Criminal Defense Cases Won

Criminal Defense Cases Won

Freedom for the Innocent and Fairness for the Rest

When you need a defense attorney, you don’t just need any defense attorney. You need a defense attorney who knows how to win.


We know how to win.

This page contains just a partial list of cases we’ve won; the cases were won outright at trial, dismissed prior to trial, or the case was dismissed at or subsequent to sentencing. Cases won at trial are in red.


When you hire the Law Office of Chris Van Vechten, you are in good hands.

Tacoma v DRM

Assault in the Fourth Degree, Domestic Violence  Malicious Mischief in the Third Degree, Domestic Violence  


Washington v JJR

Unlawful Possession of a Firearm in the Second Degree 


Puyallup v DPB

Assault in the Fourth Degree, Domestic Violence,  Interfering with Reporting Domestic Violence 


Washington v JNF

1 count of Conspiracy to Commit Organized Retail Theft in the First Degree, 7 counts of Trafficking in Stolen Property in the First Degree, 3 counts of Organized Retail Theft in the Second Degree,  1 count of Organized Retail Theft in the First Degree  


Washington v CKW

Assault in the Fourth Degree  Trespassing in the First Degree

(Won at Jury Trial) 


Steilacoom v LAM

Violation of No Contact Order, Domestic Violence , Harassment, Domestic Violence  


Washington v MM

Violation of No Contact Order, Domestic Violence


Washington v CDY

Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia


Washington v BMP

Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance With Intent to Distribute


Washington v RQY

Reckless Driving


Washington v MRI

2 Counts of Identity Theft in the Second Degree & 2 Counts of Forgery


Washington v TZE

Organized Retail Theft in the Second Degree


Washington v JAJ

Possession of Stolen Property in the Second Degree and Identity Theft in the Second Degree


Washington v TM

Unlawful Possession of a Stolen Motor Vehicle


Washington v ACC

Unlawful Possession of a Stolen Motor Vehicle & Attempting to Elude


Washington v DWP

Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance


Washington v AKC

Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance


Washington v SHC

1 Count Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance and Possession; 1 Count Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, 1 Count Driving With a Suspended License in the Third Degree


Washington v DLR

Taking a Motor Vehicle Without Permission in the Second Degree; Assault 4 Domestic Violence; Interfering with Reporting Domestic Violence


Washington v RCB

Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance


Washington v CLF

Two Counts of Violation of a No Contact Order Domestic Violence


Washington v. JAD

Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance


Washington v JAN

Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance: Suboxone and Bail Jumping


Washington v BNB

Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance


Washington v KLO

1 count of Unlawful Possession of a Stolen Motor Vehicle, 1 count Possession of Stolen Property in the Second Degree and 1 count Identity Theft in the Second Degree.


Washington v CAE

Assault in the Fourth Degree


Washington v LMB

Hit and Run


Washington v CLB

Organized Retail Theft in the Second Degree


Washington v TRE

Retail Theft in the Third Degree


Washington v TTC

Failure to Register as a Sex Offender


Washington v BSB

Malicious Mischief in the Second Degree, Domestic Violence


Washington v MMF

Trafficking in Stolen Property in the first Degree


Washington v JJR

Assault in the Fourth Degree


Lakewood v DJS

Assault in the Fourth Degree with Sex Motiv


Washington v JCP

Three counts of Assault in the Fourth Degree 4, domestic violence


Washington v JCP

Assault in the Fourth Degree


Washington v TBN

Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance: heroin


Tacoma v CRAB

Violation of No Contact Order, Domestic Violence


Washington v TRS

Violation of No Contact Order, Domestic Violence


Milton v CRV

Obstruction


Milton v CRV

Driving While License Suspended in the Third Degree


Washington v JMW

Assault in the Fourth Degree with Sexual Motivation


Washington v JJEMH

Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance


Washington v SFH

Malicious Mischief in the Third Degree & Trespass in the Second Degree


Tacoma v DDO

Assault in the Fourth Degree


Tacoma v NSRN

Malicious Mischief in the Third Degree


Tacoma v SEE

Theft in the Third Degree, Obstruction and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia


