to how complex and overarching negligent driving charges may be, it’s always a good idea to consult with a traffic attorney in Bellingham over such situations.

Unlike negligent driving, which suggests carelessness or inattentiveness, reckless driving is a charge laid when police believe a driver is knowingly and willfully breaking laws without regard for consequences. Street racing, chasing after other cars, and even DUI may fall under this gross demeanor charge.

A hit and run is another violation that covers the spectrum of legal severities in Washington State. A hit and run is when a vehicle gets into an accident and, rather than the driver executing the expected responsibility of remaining at the scene to exchange information with parties involved or dealing with the police, chooses to flee the scene of the accident instead. Depending on the severity of the accident, a hit and run may be only a misdemeanor for fleeing from minor vehicular damage or a gross misdemeanor for serious damage. However, a hit-and-run can be considered a serious felony if death or serious bodily harm is involved. For example, striking a cyclist in a fatal accident and then fleeing the scene would be viewed as a felony hit-and-run. A Bellingham traffic attorney may be essential for resolving such a situation.

Similarly to traffic violations, crimes on foot also have a spectrum of being classed as misdemeanors of increasing severity, as well as felonies, including:

Trespassing is illegally entering onto private property and is generally classed as either a misdemeanor or gross misdemeanor. The severity of the charge will depend on different factors, such as whether the trespasser knowingly entered the property illegally or not.

Washington State’s vast ecosystem requires human protection to prevent threats to species. Fish and wildlife violations can be misdemeanors or felonies, depending on the nature of the act. Fortunately, there are fish and wildlife attorneys in Bellingham who can help with these charges.

A minor in possession is a legal situation where someone not legally an adult, anywhere between the ages of 13-20, is found in possession—or even just in proximity to—substances like alcohol, illegal drugs, or firearms. The “MIP” charge is considered a gross misdemeanor and has a variety of penalties, including license suspension, fines, or even a jail sentence.

Malicious mischief includes acts of vandalism, or any other action done to damage or impair services deliberately. There are three degrees of malicious mischief, with the 3^rd being the least severe as a gross misdemeanor, while the first and second are categorized as felonies. Generally, the severity of a malicious mischief charge is tied to the financial damage involved.

Most people are familiar with the concept of theft, as it’s simply taking something that doesn’t belong to you, whether that is an item or even a service. Theft charges in Washington State are on a spectrum, from misdemeanor to felony, depending on how serious the theft may be. Theft has numerous degrees and definitions, with charges sometimes specific to the type of theft, such as livestock or vehicles. For such situations, a criminal defense lawyer in Bellingham may be needed to ensure fair representation under state law.

Assault, like other crimes, can be classed as a felony or a misdemeanor, depending on the nature of the assault. A variety of factors are considered for charges, such as whether an assault is categorized as a hate crime, whether it involves children, whether it is a first or repeat offense, and how severe the assault may be.

As with other crimes, domestic violence has a range of different penalties depending on the situation and severity. It’s important to note that a domestic violence charge does not necessarily require violence. Kidnapping, stalking, and even burglary may also fall into this category. There is still a lot of room for legal interpretation in these actions, which is where defense attorneys in Bellingham can be crucial in resolving a case fairly.

There are many different acts of harassment, from the threat of violence to damaging someone’s property, so the interpretation of harassment in Washington State is broad. The severity of penalties for harassment is equally broad, ranging from misdemeanor to felony based on the specific circumstances of the case.

Fraud and forgery are broad crimes that can be applied in numerous areas, including welfare and white-collar crime. While fraud can be classed as either a misdemeanor or a felony, forgery itself is generally considered a felony. A Bellingham defense attorney is essential in resolving these kinds of charges.

While cannabis has been legalized, there’s still a considerable amount of complexity in what constitutes a drug crime in Washington State. One reason for this is that the definition of criminal violation may be determined by ordinances not just at the state, but even municipal level. This complexity is further compounded by the legal considerations based on the type of substance and the use or possession of that specific substance in question.

Because of all the different permutations involved, such as whether a person knowingly or unknowingly was in possession of an illegal substance, this is an extremely malleable legal situation. An experienced Bellingham defense attorney can navigate the complexities of a specific incident and help attain a more favorable resolution.

