Olympia Criminal Defense Attorneys

Whether this is the first time you have ever been charged with a crime or you have gone through the process previously, this is going to be an unpleasant experience. It is normal to feel scared, upset, frustrated, angry, and even embarrassed when being accused of a crime – whether the allegations are true or false. We are here to help you get through this difficult time and allow you to move on with your life.

The time to speak to an attorney is now not later. Later is when good options for you are no longer around. It is much more difficult to undo a bad result than try to prevent it from happening in the first place. The sooner you speak to an attorney, the sooner you will understand what is going on and know what you can do going forward.

Some people have a difficult time coping and hope it will go away. Some people think their case is no big deal and they can handle it on their own. Other people think their case is one big misunderstanding and the judge will simply dismiss the case once you explain it to him. Let us be the first to caution you against these ideas. Your case is not going to go away on its own. Things will only get worse if you choose to ignore it. You also do not want to try to handle the problem on your own. Things are always more complicated than they may appear and it is important to have an experienced attorney guide you and speak on your behalf. There are always two sides to a story. It is vital that you have someone to make sure the prosecutor and the Judge get to hear your side. However, that side should not be coming directly from you because it could result in further troubles. An attorney will help protect you and make sure the story will benefit you and not harm you.

Some people think they are absolutely guilty so they do not see the reason why they should even get an attorney. An attorney can also help explain the circumstances of your criminal act and look for problems with the government’s case against you. Either of those could potentially result in a more favorable resolution but at a minimum, an attorney will help make sure you understand what is going on and be better prepared for what may be approaching.

There are a variety of different courts in the greater Olympia area which we service. Whether your case is in the Yelm Municipal Court, Tumwater, Lacy, or in the Thurston District court, we can help you. Each court behaves differently so it is important to speak with an attorney who has experience with those cities.

The Law Offices of Jason Newcombe have attorneys ready to speak to you about your situation. You can have a free consultation with one of our attorneys who can start answering your questions and point you in the right direction. Do not wait until it is already too late, start speaking with an attorney now.

Have you been arrested and charged with a crime in Thurston County?

Do you have too much on the line to risk going to jail?

Do you need help trying to figure out how to proceed?

These are essential questions that must be asked once you’ve come under suspicion of criminal activity in Olympia.

If you’ve been charged with a crime, everything is on the line, and the decision of which lawyer you choose to represent you is an incredibly important one. Right now, you are going through one of the most stressful experiences of your life. The uncertainty regarding your future is crippling. Worst of all, your worry is justified because a criminal conviction leads to repercussions that can affect you for the rest of your life.

If you or a loved one has been charged with a crime, contact one of our Washington State criminal lawyers for a free consultation. In fact, don’t even speak with anyone in law enforcement until you have a qualified Olympia criminal attorney by your side. But how do you pick the right criminal law lawyer when there are so many to choose from?

How do you choose a criminal lawyer in Olympia? Consider the experience and background of the lawyers you speak with. Speak with others in the legal community. Meet with several lawyers before determining who you want to speak for you. It may be one of the most important decisions you make.

When you choose our team of Washington state criminal defense attorneys, you are making a sound decision; one that you will not regret.

Our firm believes that people should not be judged by their darkest moments. In fact, most of the clients we represent have never been in trouble with the law and are eager to get their life back on track.

Our mission is to fight for you, both in and out of court, regardless of the type of crime you are facing. Whether it’s a misdemeanor offense such as drug possession, a DUI, or shoplifting; or a felony assault, sex offense, or first-degree murder, we are committed to fighting on your behalf. We will stand up for your rights at every stage of the process – appearing in court, filing motions, and litigating in front of the judge or jury.

If you are convicted of a crime in Olympia, you may face many punishments and secondary consequences in addition to imprisonment and fines.

Criminal sentences may include:

• Jail or prison time
• Large Fines
• Community Service
• Probation
• Registration on the sex offender registry
• Loss of drivers license

Secondary consequences that you may not have even considered can include:

• Issues finding and keeping a job
• Set-backs in seeking higher education
• Exclusion from the federal student loan program or private financial aid
• Ineligibility for or difficulty obtaining certain professional licenses
• Loss of your right to vote
• The social stigma that comes with being a “con.”

Whether you have a simple misdemeanor, a DUI, or major criminal charges in Thurston County, our Olympia criminal law attorneys provide experienced and effective legal defense to people when they need it the most. We have extensive experience defending the rights of those arrested and accused of criminal offenses and have represented clients in court at all levels of the Washington criminal justice system. We are available and ready to assert and protect your constitutional rights.

If you have been arrested and accused of committing a crime in Thurston county, you will have to appear before a judge in court. There are four levels of court in the state of Washington: the Supreme Court, the Court of Appeals, the superior courts, and courts of limited jurisdiction, also known as District and Municipal courts.

