Wage Theft will soon be processed as a crime within the city limits Seattle. Wage theft is the intentional failure to pay an employee for work performed; on Monday, April 25, 2011, the Seattle City Council unanimously voted to make it a gross misdemeanor to knowingly withhold wages from someone who should be paid for work performed. A gross misdemeanor carries with it the possibility of a year in jail and a fine of five thousand dollars.
The law came about because it was determined that low-wage workers in Seattle were suffering from employers choosing to not pay them. Often these folks could not go to the authorities for assistance because they were not in a position of power, and had more to lose than to gain by doing so; numerous reports were received by the city council
that outlined how countless workers in low-wage industries were not receiving monies earned from employers who intentionally withheld part or all of the workers’ paychecks. Through the ordinance the City of Seattle will have the power to revoke business licenses if the employer is convicted of Wage Theft.
In many instances, a qualified Seattle criminal attorney can significantly reduce the impact that a criminal charge will have on an individual’s life and profession. The right Seattle criminal lawyer will be worth his/her weight in gold when protecting a person’s rights, freedom and future. The Seattle criminal defense lawyers that make up the litigation team of SQ Attorneys are dedicated to defending those accused of committing a crime. They have the experience, knowledge and resources to successfully defend your case and to protect you from the consequences that may arise as a result of the criminal allegations. Unlike other law firms that practice in many areas of the law, SQ Attorneys is focused on criminal defense in Western Washington.
If you or a loved one is faced with a criminal charge in Western Washington, you deserve the assistance of a reputable and qualified Seattle criminal attorney who will relentlessly defend your case. You deserve a Seattle criminal defense lawyer who has an intimate understanding of Washington’s criminal laws and the legal issues that could win your case. You deserve a Seattle criminal defense attorney who is not afraid to stand up against the prosecution and aggressively fight for your rights and interests. SQ Attorneys is the right Western Washington law firm for the job. Call for a free initial consultation – (206) 441.0900 (Seattle); (425) 998-8384 (Eastside) – it will be the best decision you make all day.
