Tri-Cities Criminal Defense & Family Law
Uncompromised Defense Of Your Position
You came to us because something in your life is on the line. You will leave with a confident understanding of your options and a clear vision of your future.
Two Practices. One Purpose.
Criminal Defense. Family Law.Different challenges. Same commitment.We defend. We protect. We resolve.
Betancourt Kotenai.
- Focused on people.Committed to results.
- Strategic defense.Relentless advocacy.
- Integrity. Discretion.Respect.
Our Philosophy
How We Practice
Two attorneys, one standard. Straight answers from the first meeting, thorough preparation, and a lawyer who will fight for the outcome you need.
Competence Reigns Supreme
Technical command of the law is the floor, not the ceiling. Knowing the statute is not enough — you need someone who knows how the other side will use it, and how to take that apart.
Never Compromise On What’s Right
Your case is never rushed to clear a docket. Where settlement gives fair relief, we negotiate. Where trial gives the better result, we push forward with confidence.
Always Clear And Candid
No jargon, no false comfort. You will always know where your case stands, what the realistic range of outcomes is, and what we are doing next.
What We Do
Practice Areas
Our practice is built around two things people cannot afford to get wrong: their freedom and their family.
Criminal Defense
When the government wants your freedom, you need someone who believes you and came to win. Misdemeanors through felonies, first appearance through trial.
Learn More →DUI Defense
Your license, your livelihood, and your record are all on the line, and the DOL clock starts the day you are arrested.
Learn More →Family Law
Divorce, parenting plans, child support, relocations, and modifications — steady counsel that puts your children’s stability first.
Learn More →Civil Protection Orders
Petitioner or respondent, a protection order hearing moves fast and the findings follow you for years.
Learn More →Personal Injury
Hurt in a car, truck, or motorcycle collision? We handle the insurance company so you can focus on recovery. No fee unless we recover for you.
Learn More →Vacate, Expungement & Firearm Restoration
An old conviction should not decide the rest of your life. We clear records and restore firearm rights.
Learn More →The Firm
Betancourt Kotenai PLLC
Betancourt Kotenai is a Tri-Cities firm handling criminal defense and family law in Benton, Franklin, Yakima, and the surrounding counties. We represent people charged with misdemeanors, gross misdemeanors, and felonies, and we represent parents and spouses through the cases that decide what their family looks like next.
Each case is different, so we tailor our strategy to the particulars of yours. What does not change is the standard: we do what is right, and we do not compromise.
What Happens When You Call
You tell us what happened.
A short, confidential conversation about your charge or your family situation, your court date if you have one, and what you are most worried about.
We run a conflict check and meet.
Before we can advise you, we confirm we are free to represent you. Then we sit down — in person or by phone — and walk through your options and the realistic range of outcomes.
You decide, with a written fee agreement.
No pressure and no surprises. If we work together, you will know what it costs and what we are doing next before you sign anything.
Common Questions
Before You Call
Is the consultation really free?
Yes. The initial consultation is free, confidential, and limited to 15 minutes, and it commits you to nothing. We use it to understand your situation, tell you candidly what we see, and let you decide whether you want to work with us.
What should I bring to the first meeting?
Anything the court or the police gave you: the citation or charging document, your court date, release conditions, and any paperwork from the Department of Licensing. For a family matter, bring any existing orders, parenting plans, or filings. If you have nothing yet, come anyway — we can start without it. We may not be able to review all of your documents within the 15-minute free consultation window, but if we conclude that we are the right fit for your needs, we’ll begin your onboarding process on the spot.
I have a criminal charge and a family case at the same time. Can one firm handle both?
Yes, and it is one of the reasons the firm is built the way it is. A domestic violence charge, a protection order, and a parenting plan frequently overlap, and a statement made in one case can be used in another. Having one firm handle both keeps the two from working against each other.
My court date is in a few days. Is it too late?
No, but call rather than sending a message. Some deadlines — especially the Department of Licensing hearing request after a DUI arrest — run on their own clock regardless of your court date, and missing one can cost you your license before the criminal case even begins.
Will anything I tell you be confidential?
What you tell us during a consultation is protected, whether or not you hire us. That said, do not send confidential details through the website form — use it to request a call, and save the specifics for the conversation.
Free, Confidential Consultation
Call Us Now To Get Your Life Back
Every day you wait is a day the other side spends preparing. Consultations are free and confidential.
(509) 317-8184Request a Free Consultation