Washington Misdemeanor Case Court Proceedings – Part Two (Click Here)

Continued from Part One,  posted on August 23, 2022

Trials are held if the case does not settle after the pretrial or motion hearings, the charge is not dismissed or if no guilty plea is entered. In Washington, misdemeanor Defendants have a choice of either a bench trial (judge only) or a six person jury trial. The Defendant always decides which type of trial will be held. If the Defendant is tried and found not guilty, the case is dismissed and ends. If found guilty, the case proceeds to sentencing.

Sentencing is where the judge hears the Prosecution and the Defense each argue for the appropriate punishment to be imposed. The Defendant is allowed to speak directly to the judge and provide any information he/she thinks the judge should consider. The judge will then impose sentence and the case ends.

Call Lynnwood criminal defense lawyer Paul Hanson for a free first consultation on your Washington criminal case. Call 425-778-7339.

Lynnwood, WA Criminal Defense Lawyers