Puyallup Criminal Defense Lawyer serving Seattle, Tacoma and Spokane

For your convenience we video conference and sign all forms electronically.

If you’re under investigation or are under arrest, you need a Puyallup criminal defense lawyer. Getting arrested isn’t what it looks like on TV or in the movies. When it’s happening to you, it is on a very different level. The officers, the handcuffs, the patrol car, the paperwork, the holding cell, they’re all real. Facing criminal charges may be a life-altering event. It may threaten your freedom, reputation, career, and your ability to support your family.

There aren’t criminal defense “do-overs.” You have one chance to defend yourself, so you need to do it right. Get help from a criminal defense attorney you can trust at Greene & Lloyd, PLLC. Call us now at (253) 770-0808 to get started on your case.

If you’re looking for a Puyallup criminal defense lawyer, you are under arrest or under investigation. Things may be happening very quickly. You’re under a lot of stress. You need to slow down and think about what you should do next. Representing yourself when facing criminal charges may be the worst decision you could make. There are too many things that could go wrong, and what could happen may be far worse than you realize.

Criminal Defense Attorneys Know Much More About the Law Than You Do

Criminal law is what local, state, and federal governments decide are acts that deserve criminal penalties. Statutes and codes define criminal law. State and federal constitutions limit them to more clearly define the laws. You may also be investigated by local, state, or federal law enforcement, based on the nature of the allegations against you.

Criminal law can be broken down into infractions (resulting in just a fine), misdemeanors (when jail time is less than a year), and felonies (when jail time is a year or more). In addition to jail time, you may need to pay restitution, be put on probation, or perform community service. You may be charged with a crime based on state or federal law or both. With all the possible penalties and your future at stake, you’ll need at criminal defense attorney at your side who knows the law, inside and out. And, a criminal lawyer who has handled a lot of cases just like yours.

Crimes can be minor issues that will result in a fine or can be major enough to put you in jail for the rest of your life. Understanding the details of the law are essential to your getting the best legal representation possible. Rather than try to go it alone, get help from a criminal defense attorney who has the knowledge and experience you need to develop a strong defense.

Should You Use a Public Defender?

The Sixth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution guarantees all criminal defendants the right to be represented by an attorney. If you’re facing possible time in prison, the Constitution requires the state to provide you with a criminal defense attorney if you can’t pay one yourself. For lesser cases, like traffic tickets, you still have a right to an attorney, but you must pay for one yourself. There is a clear advantage of working with your own defense attorney. Your Washington Lawyers at Greene & Lloyd will have the time needed to dedicate energy to your case. Your attorney will not be burdened with a case load that makes it almost impossible to give your defense the detailed attention it needs and deserves.

Crimes Can Fall into Different Categories

You can be charged with several types of crimes. Each type calls for a unique defense strategy. When you are represented by an experienced criminal defense attorney, your rights will be protected. You may wonder what type of crime you are charged with. Here are the categories:

Personal Crimes

• Personal crimes and when a person causes physical or mental harm to another. They are different forms of homicide (causing the death of another) and other violent crimes. They include assault and battery, child abuse, domestic abuse, kidnapping, rape, and statutory rape.

Property Crimes

• Property crimines involve interfering with another’s property. They result in the deprivation of the use or enjoyment of property. They include theft, burglary, larceny, robbery, auto theft, and shoplifting.

Inchoate Crimes

• Inchoate crimes are acts that were started but not completed. They can involve cooperation with others with the intent to do something illegal and a substantial step toward completing it. These crimes include aiding and abetting, attempt, and conspiracy.

Statutory Crimes

• Statutory crimes are acts that are made illegal by statute. Some of these crimes involve self-harm, not harm to others or their property. Others, like selling or distributing drugs, result in harm to other people. Governments make these acts illegal to discourage them. There are many charges involving a mix of traffic offenses and statutory crimes, such as driving under the influence, hit and run, and vehicular assault.

Financial Crimes

• Financial crimes involve deception or fraud for financial gain. They include fraud, blackmail, embezzlement, money laundering, tax evasion, and cybercrime.

A Criminal Defense Attorney in Puyallup May Protect You from the Consequences of a Conviction

When you consider the penalties for the criminal charge you’re facing, you can see whey it’s important to get a really strong defense. You’ll need a skilled, experienced criminal defense attorney at your side who will aggressively fight for you and protect your rights. The consequences of a conviction are too great to not seek the best legal representation you can.

If you are convicted of a crime and sentenced to prison, you will not only lose your freedom but your ability to support your family. The financial hardship you cause may impact your family for years. There are many other consequences of being convicted of a crime:

• It can be hard to find work. If you apply for a job and are asked about your criminal record, you should be honest and disclose it. If you lie about it and are found out, you’ll probably be fired. Your record may also prohibit you from obtaining a professional license, or you may lose it if you already have one. It may also make it impossible to enlist in the armed forces.
• If you are going to college, you may not be admitted or be expelled if convicted. It will also impact your ability to get student loans.
• A conviction for driving under the influence will make your auto insurance more expensive or your carrier may drop your coverage. Life insurance could also be harder to get or more costly.
• If you’re involved in a dispute with the other parent of your child, a criminal conviction may prevent you from obtaining custody.
• A conviction for a sex-related crime may put you on a sex offender registry. It’s available to the public, and you may be unable to work some jobs or live in certain areas
• You could lose your right to vote and be unable to possess firearms legally.

