Convictions for certain crimes may require mandatory minimum sentences, and penalties may be increased if the crime occurred while armed with a firearm or deadly weapon.
If the court grants probation as a part of the court’s sentence, a person must be placed on community supervision for between 12 and 24 months. For gross and simple misdemeanors, first offenders may be eligible for a disposition that does not result in a criminal conviction.
Definition of a Misdemeanor Crime – A crime is a violation of a specific state or federal criminal statute or municipal ordinance. The exact punishment that can be imposed upon conviction of a crime depends on the type of crime and the individual’s prior criminal record.Misdemeanors: Any offense which is punishable by not more than 90 days in jail and fines of $1,000.
Gross Misdemeanors – Any offense which not considered a misdemeanor or felony that is punishable by more than 90 days and less than 1 year in jail and fines up to $5,000.
Definition of an Arrest -There is no easy definition for what constitutes an arrest. Detention accompanied by handcuffing, drawn guns, or words to the effect that one is under arrest qualifies as an arrest. It requires a seizure and forcible restraint. An officer must have probable cause to determine that you committed a crime to arrest you.However, not every stop or detention by a police officer means you are under arrest. If stopped only for a short time and questioned, then you may have been “detained,” rather than legally arrested. A police officer need not have probable cause to detain and question you, rather they must have a reasonable suspicion that a crime has occurred, and they can investigate to confirm or dispel this suspicion.A warrant generally is not required to make an arrest if there is probable cause to believe the person arrested has committed a felony. Also, a warrant may not be required when a misdemeanor was committed in the presence of the arresting officer, or in many misdemeanors cases, outside his or her presence.
Your Rights if You Are Stopped by Police -You may ask why you were stopped. Also, you can ask if you are under arrest and, if not, whether you are free to leave. If an officer stops you, you have a right to ask whether you are under investigation for a crime. If the officer suggests you are under investigation, then you have the right to decline to answer any questions. Also, you do not have to be under arrest to decline to answer questions from an officer. Ordinarily, you may be required to identify yourself. If you wish, you may answer the officer’s questions. You should remember that whatever you say to the officer may be used if charges are filed against you at a later time (whether or not you give a formal “statement”), so long as:
These rights, or “Miranda warnings” as they are sometimes called, are the result of a 1966 Supreme Court ruling. As a result of this case, police must inform people accused of a crime of certain rights, which are:
By law, if formally arrested, you may be required to be photographed and fingerprinted after your arrest. If issued a citation (for misdemeanors and infractions), it is lawful to ask you to sign the citation. By signing, you acknowledge its receipt and promise to appear at a future court date. Signing a citation is not in any way an admission of guilt. However, refusal to sign a citation may result in the officer lawfully arresting you and charging you with an additional misdemeanor for refusal to sign the citation. Even though you are presumed innocent until proven guilty, and you may have done nothing wrong, it is your duty as a citizen to act in a responsible manner. Trying to run away or resist arrest is not only unlawful, but also foolish. It may well result in additional charges, such as causing a minor matter to become a felony.
Police Searches – Many police searches require search warrants — but not all do. If you consent or allow the police to search you or your property, they do not need a warrant and any evidence they find may be used against you. You have a lawful right to refuse to consent to a search. You should make your refusal clear, but do not interfere physically if police continue to search without your permission.There are several other instances when police officers do not need a warrant or your consent to search. One example is if you are detained or arrested. Police may frisk you to determine whether you are carrying a weapon. Also, they may search the area immediately around you. Police officers also may search without a warrant if they have probable cause to believe evidence may be found and when certain “exigent” circumstances exist, such as when valuable evidence would otherwise be destroyed before a warrant could be obtained.
A police officer may search you or your property upon obtaining a warrant from the court. If conducting a search with a warrant, the police must leave a copy of the warrant and a list (or inventory) of the items seized.
Your Rights if You Are Charged with a Crime – All rights discussed previously still apply if you are formally charged with a crime. In addition, you have the right to be brought “promptly” before a judge for a determination of probable cause and the setting of bail. If you are taken into custody, this must be done “as soon as practicable,” but in any event before the close of business on the next court day. A person charged with a crime has a responsibility to appear before the court on the dates and at times as directed. That person must comply with any other specific conditions of release set by the court pending trial. Some of these conditions may include not contacting certain witnesses in the case, to abstain from alcohol or drugs, or to reside at a particular address. If bail is imposed and you are held in custody, the court must ensure that your trial occurs within 60 days. If you are out of custody, the court must ensure that your trial occurs within 90 days.
Your Rights in Court – When you appear in court, you have the right to be told the nature of the charges against you and to have those charges formally read in open court. You have a right to an attorney and, if you cannot afford an attorney, you have a right to have one appointed to represent you.
At a formal trial, you have the right to a jury trial, the right to confront the witnesses against you, and the right to call witnesses on your own behalf at no expense to you. If convicted following a trial, you have a right to appeal that conviction to a higher court. If you plead guilty to a charge, your attorney and the court must tell you the rights that you are giving up by entering a plea of guilty. These include your right to a trial and the right to appeal. The court must find that you voluntarily waive these rights by pleading guilty. You have the right to know the maximum sentence that may be imposed by the court and the recommendation that the prosecutor will make to the court about your case. In Washington, the court ordinarily will not tell you in advance what your sentence will be. However, you must be advised of the maximum sentence that may be imposed, and of any mandatory minimum sentences that apply.
Service of an Attorney – If you cannot afford an attorney, the clerk of the court may help you locate an appointed attorney. Before you can receive the help of appointed counsel, you may have to submit a financial statement to the court or agency that will determine your eligibility. It is important to be honest in any financial affidavit submitted to the court.