Homicide Defense Attorney

relentless defense, precice strategies

You Need a Strong Defense Strategy—Right Now.

A homicide charge is the most serious accusation Washington state can level against you. Your freedom, your future, and potentially the rest of your life are on the line. If you or someone you love has been charged with murder or manslaughter in Eastern Washington, do not wait. You can’t prolong getting a good strategist to fight for your rights. Whether this is your first encounter with the legal system or you’ve already worked with a violent crime attorney, the stakes at this level demand a different level of preparation.

At Gideon’s Associates PLLC, we are the homicide defense attorney team that fights for real people facing real consequences, not white-collar clients with unlimited budgets. We’re here for you, no matter the baggage.

What You're Up Against in Washington State

Washington law recognizes several types of violent crime, and the difference between them matters enormously for your defense:

First-Degree Murder

requires prosecutors to prove planned intent. A conviction can mean life in prison without parole.

Second-Degree Murder

alleges intent to kill without premeditation—still a Class A felony with potentially decades behind bars.

Manslaughter

covers reckless or negligent conduct resulting in death, without proven intent to kill.

Vehicular Homicide

involves a death caused by impaired or reckless driving.

Every one of these charges deserves an experienced homicide defense attorney who knows exactly how Washington prosecutes them and how to fight back. If what you’re facing is a lesser violent charge, our assault and battery attorney practice may be the right fit instead.

We Know How the Other Side Thinks

Being charged is not the same as being guilty. But from the moment charges are filed, prosecutors are building their case. They have investigators, resources, and time. They are not obligated to protect your rights; that’s our job.

Our leading attorney started his career as a prosecutor in 2016. We know the playbook from the inside: where cases are strong, where they’re weak, and where the government overreaches. That experience covers the full range of violent matters — from homicide down to situations where someone is defending themselves against a protection order as a restraining order defense attorney.

How We Build Your Defense

When you work with our homicide defense attorney team, we dig into the details of your specific case from the very first call:

  • Was evidence gathered lawfully? Anything obtained in violation of your rights can be challenged and potentially thrown out.
  • Do the witness accounts actually hold up? Eyewitness testimony is far less reliable than most people think.
  • Does self-defense or legal justification apply? Washington law protects your right to defend yourself and others.
  • Can we poke holes in the prosecution’s theory? They have to prove every element of the charge beyond a reasonable doubt, and we hold them to it.

Our goal is to be working on your defense from the moment you call—not just showing up on court day.

Every Day Without Defense Counsel Costs You

Evidence disappears. Surveillance footage gets deleted. Witnesses move or change their stories. Prosecutors gain momentum. Every day without an experienced homicide defense attorney is a day that works against you. Call us now—even if charges haven’t been formally filed yet.

How You Will Move Through Your Case With Gideon’s Associates PLLC

A homicide charge doesn’t have to define your future. The right defense, started early, built on real strategy—that’s what gives you a fighting chance. Gideon’s Associates is ready to fight for you. We know the local courts, the local prosecutors, and how to handle them on your behalf.

From the first phone call, we work to put you at ease. We keep communication constant and explain everything clearly. We strongly believe every client deserves to know the full, actual scope of what’s being done to protect them, and how their case is looking.

Answering Commonly Asked Questions

What should I do first if I've been charged with homicide?

Stop talking to the police immediately. Even well-meaning statements can hurt your case. Then call a homicide defense attorney. The sooner we’re involved, the more we can protect you.

Yes. It happens when evidence was gathered unlawfully, when the prosecution’s theory doesn’t hold up, when self-defense applies, or when witness credibility falls apart. If you’re unsure of your options, we’ll give you an honest picture of your options in your free consultation.

Absolutely, and the earlier, the better. Getting an attorney involved during the investigation phase can influence what charges are filed, or whether they’re filed at all.

