Seattle Violent Crimes Defense Attorneys

Violent offenses are defined in section 9.94A.030(54) of the Revised Code of Washington and some overlap into other categories of offenses as well, such as sex crimes. Examples of the most common violent crime matters we see include:

• Murder
• Manslaughter
• Arson
• Assault 1 & 2
• Burglary 1
• Kidnapping
• Rape 1 & 2
• Robbery 1 & 2
• Indecent liberties by forcible compulsion

Washington has the infamous “three strikes” law which means you could get sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole if you get three separate convictions for certain offenses. Here’s the alphabetical list:

• Aggravated Murder 1
• Arson 1
• Assault 1 & 2
• Assault of a Child 1 & 2
• Bail Jumping with Murder 1
• Burglary 1
• Child Molestation 1 & 2
• Coerce Patient to Request Life-ending Medication
• Controlled Substance Homicide
• Explosive Devices Prohibited
• Extortion 1
• Forging Request for Medication
• Homicide by Abuse
• Homicide by Watercraft: Disregard; Reckless; DUI
• Incest 1 & 2 (when committed against a child under 14)
• Indecent Liberties: With or Without Forcible Compulsion
• Kidnapping 1 & 2
• Leading Organized Crime
• Malicious Explosion of a Substance 1 or 2
• Malicious Placement of an Explosive 1
• Manslaughter 1 & 2
• Murder 1 & 2
• Over 18 & delivery of certain drugs to someone under 18
• Promoting Commercial Sexual Abuse of a Minor
• Promoting Prostitution 1
• Rape 1, 2, & 3
• Rape of a Child 1 & 2
• Sexual Exploitation of a Minor
• Sexually Violent Predator Escape
• Trafficking 1 & 2
• Treason
• Use of a Machine Gun in Commission of a Felony
• Vehicular Assault: Reckless or DUI
• Vehicular Homicide: Disregard; Reckless; DUI
• Any Class A felony or criminal solicitation of or criminal conspiracy to commit a class A felony
• Attempt to commit one of these felonies
• Any other class B felony offense with a finding of sexual motivation
• Any other felony with a deadly weapon verdict

Similar to the Federal Government, Washington State utilizes complicated Sentencing Guidelines to determine standard ranges of sentences for different crimes. Simply put, the higher your “offender score” (points), the more time you are facing in custody. The “level” of the offense you are accused of is also factored in. There are a number of enhancements that can further complicate things. To determine the type of sentence you are facing we would first need to speak with you about your criminal history and review your entire record (including any out of state convictions). This is a complex area of the law that requires a trained eye to decipher.

Firearm and deadly weapon enhancements can be added to any felony offense when you or an accomplice are alleged to have been armed with a deadly weapon at the time of the commission of the crime.  The exception to this is where the use of a firearm is an element of the offense.  If you end up getting convicted of one of these enhancements, it can add significant time to your sentence, which is why we do everything we can to get them removed.  Further, firearm/Weapons enhancements must be served in total confinement (no sentencing alternatives) and must also be served consecutive to any other time.  Here is a look at the additional time you would be facing:

The answer to this varies depending on your particular situation, but there are three universal pieces of advice:

1. Do NOT talk to the police
2. Do NOT talk to anyone else about the situation either as you run the risk of creating witnesses for the government
3. Consult with an Attorney
   
   

From there, we need to hear more about your individual situation to advise your further.  In the meantime, please view our video below on the subject and visit our Under Investigation page.