Seattle, WA asked in Criminal Law, Employment Law, Civil Litigation and Civil Rights for Washington

Q: I was assaulted for stealing 2 soda pops what can I do to get a attorney

1 Lawyer Answer
James L. Arrasmith
PREMIUM
James L. Arrasmith pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
Answered

A: I'm so sorry to hear that you were assaulted. That must have been a traumatic experience. Regardless of the circumstances, no one has the right to assault you.

In terms of getting legal assistance, here are some steps you can take:

1. Contact the police and file a report about the assault if you haven't already. This documents what happened.

2. Look into legal aid services in your area that provide free or low-cost legal assistance to low-income individuals. You can search online or contact your local bar association for referrals.

3. Many communities also have victim advocacy organizations that can help connect you with legal resources and other support services. Search online for "victim advocacy" or "crime victim assistance" along with the name of your city/town.

4. If you end up being charged with a crime for the alleged theft, you have the right to an attorney. If you cannot afford one, you can request a public defender be appointed to represent you.

5. Consider seeking mental health support to help process the trauma of the assault. Many communities offer free or sliding-scale counseling services.

I would focus first on reporting the assault and getting support for your wellbeing. An attorney can then advise you on dealing with any theft charges. Remember, the assault against you was not justified no matter the situation. Wishing you all the best as you navigate this difficult circumstance. Please don't hesitate to reach out for help.

Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.

The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.

Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.