Seattle Criminal Defense Lawyer
There are many ways that a person can be charged with domestic violence in Washington. Many people think that domestic violence is only when a physical altercation occurs between spouses or significant others. The truth is domestic violence can be physical, sexual, financial, verbal or even emotional. You can be charged with domestic violence related charges like stalking or harassment without even realizing you are doing something wrong. When faced with any type of domestic violence criminal offense, many people find it helpful to learn more about the legal process and possible penalties.
A domestic violence conviction can have big consequences. Even if your charges are misdemeanors, a conviction can still lead to 90 days to one year in jail and over $1000 in fines. If you are accused of especially serious crimes, you will be charged as a felony and can be facing over a year of jail time. In addition, you could also be issued a No Contact Order which will lead to additional charges if you even so much as call the other party for up to 2 years.
Seattle Domestic Violence Defense Attorney
Domestic Violence: Any type of violence that occurs between 2 people with an intimate relationship is considered domestic violence. This can include spouses, boyfriend and girlfriends, 2 people who have a child together and parents, grandparents and children. There are many charges that can be considered domestic violence as well such as harassment, assault or malicious mischief.
Stalking: If you harass another person intentionally and repeatedly, you may be charged with stalking. You can be charged even if you were unaware the person was frightened or felt threatened by you. If you are convicted, you will be charged as a gross misdemeanor and can face up to a year in jail.
Harassment: It is considered harassment if you threaten to hurt another person, cause property damage or any other type of threat. If you have been convicted of a crime in the past, you could be charged with felony harassment and sentenced to over a year in jail.
Reckless Endangerment: According to Washington law, you can be convicted of reckless endangerment if you engage in conduct that “creates a risk of death or serious physical injury to another person.” Most of these charges are gross misdemeanors and can have serious consequences if you are found guilty.
Misdemeanor or Felony Assault: If an assault is alleged to have caused serious injury to the victim and was done on purpose or with a deadly weapon, it will be charged as a felony or a misdemeanor. Felony charges are the most serious and can result in years of jail time and thousands of dollars in fines. Misdemeanor charges can still lead to many penalties and any assault conviction can result in a no contact order.
Interfering with Reporting: If you are charged with domestic violence, you could also be charged with interfering with reporting if you are accused with preventing the victim from seeking help in any way. Common examples are not allowing them to call 911 or not taking the victim for medical treatment. This is not always a crime that people mean to commit, but punishments can be serious anyway.
Malicious Mischief: If you cause physical damage to property, you can be charged with malicious mischief. If the damage is over $5000, you will be looking at felony charges. Oftentimes, property is damaged in domestic violence situations and you can be charged with malicious mischief in addition to domestic violence.
Violation of a No Contact Order: A No Contact Order can be filed whenever a domestic violence conviction occurs. It prevents the offender from contact the victim in any way. If you are convicted of a crime against someone who has a No Contact Order against you, you will be charged with a felony. This is very serious because even a simple phone call or email can lead to over a year of jail time, steep fees and a felony conviction on your record..
Domestic Violence Lawyer in Seattle
If you have been charged with any of these crimes, contact our office right away. Hiring an attorney is the best way to fight the charges and get the best possible results. Whether it is your first time facing criminal charges or you have multiple convictions, we can do something for you. When it comes to your future, you deserve the best so call us right now.
If you are looking for a Seattle domestic violence defense attorney, look no further. Attorney Steve Karimi is a hardworking and top rated criminal defense lawyer who believes in building strong defense for his clients. He cares about, not only getting his clients great results, but making sure they are comfortable throughout the legal process. Call us now to set up a free consultation with attorney Karimi.