Felony Representation

Serious felony charges demand strategic, disciplined, and trial-ready advocacy. Mr. Merchant's felony practice is built on the principle that every person accused of a crime deserves a defense grounded in skill, integrity, and relentless analysis. Over the course of his career, Mr. Merchant has represented individuals facing the full spectrum of high-stakes felonies in Washington, with a particular concentration on domestic violence and firearm-related offenses. His work spans early-stage investigation, extensive motion practice, constitutional litigation, and high-pressure jury trials where liberty is truly on the line.

Domestic Violence Felonies: A Record of Experience and Results

Domestic violence cases present unique challenges—emotionally charged allegations, complicated witness dynamics, and heavy-handed prosecution practices. Many cases also involve limited physical evidence, conflicting statements, recantations, or shifting narratives. Navigating these cases requires both experience and strategic depth.

Mr. Merchant has litigated over 1,000 domestic violence cases, a volume rarely matched in private practice. Through meticulous preparation and unwavering attention to factual detail, his work has resulted in more than 100 dismissals and acquittals across a wide range of DV felony and misdemeanor charges.

Recently, Mr. Merchant secured an acquittal for a client facing prison who was accused of felony Domestic Violence. Through rigorous cross-examination, careful presentation of the evidence, and focused impeachment, Mr. Merchant demonstrated that the accusation was fabricated after the alleged victim discovered text messages on the client's phone. The jury saw the truth, rejected the allegation, and found the client not guilty. Cases like this illustrate the importance of a defense that is both skeptical and thorough—one that refuses to accept assumptions and instead pursues the truth with precision.

Whether the case involves allegations of assault, strangulation, coercion, witness tampering, or pattern-based DV charges, Mr. Merchant approaches each matter with the same disciplined trial preparation. He is well-versed in the evidentiary, procedural, and constitutional issues that shape these prosecutions and understands how to reveal weaknesses in the State's narrative. His clients rely on him for clear guidance, strategic decision-making, and an unwavering commitment to their rights.

Firearm-Related Felonies and Complex Constitutional Litigation

Firearm cases require a sophisticated understanding not only of the criminal statutes themselves, but also of the constitutional principles that govern the right to bear arms. Mr. Merchant's work in this area includes defending individuals charged with unlawful possession of a firearm, as well as felony matters involving firearm enhancements, assaultive conduct, and alleged reckless discharge or misuse of weapons.

What sets Mr. Merchant's practice apart is his willingness to challenge the foundational legal issues in these cases. He has an extensive history of filing complex constitutional motions under both the Washington Constitution and the Second Amendment—work that requires deep knowledge of evolving case law, historical tradition analysis, and procedural strategy. His litigation includes challenges to:

• The constitutionality of firearm enhancements attached to felonies
• The statutory framework governing unlawful possession of firearms (UPF)
• Government overreach in searches, seizures, and firearm-related investigations
• Due process violations in the seizure, forfeiture, or retention of firearms

In an era where firearm laws are increasingly scrutinized and frequently shifting, clients facing these charges need a lawyer who stays ahead of the law and who is prepared to litigate constitutional questions with clarity and force. Mr. Merchant brings that level of advocacy to every firearm case he handles.

Strategic, Trial-Driven Advocacy from Start to Finish

Felony cases often involve extensive discovery, witness issues, competing expert opinions, and legal questions that can change the course of a case. Mr. Merchant's approach is rooted in pretrial investigation, detailed analysis of every available record, and motion practice designed to narrow the issues before trial or suppress unlawfully gathered evidence.

His litigation philosophy emphasizes:

• Proactive discovery review and identification of procedural and constitutional errors
• Targeted suppression motions challenging unlawful police conduct
• Thorough impeachment preparation when witness credibility is in question
• Strategic use of experts, particularly in cases involving injury, behavioral health, or forensic issues
• Trial-ready preparation from day one, ensuring the defense is never reactive or unprepared

Clients who retain Mr. Merchant understand that felony litigation is not about taking the first offer or accepting assumptions. It is about building a defense grounded in facts, law, and the presumption of innocence—principles Mr. Merchant defends rigorously and without compromise.

A Defense Built on Integrity, Experience, and Constitutionally Grounded Advocacy

Every felony case carries consequences that extend far beyond incarceration: employment, family, reputation, civil rights, and future opportunities are all at stake. Mr. Merchant's felony practice reflects the seriousness of those stakes. Whether defending allegations of domestic violence, firearm-related offenses, or other high-risk felonies, he brings experience, courtroom skill, and a steadfast commitment to constitutional justice.

For individuals facing serious charges, the choice of defense counsel can alter the trajectory of their lives. Mr. Merchant is dedicated to delivering the strategic, trial-driven representation that these cases demand.