Puyallup Criminal Defense Lawyer

After being arrested or charged with a crime, you should always work with a lawyer.  There are rights it is important to secure, even when the police and prosecutors try to walk you toward a confession or an unjust plea deal.  You also do not want to be left in jail without bail.

Our lawyers can fight for your rights, seek to negotiate release and proper plea deals, and challenge the charges against you.  When you are facing potential fines, probation, or jail time, you need our lawyers on your side.

Call the Law Offices of Smith & White at (253) 203-1645 to discuss your case with our criminal defense lawyers.

When Do I Need a Criminal Defense Lawyer?

You should get a lawyer on your side as soon as you can in your case.  It is practically never “too early,” and having a lawyer already on your side for police questioning and investigations might help prevent you from even being charged in the first place.

You should call a lawyer if any of the following have happened:

• You have been arrested for a crime.
• You were approached by police to answer questions about something you or someone else might have done.
• You have been served with a search warrant to gather evidence for a potential criminal case.
• You were involved in events where someone threatened to call the police on you.

What Are the Stages of a Criminal Case?

Most criminal cases start with an investigation or stop, then move on to arrests, searches, interrogations, and eventual trial.

Investigation

Police might investigate a crime by talking to witnesses or victims, seizing evidence with search warrants, and making their own observations.  We can stand up for you during this process and advise you of your rights if you are the target of an ongoing investigation.

Stop

Police might stop you in traffic or in any other situation, but they need “reasonable suspicion” to do so.  If they do not have this, the stop is illegal.

Do not answer questions.  Ask if you are free to leave or if you are being detained.  Ask for your lawyer.

Arrest

Police need a warrant or probable cause and an exception to the warrant requirement in order to arrest you.  Without this, the arrest is illegal.

Once you are arrested, they might search you or question you.  Demand your lawyer, activate your right to remain silent, and do not give them any information.  You do not know what information they are looking for or how they might use even the most mundane info, so wait for a lawyer.

Do not confess to anything.

Arraignment

At your arraignment, they tell you your charges and let you enter a plea.  This is where you would plead not guilty if you wish to continue your defense.

This is also the stage where you have your lawyer first represent you in court.

Bail Hearing

Bail determination hearings are usually done promptly.  If you are not a threat to society and you are not a flight risk, there is little reason for them to charge you any money before releasing you.

If bail is too high or gets denied, we can seek a new hearing to potentially get you released.  Otherwise, you would have to stay in jail until trial.

Preliminary Hearings

A preliminary hearing is an early hearing used to determine whether there is probable cause to continue with the case against you.  If there is not, charges should be dismissed immediately.

It may be best to waive this in some cases, especially if you are sitting in jail or we have already discussed a plea agreement and need to move the case along without taking up more of your time.

Grand Jury Hearing

Instead of a preliminary hearing, some prosecutors will use grand jury investigations.  If the grand jury finds probable cause, then there is no need for a preliminary hearing.

Trial

If the case has not been dismissed or dropped by this stage, we can go to trial.  At trial, we will present evidence in your defense and cross-examine the prosecution’s witnesses and evidence.

The prosecution must prove each element of the charges beyond a reasonable doubt, or else you should be acquitted.

Appeals

In some cases, you can appeal bad decisions, such as unfair admission of evidence, mistakes of law, and constitutional violations.  If you win your appeal, the case goes back to a new trial in many cases, at which point the prosecution might decide not to bother charging you again and drop the charges or prepare a better plea agreement.

FAQs for Criminal Defendants in Puyallup

Do I Need a Lawyer for My Case?

Any time high fines or jail time are on the line, you should definitely work with a lawyer.  Our criminal defense lawyers can meet with you and discuss our services so that you understand why it is beneficial to have us, and what penalties you could be looking at if you proceed on your own (“pro se”).

When Can I Meet with My Lawyer?

You can be held for a limited time without charges after an arrest.  If the police have no questions to ask you, then they do not necessarily have to let you see your lawyer.  If they want to interrogate you and you demand your lawyer, they cannot ask you questions until your lawyer is there.  You are also entitled to a lawyer when you go before a court.

If you are in jail preparing for your trial, you should also be entitled to meet with your lawyer while in jail.

Should I Use a Public Defender or a Private Defense Attorney?

If you can afford a lawyer, then you might not be permitted to use a public defender.  Public defenders are only intended for those who cannot afford a lawyer.  If you can afford it, it is often better to work with your own private defense attorney, given that we often have more flexibility and time to devote to each case, while public defenders are often overworked.

Call Our Criminal Defense Lawyers in Puyallup Today

Call (253) 203-1645 for a case review with the experienced criminal defense lawyers at Smith & White.