When is some guilty of unlawfully harboring a minor? Well, it occurs when an adult elects to provide shelter to a minor without the consent of a minor’s parent and after knowing that the minor is away from the home of the parent, without the parent’s permission, and intentionally: (i) fails to release the minor to a law enforcement officer after being requested to do so by the officer; or (ii) fails to disclose the location of the minor to a law enforcement officer after being requested to do so by the officer, if the person knows the location of the minor and has either taken the minor to that location or has assisted the minor in reaching that location; or (iii) obstructs a law enforcement officer from taking the minor into custody; or (iv) assists the minor in avoiding or attempting to avoid the custody of the law enforcement officer. The crime of Unlawful harboring of a minor is a gross misdemeanor, punishable by up to 364 days in jail and a fine of $5,000.

If you or a loved one is in a bind as a result of a criminal charge (unlawfully harboring a minor or otherwise), immediately contact a Seattle Criminal Attorney. A Criminal lawyer is not going to judge you and understands that everyone makes mistakes. Hiring a Seattle Criminal Lawyer to help can – at a minimum – reduce penalties and can help direct people on how to best deal with their criminal charge, and many times even get them dismissed. So, it should go without saying that someone cited for a misdemeanor or felony should hire a qualified Seattle Criminal Lawyer as soon as possible. Criminal charges can cause havoc on a person’s personal and professional life. Anyone charged with a crime in Washington State should immediately seek the assistance of a seasoned Seattle Criminal Lawyer. SQ Attorneys can be reached at (425) 359-3791 and/or (206) 441-0900.