Washington v BGW

Assault 4 Domestic Violence


Washington v DLG

Burglary in the Second Degree


Washington v DLM

Burglary in the Second Degree
Trafficking Stolen Property in the First Degree
Theft in the Third Degree
Malicious Mischief in the Third Degree


Washington v DLC

Unlawful Possession of a Firearm in the First Degree

Tacoma v DKC 

Assault in the Fourth Degree, Domestic Violence 

Assault in the Fourth Degree 


 United States v MBH 

Reckless Endangerment  

Criminal Mistreatment in the Third Degree 


Kent v JRT 

Hit and Run Attended  


 Washington v JAJ 

2 counts of Assault in the Second Degree, Domestic Violence  

1 count of Assault in the Fourth Degree, Domestic Violence 

1 Violation of a No Contact Order, Domestic Violence 


Tacoma v DKC 

Violation of a No Contact Order, Domestic Violence  


 Washington v SGH 

Identity Theft in the Second Degree, Possession of another ID 


Washington v HMM

Hit and Run Attended 


Washington v TMH

2 counts of Assault in the Fourth Degree, Domestic Violence


Washington v KCP

2 counts of Residential Burglary; 1 count of Trafficking in Stolen Property in the Second Degree; 3 counts of Theft in the Second Degree


Tacoma v CDK

1 count of Malicious Mischief in the Third Degree, Domestic Violence; 1 count of Misdemeanor Harassment, Domestic Violence; 1 count of Interfering with Reporting Domestic Violence


Washington v TSM

1 count of Attempted Burglary in the Second Degree & 1 count of Malicious Mischief in the Third Degree


Washington v JAK

Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance: Heroin


Tacoma v KMK

Disorderly Conduct


Washington v TAP

Failure to Obey a police officer


Washington v JAK

2 counts of Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance


Washington v LAD

DUI & Driving While License Suspended in the Third Degree


Washington v LMJ

Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance: Meth


Tacoma v PCMR

Assault in the Fourth Degree, Domestic Violence


United States v JWD

Obstruction & Resisting Arrest


Washington v MMG

Assault in the Fourth Degree, Domestic Violence  & Malicious Mischief in Third Degree, Domestic Violence


Fife v MDH

Assault in the Fourth Degree, Domestic Violence, Obstruction & Resisting Arrest


State v JRJ

Possessing Stolen Property in the Second Degree and Assault in the Fourth Degree


Washington v JMR

Assault in the Fourth Degree, Domestic Violence


Fife v MDH

2 counts of Bail Jumping


Fife v MDH

Violation of a No Contact Order, Domestic Violence


Washington v JKM

Theft in the Third Degree


Washington v PPP

Obstruction,  False Statement to a Police Officer, and Lending Criminal Assistance in the Third Degree


Washington v TEJ

Hit & Run Attended


Tacoma v SC

Violation of a No Contact Order, Domestic Violence


Tacoma v DMD

DUI – Marijuana


Washington v LMD

Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Distribute


Washington v TMR

1 counts of Assault in the Third Degree


Fife v MDH

2 counts of Bail Jumping


Puyallup v AMS

Assault in the Fourth Degree, Domestic Violence


Washington v TAP

Theft in the Second Degree


Washington v TRM

Retail Theft with Special Circumstances in the Third Degree and Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance


Washington v MDM

3 counts of Possession of a Controlled Substance With Intent to Distribute each with a Firearm & School Zone Enhancement


Tacoma v CTM

Assault in the Fourth Degree, Domestic Violence


Washington v ABG

Possession of a Stolen Motor Vehicle


Washington v DWB

Felony Violation of a No Contact Order


Puyallup v CJC

Pistol Loaded in Vehicle Without Concealed Pistol License


Washington v AMSR

Hit and Run unattended


Washington v DRC

Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance


Washington v KJF

Felony Harassment Domestic Violence; Assault in the Fourth Degree Domestic Violence; Theft in the Third Degree


