Last month a man in Seattle found himself in inescapable circumstances. Still, he took the time to smoke a cigarette while he considered the situation and while the police had him surrounded.

Police arrived at the 1000 Block of NE 112th Street after a parking officer called the police to report a man sleeping in a car that had been reported stolen from Tualatin, Oregon. The police surrounded the stolen car as the man lay sleeping inside it. When the suspect woke up, he put the car into gear and began ramming the police vehicles, but soon realized there was no escaping. He then lit a cigarette and smoked it, apparently while trying to figure out his next move.

Officers then made an attempt to grab the 30-year-old suspect, but he jumped out the driver's side window and tried to make a run for it. He was quickly apprehended. When officers searched the man, they found 3.8 grams of suspected methamphetamine and 0.3 grams of suspected heroin on him. He was then taken to King County Jail and charged with attempting to elude police, possession of a stolen vehicle, drug charges, and an outstanding warrant.

The Charges Against the Smoking Man

To understand all the charges facing our smoking suspect, we have to look at Washington law.

Attempting to Elude Police. According to Washington criminal code RCW 46.61.024:

(1) Any driver of a motor vehicle who willfully fails or refuses to immediately bring his or her vehicle to a stop and who drives his or her vehicle in a reckless manner while attempting to elude a pursuing police vehicle, after being given a visual or audible signal to bring the vehicle to a stop, shall be guilty of a class C felony.

This is punishable by a maximum of five years in jail and $10,000 in fines.

Possession of a Stolen Vehicle. Washington RCW 9A.56.068 states that

(1) A person is guilty of possession of a stolen vehicle if he or she possess [possesses] a stolen motor vehicle.

(2) Possession of a stolen motor vehicle is a class B felony.

This is punishable by a maximum of 10 years in jail and $20,000 in fines.

Drug Charges. Washington RCW 69.50.401 states that possession of a controlled substance, including heroin, oxycodone, methamphetamine, cocaine, and others, is a class C felony and punishable by a maximum of 10 years in jail and $25,000 in fines.

Criminal Defense Attorney Steve Karimi

As a former prosecutor, Steve Karimi knows both sides of the law and now spends his time defending those in Washington accused of serious crimes. If you are facing multiple criminal charges, there are still arguments to be made in your defense, and Steve Karimi will make them. Contact his office today for a consultation at 206-621-8777.