Your Defense Starts With the Right Strategy
S. Rife Law Office takes a client-centered approach with all of our cases and clients. Being available to our clients is a priority. If you have been charged with a crime it is crucial to have an experienced advocate to advise you and help you navigate the process. Determining the best path forward requires close consideration of your unique circumstances. We work with you to get the most favorable outcome possible.
Criminal charges and criminal convictions can have a large impact on your life; your drivers license, your ability to drive, your ability to find and keep a job, enroll in higher education, travel internationally, and obtain US citizenship can all be negatively impacted. The fines and fees associated with criminal convictions can affect your financial wellness for years to come.
To schedule a consultation or retain an attorney, contact us today.
You Don’t Have to Face This Alone, We’re Ready to Defend You.
What to expect if you are charged with a crime in Spokane County District or Superior Court
If you have been arrested and charged with a criminal offense in Spokane County you may or may not be booked into jail.
If you are not booked into jail you will be given a Criminal Citation and Notice to Appear that instructs you to appear in Court at a specific future date and time. If you do not appear as instructed the Court may order the issuance of a bench warrant.
If you are booked into jail you can expect to attend a preliminary appearance hearing no later than 72 hours after you were booked. If you don’t have an attorney the Court will provide you with an attorney for the purposes of this hearing. At the preliminary appearance hearing the Court will read you your rights, you will be informed of the charge(s) against you and the Court will determine whether to release you and impose conditions of release or whether to hold you in custody and impose bond.
If bond is imposed, you or a family member can post your bond or contact a bail bonds service. For information about how to post bond you can go to the Spokane County Detention Services website or click here and be redirected there now.
On a date soon after the first appearance hearing you will have an arraignment hearing. At this hearing you will be given a copy of the Information (charging document that lists the charges that have been filed against you) and a copy of the Affidavit of Facts (the details and alleged facts that constitute the basis for why criminal charges were filed). At this hearing you will enter a plea. It is nearly always advisable to enter a not guilty plea at your arraignment hearing; this is because the case is at a very early stage and it is in your interest to allow an attorney to receive and review discovery and help you evaluate your options. At your arraignment the Court will schedule your next court date; that is called a pre-trial hearing.
The length or timeline for a criminal case varies depending on the charge(s) and complexity of the case. Many cases can take anywhere from 6 months to 2 years to resolve. The length of your criminal case will depend on multiple factors.
Hiring a Criminal Defense Attorney
You may choose to hire a private criminal defense attorney. To schedule a consultation or retain an attorney, click here.
If you cannot afford a private attorney you can apply for a Court appointed attorney through the Spokane County Office of Pretrial Services. For more information about how to apply for a Court appointed attorney you can go to the website for Spokane County or click
here and be redirected there now.
