As so eloquently outlined in the Criminal Justice Section of the American Bar Association, the primary duty of a prosecutor is to seek justice within the bounds of the law, and to not merely convict an accused person; a prosecutor should consider the interests of both victims and witnesses, and respect the constitutional and legal rights of all persons, including suspects and defendants alike.
Was the above achieved when Snohomish County prosecutors recently declined to file charges against a man who sent a text message offering to pay someone $750,000 to kill his wife and their daughter? After a lengthy investigation it was determined that the message was drafted many months before it was actually sent, purportedly in error. The man evidently had drafted it solely as an outlet, or as a means, to vent his anger. Somehow the undeleted draft of the text was mistakenly sent to the man’s former supervisor, who upon receipt immediately called 911. After a lengthy evaluation, the prosecutor’s office claimed an investigation turned up no evidence that the man took actual legitimate steps to hire someone to kill his family.
So the question begs the answer, was justice served by the prosecutor not charging this man who may have gravely endangered his family? From a criminal defense attorney’s perspective, it seems for every case where it seems a charge absolutely should be filed but isn’t, there is another case where you just shake your head in disbelief because it is actually in the system and moving forward. In action, the concept of justice is apparently a curious and unpredictable thing.
If you or a loved one is cited or charged with a law violation, you should immediately seek the advice and/or assistance of a qualified Seattle criminal defense attorney. The Seattle Criminal Defense 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 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.
