Seattle Misdemeanor Defense Attorney

What is a Misdemeanor?

"Misdemeanor" is a term used to define a criminal offense that is significant, but is not as inherently serious as a felony crime. While misdemeanor crimes are usually not taken seriously by the public, our Seattle misdemeanor lawyers can help negate significant penalties to those convicted of them. In fact, many of those accused of misdemeanors are surprised that they could be facing jail time.

If you have been accused of a misdemeanor crime, our team at Guadagno Law, PLLC is ready to hear from you. These charges can potentially interrupt the lives and damage the reputations of the accused and proven, experienced defense counsel is required to properly challenge them. Our Seattle misdemeanor crime attorneys have more than a decade of experience in our criminal justice system and know what it takes to secure results for our clients.

What are the Penalties for Misdemeanor Charges?

Washington has a fairly basic system for classifying misdemeanors. Unlike felony offenses, which are assigned different "classes," misdemeanors instead have two categories: misdemeanors and gross misdemeanors. Gross misdemeanors are considered more serious and come with harsher penalties.

Penalties for a misdemeanor conviction can include:

• Up to 90 days in jail
• Up to $1,000 in fines

Penalties for a gross misdemeanor can include:

• Up to 364 days in jail
• Up to $5,000 in fines

In some cases, depending on the offense, additional penalties can be levied against the accused, as well. Common examples of misdemeanors include prostitution, shoplifting, and disorderly conduct. Driving under the influence is the most common example of a gross misdemeanor.