Have You Been Accused of a Drug Crime in Seattle?
For many people facing criminal charges, serving time in jail is their greatest concern. Not only will incarceration mean having to be locked up and subjected to undesirable treatment; it also means being away from work, school and family. For some, the effects of this could be devastating. Incarceration could lead to the offender losing their job, failing school and leaving their children with no caretaker. For these reasons alone, it is vital that anyone charged with a drug crime in Washington State call a defense attorney right away.
In Washington, a drug crime is referred to as a VUCSA (Violation of the Uniform Controlled Substance Act). This act includes laws pertaining to all crimes involving controlled substances. Some of the most common VUCSA offenses include:
- Prescription drug fraud
- Manufacturing of drugs such as methamphetamine
- Drug possession
- Drug distribution or delivery
Only by building a strong defense, can you expect to fight your charges and get the results you want in your VUCSA case. Many drug crimes in the state are felony offenses which can result in lengthy prison sentences. With the help of an experienced Seattle VUCSA lawyer, you may be able to avoid serving some or your entire sentence, even if you are convicted or choose to plead guilty to your charges. For more information about your options, call The Law Offices of Steve Karimi today.
Options for Avoiding Prison Time
Dropped Charges: The number one way to avoid a prison sentence as well as any other negative consequence of a drug crime is to be exonerated of your charges. There are two ways that this can happen. The first involves winning your trial and being found not guilty by a jury or judge. This, however, is often a long process and is filled with uncertainty. The other option is to get your charges reduced or dismissed. Your VUCSA lawyer will work hard to build your defense and dispute the evidence against you. In some circumstances, they can even convince the prosecution that there is not enough evidence to warrant charging you of a particular crime. This can lead to getting your charge reduced to a lesser offense or dropped entirely.
Plea Agreements: Under Washington law RCW 9.94A.421, the prosecutor of your case can offer you a deal known as a plea agreement. The terms of these deals vary greatly but usually include some incentive such as reduced charges or a light sentence in exchange for you pleading guilty. These deals can be very beneficial and allow you to avoid the uncertainty and stress of going to trial but may still allow you to avoid jail.
Prosecutors are never obligated to make a plea agreement and there is no way to guarantee that you will be offered one. The more experience your defense team has at negating VUCSA cases, the better chance you have of getting an offer that is agreeable. Attorney Steve Karimi is a former prosecutor for the State of Washington. He understands what motivates prosecutors to offer plea deals and how to get his clients the best possible results.
Suspended Sentencing: Even if you are convicted of a VUCSA offense, a good attorney may be able to help you avoid serving your prison sentence. Attorney Steve Karimi has a demonstrated history of arranging for his clients to receive suspended sentences. A suspended sentence is when an offender is allowed to serve their incarnation sentence as probation instead providing that they avoid and further criminal activity. Once the period of probation is served, their obligation is fulfilled and they can go on with their lives. For more information on suspended sentencing, contact our office today.
House Arrest: Another way that your attorney may be able to help you avoid serving jail time is to request that you serve your sentence under house arrest intend of incarcerated. Often, parents who need to care for children or family members may be granted house arrest. Under RCW 9.94A.734 a parent may be eligible for home detention if they fulfill certain participation conditions and agree to be monitored for drug abuse. However, this is not a right, however, and you will need an attorney who will fight for you.
Call a Seattle VUCSA Defense Attorney
Attorney Steve Karimi is an experienced defense lawyer with a deep understanding of the law and how to get his clients the best results possible. If you have been arrested for a drug crime in Seattle, contact our office right away to set up a free consultation with attorney Karimi. There, he will be able to meet with you in a relaxed setting and answer all of your questions about your charges and your defense options. When facing any type of criminal charge, it is important to take action right away, so call us today.