Washington v JAT

Driving While License Suspended in the Third Degree


Tacoma v JLJC

Malicious Mischief in the Third Degree


Washington v CAT

Violation of Antiharassment Order


Washington v KJA

Assault 4 Domestic Violence

Tacoma v DKC 

Assault in the Fourth Degree, Domestic Violence 

Violation of a No Contact Order, Domestic Violence  


Washington v MJG 

Malicious Mischief in the Third Degree, Domestic Violence 


Washington v CLI 

Felony Harassment 


Washington v JMA 

Robbery in the First Degree 


 Tacoma v ALB 

Hit and Run Attended, Driving While License Suspended in the Third Degree


  Tacoma v MVZ 

Assault in the Fourth Degree


Tacoma DRL 

Obstruction 


Washington v SJS

Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance


Washington v ODC

Unlawful Possession of a Stolen Motor Vehicle


Washington v BJS

Theft in the Third Degree


Washington v JLL

Theft in the Second Degree


City of Lacey v PK

Hit and Run Attended


Washington v TEB

Assault in the Fourth Degree; Obstruction & Resisting Arrest


Washington v DMH

Theft of a Motor Vehicle


Washington v NDM

Assault in the Fourth Degree & Trespass in the Second Degree


Washington v KLL

Theft in the Third Degree


Washington v DPM

Unlawful Possession of a Stolen Motor Vehicle


Washington v DPM

Unlawful Possession of a Stolen Motor Vehicle


Washington v PAG

Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance & Possession of Drug Paraphernalia


Washington v JCM

Fugitive from Justice


Kirkland v AIM

Theft in the Third Degree


Tacoma v BLK

Destruction of Property, Domestic Violence


Washington v PJC

Harassment of Property


Washington v YC

Assault in the Fourth Degree, Domestic Violence


Washington v CMC

Theft in the Second Degree


Tumwater v ABA

Theft in the Third Degree, Malicious Mischief in the Third Degree


Washington v MDR

Assault in the Fourth Degree, Domestic Violence


Washington v AGL

Malicious Mischief in the Third Degree


Olympia v ELL

3 counts of animal cruelty in the second degree


Washington v JAR

Use of a Firearm by a Minor


Washington v JMA

Two Counts of Malicious Mischief in the Third Degree, Domestic Violence


Washington v SJS

1 count of Burglary in the First Degree, 1 count Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance, 1 count malicious mischief in the third degree


Fircrest v TJP

Assault in the Fourth Degree, Domestic Violence


Washington v TMD

3 Counts of Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent.


Tacoma v RV

Malicious Mischief 3, Domestic Violence


Tacoma v WR

Violation of a No Contact Order, Domestic Violence


Tacoma v CRAB

Assault in the Fourth Degree, Domestic Violence and Malicious Mischief 3, Domestic Violence


Gig Harbor v RHD

Assault in the Fourth Degree, Domestic Violence


Washington v RTGA

DUI


Washington v BMB

Unlawful Delivery of a Controlled Substance; Unlawful Possession of a Stolen Motor Vehicle; Driving While License Suspended in the Third Degree


Tacoma v JAA

Malicious Mischief in the Third Degree & Obstruction


University Place b MIAJ

Malicious Mischief in the Third Degree, Domestic Violence


Tacoma v KLB

Assault in the Fourth Degree, Domestic Violence


Tacoma v JSW

Assault in the Fourth Degree, Domestic Violence


Tacoma v JCT

Violation of a No Contact Order, Domestic Violence


Washington v LJG

Assault in the Fourth Degree, Domestic Violence


Washington v ENF

Obstruction


Washington v BDC

Animal Cruelty in the Second Degree


Washington v TMCS

Assault 2 Domestic Violence
Hit and Run Attended
False Statement to Police Officer


Washington v LDW

Assault 3
Malicious Mischief in the Second Degree


Washington v MJP

Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Distribute, Fire Arm Sentence Enhancement
Unlawful Possession of a Firearm in the First Degree


