Dedicated Legal Representation For Criminal Defendants in Bellevue
Bellevue is an affluent King County city with a mild oceanic climate located across Lake Washington from Seattle. It is sometimes characterized as an edge city. For many years after its founding, it was a rural area, but once the Murrow Memorial Bridge and the Evergreen Point Floating Point Bridge were opened, it developed rapidly. Today, it is home to numerous technology companies and has thriving commercial districts. “Bellevue” means “beautiful view,” but beauty and affluence do not shield residents from the potential for domestic violence or related issues. If you have been charged with this offense in the Bellevue area, a knowledgeable criminal defense attorney at Vindicate Criminal Law Group can help you fight the charges against you.
Confronting Domestic Violence Charges
Domestic violence charges most commonly start with a 911 call. Sometimes a victim calls the police, but often a family member or another witness calls. The police separate the parties and question each of them separately. The officers then will decide whether there is probable cause to believe that one or both parties have perpetrated a crime of domestic violence. If one party is an aggressor, the officer has very little discretion under RCW 10.31.100(2) over whether an arrest occurs. When it appears that somebody over age 16 has assaulted a family member or committed another physical action intended to make the victim fear imminent bodily injury or death within four hours of the call, the officer must arrest the aggressor.
If the aggressor is arrested, he or she is held in jail without bail until a judge or magistrate can see him or her. Usually the appearance before the judge or magistrate occurs within the first 24 to 48 hours after arrest. The court can impose a significant bail amount and several protective orders or conditions of release. It is common for the court to impose a no contact order, a ban on possession of weapons, and participation in probation services. No contact orders are often the most surprising and devastating to both the aggressor and the victim. These can be imposed to prohibit the aggressor from contacting the victim and possibly his or her family. A violation of a no contact order can lead to further criminal charges, even if the victim wants to have contact or claims there was no domestic violence.
Domestic violence is a designation placed on several types of crimes including assault and rape, rather than an independent crime. The categorization is used when there is a household or family relationship between the perpetrator and victim. Some people might not be aware that a household or family relationship can exist even between 16-year-olds with a dating relationship. Thus, even teenagers or people who have not been living together can be charged with domestic violence.
Consult a Bellevue Attorney Skilled in Fighting Charges
Despite their best efforts, law enforcement officials and witnesses can make mistakes or misinterpret a situation. Good people and individuals with no prior history of violence can become entangled in the criminal justice system and get saddled with the stigma that accompanies a record, even if they are not convicted. Domestic violence charges in the Bellevue area are sensitive matters. They require a lawyer with substantial experience, strong advocacy skills, and an understanding of the family dynamics involved. Contact us today for your confidential case evaluation, or call (888) 212-4824.