Generally speaking, if a person is deemed to be interfering with any sort of law enforcement investigation/activity in Washington State, he will be arrested (and possibly charged with) the crime of Obstructing a Public Servant. This happens when law enforcement believes that a person lied to (or otherwise misled) an investigator/detective, destroyed evidence, knowingly failed to present evidence or some other deceitful act. Obstructing a Public Servant in Washington State is a Gross Misdemeanor; the maximum penalty a person faces if convicted of Obstructing a Public Servant in Washington State is one year in jail and a five thousand dollar fine, along with attendant probationary conditions that can last up to two years.
Similarly to Obstructing a Public Servant, if a person is deemed to be intentionally preventing (or attempting to prevent) law enforcement from lawfully arresting him, he will be arrested (and possibly charged with) the crime of Resisting Arrest in Washington State. Although a crime, Resisting Arrest is not a Gross Misdemeanor — like Obstructing a Public Servant. Resisting Arrest in Washington State is a Misdemeanor and carries a maximum penalty of ninety days in jail and a one thousand dollar fine, along with attendant probationary conditions that can last up to two years.
Both Obstructing a Public Servant and Resisting Arrest are considered very serious crimes in Washington State, especially in light of the recent police and civilian conflicts, and resulting deaths, in and around Western Washington. In many cases (because of the way things go down) a person ends up facing charges of Obstructing a Public Servant and/or Resisting Arrest in combination with some other criminal charge such as DUI, Criminal Trespass, Domestic Violence, Hit and Run, or some other Washington State criminal offense.
If you, a friend or a loved one, has been criminally charged with Obstructing a Public Servant and/or Resisting Arrest in Washington, you are probably feeling anxious and even apprehensive about the future. That is why it is so important that the necessary steps to protect rights and freedom are exercised. A Seattle criminal defense lawyer will provide the necessary legal advice and counseling a person needs in these situations, and will greatly enhance a person’s chance of beating (or at the very least reducing) the charges being brought against him. A Seattle criminal defense attorney who is familiar with the Washington legal system will fully review every aspect of the charges being alleged so as to create the best possible defense no matter what one’s criminal background (or lack thereof) may be; a Seattle criminal defense attorney will do everything possible to fully investigate every facet of a person’s arrest and the actions leading up to it. Statistically speaking, individuals who utilize the representation and assistance of a legal professional during a criminal case achieve significantly better results than those who do not work with a seasoned criminal defense attorney.
The Seattle criminal attorneys that make up the criminal defense team of SQ Attorneys are highly qualified and reputable Seattle criminal defense lawyers that are dedicated to providing top notch, aggressive representation for those arrested for Obstructing a Public Servant and/or Resisting Arrest in and around Western Washington and the greater Puget Sound region. The SQ team creates success by working with law enforcement and the prosecuting attorney’s office to ensure that all facts and circumstances related to the criminal allegations being brought are considered in creating the fairest, most equitable and just resolution possible in light of all the surrounding circumstances. If you, a friend or a loved one is facing a criminal charge in Washington State, protect your rights and freedom — call SQ Attorneys at (206) 441-0900; it will be the best decision you make all day!