45+ Years
Of Combined Experience
A violent crime charge in Washington is one of the most serious accusations a person can face. Your freedom, future, and reputation are on the line. The state deploys its most experienced prosecutors and investigators to secure a conviction, which can result in decades in prison, staggering fines, and a felony record. In this situation, having experienced legal representation is critical to protecting your rights and your future.
In Washington State, violent crimes are a category of serious felony offenses that most often involve the use or threat of physical force against another person. Typical charges include murder, assault, and robbery, among others. These offenses are among the most severe in our criminal justice system. Prosecutors pursue these cases aggressively, and a conviction can carry devastating, life-altering penalties, including lengthy prison sentences under the state’s strict sentencing guidelines. Understanding the gravity of the charge and the legal standards the prosecution must meet is the first step in building a powerful defense.
Our firm provides a robust defense for individuals facing all types of violent crime charges in Washington. We have extensive experience handling cases involving:
Assault charges can range from allegations of minor physical injury to claims involving serious bodily harm and/or the alleged use of a deadly weapon.
*Of note, Assault in the Third and Fourth Degree are not classified as violent crimes.
Theft of property from a person by using force, violence, or fear, with heightened penalties if armed with a weapon.
The most serious charges involve the unlawful killing of another human being, with distinctions based on premeditation and intent.
Unlawfully restraining a person by moving them to another location or confining them with the intent to harm or terrorize.
A conviction for a violent crime carries severe and lasting penalties that can impact every aspect of your life.
These felonies carry substantial mandatory prison time, potentially including life sentences under certain circumstances.
Courts fines and fees are generally fairly low, but restitution to alleged victims can be extremely high, depending on the circumstances.
A conviction creates a criminal record that can impact employment, housing, and professional licenses for years to come. Depending on the type of offense, it may never be eligible to be expunged/vacated off your record.
Convicted felons lose their right to own or possess firearms in Washington.
Many violent crimes are “strike” offenses, leading to life in prison without parole.
When you are facing the full force of the government, you need a defense team that is equally forceful and strategic in its approach.
We meticulously analyze every detail of the prosecution’s case against you to identify weaknesses, inconsistencies, and potential constitutional violations.
Our team conducts our own investigation, interviewing witnesses and consulting experts to uncover evidence that supports your innocence and challenges the state’s narrative.
We file aggressive pre-trial motions to suppress illegally obtained evidence, contest forensic findings, and question the credibility of state witnesses.
When appropriate, we leverage our findings to negotiate with prosecutors for reduced charges or alternative resolutions that protect your future and freedom.
If a trial is necessary, we bring over 45 years of combined courtroom experience to present a compelling, persuasive defense to a jury.
A successful defense requires a tailored strategy. Depending on the facts of your case, we may argue:
Your actions were legally justified to protect yourself or another person from imminent harm.
You were wrongly accused, or the witness has incorrectly identified you as the perpetrator.
You have credible proof that you were somewhere else when the alleged crime occurred.
This is a specific mental health defense (distinguished from Insanity) that can negate the state’s ability to prove the specific intent needed to convict someone of particular crimes.
The prosecution lacks the evidence required to prove your guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Police conducted an illegal search or failed to read your Miranda rights, tainting evidence.
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:
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:
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:
| Felony Class | Firearm (1st/Subsequent) | Other Deadly Weapon (1st/Subsequent) |
|---|---|---|
| Class A | 5 years/10 years | 2 years/4 years |
| Class B | 3 years/6 years | 1 year/2 years |
| Class C | 18 months/3 years | 6 months/1 year |
The answer to this varies depending on your particular situation, but there are three universal pieces of advice:
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.
An accusation of a violent crime is a direct threat to your future. The decisions you make in the hours and days following an arrest will have a permanent impact. Do not wait. You need an experienced, aggressive, and dedicated legal team to stand between you and the prosecution. At Will & Will, we fight for the accused. It’s what we do.
