Washington criminal defense attorneys are your most important allies in the courtroom.
When a person is accused of committing a crime, he or she has two essential elements: alibi and intent. Without one, there can be no conviction; without the other, it would be unjust to punish someone for an unintentional transgression.
Criminal law provides three established defenses to any charge – necessity (or duress), accident and self-defense. In each case, these justifications should be explored before accepting a plea bargain or proceeding to trial; if you can establish any of them during your legal proceedings then imprisonment may be avoided altogether!
If you find yourself in the midst of a criminal case, the first thing to do is familiarize yourself with your rights as an accused individual. The seasoned Washington criminal defense attorneys at Peterson Law Group are eager and prepared to assist you in safeguarding those rights until all charges have been completely negated or otherwise resolved to your satisfaction.
Cl fees: Why you might owe them and how to avoid them
Most people do not anticipate that they will be charged with a crime, let alone find themselves in a predicament where they must mount an effective defense. However, if you find yourself in such a scenario one of the most important decisions to make is which attorney to trust with your case.
The defendant’s attorney typically commands a percentage of the settlement or acquittal in exchange for their services rendered. If an agreement cannot be reached between prosecutors and defense attorneys, these rates may be decided upon during plea negotiations and ultimately set forth in court filings.
While it is customary for both parties to share equally any fees earned as a result of legal proceedings, it is also possible for one party to leave the table owing money. This can lead to more time behind bars – especially if compounded with other financial penalties such as fines! So, what happens if you’re unable to pay up when required? To answer this question we must first understand what determines whether or conversely one must fork over funds.
Trying a case without a lawyer: What can or can’t happen at trial
Before you are brought before a judge, an attorney may be able to advise you on the optimal course of action. Washington criminal defense attorneys can assist with your case by offering counsel in pre-trial proceedings and advising clients about their options during deliberation periods.
If you are facing charges for which it is unlawful for one person to represent another, you should make sure that those representing you know what the rules of procedure are in your jurisdiction. Otherwise, they could inadvertently contravene them; this could lead to adverse consequences such as jail time or fines.
A waiver: What it is and why you might get one
When you find yourself in a sticky situation and find yourself unable to come up with cash bail on your own, perhaps a bail bond service would be a wise choice. If you are unable or unwilling to pay their fees – don’t despair! Consider requesting a waiver from the court; this is usually granted if it’s determined that there is no significant likelihood of fleeing justice or breaking any other terms stipulated by the initial agreement.
Washington does not offer waivers for those who have been convicted of felonies, but may provide them for some misdemeanors.
Some facts about the criminal justice system
The criminal justice system is chock-full of acronyms that can be disorienting. This list provides an overview to help you navigate the ins and outs of a court proceeding:
1) DEA – Dependency and Eligibility Assessment, which determines if an individual has a mental health problem or other issue that could lead to a potential incarceration. It is usually performed at the time of arraignment; however, it may also occur later in proceedings if deemed necessary by law enforcement officials or even during jury deliberations after trial proceedings conclude.
2) FLEA – Felony or felony-level offense; one that’s punishable by up to five years in prison (or 10 years for repeat offenders).
3) JAIL – Jail or custodial center. According to the US Bureau of Justice Statistics’ 2015 report on state jail populations, there are currently over 2.2 million individuals behind bars–an increase from 2014 figures when approximately 2.15 million were confined within these establishments. With such an immense population size, Washington has the second largest prison population in America!
4) JLPT – The Judicial Lifeline Punishments Table offers guidance as to which penalties might be attached for various offenses committed within its jurisdiction. Regardless of whether your case falls under federal or state jurisdiction, this table serves as a useful reference point should you require assistance navigating through its perplexing possibilities!
5) LCI – If bail must be posted prior to being released from custody, it might be used as collateral instead of cash. If so, this figure will indicate where payments should be deposited for bond forfeiture upon its subsequent failure to appear at trial or follow through with any court-ordered requirements set forth subsequently.
6) PCP – Prosecutorial Conduct Probation refers to how long punishment must elapse before defendants can avoid serving jail time due to their good behavior while incarcerated. After being granted such relief in most cases, it is common practice for those who have made amends with their communities re-enter society without any further restrictions being imposed on them whatsoever!
Getting your charges reduced or dismissed
In order to obtain a favorable resolution for an offense, prosecutors must overcome your defense teams’ efforts. This includes utilizing methods such payments, plea deals and the like in order to obtain the desired outcome – which could be anything from looking lenient upon sentencing or having charges dismissed altogether.
If you are facing any sort of criminal charge, it is critical that you consult with a Washington DC criminal defense attorney. This individual can provide counsel, help mitigate the possible penalties associated with these charges as well as assist in securing reduced sentences and even having them dismissed altogether!
Getting help before trial
Washington’s system of plea bargaining often places defendants at an advantage. Keep in mind, if you choose to enter a guilty plea without a lawyer present then you will forfeit certain rights such as the right to testify on your behalf during sentencing and could even be barred from ever retrying the case against you; this especially holds true for those accused of felonies as compared with misdemeanors.
If possible, it’s advisable that one consults with an experienced attorney before making their final decision concerning any criminal charge. If circumstances arise where a plea bargain may be advantageous, an all-inclusive criminal defense package can be crafted offering the best possible outcome while safeguarding your freedom – don’t overlook this opportunity!
Conclusion
We do not possess the time or capacity to cover every conceivable scenario relating to criminal charges. That being the case, we have endeavored to provide you with a concise overview of how our team approaches such matters. If you require assistance with any aspect of your case, do not hesitate to contact us – our knowledgeable lawyers will be here to assist you promptly!
