Skagit County Criminal Defense Attorney

If you live in Skagit County, you live in one of the less populated counties in Washington with a population of around 116,000 as of 2010. Skagit County was first formed out of Whatcom County on November 28, 1883. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Skagit County has a total area of 1,920 miles with 185 of those miles being water; Skagit is also known as a river valley.

Skagit might be one of the less populated counties but it's a special place, Skagit is home to two Indian reservations – the Swinomish Indian Reservation and the Upper Skagit Indian Reservation. Skagit is also known for the Skagit City ghost town which was located at the North and South forks of the Skagit River. The city prospered until the 1880's and by the end of World War II, the town completely disappeared. Today, Cedardale is the closest city to the old site of "Skagit City."

Do you live in Skagit County and are you facing criminal charges? Whether you are facing criminal charges for a minor assault or petty theft crime, or if you are facing charges for DUI, a weapons offense or manufacturing methamphetamines, you are going to need an experienced and reputable attorney either way. My name is Jim Johanson and I am the founder of the Johanson Law Group, Inc. I have been working in the legal field for over 35 years and I began my legal career as a Pierce and King County Deputy Prosecutor and as an assistant attorney for the City of Lynwood.

I have personally taken hundreds of cases to trial over my career and I am also a former member of the Washington State Legislature where I served as Vice Chair of the House Judiciary Committee. Because of my extensive legal career, I am intimately familiar with local state and federal laws as they pertain to Skagit residents. Today, I represent clients throughout the greater Puget Sound area as a qualified Skagit County criminal defense lawyer.

Criminal Defense Practice Areas

When facing criminal charges in Washington, you have a lot to be concerned about. Upon conviction for a crime you face hefty fines, incarceration, community service, driver's license suspension (certain crimes), probation or parole and a permanent criminal record. Having a criminal record for any type of crime is a bad thing, and it will certainly affect your ability to obtain employment, educational loans, certain professional licenses, housing and much more. Most people don't want to hire anyone with a criminal record so that alone can have a huge negative impact on your future.

I take on all types of drug cases including those for possession of marijuana or any other illicit drug, manufacturing methamphetamines, possession of drug paraphernalia, cultivating marijuana, sales and drug trafficking. I also handle various types of prescription drug crimes such as prescription fraud. If you are a parent whose son or daughter has recently been arrested for a juvenile crime, then I can represent them in court. Although most juvenile crimes are handled differently than adult crimes, serious violent crimes may require your child to be prosecuted as an adult, which would mean they would be treated the same as any other adult criminal. I will do everything I can to protect your child and to try and get the courts to use a rehabilitative approach instead of them punishing your child more severely.

Former Prosecutor Fighting for Your Rights

If you are facing federal charges for kidnapping, an internet crime or a white collar crime, I am prepared to represent you in federal court. I can also assist you if you have violated a term of your probation or if you are seeking an expungement so you can clear your criminal record. I also represent individuals who have been accused of a sex crime such as rape, molestation, possessing or distributing child pornography, prostitution, solicitation, statutory rape of indecent exposure. It's absolutely critical that you understand that the more serious sex offenses require mandatory sex offender registration. If you fail to register or if you fail to update your address you can be sent straight back to prison. What's more, being a registered sex offender always involves social ostracism and the social stigma of being a sex offender, which will haunt you wherever you go.

I also handle DUI cases and serious violent crimes. With DUI, I have extensive experience in questioning the validity of field sobriety tests, traffic stops, and how chemical evidence is collected and handled. I will fight to get your penalties reduced, if not dropped altogether and I will fight to retain your driver's license. As far as violent crimes, I handle them all. From simple assault and battery, to domestic violence and to murder and everything in between, I have the knowledge and experience to handle these cases carefully and with meticulous investigative tools and techniques. My success is hinged on my client's success and I will treat your case with the utmost regard for your privacy, your rights and with the goal in mind: helping you achieve a successful outcome. 

Call me at my firm today to get started building your defense!

Skagit County Resource Links

Criminal Defense Information Center 
Map of Skagit County