This section will focus on three of those courts- Municipal, District, and Superior Courts- offering a brief overview of the court system in Washington and attempting to answer some of the questions about court you or a loved one may have.

Municipal Courts manage cases involving violations of traffic and misdemeanor ordinances that occur within the city limits of incorporated municipalities. Misdemeanors are broken down into two categories:

1. Simple Misdemeanors - These crimes carry a punishment of up to 90 days in jail and/or up to a $1,000 fine. An example of a simple misdemeanor is prostitution.
2. Gross Misdemeanors - These crimes carry a punishment of up to 364 days in jail and/or up to a $5,000 fine. An example of gross misdemeanors is First Offense DUI.

The Olympia Municipal Court is located inside the Lee Creighton Justice Center on Plum street.

The Thurston County District Court serves as district court to all cities within Thurston county. The district court or “county court” as it is commonly referred to, hears two different types of cases, civil cases, and criminal cases. When it comes to criminal cases brought in the district court there are two different types:

• Cases involving violations of State law.
• Cases involving violations of City law that have been appealed from a municipal court. If a defendant chooses to appeal a case that was previously decided in a municipal court the district court will hear the case and is not beholden to the municipal court’s decision.

Additionally, district court may also hear expedited and preliminary felony cases.

The Superior Courts have general jurisdiction over all legal disputes. These are the courts where criminal, civil, family, and juvenile matters are generally resolved through arbitration, mediation, and bench or jury trials. The judges also hear appeals from District and Municipal Court cases. There are 32 superior courts in Washington state, covering all 39 of the state’s counties. The Thurston County Superior Court also has jurisdiction over all felony trials not listed in the district court section.

A felony is the most serious kind of crime. If you are found guilty, you can be sent to state prison or receive the death penalty. There are three levels of felonies in Washington state, depending upon the severity of your charge.

1. Class A felonies are the most serious charges and are punishable by up to a $50,000 fine and/or up-to life in a state correctional facility.
2. Class B felonies are punishable by fines up to $20,000 and/or up-to 10 years in a state correctional facility.
3. Class C felonies are punishable up to $10,000 in fines and/or up-to 5 years in a state correctional facility.

The Judicial Branch is one of three co-equal branches of state government under the Washington Constitution along with the Executive and Legislative branches. If you wish to learn more about the judicial branch of government, or criminal courts specifically, head to your local library or call our Olympia criminal defense attorneys. Our team is standing by to help you through every step of your legal battle. Contact us today to begin your free case consultation.

Not all defense attorneys are created equally. When deciding who to retain to protect you against criminal charges, you must do your due diligence. Don’t hire an attorney just because they have the best website or the flashiest office space. Since your criminal defense case is potentially life-changing, you need an attorney who has experience handling cases just like yours.

Listed below is just a small sample of some of the cases our team of qualified Thurston County criminal defense attorneys has handled in the past.

Assault & Battery - Assault can be charged by itself and is often defined as an attempt to injure someone else. What may surprise many people is that “harm” for the purpose of the definition not only doesn’t require an injury to the victim, it doesn’t even require physical contact. It does, however, require that the action caused the victim to fear actual harm.

Battery is the bodily contact of assault, when an individual makes both a threat of unwanted contact and then acts. Battery doesn’t have to result in an injury or any sort of pain or harm in any way, it’s just touching someone in any manner that was uninvited. For more information on Assault & Battery Charges In Olympia, contact our firm today for a free case evaluation and consultation.

Hate crimes fall under this section of the law. What is a hate crime? Statute RCW 9A.36.078 states the following:

Hate crime offenses—Finding.
The legislature finds that crimes and threats against persons because of their race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, or mental, physical, or sensory disabilities are serious and increasing. The legislature also finds that crimes and threats are often directed against interracial couples and their children or couples of mixed religions, colors, ancestries, or national origins because of bias and bigotry against the race, color, religion, ancestry, or national origin of one person in the couple or family. The legislature finds that the state interest in preventing crimes and threats motivated by bigotry and bias goes beyond the state interest in preventing other felonies or misdemeanors such as criminal trespass, malicious mischief, assault, or other crimes that are not motivated by hatred, bigotry, and bias, and that prosecution of those other crimes inadequately protects citizens from crimes and threats motivated by bigotry and bias. Therefore, the legislature finds that protection of those citizens from threats of harm due to bias and bigotry is a compelling state interest.

