About the firm:

Ms. Swain’s firm specializes both prosecution and defense at the misdemeanor and gross misdemeanor level. Her practice covers all district and municipal courts in King and Pierce Counties. The most common types of cases she handles are DUIs, domestic violence assault, and criminal traffic matters. She also handles all other misdemeanor and gross misdemeanor crimes.

The firm’s philosophy is to help people survive with as little anxiety as possible through what may be one of the most challenging situations of their lives. When a person is charged with a criminal offense, it can be very serious, even at the misdemeanor level. Mandatory jail time, license revocation and fines, along with treatment requirements and probation or even limitations on where one is able to reside, can be extraordinarily imposing on a person who has never seen the inside of a courtroom before. Ms. Swain counsels her clients through this difficult time with an empathy and care that many other attorneys lack. She truly cares for her clients and works to guide them through the criminal justice system as painlessly as possible.

Ms. Swain is an experienced trial attorney. Although less than 5% of criminal cases end up in trial, she has taken over fifty cases to verdict before a jury. She has also conducted countless testimonial suppression hearings and bench trials.

By keeping her practice limited to misdemeanor criminal matters since her admission to the Washington State Bar Association in 1996, Ms. Swain has become highly specialized in these matters. She has an excellent knowledge of virtually all misdemeanor laws, including statutes and case law. In addition, she works closely with many treatment providers if alcohol, drug or mental health counseling is suggested as part of resolution in a case.

The staff in her office includes paralegal Lisa Hegg. Ms. Hegg has many years of experience in assisting both prosecutors as well as defense attorneys. She is highly competent support for Ms. Swain and can often assist clients if Ms. Swain is unavailable due to her court schedule.