A person charged with a felony is facing the possibility of severe, life-altering penalties. In the state of Washington, a felony is a crime that is punishable by more than a year in prison.
What are the classes of a Felony in Washington?
There are three classes of felonies:
- Class A, which could land you in prison for life and a $50,000 fine
- Class B, which has a maximum penalty of ten years in prison and a $20,000 fine
- Class C, with a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $10,000 fine.
Each class has ranges based on the severity of the crime and your prior record–if you have one. Felonies are also distinguished by whether they are violent or non-violent and whether minors or other vulnerable adults are involved. Criminal activity such as sex crimes, armed robbery, sale of illegal drugs, and some domestic violence cases can all result in a felony charge. No matter what kind of felony you may be facing, you will need an experienced Tacoma felony lawyer by your side.
If you’ve been accused of a felony, you need the help of a committed Tacoma defense lawyer immediately. You are at risk of losing the things you hold most dear: your family, your freedom, and your good name. In the American legal system, you are supposed to be presumed innocent until proven guilty, using a high standard of proof—“beyond a reasonable doubt.” In spite of this principle, people are wrongly convicted every day. Many times, this is because they lack competent defense. The right to legal counsel is also provided by our Constitution, but not all legal counsel is equivalent.
Public Defender or Private Defense Attorney?
If you aren’t able to hire your own felony defense lawyer in Tacoma, you will be assigned a public defender. While these lawyers often start out with the highest ideals and the desire to do the best for their clients, they almost invariably have such heavy caseloads they can’t give each case the attention it deserves. In the interest of efficiency, they often advise the accused to accept a plea bargain, which may not serve the interest of justice. For this reason, if there is any way you can find the resources to hire an experienced, competent criminal defense attorney in Tacoma, the odds of a favorable outcome increase substantially.
How Long Does a Felony Stay on Your Record in Washington?
A felony charge is given to the most dangerous crimes. In Washington, some felony cases are eligible for expungement by the court. Washington State Criminal Code RCW 9.94A.030 requires a probation period from 3 years up, to 10 years for Class A and B felonies. Certain offenses, including DUIs and sex offenses, are not eligible for expungement. A conviction will have a lasting impact on your future and could lead to it being difficult to secure a job in the future.
In the state of Washington, it is legal for an employer to ask if you’ve been convicted of a felony on any job application. In some extreme circumstances, it is possible for a felon to lose the right to vote, possess a firearm, travel abroad, participate in jury service, and some parental benefits may be taken away. Only an experienced Tacoma felony attorney should be trusted to guide you through the process of clearing your name with such high stakes at play.
Defense for a Felony Charge
Unfortunately, violent crime rates are increasing across the country. In 2016, the number of violent crimes increased 3.4 % when compared to 2015. They also found that the estimated rate of violent crimes per 100,000 inhabitants was 386.3 offenses.
Over 1.2 million violent crimes were committed in the United States in 2016 which included murder, rape, robbery, theft crimes, and the use of a firearm.
Keep in mind, being charged and being convicted are two different things. You may like you don’t stand a chance against the government that is accusing you, however, there are many defenses that an experienced Tacoma felony lawyer can raise.
Your felony defense lawyer will investigate police procedure to determine if your constitutional rights were violated, challenge the veracity and reliability of witnesses, and introduce mitigating circumstances that could affect whether you were legally responsible. For example, this could include if you are charged with felony assault but were only acting in self-defense.
An Experienced Tacoma Felony Attorney is a Must
Don’t take your chances with a public defender or an inexperienced lawyer. The stakes are way too high. When you hire felony lawyer Mark Treyz, you have a lawyer with over three decades of experience in the criminal justice system. He is also a former prosecutor and pro tem judge with a passion for the U.S. Constitution and the rights it guarantees the accused.
Mark knows that the justice system doesn’t always function perfectly, but he is deeply committed to making it function for every one of his clients. He believes that every defendant deserves the best defense available, regardless of the nature of the accusation; and if you are his client, he will see that you get it.
If you’ve been charged with a felony or if you think you are about to be, do not delay. Contact seasoned Tacoma felony attorney Mark Treyz at (253) 272-8666, or online for a free consultation.