Lakewood Criminal Defense Attorney
Criminal defense attorney, Morgan Fletcher Benfield, is committed to helping Lakewood residents build the best possible defense for their cases.
He has an in-depth knowledge of criminal law in Lakewood, Washington, and is experienced at navigating the legal system surrounding criminal charges.
Morgan Fletcher Benfield has experience working with cases involving DUI, assault, felonies, and more in Lakewood. His firm has helped many people charged to overcome their legal challenges.
If you are facing any sort of criminal charges, The Law Offices of Morgan Fletcher Benfield is ready to help.
Lakewood DUI Lawyer
Washington State takes DUI cases very seriously. If you have recently been charged with a DUI in Lakewood, immediate action is required.
Penalties of a DUI in Lakewood can be anything from significant fines to license suspension. If you lead a similar lifestyle to most Lakewood residents, commuting to work or school each day, then you don’t want to gamble with the possibility of license suspension.
Working with a Lakewood DUI attorney makes the possibility of you having your charges reduced or dismissed significantly more likely.
Morgan Fletcher Benfield is a DUI lawyer who knows how to cross-examine the alleged evidence surrounding your charges. He makes sure that there are no unsubstantiated claims or breathalyzer errors.
Drug Possession
Possession of any type of drug, excluding marijuana, is a Class C felony for both minors and adults in Washington State.
If you are caught in possession of any amount of heroin, ecstasy, methadone, or any other type of drug, you may be facing up to $10,000 in fines and/or five years in prison.
Even though recreational marijuana use is legal in Washington State, if a Lakewood minor is caught with any amount of marijuana, they are charged with a misdemeanor at the least (the minor could be charged with a felony if the marijuana in their possession was over forty grams).
If you are facing drug possession charges, don’t wait to seek out a drug possession attorney. Failing to seek out legal help immediately following your charges will likely yield unfavorable legal results.
You need a seasoned drug possession attorney to analyze all of the evidence and get faulty evidence dismissed. A drug possession attorney will also determine whether the search that uncovered the drugs was a legal search or not.
Assault in Lakewood
Penalties for assault and battery in Lakewood are quite significant. Due to the violent nature of assault and battery charges, depending on the class of assault, you will be facing up to $50,000 in fines and/or up-to 10 years in prison.
Repeat offenders can face even larger fines and/or up-to life in prison. If you have been charged with domestic violence charges, they are dealt with even more severely than a regular assault charge.
If you are facing assault or battery charges of any kind, it’s important that you get in touch with a defense lawyer immediately. Because of the severity and lasting consequences surrounding assault cases, you should work with a defense attorney to fight unjust allegations and preserve your reputation.
Soliciting, Prostitution
Anti-prostitution efforts and awareness campaigns have increased in Washington State in the past few years. There have been several major sting operations carried out by law enforcement against prostitution sites. The legal consequences of soliciting can land you in court with significant repercussions that affect your future.
If you have been charged with soliciting it’s important to not let legal inaction affect your future options. Even those accidentally caught up in a sting will have to prove their innocence in court and so should employ the best defense attorney available.
Otherwise, you may be facing fines and jail time. While there is typically not a requirement to register as a sex offender, having a conviction for solicitation on your record can cause trouble for future employment opportunities and serve as a source of embarrassment.
Misdemeanors In Lakewood, Washington
Non-violent criminal offenses are classified as misdemeanors. Things like shoplifting or disorderly conduct commonly fall under the misdemeanor category.
Being charged with a misdemeanor could subject you to 90 days in jail and/or fines up to $1,000. If you stack misdemeanors (meaning you are charged with multiple misdemeanors) they can earn you a felony. Committing the same act that resulted in a misdemeanor could earn you a felony if done again.
All misdemeanor offenses should be taken seriously. If you have received a misdemeanor, you should work with a defense attorney to have the penalty reduced or the offense dismissed if possible.
Felony Charges In Lakewood
Felonies are more serious than misdemeanors and should be handled reflecting that. The court processing time for felony charges often drags on and on crippling people who need to continue their regular work or school schedule.
A felony can earn you years in prison on top of huge fines. If you have recently been charged with a felony, now is the time to act. In order to get your felony retracted or penalties reduced, you need to work with a skilled Lakewood defense attorney immediately following your charges.
Morgan Fletcher Benfield is an attorney with experience in criminal defense and the goal of helping Lakewood residents fight through their felony charges. He understands the impact that felony charges have on a person’s life and he wants to be the one to help you overcome your legal battle.
Get Help Today
Whatever criminal charges you are facing, they have the real potential to unsettle your life. In order to avoid the chaos that usually follows such charges, you need a legal advocate who is experienced in the field of criminal defense.
Felony convictions and misdemeanors have a way of following you for a long time and can derail your life and future opportunities in an instant.
Criminal defense attorney Morgan Fletcher Benfield is committed to each of his clients and seeing them through fighting their charges.
Don’t take a gamble with your future, if you’ve been charged with criminal activity, contact The Law Offices of Morgan Fletcher Benfield, PLLC today to start building your defense.