When you review the ways your life can be changed forever if you’re found guilty of a crime, the best decision you can make is to hire a skilled criminal defense lawyer to give you strong, aggressive legal representation. At Greene & Lloyd, PLLC, we will fight for your rights, and we’ll fight for your future.

There are Many Reasons to Hire Criminal Defense Attorney in Puyallup to Help You Defend Yourself

After being charged with a crime, what should you do?

Just because you’re arrested doesn’t mean you’ll be convicted. You may have many defenses, but since you probably don’t know criminal or constitutional law, you won’t know about all of them. You don’t need to prove your innocence. To be convicted, the prosecution has the burden of proving, beyond a reasonable doubt, that you committed the crime. That’s a level of proof the prosecution often can’t meet.

Know Your Rights When You’re Charged with a Crime

Don’t Incriminate Yourself

Without knowing your rights, you may say or do things that could incriminate you, making law enforcement’s job easier. You may try to talk your way out of an arrest and end up digging yourself a deeper hole. If the police are questioning you, you need to protect yourself, stop talking, and contact a Puyallup criminal lawyer.

The Police May Take Advantage of Your Ignorance of the Law

The police may tell you how strong their evidence is. They won’t tell you about all the mistakes they made in obtaining it. They may have violated department procedure, the law and your constitutional rights. Police and prosecutors will take advantage of your ignorance and pressure you to plead guilty. They want to close cases, not protect your rights.

Evidence May Not Be Obtained Legally

If evidence was improperly obtained, a Puyallup criminal lawyer might be able to exclude it from evidence at trial. That may make proving the prosecution’s case very difficult or impossible. Charges may be dropped or the prosecutor may be willing to accept a plea bargain agreement that’s very positive for you.

We’ll Investigate Your Alibis

With our team on the job, our criminal defense attorney may be able to document the fact you have a valid alibi. There may be evidence and witnesses that will show you didn’t commit the alleged crime. Police may have decided you were guilty and ignored evidence to the contrary.

We Will Review All Evidence Prosecutors Obtain

Prosecutors must turn over evidence they’ve obtained that’s relevant to your guilt or innocence. Our criminal defense attorney will review it and get outside professionals to help when needed. If there is DNA evidence, we may send it to an independent lab. If drugs are evidence, they will be properly tested. The names and addresses of all of the prosecution’s witnesses must be released. We will contact them to see what they supposedly witnessed and if they really support the prosecution’s case.

We know the law, and we know how to protect your rights. Rely on the experience, knowledge and skill of the Puyallup criminal defense lawyer at Greene & Lloyd, PLLC. Call us at (253) 770-0808 to discuss your criminal charges today.

Our Defense Attorneys Work With Our Clients to Reach the Best Outcome Possible

We work with our clients to decide what path is right for them. Our criminal defense attorneys review the evidence and how well it may stand up in court. We look at the legal hurdles the prosecution may or may not be able to get over as well as the client’s goals and priorities. Then, our defense attorneys put together a plan.

Pleading Guilty in a Criminal Case

• For some clients pleading guilty and cooperating with the prosecution is the smartest option. It may involve working with the prosecution on another case, or it may just be coming clean in hopes of a lenient sentence from a judge

A Plea Bargain

• Most cases are resolved through a plea bargain. Neither side wants to risk an all or nothing outcome, so both sides compromise. A more serious charge may be dropped and you would plead guilty to a lesser charge. You avoid your worst-case and a manageable outcome is reached through negotiation

Going to Court in a Criminal Case

• For some clients, a trial is the best option. Plea bargain proposals aren’t acceptable. Evidence may be weak. Witnesses may be biased or they’ve told conflicting stories. The prosecution’s case can be challenged and there’s a good chance a jury will find the burden of proof wasn’t met

How Our Criminal Defense Attorney Helps You Decide the Best Approach

We don’t decide how a case is defended. Our criminal defense attorney and our team will educate you and counsel you on what we think is the best option for you. Ultimately, you choose.

Your Next Step: Contact a Criminal Defense Lawyer in Puyallup

If you are under investigation or have been arrested, call our office at (253) 770-0808. You have too much to gain if you do and too much to lose if you don’t. Greene & Lloyd, PLLC defense attorneys have helped hundreds of clients facing criminal charges for over 20 years. We can do the same for you, whether you need an assault defense lawyer, a DUI lawyer or assistance with any other kind of case. Wishful thinking and hope won’t protect your legal rights and freedom. We will.