Washington v AMB

Malicious Mischief third Degree Domestic Violence


Federal Way v SB

Assault 4 Domestic Violence


Tacoma v TMP

Assault 4 Domestic Violence

Washington v DDC 

DUI


 Washington v CP 

Animal Cruelty in the Second Degree  


Chehalis v BWB 

Assault in the Fourth Degree 


 Washington v MWJ 

Assault in the Fourth Degree


Tacoma v AMB 

Assault in the Fourth Degree, Domestic Violence 


 Tacoma v ALB 

Assault in the Fourth Degree, Domestic Violence


Olympia v AK

Driving While License Suspended in the Third Degree


Washington v. JCS

1 count of Theft in the Second Degree, and 1 count of Unlawful Issuance of Checks


Tacoma v. CL

Assault in the Fourth Degree


Fife v LGLJ

Driving While License Suspended in the Third Degree


Fife v LGLJ

Violation of a No Contact Order, Domestic Violence


Fife v LGLJ

Violation of a No Contact Order, Domestic Violence


Fife v LGLJ

Assault in the Fourth Degree, Domestic Violence


Washington v GJ

Theft in the Third Degree


Washington v JAK

3 counts of Trafficking in Stolen Property in the First Degree; 1 Count of Theft in the Second Degree, 1 Count of Residential Burglary, 1 Count of Theft in the Third Degree.


Tacoma v DDC

1 count of Assault in the Fourth Degree, Domestic Violence and 1 count of Malicious Mischief in the Third Degree, Domestic Violence


Tacoma v ALA

1 count of Assault in the Fourth Degree, Domestic Violence; 1 count of Malicious Mischief in the Third Degree Domestic Violence; 1 count of Interfering with Reporting Domestic Violence.


Washington v MAW

Assault in the Fourth Degree, Domestic Violence


Washington v ARS

Minor In Possession of Alcohol


Tacoma v BC

Assault in the Fourth Degree, Domestic Violence 4 DV


Washington v MLT

Violation of a No Contact Order, Domestic Violence


Tacoma v KDM

Theft in the Third Degree


Tumwater v SCB

Theft in the Third Degree


Washington v JMR

5 counts of Violation of a No Contact Order, Domestic Violence


Washington v CJL

Allowing Unauthorized Person to Drive


Washington v RT

Minor In Possession of Alcohol


Tacoma v AGL

Theft in the Third Degree


Tacoma v JMH

Hit & Run, Attended


Washington v IEM

Assault in the Fourth Degree, Domestic Violence


Washington v AKK

1 Count of Theft in the Second Degree and 1 Count of Bail Jumping


Washington v MLT

Assault in the Fourth Degree, Domestic Violence


Washington v JAS

Hit & Run Attended


Washington v EAP

Violation of a No Contact Order, Domestic Violence


Tacoma v DF

Assault in the Fourth Degree, Domestic Violence


Washington v SW

Violation of a No Contact Order, Domestic Violence


Washington v MADM

Two counts of Assault in the Fourth Degree, Domestic Violence


Washington v JMB

Assault in the Fourth Degree, Domestic Violence


Tacoma v DZP

Misdemeanor Harassment


Puyallup v DBS

1 count Assault in the Fourth Degree, Domestic Violence; 1 count of Malicious Mischief in the Third Degree Domestic Violence; 1 count Animal Cruelty in the Second Degree


Washington v SEM

Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance


Federal Way v AEB

Assault in the Fourth Degree


Tacoma v MLD

Indecent Exposure


Tacoma v DLJ

Reckless Driving & Driving While License Suspended in the Third Degree


Puyallup v DMP

Assault in the Fourth Degree, Domestic Violence and Malicious Mischief 3, Domestic Violence


Washington v PGG

Unlawful Possession of a Firearm in the First Degree


Washington v CRC

Hit and Run Attended


Washington v DNU

Burglary 1 Domestic Violence;
Assault 2 Domestic Violence;
Assault 4 Domestic Violence,
MM3 Domestic Violence

