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Felony Criminal Defense

Seattle, Washington Felony Criminal Defense Attorney

In general terms, a felony is a crime that is deemed to be more serious than a misdemeanor or gross misdemeanor. The dividing line between felonies and misdemeanors-gross misdemeanors is typically based on the potential punishment involved, with felonies generally involving more than a year of potential incarceration.

There are state felonies and federal felonies. In Washington, the current general ranking scheme for felonies, which are prosecuted in the superior courts, is found at RCW 9A.20.021, which divides felonies into classes as follows:

• (a) a class A felony is punishable by imprisonment in a state correctional institution for up to life imprisonment, or by a fine in an amount fixed by the court of not more than fifty thousand dollars, or by both;
• (b) a class B felony is punishable by imprisonment in a state correctional institution for a maximum term of not more than ten years, or by a fine in an amount fixed by the court of not more than twenty thousand dollars, or by both; and
• (c) a class C felony is punishable by imprisonment in a state correctional institution for a maximum term of not more than five years, or by a fine in an amount fixed by the court of not more than ten thousand dollars, or by both.

At the federal level, the general ranking scheme is found at 18 U.S.C. § 1359(a), which classifies felonies as follows:

• (a) a Class A felony is punishable by up to life imprisonment, or if the maximum penalty is death;
• (b) a Class B felony is punishable by twenty-five years or more;
• (c) a Class C felony is punishable by less than twenty-five years but ten or more years;
• (d) a Class D felony is punishable by less than ten years but five or more years; and
• (e) a Class E felony is punishable by less than five years but more than one year.

We have been defending clients charged with state and federal felonies for decades, both individually and collectively, and have done so throughout the state.