Criminal cases do not always get in the system immediately following the alleged incident/ allegation. This is true because prosecutors don’t have to immediately charge someone with a crime, they can wait. There are all kinds of reasons they can wait to get a case ‘into the system’. However, there are only a few types of cases (i.e. Murder) that there is no time limit for criminal charges. Most have a ‘statute of limitations’ which dictates the time limit for when the government can hold someone accountable. RCW 9A.04.080 – limitation of actions – dictates when a case no longer can be filed. For instance, a gross misdemeanor must be filed within 2 years of the alleged incident and a misdemeanor must be filed within 1 year of the alleged incident. Interestingly, pursuant to the statute, the periods of limitation prescribed in the statute do not run during any time when the person charged is not usually and publicly a resident within Washington state.
If you or a loved one is in a bind as a result of criminal allegations, immediately contact a Seattle Criminal Attorney. A Criminal lawyer is not going to judge you and understands that everyone makes mistakes. 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 charge, and many times even get them dismissed. So, it should go without saying that someone cited for a misdemeanor or felony should hire a qualified Seattle Criminal Lawyer as soon as possible. Criminal charges can cause havoc on a person’s personal and professional life. Anyone charged with a crime in Washington State should immediately seek the assistance of a seasoned Seattle Criminal Lawyer. SQ Attorneys can be reached at (425) 359-3791 and/or (206) 441-0900.
