A new prosecution strategy was announced this week for the City of Seattle. Folks facing low-level misdemeanors will be offered 90 days of services in lieu of being prosecuted. People participating in the program must exhibit “law-abiding behavior” for 90 days. Their cases will be handled through a new Connection Court. The Connection Court will let defendants accused of low-level, nonviolent offenses engage in services like substance use treatment, job support, health benefits and peer support. This avenue of handling cases is similar to what was previously offered through Seattle’s Community Court program which diverted people arrested for select misdemeanor crimes and had them complete six hours of community service. Community Court had alleged issues with accountability, however, which Connection Court hopes to resolve. Some people are concerned about the eligibility restrictions to qualify for Connection Court. To qualify for Connection Court, a charge must not be “part of a pattern of frequent criminal misconduct.” Connection Court is unavailable to people charged with driving under the influence, gun-related misdemeanors, or domestic violence offenses. People with serious felony records are also not eligible for Connection Court.
If you or a loved one is in a bind as a result of a criminal charge, immediately contact a Seattle Criminal Defense Attorney. A Criminal lawyer is not going to judge you. 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 case. So, it should go without saying that someone dealing with a criminal case should hire a qualified Seattle Criminal Defense attorney as soon as possible. Criminal charges can cause havoc on a person’s personal and professional life. Anyone dealing with a criminal charge in Washington State should immediately seek the assistance of a seasoned Seattle Criminal Lawyer. SQ Attorneys is the right call – (425) 9988-DUI or (206) 441-0900.