Sex offenses in Washington State are one of the most serious, but unfortunately, they also encompass a very broad range of different crimes. Sex offenses go all over the spectrum, from the most serious offenses, such as rape or child molestation, to indecent exposure or sexual misconduct with a minor.

As with other crimes, the punishment for sex offenses varies from gross misdemeanors at minimum to Class A felonies at maximum. Sex offense convictions carry serious consequences for those convicted, including possible registration as a sex offender, depending on the charges involved. Because of the severe ramifications involved in sex offense charges, it’s absolutely crucial for people involved in this legal situation to work with an experienced criminal defense attorney in Bellingham.

While traffic violations are not considered criminal acts, they are infractions regarded as breaches of state law. It’s important to remember, however, that even being charged with a traffic infraction doesn’t mean the charge is always correct, and it’s still possible to challenge these violations with the help of a Bellingham traffic attorney. Some examples of traffic violations include:

While not considered a criminal offense, 2^nd degree negligent driving is one of the most severe traffic infractions, with two specific categories of severity. The first category is for negligence that endangers people and property and has a maximum fine of $250.

The second more severe category involves a vulnerable user victim, such as a pedestrian, cyclist, or disabled person using mobility assistance. Penalties here can go up to $10000 and may even lead to a license suspension.

The most common violation drivers receive is, of course, the speeding ticket. Speeding tickets are issued whenever a law enforcement officer believes a vehicle is traveling faster than the designated speed limit. The accumulation of too many tickets can result in a license suspension.

Because children are more vulnerable and less predictable than other pedestrians, stricter speed laws are in place in areas around schools. This also applies to playgrounds. Fines are typically more severe. However, depending on the situation, you may be able to challenge this in court with a Bellingham traffic attorney.

This traffic violation is somewhat ambiguous in that much of the infraction is left to the personal discretion of the law enforcement officer. As the name suggests, a ticket is issued for following a vehicle too closely, but the definitions of reasonable and prudent distance can vary wildly with specific situations and personal judgment. Traffic ticket attorneys in Bellingham can be useful here.

The high occupancy vehicle carpool lane, or HOV, is a lane designated only for the use of vehicles carrying more than one passenger. Usage of the lane is typically dictated by a sign indicating how many people—including the driver—must be occupying a vehicle at minimum to use the lane. These policies are created based on state law and are enforced through ticket fines.

Mechanisms like traffic signal lighting systems are designed to control the flow of traffic for a smoother, more efficient distribution of vehicles on roadways. All drivers are expected to comply with these devices, and failure to do so, such as ignoring a red light and proceeding through an intersection, is another common traffic infraction in Washington State.

Commercial vehicles, regardless of class, are legally restricted by weight for how much they are allowed to transport. Any drivers found to have committed this non-moving violation may, depending on the degree of a breach, find themselves fined hundreds or even thousands of dollars. The penalty is determined by a base fine plus an additional percentage based on just how much weight is involved.

A Commercial Driver’s License is required for people who drive vehicles over a certain weight or transport a higher-than-average number of people. Freight haulers and bus drivers typically fall into this category. Because these licenses represent a person’s ability to pursue their livelihood, it’s important to get advice from a traffic attorney in Bellingham when legal issues arise that may suspend this license.

Washington State now employs a “graduated” licensing system that requires first-time drivers to hold intermediate-stage licenses before finally attaining a full license. More than one ticket may result in a 6-month license suspension or even a ban until the age of 18. While there are options for dealing with this, such as a deferment, this is an alternative that should only be carefully considered on the advice of a traffic ticket attorney in Bellingham.

Bellingham, in Whatcom County, is a great place to settle down in and start a family. Whether it’s enjoying a leisurely shopping excursion at Fairhaven Village or driving out to take in the nature over at Larrabee State Park, there’s plenty to see and do in this part of Washington State.

Unfortunately, however, that’s no guarantee that things won’t go wrong or that you may even find yourself mistakenly or unjustly bound up in a legal entanglement. If you find yourself in violation of traffic laws, or worse yet, if you are facing misdemeanor or felony charges, it’s always best to get professional help. Seek out the guidance of either a traffic ticket attorney or a defense attorney specializing in the charges you face.