Areas We Serve
Bellevue Criminal Defense Law Firm
Few things in life are as difficult, as embarrassing, and as complicated as being charged with a criminal offense. We get it. An arrest or a criminal charge turns your whole world completely upside down, often from totally out of nowhere. Don’t let an arrest or criminal charge turn into some life-altering event that ends up ruining your life. Fight it. Get a proven attorney out in front of you before you get run over.
Our Bellevue criminal defense lawyers are acutely aware of how a criminal charge impacts your life on a deeply personal level. We understand how it affects you, your family, your finances, and your employment. It’s also important to understand, however, that an arrest or even a criminal charge is NOT a conviction.
We handle many criminal cases that through skillful and pragmatic negotiation do not end up in a criminal conviction. Our top priority is to get your case dismissed. If that’s not possible, however, we will fight to get your charges reduced and minimize the consequences of the allegations against you.
Our Bellevue criminal attorneys are here to help. We offer experienced and affordable criminal defense that is both focused and tenacious. We handle all of the following types of cases, such as Assault, Domestic Violence, Harassment, Malicious Mischief, Theft, MIP, DUI, Physical Control, Minor DUI, Boating Under the Influence (BUI), Hit and Run Unattended, Hit and Run Attended, Reckless Driving, Racing, Negligent Driving in the First Degree, Negligent Driving in the Second Degree, Burglary, Criminal Trespass in the First Degree, and Criminal Trespass in the Second Degree.
If you are currently facing a criminal charge, it is important to understand your legal rights and options. A good criminal defense attorney can help you to understand the elements of the crime with which you have been charged and also explore any possible defenses, such as defense of self, defense of others, or even defense of property.
Learn more about your options by calling Washington Criminal Attorneys at (844) 311-8605 or filling out our online contact form today.
What Can Our Lawyers Do to Help You?
An effective Bellevue criminal lawyer can do many things on your behalf. For example, in many criminal cases, we can file a Notice of Appearance and Waiver of Arraignment on your behalf so that you do not need to appear at your arraignment. This saves you time, embarrassment, and lost work. The two most notable exceptions to this general rule are cases involving allegations of DUI or domestic violence.
Our firm will fight to protect your legal rights and your reputation. We handle all King County District Court and all City of Bellevue criminal charges. If you are looking for help and useful information, we encourage you to contact our offices for a free case evaluation. At a minimum, you will have a better understanding of the charges that you are facing, the specific elements involved, and how we would approach attempting to successfully resolve your case.
Understand One Thing: a DUI Arrest Is NOT a Conviction!
Few things are as traumatic and difficult to deal with as being arrested or accused of a criminal offense. DUI convictions in particular come with significant consequences both legally and socially. We understand what you are going through, and we know how to skillfully shepherd you through the complex criminal process. We’ll be with you every step of the way.
You have rights. Don’t just wait to go to jail or lose your license. Take control and do something about your situation. Washington State and Bellevue DUI/DWI laws are strict (harsh, punishing, unforgiving, provide for mandatory punishment such as jail and a license suspension, etc.)!
If you do nothing and just wait, you may face some intense consequences. The city of Bellevue has drunk driving laws that are tough. They are some of the toughest laws in the country. You may be facing:
- Jail time: minimum 1 day; maximum 365 days.
- Fines: $800 to $5,000
- Insurance: required to purchase high risk insurance for 3 years
- Blood alcohol content monitor: ignition interlock device for 1 year
- Travel: difficulty getting out of the country or traveling to Canada
- Personal judgment: difficulty getting a job
If you have been arrested or charged with a crime in King County, it’s important to talk to an experienced Bellevue criminal defense attorney as soon as possible. Many criminal cases require immediate action to properly preserve evidence and record witness testimony.
Why Hire One of Our Bellevue DUI Attorneys?
Our DUI lawyers are seasoned and have been around the block with over 30 years of collective experience handling DUI cases and other traffic related matters. We are here to fight for YOU and understand your rights.
We know how to properly evaluate your police reports and point out the problems in the state’s case to the prosecutor handling your Bellevue DUI matter. Most importantly we understand that you are a REAL person and not a hardened criminal! We understand how your DUI is impacting your life on a daily basis.
A Good Criminal Attorney Knows the Law & the Local Courts
Most people never imagined they would be facing a criminal charge. Our criminal attorneys understand that things can quickly spiral out of control after one small mistake. We will aggressively fight to protect your legal rights and minimize the consequences of your criminal charge.
Whether the mistake was yours or someone else’s, you are now facing a potentially life-altering criminal conviction. It is a frightening and embarrassing position to be put into. We are here to guide you through this difficult situation and help you move on with your life.
When facing severe consequences, you need an attorney who you can rely on to fight for you. Equally important is someone who is available to speak to you when you have a question. We understand you are facing a lot of unknowns in your future and want insight on what to expect, such as jail, fines, probation, license suspensions, loss of firearm rights, court-ordered drug/alcohol treatment, etc.
