Frequently Asked Questions

Why should I hire a lawyer at all?

Being charged with any criminal offense is a tremendously frightening thing to go through. Even for minor offenses, you are possibly facing jail time. This is not the time to be brave and try to handle your own problems. This is the time to find an attorney who knows your charges, your courts, and will stand as a shield in front of you. You need someone who can help you navigate this process so that you can hopefully come out with minimal wounds on the other side. Additionally – there is highly technical knowledge you would need to defend yourself – and the odds are you will spend LESS time and LESS money hiring someone who already has this knowledge.

Why should I hire your office?

Dichter Law Office, PLLC, is dedicated to making sure we provide you the best legal defense possible. We focus on our clients and their needs from the very beginning of their cases. Obviously we can’t promise you a result on your case. No one can. But what we do promise is the best efforts of our office at every turn of your case. We promise to bring excellence, experience, empathy, and enthusiasm to every aspect of our practice. We promise compassion to you and a relentless fight in court on your behalf. If you’re not convinced – call for your free consultation – come meet me. Then decide.

What are your fees?

Every case is different, and will require a different level of work. I will evaluate your case at our free consultation and quote you a fee. This fee will be a flat fee for your entire case, excluding trial. We won’t charge you for trial unless you choose to take your case to trial (since less than 2% of all cases end up at trial, why charge you up front for something we may not do?). Our rates are competitive for the exceptional level of service we provide.

Will you take credit cards? Payments?

Yes we absolutely accept all major credit cards, personal checks, and cash. If you are in need of a payment plan, we may be able to work out one that meets your needs at your free consultation. Expect to be asked to guarantee your payments with a credit card or postdated checks, and to put down an initial payment of your total fee.

Do you offer any sort of discounts?

Every case is different, and so every fee is different. However – we routinely will give discounts off our services to the following classes of clients: active duty military; younger defendants in trouble for the first time; clients with multiple cases who hire us for all of them; and more! Call us today for your free consultation! I’ll do whatever I can to make your fee as competitive and painless on you as possible.

How do I get ahold of you if I need to talk to you right away?

You can call me at 866-620-9524 TWENTY-FOUR HOURS A DAY. This phone is manned at all hours. Our office is typically open from 9-5 Monday through Friday. We do have evening, morning, and weekend appointments available if necessary.

Will you handle my case where I’ve been charged with ________ in _________ county?

If you have specific questions regarding your case, the best thing you can do is call our office right away to set up your free consultation. We can discuss your case, your options, and determine how to get started giving you the high level of legal service you expect from our office. If your case is located in Snohomish County (Lynnwood, Mill Creek, Bothell, Everett, Arlington, Monroe), King County (Seattle, Kirkland, Shoreline, Burien, Kent), Pierce County (Tacoma, Fife), Thurston County (Olympia), Whatcom County (Bellingham, Blaine) or Kitsap County (Port Orchard, Bremerton) – rest assured – we’ll be able to help. Call now for your free consultation.

How soon can you see me for my FREE CONSULTATION?

Because we limit our caseload and control our calendar carefully, I can usually set you up an appointment to see me within 24 hours of your call – many times the SAME DAY! Call me now at 866-620-9524 to get started!

DUI QUESTIONS:

What should I do if I get pulled over and have been drinking?

Being pulled over when you’ve been drinking is a tremendously scary occurrence. You should politely hand the officer your license, insurance, and registration. You should hand him one of my business cards (if you have one) which will tell him that you are declining to do any voluntary tests, answer any voluntary questions, and requesting that I be contacted as soon as possible before the process is continued. I am available 24 hours a day for these types of emergencies.

What’s going on with this “administrative hearing request”? Is this about court?

This is not about court. Because you gave a breath test over .08, the Department of Licensing will be suspending your license. You agreed to this when you got your license (even though they didn’t explain it to you). However – DOL can’t take your license without due process of law. This is your request for this hearing. DO NOT MAIL THIS IN YET. There are specific ways to request this hearing to benefit you. You only have 20 days from your arrest, however, to mail this in. Call me NOW for your free consultation at 866-620-9524.

When will I end up in court?

Great question. Sadly there’s no easy answer. After your DUI arrest, the prosecutor’s office has to formally file charges – which depending on which court you will end up in could take a few days or a few MONTHS. However, the Department of Licensing’s clock is still ticking. Call me NOW to get started on your defense at 866-620-9524.

Domestic Violence Questions:

The police are here! What do I do?

First of all – don’t panic. If the police have been called, then an investigation is about to commence. If the police find evidence of an assault, specifically a domestic violence assault, the police MUST arrest whomever they decide is the “primary” aggressor. I advise that you call my office immediately so I can help advise you as to what statement, if any to make, at this time.

How do I get this no-contact order lifted?

If the court has issued a no-contact order at your initial appearance, there are a variety of options for you. If the alleged victim wants the order dropped, often times we can set an additional hearing to get the court to consider lifting it as soon as possible. Let’s get to work to get you home as soon as possible! Call me at 866-620-9524.

I called the police on my spouse, and wish I hadn’t – I had no idea someone would go to jail! How can I drop the charges?

If you are the alleged victim in a domestic violence case, you need to know a few things. First of all, you CANNOT drop the charges. Only the prosecutor can. Secondly, you do have the right to be counseled by an attorney of your own choosing. However, working with the defendant’s defense attorney, your wishes CAN be expressed to both the prosecutor and the domestic violence advocate. Call us so we can get started either defending your spouse, or helping you to get your wishes expressed at 866-620-9524.