In Washington, first-degree murder requires the prosecution to prove premeditation—meaning the act was planned or deliberate. Second-degree murder involves an intentional killing without premeditation, or a death resulting from conduct showing extreme recklessness. The distinction matters enormously because first-degree murder carries a mandatory life sentence in Washington, while second-degree charges may offer more room for negotiation, mitigating factors, or alternative sentencing.

Being present during a homicide, or even having prior knowledge of it, can still result in serious charges under Washington’s accomplice liability laws. Prosecutors often cast a wide net in homicide cases, charging multiple individuals to gain leverage and secure cooperation. Just because you didn’t pull the trigger doesn’t mean you’re safe from a murder charge. If you were at the scene or connected to the incident in any way, you need an attorney immediately, before investigators begin shaping a narrative that places you at the center of their case.

What Our CLient's Say

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Andrew Aguilar
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Charlie Dow is the greatest of all time. Helped me with my case and took my income into consideration, he dives deep into the case and blesses you with the best outcome. Highly recommend Mr.Dow he truly is the best of tri cities
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Joshua Gosney profile picture
Joshua Gosney
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Would highly recommend using Charlie for whatever your needs are! He’s super proficient and timely on everything I needed done. He’s helping me vacate century old cases and couldn’t be more pleased on how he handled my case!
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Raman Dhaliwal profile picture
Raman Dhaliwal
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I am extremely grateful for the outstanding work your team did in getting my reckless driving case dismissed. The communication was excellent, responses were always quick, and the entire process was handled professionally. Thank you for going above and beyond. I highly recommend your team to anyone looking for knowledgeable, reliable, and dedicated legal representation.
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Karen Rubi profile picture
Karen Rubi
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They are amazing highly recommend them they were able to help with a case that no one else wanted to take. If you are looking for an attorney that truly cares hire them
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Andres leal profile picture
Andres leal
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Best lawyer in tri cities! 100% recommend him!
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Kristina Tucker profile picture
Kristina Tucker
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I recently reached out to Mr. Charlie Dow in regards to a legal situation a member of my family was going through. I live in a different state but the charges were in Washington. Throughout the entire process they kept me up to date, attended multiple phone conferences and worked effectively to help us get this resolved in a very timely manner. I couldn’t recommend this law group enough. They were kind, explained everything to me perfectly and the end result was better than I was anticipating. I am extremely grateful for all of their help.
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Tommy Jones profile picture
Tommy Jones
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I got to take my hat off to Gideon's associates. They really came through for me on my behalf. Stacy is remarkable, keeping me up to date on all court hearings etc. I highly recommend them
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Elina Manukyan profile picture
Elina Manukyan
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There aren’t enough words to express how grateful we are to Attorney Charlie Dowe. He is not only extremely professional and knowledgeable, but also genuinely kind and supportive. He helped my uncle, an immigrant, resolve a serious ticket that could have impacted his future. He is truly the best at what he does and his staff is great as well. Thank you so much!
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Brian Beauchamp profile picture
Brian Beauchamp
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Case closed and can finally move on with my life thanks to the team at Gideon. Both Charlie and Stacie were great to work with and provided excellent service throughout this roller-coaster ride. Thank you!
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Willetta B profile picture
Willetta B
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Our family greatly appreciate Gideon and Associates for helping us🙏🏾 we are on a fixed income, with no expertise in law, Gideon and Associates took are case with little to no money filed our paperwork for 1 dollar Amen 🙌 which took no time at all, very simple process. Now our cases were closed thanks to Gideon and Associates 🤩 which helped us tremendously, we now have access to better housing options, better paying jobs thank God for Gideon and Associates 🤗😋 If you are needing help call Gideon and Associates they do an outstanding job for people who are on a fixed income. Thank you guys once again. May God continue to bless you. 🙌

Contact Gideon’s Associates PLLC Today

Nothing is more expensive than a bad attorney. But a great homicide defense attorney doesn’t have to be out of reach.

We charge flat rates, or for clients with financial need, we offer 50% down with up to 10 months to cover the remainder. We serve people of realistic incomes, and we’re proud of it. Your first consultation is always free.