Criminal Defense Attorneys in Seattle, WA
Seattle DUI, assault, and drug charges move quickly through King County courts. A Washington-licensed criminal defense attorney handling Seattle cases will review your charges for free.
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How we match your Seattle criminal defense case
When you submit a Seattle criminal defense matter, we route it through a national network of independent partner firms and put it in front of the one that fits best — based on the kind of case it is, what it is likely to involve, where it has to be handled, and who has capacity to take it on now.
Case type
A criminal defense matter needs someone who handles criminal defense work day to day, not a generalist. Practice area is the first filter.
Size and complexity
Some firms are built for catastrophic injury and multi-party litigation; others resolve straightforward claims quickly. We weigh what your matter is likely to involve against how each firm actually works.
Jurisdiction and licensing
Your matter is decided under Washington law, so it goes to an attorney licensed in Washington who regularly appears where your case would be heard.
Capacity and fit
Availability, conflicts of interest and language all matter. If the best-fit firm cannot take your case, we route it to the next one that can — or tell you plainly when no one in the network is the right answer.
Every partner reviews your case for free. Injury and workers’ compensation matters are handled on contingency — no fee unless you win. Other matters are quoted upfront, before you commit to anything.
DearLegal provides marketing and matching services and is not a law firm. Submitting a case does not create an attorney-client relationship. Matches depend on case type, jurisdiction and firm availability.
Criminal Defense cases in Seattle
More about legal help in Seattle →Criminal cases in Seattle range from DUI stops after a night downtown and domestic violence allegations to drug, theft, and assault charges, and the first hearing can arrive within a day of arrest. Felonies and many misdemeanors are heard in King County courts, while city ordinance violations go to Seattle’s municipal court. Washington offers diversion and therapeutic court options, but eligibility decisions come early. DearLegal matches you with a Washington-licensed attorney who handles criminal defense cases in Seattle, and the initial review is free.
- Felony charges from Seattle are heard in King County courts; city misdemeanors go to Seattle’s municipal court.
- DUI, domestic violence, and drug cases are among the most common charges local attorneys see.
- Diversion and treatment court programs exist, but a defense attorney must push for eligibility early.
Washington criminal defense rules at a glance
Seattle cases run under Washington law. The full walkthrough — timeline, when to call, case types, and what a recovery can include — is on the Washington page.
Read the full Washington criminal defense guide →- Felony Statute of Limitations
None
None for murder, homicide by abuse, vehicular homicide, arson causing death, sex-offender registration violations, child rape, or child molestation; 10 years for most Class A felonies, 6 for Class B, 3 for Class C (RCW 9A.04.080)
- Misdemeanor Statute of Limitations
2 years
2 years for gross misdemeanors, 1 year for simple misdemeanors (RCW 9A.04.080(1)(j))
- Sentencing Structure
Flat fee
Class A/B/C felonies and gross/simple misdemeanors (RCW 9A.20.021); SRA grid sentencing by Offender Score and Seriousness Level (RCW 9.94A); Persistent Offender three-strikes life sentence (RCW 9.94A.570); firearm enhancements add flat time (RCW 9.94A.533)
- Expungement / Record Sealing
Washington vacates
Washington vacates rather than expunges: misdemeanor vacation under RCW 9.96.060 after waiting periods (longer for DV and DUI-related offenses), Class B/C felony vacation under RCW 9.94A.640 after 10/5 crime-free years, Certificates of Restoration of Opportunity under RCW 9.97, plus Blake vacatur for old simple-possession convictions
- Bail / Pretrial Release
CrR 3.2
CrR 3.2 presumes release on personal recognizance; right to bail under Wash. Const. Art. I, § 20 with limited exceptions; cash-bail practice varies sharply by county
- Typical attorney fee
Hourly
Hourly / Flat Fee
Exhibit D
How much do Seattle criminal defense attorneys cost?
Typical fee schedule
Washington · Criminal Defense
Illustrative only. Your fee terms are set in a written agreement with your attorney and may include costs and expenses regardless of outcome.
Criminal Defense matters in Washington are usually a flat fee per filing — quoted before you commit, not billed by the hour.
No Washington lawyer can take a criminal case on contingency — Wash. RPC 1.5(d), echoing ABA Model Rule 1.5(d), forbids it. Expect a flat fee for misdemeanors and most felonies, with hourly billing for federal, homicide, and complex white-collar matters. If you cannot afford counsel, the King County Department of Public Defense, the Pierce County Department of Assigned Counsel, the Snohomish County Public Defender, and their counterparts across the state's 39 counties represent indigent defendants.
A good attorney walks through every number at your free consultation — before you sign anything.
Exhibit F
Seattle criminal defense questions, answered
Still unsure? Tell us what happened and a Washington attorney will review it for free.
Criminal Defense attorneys by city in Washington
Same Washington rules and the same attorneys — with what’s local to each city.
