I have prosecuted and defended pretty much everything from domestic violence assault to murder and everything in between in state courts throughout Washington. In federal courts I have focused on cases that include theft/embezzlement to fraud/ponzi schemes.
My caseload varies between misdemeanors in local courts and felonies in county Superior Courts. I genuinely do not have a preference. My only requirement is that the client and I work together as a team to achieve the best outcome possible.
Are the Majority of Your Clients First Offenders or Repeat Offenders?
While younger clients, late teens to early 20s, can be repeat offenders, most of my clients do not have a criminal history.
What Characteristics Do You see In Your Clients? Are They Career People? Are They Unemployed?
Defenses to criminal cases come in two basic forms: Law enforcement has charged the wrong person with a crime or the crime charged did not actually occur – either because the severity of the crime charged is wrong or because the conduct at issue was not actually a crime. In one way or another, my clients are often not guilty of the crime they were charged with.
Based on my experience as a prosecutor, the majority of people who wind up in the criminal justice system who have committed a crime are generally good, decent people of good character who are either in the wrong place at the wrong time or have made a mistake of judgment a critical moment and acted on impulse. I have also represented a significant number of people who’s primary problem is substance abuse, mental health issues or a developmental disability. The truth is I have not had occasion to represent someone who woke up one morning intending to do evil.
What Are Two or Three of the Most Common Questions You Get from People That Call Your Office Who Have Been Charged with a Crime?
- Are we going to win?
- What’s going to happen if we lose?
- How much time in jail/prison are we looking at?
Who Is Doing the Hiring And Paying for the Services of Your Clients? Is It Generally Family or Friends or Is It the Clients Themselves?
It’s a mix. If clients are in their teens or in their 20s, it’s generally family money. For example, if a family has a teenager or college age child sitting in jail awaiting trial on a murder charge, the family puts together the money for my fees. If they’re adults, 30s or older, it’s most often their money. For example, if a client has a felony assault case and is married, the money comes from their savings.
For more information on Misdemeanors and Felonies, an initial consultation is your next best step. Get the information and legal answers you are seeking by calling (206) 340-0990 today.
