Criminal Defense Attorney in Seattle, Washington

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The Law Office of Scott J. Engelhard is a criminal defense firm located in Seattle, Washington. Experienced, creative and determined criminal defense, Scott Engelhard has been a criminal defense attorney for over 26 years. He represents clients under investigation, charged with a crime, or on appeal, in both Federal Court and State Court. Scott is experienced in handling both complex cases and simple misdemeanor cases.

Whether it be a Washington Felony Criminal Case, Misdemeanor Seattle Criminal Defense Case, or a Federal Criminal Case you need to have an attorney protecting you who is: knowledgeable in all related aspects of Criminal Law; creative in how to apply that law to your case; a skilled advocate in Court; absolutely determined to push hard to protect your rights; and tenacious and refuses to give up trying to help you.

If you are under investigation for, charged with, or been convicted of a crime, then you need a skilled Seattle Criminal Defense Attorney. This is probably one of the most important decisions you may ever make, and you only have one chance to make the right one. Don’t take chances with your life or with your freedom by hiring a lawyer without proven experience and determination.

Year this Office was Established: 1996

Areas of Law

Areas of Law Description

At the Law Office of Scott J. Engelhard, our practice includes:

- Criminal Law

I believe that my criminal experience is a great asset to my clients, regardless of the charge(s) against them. Over the past 26+ years, I have developed a great breadth of experience representing people accused of wide variety of crimes. These crimes range from complex white collar crimes involving complicated Federal regulations to relatively simple State misdemeanor domestic violence charges. I have defended people against these charges at all phases of a case: investigation, trial, appeal, and post-conviction.

- White Collar Crimes

As an experienced Washington White Collar Crime Attorney, I know that these cases are often complex and demand immediate and thorough investigation and investigation. And he has the skills to protect your rights and achieve the best possible outcome in your case. I have represented hundreds of individuals during criminal investigations of white collar crimes, at trial (including one of the largest criminal tax and money laundering trials in U.S. history), and on appeal. If you are involved in a grand jury investigation of a white collar crime, I will work hard to help you through the process, avoid being charged, or at least begin the hard work to achieve the best result possible once charges are filed.

- Homicide and Violent Crimes

If you are charged with homicide, it is important that you put your life in the hands of a skilled and experienced homicide attorney who has successfully defended this most serious of all offenses. If you are charged with vehicular homicide, murder by abuse, manslaughter, or even First Degree Murder, you will need to have a highly-skilled criminal defense attorney on your side. Experience is critical because you will be facing one of the top prosecutors that the State of Washington employs. You need a champion criminal defense attorney on your side, one that has a high-level understanding of forensics, and one that can put together a high-level defense.

- Identity Theft

We can help you or a loved one that has been charged with an ID Theft Crime. I have defended dozens of identity theft cases, large and small, in both Federal Court and State Court. I have handled everything from large, international Aggravated Identity Theft cases to misdemeanor Forgery charges. Regardless of the amount of money involved or the age of the suspect, prosecutors aggressively prosecute these cases. Prosecutors focus on the impact on victim’s credit history and seek to maximize punishment for these offenses. You need experienced counsel to fight back. No matter the dollar amount, you need to have a qualified & experienced Washington ID Theft Attorney protecting your rights.

- Fraud

Fraud cases come in many different forms, and while they share many common characteristics it is important to hire an attorney who is familiar with the many types of Criminal Fraud charges used by prosecutors today, including Mortgage Fraud, Bank Fraud, Credit Card Fraud, Securities Fraud, Tax Fraud, Wire Fraud, Mail Fraud, Embezzlement, Money Laundering, and more. If you are under investigation for, or charged with, one or more of these offenses you need an experienced Washington Fraud Attorney. You need the Law Office of Scott Engelhard.

- Drug Crimes

For over 26 years, I have represented people facing all types of drug charges in Seattle and around Washington, including Drug Possession, Drug Delivery, Illegal Search & Seizure, Drug Manufacturing, Medical Marijuana, Driving under the Influence of Drugs, and Drug Paraphernalia Offenses. I have represented over one hundred people charged with Federal Drug Crimes. Many of these defendants have faced Mandatory Minimum sentences if convicted. In all of my cases, I’ve fought hard to achieve the best result possible.

