Assault Arrests and Convictions

Are you charged with assault?

If so, your case must be handled by an experienced attorney.

For over 20 years, Jensen Legal has handled assault cases. That´s twenty years of past cases working to help you through yours. In preparation of your case, we contact witnesses, research the changing laws and gather any information for your defense.

Is the “Victim” in your case unwilling to cooperate with the Prosecution? If so, Jensen Legal usually recommends that the victim contact another attorney whose work we are familiar with. We then work with that attorney to make sure the case proceeds to its best resolution for you. We know the rules, the ethical obligations and we know your rights.

Is there a protection order or no contact order against you? Your attorney is not bound by such an order. Also, your attorney has an obligation to do all things necessary to defend you and handle your case effectively. That usually means that we will contact the “Victim” to talk about the case.

Assault Information

Mandatory Arrest: RCW 10.31.100 provides that a police officer must arrest the primary aggressor if they respond to a domestic violence injury. That means, when someone calls 911 and hangs up, then they send an officer to respond and find more, someone is going to jail.

Felony Assault

Assaults can rise to a felony in many different ways:

• Assault in the First Degree is found under RCW 9A.36.011 The most commonly defended element is “great bodily harm.”
• Assault in the Second Degree is cited under RCW 9A.36.021 It´s typically cited for a broken bone, strangulation, threatening with a knife, gun or deadly weapon.
• Assault in the Third Degree, RCW 9A.36.031 is used often for assaulting a police officer or other government official. This assault charge can also be cited for “negligently” causing injury to another person. Assault 3 is not a “strike” offense, so is often a bargaining resolution to Assault 1 and 2.
• Assault in the Fourth Degree is a gross misdemeanor. This is a common charge for a domestic violence dispute. Often we will see this charge against someone who´s never been to court in the past. A conviction for Assault 4 DV includes the loss of right to possess firearms and has other mandatory sentencing requirements which need to be expertly handled.

Experienced Seattle Criminal Defense Law Firm

To talk with a defense lawyer about the evidence and possible defenses in your assault case, contact an experienced criminal law defense attorney right away.