Tacoma, WA Violent Crimes Attorney

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Serious Violent Crimes Lawyer Taking on High-Stakes Felony Cases in Tacoma, Washington

Many violent criminal charges in Washington are felonies that carry severe penalties. If you are charged with a violent crime, you need to contact a knowledgeable defense attorney who can protect your rights. At The Law Office of Michael Austin Stewart Criminal Defense Lawyer, we defend the rights of people across Washington who are charged with violent crimes.

We offer free consultations with our criminal defense attorney so that you can get comprehensive answers to your questions. Contact our South Tacoma office now at 253-442-7544 to schedule your free consultation.

A Proven Attorney For A Variety Of Violent Charges

Violent criminal charges include acts that are related to bodily injury or death caused by another person. Attorney Michael Austin Stewart has more than two decades of criminal defense experience and a long history of obtaining favorable results in violent criminal cases. Michael has represented clients who were charged with many types of violent crimes, including:

Michael will thoroughly investigate every detail of your violent crimes case. Our staff works with a variety of subject matter experts to evaluate evidence and find all the information related to your case. Based on this close inspection of case facts, Michael will create a personalized defense strategy that allows you to get the best possible outcome.

How Does Washington's "Three Strikes" Law Work?

The Washington "Three Strikes" law has a profound impact on defendants with prior criminal convictions. Officially known as the Persistent Offender Accountability Act, the Three Strikes statute can lead to a mandatory life prison sentence without any possibility of parole. (RCW 9.94A.570).

The law only applies to defendants facing a third charge for a serious violent felony, which the law refers to as a "most serious offense." Look to RCW 9.94A.030 for a complete list. Any Class A felony could trigger the Washington Three Strikes law. Additionally, Washington Class B felonies that have sexual motivation and out-of-state felonies involving sexual motivation can also count against a person facing a third serious felony charge. A persistent offender is defined in RCW 9.94A.030 (37) and also includes a "two strike provision" for certain sex offenses.

After two prior convictions, a third offense can lead to a lifetime prison sentence without any opportunity for parole, community custody, work release or house arrest. Anyone facing a third serious felony charge or a second offense that could put them at risk of classification as a persistent offender in the future should immediately consult with a Tacoma criminal defense attorney to avoid a potentially life-altering conviction.

How To Use Washington Self-Defense "Stand Your Ground" Rights Against Criminal Charges

You have the right to defend yourself and others against threats of violence and harassment. So long as you are in a place where you are legally allowed to be, such as public spaces, you have no obligation to attempt to retreat before acting in self-defense. Your actions, however, must be proportionate to the threat you face.

If you face criminal charges because of an act of self-defense, you can invoke your right to self-defense as a trial strategy or to pursue the dismissal of pending charges. Generally speaking, you must establish that another reasonable person in the same situation would assume they were at risk of imminent harm.

You must also show that the amount of force used was proportional to the degree of threat that you perceived. Finally, you must demonstrate that you did not instigate the altercation or commit a crime, thereby prompting another person to intervene. You may be entitled to have your attorney fees, and all costs associated with the charges, reimbursed if you win at trial.

A Tacoma-area criminal defense attorney can help you understand your Washington state stand-your-ground rights. Your lawyer may be able to convince state authorities to dismiss or drop the charges against you when there is strong evidence that you acted in self-defense. If the case goes to trial, your lawyer can argue that you acted in self-defense. After an acquittal, you may receive reimbursement for your legal costs in some cases.

After a prima facie showing that you are entitled to raise self-defense, the prosecution must show beyond a reasonable doubt the absence of self-defense, which is a very high burden.

Talk To A Defense Attorney In A Free Consultation

Our law firm offers free consultations so that you can learn more about how we will help. Contact our office now by calling 253-442-7544 or by sending us an email. Se habla español.