Domestic Violence - Domestic violence (DV) can occur between individuals who are dating, married, or in a family relationship. It is not limited to race or gender or income level. Domestic Violence is an umbrella term that refers to the relationship between the accuser and the accusee. Some charges that can fall under the DV heading are

• Criminal Mischief - these charges can be for something as simple as tossing a cell phone or hitting a wall. There does not have to be direct contact with the victim for you to face these charges.
• Assault in the 1st Degree - These charges would be filed if the victim suffered serious bodily injury and there was a dangerous weapon used during the assault.
• Violation of a No Contact Order - This order bars the person accused of the act from contacting the alleged victim for a specific period.
• Harassment - Including harassment by phone, text message, or e-mail.

Some factors relate to sentencing, if convicted. Consider State Statute RCW 10.99.100:

Sentencing—Factors—Defendant's criminal history.
(1) In sentencing for a crime of domestic violence as defined in this chapter, courts of limited jurisdiction shall consider, among other factors, whether:
(a) The defendant suffered a continuing pattern of coercion, control, or abuse by the victim of the offense and the offense is a response to that coercion, control, or abuse;
(b) The offense was part of an ongoing pattern of psychological, physical, or sexual abuse of a victim or multiple victims manifested by multiple incidents over a prolonged period of time; and
(c) The offense occurred within sight or sound of the victim's or the offender's minor children under the age of eighteen years.

DUI - Washington state has some of the most strict DUI laws in the country. Whether it is your first offense or a repeat incident, receiving a Driving under the Influence (DUI) sentence in Olympia, or anywhere in Washington for that matter can have serious, lifelong consequences. From hefty fines to jail time and possible license revocation, knowing your rights can be the key difference between minimizing the potential criminal charges against you and having to go to jail.

Fish & Wildlife Violations - Often novice hunters and fishermen are unaware of State law regarding fish & wildlife. Unfortunately, even innocent mistakes can lead to serious legal consequences, including felony and federal wildlife violations. Hunters can spend hours pouring over maps, days scouting, and weeks in the wild places that hold their quarry. Preparation is the first step to a successful hunt. Preparation is also the first step to protecting your hunting privileges.

Negligent Driving - Negligence is defined as “the failure to exercise ordinary care” when operating a vehicle. What is “ordinary care?” Washington state laws on negligent driving can be difficult to understand. There is a lot of subjectivity in assessing what is "negligent,” which is often left up to the arresting officer’s discretion. Having an attorney with a background in Negligent Driving cases can increase your chances of receiving a favorable outcome.

If you don’t see your charges listed here, or if you have any questions regarding charges we’ve worked on, don’t hesitate to reach out. Our knowledgeable team of legal representatives is prepared to answer any questions you may have.

Olympia is the capital of Washington state and the largest city in Thurston County. Olympia was settled by American settlers Levi Lathrop Smith and Edmund Sylvester in 1846, naming it Smither, and later Smithfield, after themselves. The name Olympia was officially platted in 1850 and christened Olympia, in recognition of the views of the Olympic mountains seen from the north of the city. In 1855, after the formation of Washington territory, Olympia was named the territorial capital by the first governor of Washington, Isaac Stevens. Today over 50,000 people call Olympia home.

Olympia is a regional center for fine arts. Home to the Washington Center for the Performing Arts, this venue has been open since 1985 and hosts The Olympia Symphony Orchestra, as well as many other productions throughout the season. Many other theater companies, such as Animal Fire Theater, Olympia Family Theater, and Olympia Little Theater call Olympia home as well.

Visitors and residents who wish to enjoy Olympia’s mild Mediterranean climate can partake in various outdoor activities. The city boasts over 40 public parks, with 1300+ acres of parkland for enthusiasts to enjoy. Percival Landing Park, one of Olympia’s three waterfront parks, is a popular destination due to its nearly 1-mile long boardwalk extending along the picturesque eastern shoreline of West Bay.

Another popular outdoor activity in Olympia is the Procession of the Species Celebration. Culminating in a parade on what’s known as “Procession Day,” the Procession of the Species Celebration is seven weeks of art, music, and dance workshops. Participants in the Procession Day parade wear masks and costumes and proceed through the streets of downtown Olympia carrying banners and signs honoring the splendor of the natural world.

Enjoying the various activities in and around Olympia is only possible outside of a jail cell. Let our team of qualified Thurston County criminal lawyers help keep you free to partake in all that Olympia has to offer. Call us today for your free initial consultation.

When charged with a serious crime, you need someone with experience. You need someone who will listen; someone who will tell your story. You need someone who is not afraid to go to trial. You need someone who takes your case personally and treats you individually.

Because each client is unique, our team of qualified Thurston County criminal law attorneys advocate for individualized and comprehensive alternatives to incarceration rather than relying on a “one size fits all” solution. As some of the best Olympia criminal defense lawyers, you’ll have the peace of mind knowing that our team is handling your case and that you can contact us at any time to discuss the details. We can begin our partnership with you as soon as you contact us for your initial, no-cost consultation and case evaluation.