SKAGIT CRIMINAL ATTORNEY

Reckless Endangerment can be a good option to use when a DUI is being reduced to another charge and when traveling to Canada is a necessity.  Traveling to Canada is prohibited if a DUI is reduced to either Negligent Driving First Degree or Reckless Driving, but is not with a reduction to Reckless Endangerment. However, be warned of the horrible definition of the charge, defined in RCW 9A.36.050:  " A person is guilty of reckless endangerment when he or she recklessly engages in conduct not amounting to drive-by shooting but that creates a substantial risk of death or serious physical injury to another person. "

Hit and Run Attended is a very serious gross misdemeanor. Such an offense will greatly harm your insurance, result in a criminal conviction and importantly, suspend your licnese for an entire year. If the charge cannot be dismissed, a resulting amendment to Hit and Run unattended is generally a positive outcome.

Hit and Run unattended is a misdemeanor and is charged if a driver collides with properly and leaves the scene without properly notifying the property owner. If you are charged with this crime an attempt to complete a compromise of misdemeanor is a good way to dismiss this charge.  Call us to discuss this option.

Do not underestimate the damage of a conviction of Minor in Possesion and or Consumption of Alcohol. A criminal conviction at a young age may harm chances of college scholarships or entry into the military or even damage advancements in employment.  Keep your record as clean as possible and contact our Law Firm to discus.

The two charges of Obstructing a Law Enforcement Officer (RCW 9A.76.020) and Resisting Arrest are not criminal convictions you want on your record - no Judge looks kindly on individuals charged with either crime. Truth is, it is easy to be charged with these crimes. Obstructing is when a "person willfully hinders, delays, or obstructs any law enfocement officer..." Believe me, a brief delay in providing information to an officer will result in a criminal charge and it is important to defend yourself in court.

There are many degrees of Theft and for the purpose of this webpage I am talking about the misdemeanor theft charge, Theft in the Third Degree. A theft misdemeanor charge specifically involves theft of property or services which does not exceed seven hundred fifty dollars in value. A theft charge is considered a crime of dishonesty and may harm future employment opportunities. Ask your attorney about a compromise of misdemeanor and if that is possible in your case. 

Assault in the 4th Degree is a misdemeanor office and considered a violent crime. If the assault is on a family member or someone you have previously dated or someone who you share a home with (i.e. a roommate) the assault becomes a domestic violence crime. Domestic violence crimes must be avoided at all costs.  Domestic violence convictions will take away your gun rights and the appearance of such a crime will have lifelong effects.

Malicious mischief is property damage.  Such property damage must be made "knowingly and maliciously" and therein lies the best defense to this crime - the word "malicious." Malicious mischief cannot be done accidentally! If you are charged with malicious mischief ask your attorney about the possibility of a compromise of misdemeanor, which will dismiss your criminal case.

We do see criminal trespass cases frequently in District and Municipal Courts. Most often these cases stem of casinos or shopping areas where the individual has been previously trespassed. If you have received a trespass notice from, for example, a casino, be sure to check the notice as the trespass may include other properties owned and operated by the same casino chain in the Skagit County area.