What should I do if I’ve been arrested for a crime in Seattle?

Even if you believe you are innocent, it is critical to reach out to a Seattle criminal defense attorney. Speaking to law enforcement without having a lawyer present to advise you can result in errors, criminal charges, and even conviction for crimes you may not have committed.Many people erroneously believe that if they haven’t done anything wrong, they can’t get in trouble with the law. While it is true that every individual is presumed to be innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, do not underestimate the ability of law enforcement to find and prosecute a case. Sometimes it is their way of getting to someone else who did commit a crime, or it could be the result of an honest mistake. Either way, you should have a Seattle criminal defense lawyer on your side.In Washington, as in other jurisdictions, the government has the burden of proving every element of a crime beyond a reasonable doubt. “Reasonable doubt” must be fair and honest doubt arising from the evidence or lack of evidence presented at trial. In other words, the doubt must stem from logic and common sense after careful consideration of all the facts of the case.

What are some examples of defenses to criminal charges?

A skilled Seattle criminal defense lawyer will have a strong understand of the full range of defenses that may be applicable in your case. For example, you may be able to assert a self-defense claim to an assault charge. Other possible defenses to a crime might include entrapment, impossibility, mistake, intoxication, duress, or necessity. The stakes are extremely high in criminal cases, so finding the right Seattle criminal defense attorney to represent you is of the utmost importance.

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