Word to the wise, even if you are seemingly acting in self-defense, you may initially be facing criminal charges. This is so because often after a violent incident a full investigation must take place before a prosecutor decides whether the standards outlined in RCW 13.40.077(2) & (4) have been met, or not. A perfect example of this recently happened in Pierce County when the Tacoma Police arrested a man for shooting a gun during an alleged car break-in. The shooter was the owner of the car.
The basic facts are as follows: Sunday police responded to reports of a shooting. The shooter exclaimed that someone was breaking into his car. He confronted the person. A fight broke out, and ultimately he shot the man. The victim was whisked away to the hospital in critical condition. The shooter was booked into jail pending investigation for first degree assault.
Of course, the shooting may have been justified under the circumstances, but a full, in-depth investigation must take place. In the meantime, the shooter will be held in custody for a minimum of 72 hours. If no charges are filed by the end of that time, he will be unconditionally released. He isn’t – per se – free and clear, however, because charges could be filed at a later date. The Statute of Limitations for filing such a crime is 3 years from the date of the incident. So even though self-defense may be a viable defense, the shooter faces some uncertain times … and probably a good deal of attorney fees, unfortunately.
If you or a loved one is facing a criminal charge (whether it be in municipal, district our superior court), don’t hesitate to hire a qualified Seattle Criminal Defense Lawyer. The Seattle Criminal Defense Attorneys that make up the criminal defense team of SQ Attorneys are highly qualified and reputable Seattle criminal attorneys that are dedicated to providing top notch, aggressive representation for those arrested or charged for crime all across Western Washington and the Greater Puget Sound region. The team creates success by working with law enforcement and the prosecuting attorney’s office to ensure that all facts and circumstances related to the allegations are considered in creating the fairest, most equitable and just resolution possible in light of all the surrounding circumstances of the given case. So, whether you are cited with an infraction or arrested and/or charged with misdemeanor, gross misdemeanor or a felony, protect yourself … call SQ Attorneys at (206) 441-0900.
