Experienced Violent Crimes Lawyer in Seattle Can Defend Your Rights

If you are convicted of a violent crime, a jail or prison sentence is likely. You are going to need serious legal defense help fast. Let experienced Seattle domestic violence attorney Kevin Trombold help. For more than two decades, attorney Kevin Trombold has represented clients charged with assault and virtually every other felony crime. If you’re charged with felony assault or another violent crime in the Seattle area, it is best to seek legal representation as soon as possible after the police have arrested you. Kevin Trombold can review your case, address your concerns, and fight aggressively for the justice you need and deserve.

KING COUNTY ATTORNEY DISCUSSES VIOLENT CRIMES IN WASHINGTON

What’s violent crime? In the state of Washington, the criminal laws recognize several “classes” of felonies, and defendants with previous convictions can expect to be treated with less leniency than first-time offenders. Hinging on the specific details of the charge against you, a conviction for aggravated assault or a comparable violent crime is punishable with imprisonment, a fine, and sometimes both. If you are convicted of a violent crime, and if a firearm or another deadly weapon was used in the commission of the crime, it increases the length of the jail or prison term.

WHICH CRIMES ARE CONSIDERED VIOLENT CRIMES ACCORDING TO SEATTLE LAWYERS?

Violent crimes are those that involve the use of physical violence against a person. What are some violent crimes? Some of the most common in Washington include:

  • Assault
  • Homicide
  • Manslaughter
  • Rape

What are the punishments for violent crimes? It depends. Because of the severity of these crimes, the punishments are serious. In some cases, you could face life in prison or even a death sentence after a conviction.

SKILLED ATTORNEYS CAN HELP IN ASSAULT CASES

There are varying degrees of assault in Washington state. What is the worse degree of assault? First degree assault, which is charged as a class A felony, is considered the most serious assault crime. If you are convicted of assault in the first degree, you may face a prison sentence of up to ten years if you are a first time offender. This sentence could be extended to life in prison if this is your third strike under Washington’s three strike law. Assault in the second degree is less serious than assault in the first degree, but still carries severe consequences. This crime classified as a class B felony, and is one of the many violent crimes in Washington. Second degree assault carries a number of penalties, including up to nine months in jail for those who have no criminal record. If you have committed a crime before, this sentence will most likely be enhanced. You could also face a more severe sentence if you used a weapon while committing the crime. Third degree assault is a class C felony, however it is considered nonviolent. If you are convicted, you may face a $10,000 fine and a maximum of 5 years in jail. Assault in the fourth degree is the only degree of assault that is considered a misdemeanor.

WHAT ARE HOMICIDE CHARGES?

Homicide charges are the most severe violent crime charges that a person can face in Washington. Murder in the first degree is punishable by up to a life sentence in prison, and if it can be proven that the crime was aggravated first degree murder, you may be sentenced to death. First degree murder is defined as a person who:

  • Premeditates to kill someone and then follows through with the plan, or
  • Behaves in a way that puts another person’s life in danger, and that person dies because of this risky behavior; or
  • Either attempts to or commits another crime such as robbery, burglary, arson, rape, or kidnapping, and kills someone in the process of doing so

Certain situations can turn first degree murder into aggravated first degree murder, including if the person who was killed was an active law enforcement member or firefighter who was working at the time of the crime.

WHEN IS HOMICIDE LEGALLY JUSTIFIABLE?

In certain situations, the accused may be able to claim the homicide was justifiable. If a person commits murder because he is defending himself or another person, this may be considered a justifiable homicide. However, it may be very difficult to prove you acted in self-defense, so you will need the help of a skilled criminal defense lawyer.

ARE MANSLAUGHTER AND HOMICIDE THE SAME? NO, SAYS TOP LAW FIRM IN SEATTLE

Homicide can also be charged as or manslaughter. This crime carries less severe consequences than first degree murder, but it is still among the most serious charges that can be brought against you.

How is manslaughter defined? In general, manslaughter occurs when a person kills another person, but had no intention to do so. In manslaughter cases, there is no premeditation, however the person’s actions were so careless or negligent that the killing could have been prevented if the accused had acted normally.

WHAT ARE MANSLAUGHTER CHARGES?

First degree manslaughter occurs when a person behaves recklessly and causes a death as a result of this behavior. Second degree manslaughter occurs when someone exhibits criminal negligence and kills another person because of his actions. How is manslaughter punishable? Penalties will vary depending on the degree of the crime, however, it is possible that you will face life in prison if you are convicted of first degree manslaughter.

WHICH IS WORSE: MANSLAUGHTER OR VEHICULAR HOMICIDE?

Vehicular homicide occurs when a death is caused by a driver’s negligence. A driver can be charged with vehicular homicide if a death occurs as a result of his intoxication or reckless driving. Many people often wonder whether vehicular homicide is a less serious crime than manslaughter, but both vehicular homicide and first degree manslaughter are class A felonies in the state of Washington. If you have been charged with either vehicular homicide or manslaughter, you will need a law firm with a team of skilled attorneys who can help you fight these charges.

LAW FIRMS CAN DEFEND YOU AGAINST RAPE CHARGES IN WASHINGTON

There are multiple rape crimes in Washington, which can also be considered a violent crime. First degree rape is the most serious and is classified as a class A felony. If you are convicted of this crime, you could face a life sentence as well as a fine of $50,000. What is first degree rape? You could be accused of this crime if you force sexual intercourse on someone without his or her consent and also:

  • Threaten to use or actually use any kind of weapon
  • Engage in kidnapping of the victim
  • Seriously harm the victim
  • Illegally gain access to the home, structure, or vehicle of the victim in order to commit the crime

Second degree rape also carries a possible life sentence in prison and a fine of up to $50,000. To be convicted of rape in the second degree, the prosecution must prove that:

  • You used forcible compulsion when forcing the victim to have sexual intercourse without his or her consent; or
  • The victim was not capable of consent because she is physically helpless, disabled or mentally incapacitated

Experienced Seattle violent crimes attorney Kevin Trombold will fight to have a felony charge reduced or dismissed while simultaneously preparing to argue your case before a jury. He identifies the weaknesses in the state’s case against you, casts doubt on the prosecutor’s evidence, and fights aggressively for the justice his clients need and deserve. If you’re charged with assault or any violent crime by an alleged crime victim in the Seattle area, let experienced criminal defense attorney Kevin Trombold go to work for you.

Seattle Violent Crimes Attorney

CONTACT AN ATTORNEY IN SEATTLE, WA FOR THE JUSTICE YOU DESERVE

Violent crimes are taken very seriously in the state of Washington, so if you don’t get help from a criminal defense attorney with experience, your charges could affect you for the remainder of your life. Seattle criminal defense attorney Kevin Trombold will aggressively defend your rights after carefully reviewing your case. Mr. Trombold has spent over 20 years defending clients, and has built a reputation of being one of the most sought after attorneys in the area. Mr. Trombold, along with his staff, are respected by other legal professionals in the community, including prosecutors, fellow defense lawyers, and judges. Some of this team’s many practice areas include domestic violence, drug charges, DUI, sex offenses, and theft. If you are being accused of taking part in a violent crime in Seattle, Pierce County, Snohomish County, Tacoma, Everett, or Bellevue, get in touch with the Law Offices of Kevin Trombold. Please call our office phone at 206-249-9656 or write us an email by completing the form on this site as soon as possible for a free consultation.