Pierce County Criminal Defense Attorneys

Tacoma assault lawyers fighting to protect your legal rights and keep you out of jail.

There are almost always two sides to every assault charge. Our criminal lawyers will make sure that your side of the story is told and fight to protect your legal rights.

An assault conviction can have ever lasting effects on your life. It is important that you have an attorney to properly investigate and defend you in order to protect your future. In Washington, the seriousness of the assault is measured in four different degrees (one being the most serious.) First degree through third degree are all felonies. Assault in the fourth degree is a gross misdemeanor.

The differences in degrees take into account the seriousness of the injuries, whether weapons were involved, and the victim of the assault. All are considered serious and can severely impact one’s ability to get a job in the future. A crime of violence is especially problematic for many careers, whether it is a felony or not. It can also impact your ability to visit other countries.

As Assault 1° through Assault 3° are felonies, they would be heard in the Pierce County Superior Court. Assault 4° would be heard in either the Pierce County District Court or the Tacoma Municipal Court. All three courts are located in the same building but each behave differently, which is why you need a Pierce County criminal defense attorney who is familiar with the system.