Many people living in Washington mistakenly believe that a misdemeanor conviction will have little effect on their daily life. This could be true in some cases, but it's far more likely that a misdemeanor conviction will have implications that greatly exceed your expectations.
Misdemeanor and gross misdemeanor crimes are handled in Tacoma Municipal Court. This court also handles infractions and civil violations. If you've been charged or cited with any of these crimes or infractions, you will likely have to deal with the Tacoma Municipal Court. You may even have to appear before a judge.
Before your appearance in court, you need be fully prepared to tell your side of the story. Our Tacoma Municipal Court criminal attorneys will help you understand your charges and the penalties associated with them, so that you are ready to deal with the Washington legal process.
Tacoma Municipal Court, Criminal Penalties, And Your RightsMost of our Washington clients are concerned about the penalties associated with a conviction. Misdemeanor convictions incur a jail sentence of up to 90 days and fines of $1,000. A gross misdemeanor conviction for a crime like domestic violence, shoplifting, or DUI incurs penalties that include up to a year in jail and fines of $5,000.
Infractions are handled separately from crimes and include parking violations, speeding tickets, and the like. Civil offenses usually focus on the enforcement of code violations, and are also heard by the Tacoma Municipal Court.
The penalties associated with crimes, code violations, and infractions all have a negative impact on the lives of those convicted. These repercussions may not be evident at first, but can be devastating to someone who is unprepared. For example, consider how a speeding ticket usually causes auto insurance rates to skyrocket, or how a DUI conviction could affect a person's job, reputation, and family in countless ways.
Avoiding Costly Penalties Is The Primary Goal Of Your Tacoma LawyerOur Tacoma Municipal Court criminal lawyers routinely see how even the most minor infractions can dramatically impact a person's life. Sometimes, innocent people are accused of crimes or infractions they didn't commit. If this happened to you, then it makes sense to get reliable legal advice from a Tacoma attorney who will fiercely protect your rights in municipal court.
If you are facing formal charges that require dealing with the Tacoma Municipal Court, we will protect your legal rights and help you better understand how the law applies to your situation. The Law Office of Jason S. Newcombe offers a free case evaluation, so that you can get more information about dealing with the Tacoma Municipal Court without any risk or obligation.
Our team of Tacoma Municipal Court criminal lawyers will use their more than 30 years of combined experience to defend your interests and do everything the law allows to minimize the adverse impacts of a conviction.