Seattle criminal attorneys and Bellevue criminal attorneys alike were encouraged this past week when Governor Christine Gregoire signed into law SSB 5168. Currently many gross misdemeanor crimes for which a person is sentenced to more than 364 days in jail result in automatic deportation for non-citizen residents as “aggravated felons”, regardless of whether the jail days are actually imposed or actually served. The legislature found that this resulted in a disproportionate outcome, when compared to persons whom are convicted of certain felonies. The intent of the legislature was to cure this inequity by reducing the maximum sentence for a gross misdemeanor by one day. To that end, SSB 5168 redefines the maximum sentence that a person can receive for a gross misdemeanor from 365 days in jail to 364 days in jail. The bill had wide spread support and passed with a vote of 45-3 in the Senate and 93-2 in the House; it goes into effect ninety days after the end of the legislative session.

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.