How Washington State Prosecutors Get Two Gun Convictions From The Same Crime?
How can Washington stack two firearm penalties on one crime? If you're charged with assault with a firearm, prosecutors can add a separate firearm enhancement, explains Pierce County attorney Spencer Freeman—even though the gun is already built into the charge. It feels like double-dipping, but Washington's Supreme Court upheld it. One client, claiming self-defense, drew 13 years without hitting anyone.
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Answered by Spencer Freeman · Pierce County, WA
Highlights
Frequently Asked Questions
How can Washington stack two firearm penalties?
If you're charged with assault with a firearm, prosecutors can add a separate firearm enhancement even though the gun is already built into the charge—it feels like double-dipping, but the state Supreme Court upheld it, and one client drew 13 years without hitting anyone.
Does 'good time' apply to the enhancement?
No—no good time applies to the firearm portion of the sentence, so that added time must be served in full.
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