WASHINGTON CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEY

Assault cases may be convicted in varying degrees, from first to fourth. Regardless of which degree you are charged, our defense lawyers can help you gather the evidence to prove your actions were caused by self-defense or in the defense of another person.

Domestic violence cases can be an emotionally draining experience that requires the help of a domestic violence attorney with a good knowledge of both family and criminal law. Attorney Kim E. Hunter’s compassionate approach as an experienced domestic violence attorney can help reduce your stress and prepare you for the long road ahead.

Crimes of domestic violence in the state of Washington usually involve either family or household members (defined under Revised Code of Washington § 10.99.020(3) as including spouses, former spouses, persons who have a child in common regardless of whether they have been married or have lived together at any time, adult persons related by blood or marriage, adult persons who are presently residing together or who have resided together in the past, persons 16 years of age or older who are currently living together or who have resided together in the past and who have or have had a dating relationship, persons 16 years of age or older with whom a person sixteen years of age or older has or has had a dating relationship, and persons who have a biological or legal parent-child relationship, including stepparents and stepchildren and grandparents and grandchildren) or individuals in a dating relationship (defined under Revised Code of Washington § 10.31.100 as a social relationship of a romantic nature, in which the court may consider such factors as the length of time the relationship has existed, the nature of the relationship, and the frequency of interaction between the parties). Under Revised Code of Washington § 10.31.100(2)(c), a police officer must arrest a person 18 years of age or older when the officer has probable cause to believe that a felonious assault has occurred, an assault has occurred which has resulted in bodily injury to the victim, or that any physical act that has happened which was intended to cause another person reasonably to fear imminent serious bodily injury or death. Crimes related to domestic violence may include assault, harassment, malicious mischief, and interfering with reporting domestic violence. It is critical for alleged offenders to understand that alleged victims do not have the power to drop criminal charges, as that power lies solely with the state’s attorney.

Driving offenses, such as reckless driving, can easily lead to the suspension of your driver’s license, as well as having to carry SR-22 insurance. Such offenses can easily hamper your ability to get around or even work. We can help you fight against driving offenses and prevent any of these from happening.

Washington was the first state in the nation to legalize recreational marijuana, but there are still limits that restrict that amount of cannabis a person can possess. Many other controlled substances remain illegal under state and federal law. Misdemeanor drug crimes are typically handled in District Court or Municipal Court while felony offenses are handled in Superior Court. Some of the different drug crimes people may be charged with include possession of a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute, drug distribution, or drug manufacturing. In many of these types of cases, it is critical to examine whether authorities legally accessed the drugs in question.

Even first-time DUI offenders in Washington run the risk of severe penalties, which highlights the importance of choosing a trusted DUI attorney. As an accomplished DUI attorney, Attorney Kim E. Hunter can help you fight DUI allegations and collect the necessary evidence to prove your innocence or have your cased dismissed.

Drunk or drugged driving is one of the most common crimes people are arrested for in Washington. The pace with which DUI cases move through state courts often depend on the county the alleged offender was arrested in, but people should not delay in seeking legal representation. Individuals must act quickly to deal with a suspension ordered by the Department of Licensing. An actual DUI case itself involves the allegation that a person operated a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance. In many cases, people agree to provide breath or blood samples, but you should not assume that you are automatically guilty because you failed one of these tests. All breath and blood tests must be administered in compliance with strict state rules and regulations, and any mistake may lead to the test results being inadmissible in court. Furthermore, there could be many other issues that impact the lawfulness of your arrest, including whether the police officer had probable cause for the initial traffic stop, failure to recognize a person’s medical condition, or the failure to read an individual their Miranda Rights.

Prostitution is illegal in Washington. Although it is generally a misdemeanor offense, there may be other criminal charges that may be considered felonies. No matter the situation, Attorney Kim E. Hunter can help you mount a strong defense to fight back against prostitution charges.

Theft charges come in many forms, which can make it a little difficult to predict the potential consequences if convicted. We can help you assess your theft charges and fight for the best possible resolution.

Crimes of violence are often aggressively prosecuted because such cases usually involve alleged victims who want to see justice. Some of the most common violent crimes people are charged with in Washington include assault, robbery, carjacking, sexual assault, and murder. Violent crimes usually involve stiff sentencing possibilities, so it becomes vital for an alleged offender to evaluate all possible defense options.