Briteney Ann Mercer's Answers

What is the difference between a domestic violence city assault and a domestic violence 4th degree assault in WA state?

Domestic Violence (DV) in and of itself is not a crime in Washington. However, under the Revised Code of Washington 26.50.010, any crime can be considered a crime of "domestic violence" if it is between "family or household members" or individuals in a "dating relationship". The statues discusses in detail these classifications, but clearly if the defendant is the father of the victim's child, it would constitute a crime of DV. In Washington, "choking" a victim can easily be a second degree...

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Do i need a defense attorney

Anytime that you are charged with a crime, you need an attorney. It need not be someone you hire as you may qualify for a public defender. But, there is no circumstance that I can think of where you're not better served by having the advice of counsel. Even if you appear in court and the prosecutor offers for you to pay a "simple fine and be done with it", you may end up with a criminal conviction that will follow you for years and make it difficult for you to get jobs or housing. Most...

I need help finding a good criminal defense attorney

You ask a very good question. It's hard to know where to start when everyone looks the same on paper. Starting with avvo.com is a good idea, because it allows you to read what other lawyers and clients think about the attorney you're considering. You should take this to heart. However, there is simply no substitute for meeting an attorney face to face before making any decisions. You need to get an idea about the kind of person you'll be dealing with, because ultimately, you're putting your...

What can be done about false accusations?

This is a classic example of the importance of having a good criminal defense attorney, and also an excellent example of why you need to be in contact with an attorney in your area immediately. Most importantly, do not contact the police/detectives yourself to try to explain why the accusations are false. Although you may have a rock solid alibi, you need to understand that the police are not trying to help you - they are gathering evidence in a criminal investigation. Regardless of the...