Legal Question in Criminal Law in Washington

Re: theft 3

If you can afford an attorney, you should hire one. If you cannot afford an attorney, you can ask the court to appoint an attorney for you at no cost. Usually this means, you need to fill out a form to see if you qualify for a public defender. Sentencing happens after you plead guilty or after you have been found guilty by a judge or a jury. Talk to your attorney about any possible sentencing; he or she will have more specific facts to go on to advise you about whether you might face jail time. Whatever you do, when you are in court and you are asked whether you would like to plead "guilty" or "not guilty," always plead "not guilty" and ask to have an attorney appointed to represent you if you cannot afford your own attorney, or hire your own attorney. Then your attorney can look at the facts of your case help you decide what to do.