In Washington State as elsewhere in the United States, when a person is charged with a crime, the state or federal government must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. When the evidence is not sufficient, a smart criminal defense attorney will file a motion to dismiss. But lack of evidence is not the only reason to file a motion to dismiss. Other reasons exist, and that is why it is important to retain the help of an experienced criminal defense attorney.
Another reason you need a criminal defense lawyer who knows how the system works: a motion to dismiss does not necessarily mean you will never be charged for the same crime again, how the judge grants such a motion and whether the state can refile your charge depends if the case was dismissed with or without prejudice. A good criminal defense lawyer will seek a dismissal with prejudice, if granted, it means that the prosecutor cannot refile the case. An experienced criminal defense attorney can evaluate all issues related to potential motions to dismiss.
What is a Motion to Dismiss?
A Motion to Dismiss is a request for the court to dismiss a single charge or in most cases, all of the charges against a defendant. It is a pretrial motion, heard by a Judge. If a Motion to Dismiss is successful, the case is dismissed and in almost all cases it completes the case once and for all.
When a defendant files a Motion to Dismiss, the attorney will argue there is a problem with the legal basis of the charge, and so the case should not proceed further in the criminal justice system. In a case where a Judge decides or rules on a motion to dismiss, they are not determining the defendant’s guilt or innocence, rather he or she is reviewing the legal validity of the charge itself and if the case should be allowed to continue under current law.
Reasons to File a Motion to Dismiss in Washington State
Insufficient evidence, as mentioned above and as discussed briefly below, is one of the main reasons a motion to dismiss is filed, but many other reasons may exist. The most common reasons are listed below:
1 – Insufficient Evidence
In a criminal trial, the prosecution must prove the charge against the defendant beyond any reasonable doubt. To do so, all elements of the crime must be satisfied, and this is accomplished primarily through evidence. Evidence can be in the form of eyewitnesses, expert witnesses, photographs, video, tangible evidence, and other forms.
If, in its totality, the evidence is not enough to prove the charge by satisfying all the elements of the offense, the defense can file a motion to dismiss due to insufficient evidence.
2 – Statute of Limitations
The statute of limitations is a timeframe in which the prosecution can file charges against a defendant after a crime has been committed. Different offenses have different statutes of limitations. Once the statute of limitations has expired, charges cannot be brought. Most gross misdemeanors the SOL is 2 years, but in felony cases, the SOL can vary significantly.
If the prosecution charges a defendant outside of the statute of limitations, the defense may file a motion to dismiss.
3 – Violation of the Right to a Speedy Trial
The Sixth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution grants all defendants the right to a speedy trial. Washington courts also utilize CrR 3.3 and CrRLJ 3.3 as the state rule. Specifically, US Constitution Amendment 6.2.3 states:
In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the Assistance of Counsel for his defence.
Defendants are entitled to have their trial heard within a reasonable time, but different rules apply as to when the right is attached to the defendant. If there have been unreasonable delays, and the defendant is not at fault, the defense may file a motion to dismiss. There are many other grounds where the right to a speedy trial may have been violated, contact Mr. Nicholson to discuss these potential issues.
4 – Double Jeopardy
The Fifth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution prohibits double jeopardy, which means you cannot be tried for the same offense twice. Specifically, Amendment 5.2.2 states:
No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.
A defendant who has been acquitted of a charge cannot be prosecuted a second time for the same conduct. If this happens, the defense can file a motion to dismiss based on double jeopardy.
Other Reasons
The above reasons are only some of the more common reasons a defendant may file a motion to dismiss. Jurisdiction, other legal issues, and more can result in motions to dismiss.
The legal basis of a motion to dismiss is unique to each case. It is worth discussing your specific circumstances with Mr. Nicholson for cases in Washington State.
Motion to Dismiss with or Without Prejudice
A criminal case can be dismissed before, during, or after a trial. It is typically the result of the defendant filing a motion to dismiss, which is discussed above. In some cases, however, the prosecutor might file a motion to dismiss or the court may dismiss a case without a motion. In any of these scenarios, when a case is dismissed, it is done so either with or without prejudice.
With or without prejudice are terms a defendant should understand because many think that when a judge grants a motion to dismiss, the defendant will never face the same charge for the same incident again. When cases are dismissed with prejudice, that is true, but when cases are dismissed without prejudice, the prosecutor could later refile the charges.
In sum, a dismissal with prejudice means that a judge’s order is the final judgment in the case, and the prosecutor cannot refile charges. In a dismissal without prejudice, the prosecutor can, in the future, either refile the charges or file new charges based on the same alleged criminal incident.
Dismissed Charges vs. Dropped Charges in Washington State: What’s the Difference?
Do not confuse dismissed charges with dropped charges. A judge dismisses charges after they have been filed, and the judge does so for many of the reasons listed above. Charges, however, that are dropped are typically dropped by a prosecutor who may do so for some of the reasons above or for other reasons, like victims who will not cooperate.