Olympia Drug Crime Defense Lawyer

You may be charged with a crime you never committed. This can be a frustrating, exhausting, and mentally taxing experience. With help from an Olympia drug crime defense lawyer, you may be able to get any charges against you reduced or dismissed.

The team at Puget Law Group has more than 150 years of combined legal experience. Our crime defense firm is available to review your case and discuss your legal options with you. For more information, reach Olympia criminal defense lawyer.

Crimes in Olympia

You may face a felony or misdemeanor criminal charge. The penalty for your crime may include jail time, a fine, or other consequences. There are many types of crimes reported in Olympia, and these include:

Driving Under the Influence (DUI)

A person may receive a DUI charge if they are operating a vehicle after they have consumed alcohol or drugs. You may have your driver’s license suspended for up to two years if you are arrested for driving under the influence. If you are convicted of this crime, you may receive a license suspension that lasts up to four years and other penalties.

Physical Control Violation

The charges for a physical control violation are similar to those associated with drunk driving. To be found guilty of this violation, a prosecutor must prove you were physically in control of a vehicle at the time you were arrested. An Olympia drug crime defense attorney may be able to disprove this claim to the point where you are acquitted.

Assault

There are multiple degrees of assault. The severity of an assault conviction depends on the charge against you. A drug crime defense lawyer in Olympia may be able to help you build an argument to contest an assault charge that shows the court you do not deserve to be punished.

Theft and Robbery

It is illegal to steal from someone else. If you are found guilty of theft or robbery, a court may not go easy on you. By partnering with a drug crime defense attorney in Olympia, you may boost your chances of having a theft and robbery charge lowered or removed.

Homicide

You may be charged with a homicide if there is evidence to show you may have killed someone else. A homicide conviction may affect you for the rest of your life. A homicide defense attorney in Washington may be able to help you defend against a homicide charge.

Puget Law Group has helped many defendants achieve outstanding case results. If you want to hire a drug crime lawyer in Olympia, WA, or an attorney to help you out with any other type of criminal case, we are here for you. To learn more, get in touch with us.

Criminal Penalties

The penalties for a crime are based on whether you are charged with a felony or misdemeanor. A felony’s penalties tend to be more substantial than those of a misdemeanor. Here are some of the penalties you may face if you are convicted of a crime:

• Misdemeanor: A fine up to $1,000 and a maximum of 90 days in jail
• Gross Misdemeanor: A fine up to $5,000 and a jail sentencing lasting up to 364 days
• Class A Felony: A fine of up to $50,000 and a lifetime prison sentence
• Class B Felony: A fine of up to $20,000 and a maximum of 20 years in prison
• Class C Felony: A fine of up to $10,000 and up to 10 years in prison

You cannot change the criminal penalties associated with a crime, but you may be able to avoid them. If you work with a drug crime defense attorney in Olympia, WA, or a lawyer who specializes in other areas of criminal law, you may be able to dispute a charge. Your attorney may answer frequently asked questions and others relating to your case and help you build an argument that resonates with the court.

Criminal Defense Strategy

You may want a criminal charge to go away, but this is unlikely to happen. An experienced criminal defense lawyer understands this and may help you prepare your argument accordingly. They may consider a wide range of legal strategies, including:

• Duress: You may claim you were compelled to complete a criminal act due to the threat of immediate harm to you or a family member. 
• Entrapment: You may show you were coerced or intimidated, which led you to commit a crime. 
• False Accusation: A sex crime defense lawyer in Seattle can help verify you are being falsely charged with a sex crime or other criminal acts based on hearsay. 
• Police Misconduct: You may provide proof to show police officers mishandled or planted evidence or did other things outside the law, which resulted in your arrest. 
• Self Defense: You may be able to confirm you had no other option to defend yourself, which contributed to your charge.

A lawyer may learn about your charge and consider various legal strategies. They may work in lockstep with you to figure out how to best defend against your charge. Your attorney may also ask you to consider negotiations and plea deals.

Settling a Criminal Case Out of Court

With a domestic violence offense or other criminal charges, you may be able to negotiate a settlement with a Tacoma domestic violence lawyer. For example, your attorney may propose settling your case to avoid a lengthy trial. If the prosecutor agrees to a plea deal, you may be able to avoid a conviction that otherwise hurts your chances of getting a job or buying a home.

Your attorney may work with you to develop a settlement agreement. They may present your proposed agreement to a prosecutor and go back and forth with them. In one of the best-case scenarios, your lawyer negotiates a pact that lines up with your best interests.

If no settlement agreement is reached, your case may go to court. Your lawyer may explain your side of the story, and the prosecutor may try to explain why you should be punished. Once the court hears arguments from you and the prosecutor, they will decide if you will be convicted.

Contest Your Criminal Charge with an Olympia Drug Crime Defense Lawyer

Puget Law Group has nine former prosecutors on staff. Our team is available to assist you with your criminal defense case. To get started, contact us today.