Our experienced criminal attorneys will be able to clearly explain the many potential issues that await you in the future. With this black cloud hanging over you, don’t wait to get your questions answered. Our defense lawyers are here to provide you with a free initial consultation so that you can make an informed decision about your legal rights.
You’ve Been Arrested or Charged with a Crime in Bellevue, WA. Now What?
The first and most important step for anyone facing a criminal conviction is to get an attorney as soon as possible. Every step of a case has the potential to be extremely important but if you do not have an experienced attorney representing you, you might miss it. When representing yourself, the court will treat you as if you were a lawyer who went to law school and passed the bar.
The Judge is not going to go slow to make sure you understand or cut you a break because you are not an attorney. We hear all the time how “this is an easy case and it will be dismissed once you explain it to the judge.” Things do not work that way and they are never as easy as you may think. There is a trained prosecutor on the other side of the aisle who is looking to get a conviction and will argue against you.
Bellevue, like most cities, has its own personality and it is important you have an attorney who is familiar with the court. With the wheels of “justice” beginning to turn against you as soon as the complaint is made or you are pulled over, you must hire an attorney as soon as possible.
They are working hard and are preparing the case against you so it is time you have someone on your own side working just as hard.
Aggressive, Dedicated & Results-Oriented
We understand that there are two sides to every story. In almost every case, the underlying allegations in the police reports are critically inaccurate in some way. There are many ways to attack the state’s evidence against you. Our Bellevue criminal defense lawyers begin every case by listening carefully to our clients and paying attention to small details.
Over the years, we have learned that even small or seemingly insignificant facts can play a critical role in having evidence thrown out of court. If necessary, we will also utilize one of our private investigators or criminal experts to assist us in investigating and preparing your case.
Am I Being Charged with a Felony or a Misdemeanor?
A good criminal defense starts as soon as a matter is being investigated. If you have already been arrested or charged, we can still help. We can access the court’s online database and docket to help you determine the exact nature of the criminal charge you are facing. This is also where most of our criminal cases begin and where our dedicated team of legal professionals really shines.
Most of our criminal clients have a lot of questions when they first contact our offices. But one of the first questions that frequently ask us when they first contact our offices is whether or not they are being charged with a felony.
If you have been cited to appear in either Bellevue Municipal Court or King County District Court for a criminal arraignment, you are either being charged with a misdemeanor or a gross misdemeanor, and NOT a felony.
The Bellevue Municipal Court and the King County District Court do not have jurisdiction over felony cases. This is how you know that you are being charged with a criminal misdemeanor if your arraignment is in one of these courts. If you are charged with a misdemeanor, you are facing a maximum penalty of up to 90 days in jail and a $1,000 fine.
If you are charged with a gross misdemeanor, you are facing a maximum penalty of up to 365 days in jail and a $5,000 fine. Most misdemeanors, with a few exceptions for charges such as DUI, do not carry a mandatory jail sentence.
Don’t Let a Criminal Charge Ruin Your Life, Your Career, Your Finances, or Your Family
In recent years, it has become much more difficult to qualify for a court-appointed attorney. You also need to understand that if you are a defendant in a Bellevue Municipal Court or a King County criminal case, you must appear at all scheduled hearings or a warrant will be issued for arrest.
If have been arrested or charged with a crime in King County and are unable to afford to hire an attorney, the court in which you appear is required to provide you with a referral to an intake evaluation where it will be determined whether or not you can qualify for a public defender.
In all Bellevue Municipal and King County criminal cases, the city or the county must be able to prove their case beyond a reasonable doubt, and there are many ways to effectively attack many criminal charges, at least on some level. Additionally, every criminal defendant has an absolute and guaranteed right to have a lawyer present at every court appearance and hearing.
If you have been charged with a crime, the burden is on the state to prove each and every alleged element of the crime beyond a reasonable doubt. You are presumed innocent, and our criminal defense lawyers will ensure that you are not run over by either the local prosecutors or our courts.
We’ve Got Your Back!
Our Bellevue criminal defense attorneys know exactly how to do this, and we will do so on your behalf. We will also help you to understand the specific elements of the crime with which you are charged and assist you in exploring every possible defense. After reviewing the specific facts of your case, we will help you to understand your options so that you can make an informed decision about how best to proceed.
We’re here to protect you and your legal rights. If you take nothing else away from visiting this website, please take this away: Don’t simply forfeit your legal rights without a fight. You have very specific constitutional and statutory rights that are intended to protect you. But you must properly exercise them and properly present them to the court pursuant to the rules of evidence and local procedure.
Our criminal defense lawyers have over 30 years of combined legal experience handling complex criminal misdemeanors and felonies. We handle dozens of criminal matters throughout King County’s state and municipal courts every year. Our firm knows the criminal laws of Washington State, and we understand the criminal justice system here in King County.
We understand that no one sets out to get arrested and have their entire world turned upside down. Being arrested or charged with a King County crime is always a nightmare, even if you are absolutely innocent and have done nothing wrong.
At Washington Criminal Attorneys, we understand that there are two sides to every story. Give us the opportunity to tell yours. Call (844) 311-8605 today to schedule your free initial consultation.