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Bellevue Harassment Attorneys
Harassment is a frequently charged offense typically seen attached to some variety of a domestic violence offense. Often times, our clients are charged with both offenses that were part of the same exact incident. Please see our Domestic Violence page for an extensive discussion on that offense.
Because Harassment is often seen arising out of the same exact situation, Prosecutors do not take these charges lightly, and you absolutely MUST hire an attorney if you want your rights and your future protected. The police and the prosecutor's office are not your friends. You need someone on your side, that has your best interests in mind, and that has the experience to know when, and how hard to push back at the State.
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It is nearly impossible to find a prosecutor that is willing to dismiss these offenses--at least at the very beginning of the case. With most of these offenses, the court will automatically impose a no contact order. It is ABSOLUTELY CRITICAL that you comply with the no contact order, as each violation in itself is a criminal offense. The attorneys of Washington Criminal Attorneys absolutely understand the situation you are now in, and have been practicing in Skagit County for over two decades. We know how to represent your interests in court, and make sure your rights are protected.
Washington State's Harassment statute, RCW 9a.46.020, outlines the general conduct required for a conviction. This statute, like many others in Washington State has a misdemeanor provision, and a felony provision.
On the misdemeanor level, a violation of RCW 9a.46.020, is considered a gross misdemeanor, meaning you could potentially face a maximum of 364 days in jail, and a $5,000 fine. As a felony, RCW 9a.46.020, is considered a class C felony, meaning you could face up to 5 years in prison, a $10,000 fine, or BOTH. Now, at least in our practice, these offenses are predominantly seen at the misdemeanor level, but if your case has been charged as a felony, call our offices IMMEDIATELY.
Remember, in ANY criminal case, the State must prove EACH AND EVERY element beyond a reasonable doubt. According to the statute, a person is guilty of misdemeanor harassment if they do any of the following:
- knowingly threaten to cause bodily injury immediately, or in the future to the person threatened or to any other person;
- knowingly threaten to cause physical damage to the property of a person other than the defendant's;
- knowingly threaten to subject the target of the threat or any other person to physical confinement or restraint;
- maliciously threaten to do any other act that is intended to substantially harm the target of the threat, or any other person, with respect to their mental health or safety
In each of these situations, the person needs to make one of those types of threats, AND the target of the threat needs to be in reasonable fear that the threat will actually be carried out.
You may be asking yourself, how is harassment different than assault? They sound VERY similar, and indeed they are. Harassment is different in that it does not actually require the assault to happen. In other words, there is not a battery.
Many of our clients are under the initial misconception that harassment needs to be against a former intimate partner, or only occurs in the household. That is not true! Harassment can occur absolutely anywhere, so long as the conduct falls within the definitions provided in our statutes.
It can occur in the workplace, in the home, on the roadways, or in a public place. Regardless of where it occurred or how, if you have been charged with this crime you should consult with a Skagit criminal lawyer as soon as possible to find out how our team of professionals can help.
Ideally in any case your criminal defense attorney would be able to get the charges completely dropped. While that is always the goal, it is not always possible. You can, however, trust that every action that can be taken will be taken.
Not surprisingly, many people are shocked, overwhelmed, and confused not only by the arrest itself, but the statutory scheme we have here in Washington State. The attorneys at Washington Criminal Attorneys, understand how unfair this can feel. We understand the emotions that run through our client's minds when they are arrested. Most of our clients are not career criminals.
They are simply people that might have made a poor decision, and as the old adage goes, "bad things happen to good people." It is our job to tell your story, to position you the right way in front of both the prosecutor and the court, to make sure we are available when you need us, and to offer our guidance throughout this confusing and overwhelming process.
Most of our clients do not understand what they can and cannot do when the police are called and they start asking questions. Most understandably, and unfortunately make the mistake of cooperating with whatever the police officer asks them to do. This is not your fault! We've all been taught since a very young age to respect authority, and when police officers ask you to do something, you do it. Period.
But, most people do not understand that cooperating with the police only gives them more information to work with, and ultimately to arrest you. Getting arrested is an overwhelming experience. There are often multiple police officers. You and the other person are separated and questioned apart from one another. The officer starts asking very general, broad questions, and then starts getting more and more specific.
In these types of situations, most people make the mistake of thinking that if only the police officer understood what lead to the conduct they are alleging, that would somehow convince the officer to leave. The sad truth is that once the police are dispatched, the overwhelming odds are that someone is getting arrested--and it's NOT the caller.
That does not mean you cannot defend yourself, or that the case is over!
We will look for any violation of your rights or grounds for challenging your arrest. We will look to see whether the police had any basis to come to contact you in the first place. We will verify the existence of any 911 calls, and pour through your arrest report for any inconsistencies, or exonerating information.
If it is in your best interest, we will work to either eliminate the no contact order, or at least modify it to "non-hostile contact." That means you can call, text, or email the other person, but the minute any threats are made, you are in violation. Sometimes we can only modify it so that you are able to communicate though a friend, or loved one. There are many, many, creative ways to attack these cases.
We will not rest until every last piece of information is challenged. You deserve the best possible, and that is exactly what you receive when you hire Washington Criminal Attorneys.
If any of this sounds like it happened to you, call us immediately. Now that you have been criminally charged, a million thoughts are running through your mind. What happens next? How will I get to work? Will I lose my job? Will I be prevented from advancing my career? Can I relocate? Am I on probation right now? Can I still go home? Can I see my children? Where am I supposed to live now? When you call our offices, you will speak to one of our experienced criminal defense attorneys, and we will take the time to go through all of your questions in detail.
The initial consultation is free, and we will take the time to learn about your specific case, and give you our honest assessment of where your case stands. Remember, NEVER speak to the police, detectives, or anyone from the prosecutor's office without an attorney.
They have one job, and that is to make sure you are convicted. If you are reading this page you have been charged with a criminal offense. It is now them against you. With something as important as your freedom at stake, don't make the mistake of handling your criminal charge alone.
Washington Criminal Attorneys will be there for you, and go to battle for your defense.