- Criminal Tax Law

Many people under investigation or charged with tax crimes hire a tax law specialist who claims to have trial experience, and they end up being sorely disappointed in the result. The key to success in Federal Criminal Tax cases is to combine the skills of a great Federal Criminal Attorney with a civil tax law specialist. Scott Engelhard is experienced in handling the following criminal tax matters Income tax evasion, Allegations of fraudulent deductions, Illegal tax structuring and improper Treasury reports, Failure to report substantial amounts of income, and Failure to file a return for one or more years. Additionally, the government will also investigate and/or charge additional crimes related to a criminal tax crime – such as securities fraud, embezzlement, wire fraud, and money laundering.

- Grand Jury Criminal Law

Grand Jury criminal investigations are required before indictment in Federal Court and common in Washington State (often known as Special Inquiry Proceedings per RCW 10.27) before criminal charges are filed in any case. Law enforcement wields far ranging powers of investigation, including the power to subpoena witnesses and documents, including from those people who may only be “witnesses” in the matter, rather than a “subject” or “target” of the investigation. I have represented hundreds of individuals during the Grand Jury criminal investigation process – targets, subjects and witnesses. In many of those cases, my hard work has often resulted in decisions not to charge his client.

- Domestic Violence

If you are ever accused of Domestic Violence in Seattle, you need more than just legal or medical help. You need someone to listen, and someone who knows how to help. You need an attorney who knows, understands and has worked with the Washington Domestic Violence Laws, and one who give you the consideration you need at this stressful time. I am a Seattle Domestic Violence Lawyer who has over 26 years of helping people involved in allegations of Domestic Abuse. You will work directly with me, and not have to explain your issue with others who may not have the ability to understand how it applies to the law. I will help you work through the difficult personal and legal issues involved in domestic violence cases.

- Mortgage Fraud

I have represented numerous individuals charged with Mortgage Fraud, including individuals caught up in the subprime mortgage debacle of recent years. There are many unique aspects of the housing and mortgage industry which brought about the recent implosion of housing markets that are also potential defenses at both trial and sentencing for those people charged with mortgage fraud. Scott Engelhard can bring together his depth of his experience in mortgage fraud cases together with the breadth of his other experience in fraud cases of other types, and help you reach the best result possible for your case.

- Gun Crimes

Firearm offenses are high priority criminal cases for prosecutors in both federal and state courts. The consequences are severe, especially if the gun is connected with any other crime, the gun is discharged. And if you have a prior felony conviction, a firearm offense can result in decades in prison; and unless you’ve had your Firearm Rights Restored, you face a long mandatory prison term. If you have been charged with a Washington Gun Crime or a Federal Gun Crime, you need to talk to a qualified, experienced Seattle Gun Crimes Lawyer who has experience with all aspects of gun crimes and all related charges. The Law Offices of Scott Engelhard has that critical understanding to protect your rights, and find the best possible result for your case.

- Sentencing Law

At any sentencing, it is critically important to have your attorney prove that you are a good person who made a mistake under circumstances that warrant leniency. If you are found guilty at trial or plead guilty pursuant to a plea bargain, I will work hard to help you obtain the best sentence possible. I will work hard to convince the Court that you are a good person, and that you deserve of leniency. I have decades of experience applying the State and Federal Sentencing guidelines, and have had great success obtaining sentences well below the standard sentencing ranges in felony cases.

- Criminal Appeals and Post-Conviction

I have represented many people on post-conviction appeals as well as direct appeals – both Habeas Corpus Petitions in Federal Court, and Personal Restraint Petitions in State Court. With this experience, along with my decades of trial experience, I can carefully analyze your case, identify all the legal issues you may want to raise, and assess your chances for success on appeal. Additionally, I am experienced at conducting post-conviction investigations, finding new, exculpatory evidence and presenting that new evidence in the appropriate court in order to overturn convictions. If you or a loved one were unfairly convicted, I can help.

Attorneys

Mr. Scott J. Engelhard Attorney Criminal Defense, Criminal Law, Drug Crime, RICO, Wire Fraud

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