Your reputation, your career, your freedom—all of it hangs in the balance when criminal charges enter your life. A single accusation can unravel everything you have worked to build. In these situations, you need a defender who will fight relentlessly to protect your future.
The Law Offices of Mark S. Treyz provides the aggressive, strategic defense you need when everything is on the line. Our Bellevue criminal defense lawyer has spent decades fighting for the rights of the accused, and we will do everything in our power to protect your future. Contact us today for a free consultation and start building your defense.
Common Types of Criminal Charges in Bellevue, WA
Criminal charges in Bellevue span a wide spectrum, from misdemeanors that carry relatively modest penalties to serious felonies that threaten decades of imprisonment. Law enforcement and prosecutors in King County pursue these cases aggressively, and even charges that seem minor can result in life-altering consequences.
Common types of crimes include:
- Assault: These charges range from fourth-degree assault (a gross misdemeanor involving minor physical contact or threats) to first-degree assault (a Class A felony involving serious bodily harm with a deadly weapon). Even domestic violence-related assault charges carry mandatory protective orders and can result in loss of firearm rights, employment consequences, and significant jail time.
- Sex Crimes: Allegations of rape, child molestation, sexual misconduct, or possession of illegal images carry some of the harshest penalties in Washington’s criminal code. Convictions often require lifetime sex offender registration, strict residence restrictions, and ongoing monitoring that severely limits where you can live and work.
- Theft: From shoplifting merchandise to organized retail theft operations, theft charges vary in severity. First-degree theft involves property or services exceeding $5,000 and constitutes a Class B felony, while third-degree theft may be charged as a gross misdemeanor and involves items worth less than $750.
- Burglary: Entering or remaining unlawfully in a building with the intent to commit a crime inside constitutes burglary in Washington. First-degree burglary—entering an occupied dwelling while armed or assaulting someone inside—is a Class A felony carrying a potential sentence of life in prison.
The Criminal Court Process in Bellevue and King County
When you are arrested or charged with a crime in Bellevue, the case typically begins with an arrest and booking. Within 48 hours, you will appear before a judge for your first hearing, where bail will be set, and you will receive formal notice of the charges against you.
Following the initial appearance, your case moves to arraignment, where you will enter a plea of guilty, not guilty, or no contest. Most defendants plead not guilty at this stage, allowing their attorney time to investigate the case, review evidence, and negotiate with prosecutors. In the weeks and months that follow, your Bellevue criminal defense attorney will engage in the discovery process, obtaining police reports, witness statements, forensic evidence, and any other evidence the prosecution intends to use against you.
Many cases resolve through plea negotiations. If an acceptable resolution can’t be reached or your attorney believes that a plea deal is not in your favor, your case proceeds to trial. At trial, the prosecution must prove every element of the crime beyond a reasonable doubt. Your attorney will cross-examine witnesses, challenge the reliability of evidence, and present your defense to a jury of your peers.
Why You Need to Hire a Bellevue Criminal Defense Attorney
You might think you can explain your side of the story to the police or the prosecutor and resolve your case. Unfortunately, this is a dangerous assumption. Prosecutors do not work for you—they work for the state. Without a criminal defense lawyer in Bellevue, WA, you risk saying something that destroys your defense, waiving rights you didn’t know you had, and accepting consequences you could have avoided.
The Law Offices of Mark S. Treyz levels the playing field. We investigate every aspect of your case, from the validity of the traffic stop to the reliability of witness identifications. We challenge forensic evidence, cross-examine witnesses, and hold prosecutors to their burden of proof. Our attorney has spent decades in King County courtrooms, and we know how to identify weaknesses in the prosecution’s case that others might miss.
Beyond the legal guidance, we provide something equally important: someone in your corner who genuinely cares about your future. We treat every case with the urgency and attention it deserves, because we know that what happens in court will shape the rest of your life. When you hire us, you gain an advocate who will fight for you from the first consultation through the final verdict.
Your Constitutional Rights When Facing Criminal Charges
The U.S. Constitution provides powerful protections for anyone accused of a crime, but these rights only matter if you assert them. When you are facing criminal charges in Bellevue, remember that you have:
- The Right to Remain Silent: Anything you say can and will be used against you. You have no obligation to answer questions from law enforcement. Only speak with the police with an attorney present.
- The Right to Refuse Searches: You can refuse searches of your person, vehicle, or home unless law enforcement has a valid warrant or probable cause. You do not have to consent to a search just because an officer asks.
- The Right to Legal Representation: You are entitled to an attorney at every critical stage of your case. If you cannot afford an attorney, the court will appoint a public defender to represent you.
- The Right to a Speedy Trial: The government cannot indefinitely delay your case. You have the right to have your charges resolved within a reasonable timeframe.
- The Right to Confront Witnesses: You have the right to cross-examine anyone who testifies against you and to challenge the evidence the prosecution presents.
- The Presumption of Innocence: You are presumed innocent until proven guilty. The prosecution must prove every element of the crime beyond a reasonable doubt.
Protect Your Rights—Call Mark S. Treyz Today
Facing criminal charges in Bellevue is one of the most stressful experiences you’ll ever encounter. Whether you are dealing with assault allegations, theft charges, drug offenses, or any other criminal matter, the stakes couldn’t be higher.
The Law Offices of Mark S. Treyz brings decades of experience to every case, providing aggressive representation that protects your constitutional rights and challenges the evidence against you. Contact us at (253) 272-8666 for a confidential consultation with our Bellevue criminal defense attorney.