Why hire a lawyer when I have a public defender?

There are good public defenders and not so good public defenders. Just like there are good paid lawyers and not so good paid lawyers. If you have a good public defender who you are happy with, great! If you feel like a consultation with me might help, feel free to call.

I am not afraid to tell someone if it doesn’t make sense for them to hire me. If given the choice, I’d rather have my integrity than your money.

Should I plead guilty and just get this over with? Should I take my case to trial?

I believe the only plea deals worth taking are the ones that make it worth giving up the chance to win at trial. The right to a jury trial is guaranteed by the Washington and United States Constitutions. It is often the strongest weapon a person has against the prosecutor.

Prosecutors want guilty pleas, and their job is easier if people would all just plead guilty. Over 95% of cases resolve with guilty pleas, and that’s the way the prosecutors like it.

If my clients want leniency or a good deal, even if they don’t want to go to trial, the best way is often to be ready for trial. That is why my fee structure aims to protect your right to trial instead of discouraging trial.

I can discuss with you what parts of a plea deal are actually benefits under the law, not just things that sound good. Many plea deals to reduced charges are not so great for everyone.

The decisions you make in a criminal case are extremely important and should be discussed with your lawyer thoroughly. This page is general information, not legal advice and does not create a lawyer client relationship.

Shouldn’t I hire an ex-prosecutor to be my lawyer?

Some ex-prosecutors are good defense lawyers, its true. But you have to wonder if someone who made money sending someone like you to jail and ruining their life can really have their heart in defending you now.

When ex-prosecutors represent clients, they do not get special favors from their old co-workers. Any corruption or abuse of office in the form of special favors would be illegal.

Taking a case to trial as a prosecutor is a lot different than taking a case to trial as defense lawyer. The strategy and skill required from investigation, research, motions filing, jury selection, opening statement, cross examining witnesses, presenting evidence and closing argument is completely different.

I believe you are best off with a lawyer who is specifically trained and experienced in criminal defense to be your criminal defense lawyer.

Why should I hire a lawyer?

A criminal conviction can bring with it jail, prison, probation or Department of Corrections supervision.

It can also bring with it a lifetime of hardship with employment, housing, immigration, employment licensing, social stigma, and other consequences. It isn’t fair or right, but that’s how it is.

You need someone who can best protect you from these harms.

Is taking a case to trial expensive?

Yes. But my fees are structured to encourage trial rather than discourage it. For example, some lawyers will charge $3,000 to begin work on a case, then another $7,000 to $15,000 to finish it with a trial. The client then pleads guilty and the lawyer walks away with easy money off the client’s possible bad deal. The client doesn’t have a meaningful option to trial when the trial costs up to 5 times as much as the plea. I don’t think that is right, and losing the option to trial hurts the client’s case.

My fees are structured such that trial time is less expensive than the initial work. This is because I enjoy fighting cases, and because it makes sure my clients are doing what’s best for their case, not what’s best to pad my wallet.