Criminal Defense in Yakima, WA
What Is a Criminal Defense Lawyer?
Criminal convictions can have serious consequences, so you want an experienced criminal defense attorney in Yakima on your side.
Local lawyers research the facts of your case so you can have peace of mind. By performing their investigation, criminal defense attorneys put you in a better position to negotiate a deal with the prosecutors, possibly resulting in reduced charges, a lower bail amount, less sentencing time, and even possibly dismissed charges. Put simply, hiring a defense lawyer in Yakima, WA is the most effective way to protect your rights.
Unfortunately, the Washington criminal process more than likely leads to costly fines, jail time, and possible incarceration for those who do not have competent legal counsel.
As jails become increasingly overcrowded, criminal defense attorneys work with prosecutors to reduce the time that you may spend in jail. They do this by formulating a plea, reviewing the procedure of the search and seizure, questioning witnesses, gathering evidence, assessing the potential sentence, and investigating the prosecutor’s case. Furthermore, your criminal defense attorney in Yakima helps you understand the complex criminal justice system.
Hiring a Criminal Defense Lawyer in Yakima, Washington
Hiring a criminal defense lawyer gives you access to a Yakima professional who defends you aggressively. This means you have someone standing beside you when you face the judge. If you are looking to hire a compassionate and committed criminal defense lawyer in Yakima, WA who is ready to help represent you in court, we have lawyers who are standing by in all areas of law throughout multiple locations in the United States. Get in contact with us today.
What Is the Difference Between Parole and Probation?
If you are facing criminal charges in Yakima you may have an option for either parole or probation. While their names are similar, these two concepts are vastly different. Your criminal defense attorney can help you understand these alternatives to incarceration.
Probation
Probation is typically an alternative to jail or prison. There are times when a judge may order a defendant to serve probation. If you are on probation, you will be under a certain set of guidelines. Furthermore, there will also likely be strict supervision rules.
Because of this, Washington laws are in place to force you to submit to warrantless searches without any probable cause.
When you receive probation, a judge usually will allow you to show that you have an interest in receiving rehabilitation. Probation in place of an incarceration sentence may not be an option without expert defense, though. Accordingly, to avoid a direct prison sentence you should immediately seek legal advice.
Even though probation does not send you to jail, it usually requires you to follow many of the same conditions that come with serving time in prison. Some of these conditions include participating in rehabilitating programs, following a curfew, and receiving frequent drug testing.
In Yakima, Washington you may be also required to pay restitution, court costs, a fine, and any other fees. The length of time you are on probation may drastically range, depending on the initial crime and your previous history.
The courts in the state of Washington cannot impose a probationary sentence that exceeds the maximum sentence handed down, or 2 years. Whichever is longer. However, for violent offenses, the court can lengthen a probationary sentence to 5 years.
Probation Revoked
If you do not follow the precise instructions a judge gives you, the judge may revoke your probation. This typically results in incarceration. Furthermore, depending on the nature of your violation, you may receive an additional sentence beyond your initial one.
The probationary periods for residents in Yakima come with certain expectations. These expectations are laid out by the State Legislature of Washington. You’ll be assigned a probation officer and be expected to keep regular meetings. You’ll also have to refrain from other criminal activities, perform community service, and attend substance abuse classes. If it pertains to your case.
In addition, you may also be required to submit to random drug tests if the officer feels it’s necessary. If you violate the terms of your probation, the officer may swear out a warrant for your arrest. If this happens you may have to appear before a judge at the Yakima County District Court. Remember, you are entitled to representation at a probationary hearing. An experienced attorney in Yakima can help guide your case.
Typically, a probation officer manages your probation. This officer monitors your progress and compliance. He or she also files periodic reports with the court. Accordingly, if you do not comply with the terms of your probation, the judge is apt to know. Then he or she may revoke your probation and send you to jail. A Yakima, Washington criminal defense attorney can help you with probation violations.
Parole
With parole, instead of checking in with a probation officer, you report to a parole officer. The parole officer will explain the expectations you must meet, in addition to the rules of your parole. They also monitor your progress and provide regular updates to the court and the parole board.
Parole refers to the period following release from incarceration. Like probation, parole often comes with several conditions and requirements that you must adhere to in order to stay in compliance.
According to the Washington Department of Corrections, those serving a jail sentence in Washington are not eligible for parole. Instead, early release is considered on a case-by-case basis by a Community Custody Board. After an inmate in Yakima serves 3 years on their sentence, their case becomes eligible for review. If they’re a model prisoner and making strides toward their rehabilitation, the Board can commute the rest of their sentence.
If you violate the terms of your parole, the parole board may require you to finish the remaining time of your sentence. Certain violations, though, may result in additional charges and a longer incarceration time resulting in the need for a Yakima, WA criminal defense attorney.
Work With an Experienced Local Criminal Defense Attorney in Yakima
A Yakima criminal defense attorney works with the prosecuting attorney to determine a beneficial outcome in your criminal case.
You may not want to go through the criminal justice process alone. By working together to negotiate an affordable bond or a later plea deal, an experienced Yakima, WA criminal defense lawyer uses all available resources and relationships with prosecutors to negotiate the best possible outcome for your criminal defense case. He or she may also help you seek a dismissal of your criminal complaint.
If you or a loved one is facing criminal charges in any state, contact our team to learn how we can connect you with a reputable criminal defense attorney near you. We can even help you connect with an attorney across Washington state lines.
Submit a request online or call us today at (866) 345-6784 to get in touch with an experienced lawyer in your area
About the Author
Aaron is a professional legal writer with a B.S. in English Education from Southern Illinois University – Carbondale. He has written, published, and edited thousands of legal articles for RequestLegalHelp, which has connected over 5 million people to legal help in the United States.
With over five years of experience writing thousands of legal articles for law firms across the U.S. and Canada, Aaron specializes in covering federal, state, and city-level legal issues ranging from auto accidents to wrongful terminations.
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