YOUR RIGHTS
Mr. Gregory is an experienced trial lawyer providing superior legal advocacy. He will work hard to defend your rights. At dinner parties when people ask him how he can defend “those” people, he simply replies that he is defending the constitution, which protects all of us.
10 Things You Need to Know About Your Rights:
- You have the right to be represented by an attorney. Your conversations with your attorney are confidential and hiring an attorney as soon as possible is in your best interest.
- You have the right to remain silent. People will try to get you to talk about your case. You should speak with an attorney before you discuss your case with anyone.
- You have the right to be presumed innocent until proven guilty. This presumption is best preserved by having an attorney by your side.
- You have the right to know the charges against you. Your attorney can discuss the potential charges and explain them to you.
- You have the right to review the police report and witness statements. You will need to review these to find out what the authorities are saying you did.
- You have the right to hear and question the witnesses against you. You will not fully understand what you are charged with until you hear what people say you did.
- You have the right to a trial. You want to hire someone who has successfully tried criminal cases before a jury and/or a judge.
- You have the right to have your case negotiated on your behalf. Not all cases go to trial. You should have an attorney who will advocate your position.
- You have the right to have witnesses speak on your behalf. It is just as important to have people who were with you or know something about your charges to speak on your behalf.
- You have the right to say nothing. It is important that you work with your attorney to get your story told. An attorney can help you determine when and how to tell your story. I tell my clients to tell their story in a calm, truthful manner, and to do so at trial. It is also helpful to know that your attorney can speak for you during the many stages of representation. You are not required to take the stand.
Follow the links for information on why you should hire us and what to expect from Gregory Law Office.
What You Need to Know About the Law
Only conversations with your attorney are protected.
Statements made to your family, friends, or co-workers could be used against you. By hiring an attorney as soon as there is a possibility of your being charged with a crime you begin protecting your rights. Contact us immediately to set up an initial consultation.
You can be charged with one or more crimes.
One incident can result in a number of charges. Each charge is specific to language in Washington’s criminal code. This can sometimes be confusing. My job is to review the charges, object to overreaching, and to prepare a defense for your case.
It can take months before a charge is filed.
The hardest part can be the waiting. Charges can be filed immediately or months later. Waiting can cause a lot of anxiety. An experienced attorney can explain potential charges and the possible consequences of those charges.
As your attorney, we can explain and help protect your rights.
Life Stages of a Case:
There are several court hearings involved in most cases: arraignment, pre-trial, trial, etc. Each case follows a certain flow, but does not always match the same elements as another person’s case. We can be there for you at each step of the way for your case and can help you through the legal system to protect and defend your rights.
Below is a summary of what may happen during a criminal case.
Prosecutor will send the case to court. This is called “filing” the case.
The person charged will be sent notice (summons) to appear in court.
Arraignment – At the arraignment the person will be told what the prosecutor is charging them with doing. The person will plead not guilty or guilty. Most people plead not guilty.
Pre-trial – At the pre-trial hearing the prosecutor generally provides the information (police report, witness statements, etc.) to the defense. The prosecutor will usually make an offer that a person can plead guilty to the offense or to a lesser offense. The defense can make a counteroffer. If the parties do not come to an agreement or the person did not do anything wrong, the case is set for trial.
Readiness – At the readiness hearing the parties can still negotiate to come to an agreement, If no agreement is had, the parties say they are ready for trial.
Trial - a jury of citizens or a judge will decide after hearing the facts and argument from both sides as to whether the person is not guilty or guilty.
Sentencing - If the person pleads guilty or is found guilty after trial, the judge will decide, after hearing from both sides, if the person will serve time in jail; pay fines, fees, and/or pay restitution for damages to the other side. The judge may put the person on probation for a certain time period as well as require the person follow certain conditions such as commit no crimes during the specified time period.
Appeal - if the person is found guilty after the trial, the person may have a higher court review the case to determine if any legal mistakes were made. The higher court does not hear new facts, they base their decision on the information from the trial.