Tacoma v SA 

Assault in the Fourth Degree, Domestic Violence  


Washington v KAA 

Assault in the Fourth Degree


Tacoma v BAV 

Violation of a No Contact Order, Domestic Violence  


Tumwater v NCM 

Assault in the Fourth Degree, Domestic Violence  


Washington v NNW 

Malicious Mischief in the Third Degree, Domestic Violence 


Tacoma v ALB 

Violation of No Contact Order, Domestic Violence 


Washington v KSG

2 counts of Second Degree Identity Theft and 2 counts of Forgery


Tacoma v. KLLJ

1 count of DUI and 1 count of Driving While License Suspended in the Third Degree.


Tacoma v. JM

First Degree Trespassing


Bonney Lake v DBS

2 counts of Assault in the Fourth Degree, Domestic Violence, and one count of Malicious Mischief in the Third Degree, Domestic Violence.


Washington v ETIM

Malicious Mischief in the Third Degree, Domestic Violence


Tacoma v JACC

Malicious Mischief in the Third Degree, Domestic Violence


Fife v TN

Assault in the Fourth Degree


Washington v TAP

Assault in the Fourth Degree, Domestic Violence


Washington v DMK

Malicious Mischief in the Third Degree


Tacoma v MGW

Assault in the Fourth Degree, Domestic Violence


Washington v SRC

Theft in the Second Degree


Washington v ACS

Assault in the Fourth Degree, Domestic Violence


Gig Harbor v KALN

Minor in Possession – Marijuana


Tacoma v. SC

Assault in the Fourth Degree, Domestic Violence


Washington v WMM

1 count of Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance With Intent to Deliver and 1 Count of Unlawful Use of a Building for Drug Purposes.


Tacoma v. JES

Malicious Mischief in the Third Degree, Domestic Violence


Kent v. RT

Reckless Driving


Tacoma v WTC

Theft in the Third Degree


Washington v CT

1 Count of Unlawful Possession of a Firearm in the Second Degree and 1 county of Unlawful Possession of a Dangerous Weapon


Washington v TMM

2 Counts of Second Degree Identity Theft, 2 Counts of Theft in the Second Degree , 1 Count of Possession of Stolen Property in the Third Degree.


Tacoma v DLD

Assault in the Fourth Degree


Tacoma v PCMR

Assault in the Fourth Degree


Washington v TEJ

Assault in the Third Degree


Tumwater v KKR

Minor in Possession of Alcohol


Washington v WMH

2 Counts of Assault in the Fourth Degree, Domestic Violence


Lakewood v RLN

Theft in the Third Degree


Washington v TLJ

Assault in the Fourth Degree


Washington v DOS

Violation of a No Contact Order, Domestic Violence


Tacoma v MJ

Violation on a No Contact Order, Domestic Violence


Milton v AORS

Assault in the Fourth Degree, Domestic Violence


Tacoma v BALN

Assault in the Fourth Degree, Domestic Violence


University Place v. MS

Obstructing a Police Officer


Washington v LRB

Assault in the Fourth Degree


Washington v KLY

Assault in the Fourth Degree, Domestic Violence


Washington v AS

Computer Trespass in the Second Degree


Washington v KSG

1 Count of Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance (Meth), 1 Count of Possession of Stolen Property in the Second Degree, 1 Count of Bail Jumping, 1 Count of Unlawful Possession of a Payment Instrument


Auburn v AVS

Malicious Mischief in the Third Degree


Washington v JJC

Possession of Stolen Property in the Second Degree


Lakewood v NDM

Malicious Mischief in the Third Degree


Washington v DJLH

Burglary in the Second Degree & Theft in the Second Degree


Washington v DLD

Unlawful Possession of a Firearm in the Second Degree


Tacoma v TMP

MM3 DV


Washington v TAB

Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance With Intent to Distribute


Washington v JGM

Theft in the Second Degree