Tacoma Breaking and Entering Attorneys Prepared to Fight on Your Behalf

Burglary lawyers in Pierce County, WA take criminal defense seriously
Residential burglary rates in Tacoma have increased by 15 percent in the first nine months of 2012. At The Woods Law Office, PLLC, we know that crime statistics like these prompt the police to react by increasing their rate of arrest. Neighborhood Watch groups have become an additional set of eyes and ears for law enforcement, adding to the likelihood that those who break and enter homes or businesses will be apprehended.

In Washington, breaking and entering is always considered to be burglary, whether property was stolen or not. Residential burglary is treated differently — and more severely — than breaking into a store, an unattached garage or a shed, for instance. Both, however, are considered to be felonies and require solid representation by burglary lawyers in Tacoma.

If you or your child has been charged with a breaking and entering burglary, an experienced criminal lawyer at The Woods Law Office, PLLC can offer you the representation you will need. Founding attorney Doug Woods is a burglary attorney and a former prosecutor who understands how the district attorney thinks and how to help keep you out of jail.

A breaking and entering conviction comes with legal penalties and personal consequences
What most people think of as breaking and entering is usually a Burglary 2, or Burglary in the Second Degree, crime. This means that the residence was broken into and that the person who entered the house remained there unlawfully, usually with the intent to commit a crime.

Burglary 1, or Burglary in the First degree, means that the person who broke into and entered a house with the intent to commit a crime was armed.

In addition to the prison terms and fines that go along with a charge of Burglary 2 or the more serious Burglary 1, there are other consequences. These include the inability to get a professional license, job loss, difficulties obtaining future employment, mandatory community service and, in the case of non-citizen residents, the possibility of deportation.

You need to know what to do when charged with a crime — and that includes getting the help of experienced criminal defense attorneys. As your legal advocates, our Tacoma breaking and entering lawyers negotiate the best possible outcome for you and fight for your rights.

Contact us today to schedule a free consultation and evaluation of your case with Tacoma burglary attorney Doug Woods

Before you talk to the police or the prosecutor, talk to us. To schedule a free consultation, please contact us online. Weekend or evening appointments can be arranged. We also offer flexible, affordable payment plans.

Tacoma Theft Lawyers Build The Best Case To Get The Best Results

Shoplifting attorneys in Pierce County, WA provide creative defense strategies

Tough economic times have led to increased incidences of shoplifting and theft — and increased vigilance by store security and loss-prevention teams. And with 30 percent of losses caused by shoplifting and 45 percent of losses caused by employee theft, retailers are more likely to prosecute to send a message to both shoppers and employees that they mean business.

While being publicly apprehended or charged with a crime is humiliating, it is nothing compared to the penalties you may face. Depending on the value of the item, you could be looking at felony charges that may include imprisonment and steep fines — and may affect your job options, ability to obtain student loans and more.

Don’t let a shoplifting or theft charge ruin your life. criminal law attorney Doug Woods of The Woods Law Office, PLLC in Pierce County is an attorney who provides strategic representation against shoplifting charges with the goal of helping you achieve the best possible outcome for your situation.

Misdemeanor and felony theft

Do you know the top five things you should do if you are charged with a crime? At the top of the list is to get competent, experienced legal representation before you talk to anybody — particularly store loss prevention staff or the police. Do not assume that you will just be able to return the merchandise and walk away.

As your Tacoma theft and shoplifting lawyer, we are here to help you fight the charges leveled against you — including avoiding prosecution and possibly expunging your record. Contact us immediately if you have been charged with:

  • Third-degree theft of an item valued at less than $750
  • Second-degree theft of an item valued between $750 and $4,999
  • First-degree theft of an item valued at $5,000 or more
  • Misdemeanor theft of an item valued at $250 or less
  • Identity theft
  • Possession or receipt of stolen property
  • Trading in stolen property

Learn more about your rights when you schedule a free consultation with Tacoma theft lawyer Douglas Woods

To find out about your legal options, please contact us online to schedule a free consultation. Weekend or evening appointments can be arranged, and we offer flexible, affordable payment plans.

Tacoma Repeat DUI Offense Lawyers Offer Experienced, Focused Legal Advocacy

If this isn’t the first time, you need a felony DUI attorney in Pierce County

The penalties for DUI are bad enough. The penalties for a second, third or fourth DUI charge become increasingly more severe. At The Woods Law Office, PLLC, it is, of course, our goal to have your case dismissed. By challenging evidence, field sobriety tests, Breathalyzer® results and police actions — even by showing that you may have a certain medical condition or are using a physician-prescribed medication — we can give you a fighting chance.

As a former City of Auburn and Thurston County prosecutor, repeat DUI attorney Doug Woods knows what to expect. He also knows that you are counting on our skills to minimize DUI/DWI penalties and to keep you out of jail.

The third time is not a charm

When clients in Tacoma come to us for legal counsel and representation for a repeat DUI charge, one of the first things they often ask is, “What’s going to happen…and how bad is it?” Washington State DUI penalties for a repeat offense include:

  • Between 30 days (minimum mandatory) for a second offense and 90 days (minimum mandatory) for a third offense, with a maximum of 364 days in jail for both second and third offenses
  • EHM (electric home monitoring) of 60 to 120 days — and you are responsible for the expense!
  • Loss of driving privileges from two years (for a second offense) to three years (for a third offense)
  • Fines of up to $5,000
  • The need to use an Ignition Interlock device, at your expense, for up to five years
  • You may also be required to submit to an alcohol or drug dependency assessment.
  • You may be required to complete alcohol or drug dependency treatment.

Note that these are penalties assessed of those whose BAC (blood alcohol content or blood level) was under .15. Penalties for drivers who have been charged with or arrested for a repeat DUI and whose BAC was above .15 are even more severe — making the need for a repeat DUI attorney in Tacoma imperative for your defense.

If you have been charged with a repeat DUI offense, contact Tacoma felony DUI attorney Doug Woods for a free consultation
We are here to help and have a track record of success. To schedule a free consultation to discuss your needs and concerns with our repeat DUI lawyer, please contact us online. We can arrange to meet with you on weekends or evenings, and we offer affordable, flexible payment plans.