Seattle Drug Crimes Defense Attorneys

Every case is different and every client is different.  Due to this, there is a wide variety of potential outcomes/penalities, so we don’t want you to get ahead of yourself by worrying about every single potential consequence.  Further, Washington State utilizes sentencing guidelines to determine sentences on felonies, which serve to complicate matters even more.  Thus, it’s best to call us for a free consultation so we can discuss/look up your case, find out about your criminal history (if any), and then go from there.  Nevertheless, here’s a quick list of some of the general types of consequences you could be looking at for a drug crime conviction:

• Jail/Prison
• DOSA
• Drug Court
• NA Meetings/Rehab
• Fines/Restitution
• Work Release
• Community Service
• Electronic Home Monitoring
• Community Custody/Probation

Because every case has its own unique set of facts and circumstances, it’s not possible for us to tell you what result you will get on your particular case until we have had a chance to fully litigate it. That said, here are some potential results, all of which we have achieved for our clients:

• Dismissal of charges in pre-trial stage for legal/factual reasons
• Drug Court
• DOSA
• Reduction of charges
• Reduction of penalties
• Not guilty verdict after trial

Drug offender sentencing alternative (DOSA) is a program designed to help people beat their addiction. There are both prison-based and residential-based DOSA options. If you plead guilty to certain crimes, you may be eligible for this program. Eligibility alone does not guarantee you will get DOSA. There still must be a screening process and it is ultimately up to the judge’s discretion. Further, it’s important to note that DOSA does not mean you avoid a conviction on your record, but it can cut down on your time in custody. You are eligible if:

• You are convicted of a felony that is NOT: a violent crime, a sex crime, involve a firearm enhancement, or a DUI.
• No prior convictions for a sex offense, ever.
• No prior convictions for a violent offense within past 10 years
• For drug convictions, only a small amount of drugs were involved
• You are not subject to deportation
• You are looking at more than one year in custody pursuant to the standard range of the sentencing guidelines
• You haven’t done DOSA more than once in the past 10 years

Drug Court is an option in certain counties in Washington for non-violent drug offenders to accomplish two important things: (1) Beat their addiction, and (2) avoid a conviction on their record. Drug court isn’t for everyone, however. First, you must be eligible, and second, you must be dedicated to completing it. Drug court is certainly not easy. There are a lot of steps involved and a lot of court appearances that you must make; it can take up to two years to complete (although can be completed quicker). Overall, if you’re serious about getting clean and willing to put in the work, Drug Court offers a great fresh start on life for many people. The eligibility requirements for Drug Court vary from county to county. In King County, here are some of the eligibility requirements and disqualifiers:

• VUCSA offenses: You can be eligible for both possession and delivery charges. For possession charges, it comes down to quantity, and varies depending on the substance. For delivery, it comes down to total quantity sold and the cumulative value of drugs sold, possessed, and cash on person (excluding police buy money) cannot exceed $700

• Class B & C Felonies: Below is a list of felonies that are eligible.
  • Unlawful Issuance of Bank Checks
  • Possession of Stolen Property 1 or 2
  • Organized Retail Theft
  • Theft 1 & 2
  • Failure to Return Leased Property
  • Trafficking in Stolen Property 1 & 2
  • Burglary 2
  • Identity Theft 1 & 2
  • Possession or Theft of Stolen Vehicle
  • Cases where prosecutor agrees to amend the charge to an eligible offense
  • Domestic Violence property crimes, certain Felony Violation of a No Contact Order and Felony Harassment, upon recommendation and approval of parties and victim
  • Escape 2 if committed while under supervision of Drug Court
  • Charged with eligible Class B or C felony and also charged with a DUI or Physical Control
• General Disqualifiers
  • Restitution exceeds $2000
  • Evidence of any of the following: (1) manufactured ID’s; (2) targeting of vulnerable victims; (3) abused position of trust to get financial information; (4) victim’s information was stolen in a residential burglary, robbery, or theft from a person; (5) used/possessed more than three victims’ financial information; (6) opened more than three accounts in a victim’s name; (7) the crime represents a significant breach of fiduciary duty.
  • Evidence that defendant is a major player in car theft
• Criminal History Disqualifiers
  • Sex crimes, violent felonies, and felony assault all make you ineligible with the following exceptions: Priors for Robbery 2 (if no weapon used) and Assault 3 can still be eligible if the convictions are over five years old.
  • Convictions for Violation of the Uniform Firearm Act or Theft 2 of a Firearm make you ineligible unless the convictions are over five years old.
  • Current offense cannot involve a weapon
  • No Promoting Prostitution
  • A max of four domestic violence priors in the past 10 years
  • A max of two DUI convictions in past 10-years
  • No pending felony non-drug court eligible cases
  • Not currently on DOSA, unless the current offense predates the imposition of DOSA