Sex Crime Attorney in King County, WA

Accused of a Sex Crime? We Can Help!

Allegations of sexual assault, possession of child pornography, or molestation can result in irreparable harm because they are prosecuted without consideration for the truthfulness of the accused’s statements. Apart from the very real possibility that a person accused may be locked in jail for life, they will most likely lose the trust of their friends and family and have their reputation destroyed.  There is no time to wait; you must have a trained professional guiding you through your next steps. If you wait or hesitate, you will expose yourself to even harsher punishment.

Remember, the investigating law enforcement officers DO NOT CARE ABOUT YOU OR YOUR FUTURE. Do not under any circumstances believe that you can talk your way out of sexual assault allegations.  Your attempt to explain or justify the situation will only lead to your arrest or a search warrant execution on your personal or real property.

If you have questions, please read the important information provided below:

Sex Crimes

  • Rape
  • Indecent Liberties
  • Rape of a Child
  • Child Molestation
  • Communicating with a minor for Immoral Purposes
  • Commercial Sex Abuse of a Minor
  • Child Pornography

Can Your Legal Professionals Defend Me Against Sex Related Charges?

If you have been accused of sexual assault or molestation in Washington, our experienced sexual assault defense attorneys can help. We can use our resources on your behalf to reduce the charge, get it dismissed, or prevent any jail time.

Don’t wait until it is too late before you reach out to an experienced Washington sexual offenses attorney. Contact us today to set up a free and confidential case evaluation.

This conversation is free, confidential, and doesn’t mean that you have to hire us. There is no risk in calling now.

We gladly serve Seattle, Renton, Burien, Kent, Auburn, Federal Way, Tacoma, Lakewood, Puyallup, Spanaway.

Sex Crimes

  • Child Molestation
  • Child Pornography
  • Commercial Sex Abuse of a Minor
  • Communicating with a minor for Immoral Purposes
  • Indecent Liberties
  • Rape
  • Rape of a Child

What are the Criminal Penalties for a Sex Crimes Conviction?

Washington criminal law takes a tough stance on individuals who have been convicted of sex crimes. The penalties that may be imposed for individual crimes will depend greatly on the facts of the case. Some of the factors that prosecutors consider include the strength of the evidence, the age of the victim and the alleged offender, and whether the perpetrator was in a position of authority at the time the incident(s) took place.

In general, some of the penalties imposed by the Washington criminal justice system include:

  • Imprisonment: Sex crimes usually range from offenders being sent to jail for lesser offenses to life imprisonment for Class A felony crimes.
  • Two Strike Law: A second conviction for “strike-level” offenses, such as rape in the first degree or rape of a child in the first degree, can result in a mandatory life sentence.
  • Community Control Restrictions: Mandatory supervised release, which typically includes strict conditions and restrictions on where an offender can live, work, or travel. A convicted offender may also be ordered to participate in therapy.
  • Mandatory Sex Offender Registration: Under Washington law, most individuals who have been convicted of sex crimes must register as sex offenders. In most cases, sex offenders must register for life. The public is notified based on the individual’s assigned risk level.

Typical Penalties Upon Conviction for Sex Offenses

  • First-degree rape or child molestation: Sentence carries the potential for life in prison.
  • Second-degree rape or child molestation: Up to 10 years in prison.
  • Third-degree rape or child molestation: Up to five years in prison.
  • Incest or indecent liberties: Up to 10 years in prison.

Misdemeanors, such as indecent exposure, are generally punishable by less than a year in jail, probation, and fines.

What are Potential Legal Defenses for Sex Crime Allegations?

Criminal defense lawyers can use a variety of legal defenses to protect clients from sex crime allegations. The defense strategies used will depend greatly on the facts involved in the case and what your attorney feels will protect your interests.

Some of the possible legal defenses your attorney may use include:

  • Consent: If the case involves adults, your attorney may be able to argue that the alleged victim consented to the sexual act.
  • Mistaken Identity: Providing evidence that shows the alleged perpetrator is a victim of mistaken identity.
  • False Allegations: Unfortunately, many individuals accused of sex crimes are the victims of false allegations motivated by revenge, jealousy, or seeking leverage in a family court legal matter.
  • Violation of Civil Rights: Often, police officers are overzealous when it comes to charging individuals with sex crimes and violate their rights, often through illegal search and seizure or coerced confessions.
  • Insufficient Evidence: Your defense lawyer can challenge the prosecution by identifying weaknesses in their case. Examples include contradictory witness statements, a lack of forensic evidence, or the prosecutor failing to prove all the necessary legal elements of their case.

Your defense lawyer will also utilize forensic experts to analyze evidence that disproves the state’s case. If your lawyer can prove that the police violated your rights and obtained evidence illegally, they can argue that it should be suppressed.

What is the Statutory Age of Consent in Washington?

Washington state law sets the statutory age of consent at 16. Under the law, only individuals who are 16 or older can legally consent to sexual activity. Even though other states have what is often referred to as the “Romeo and Juliet Law,” which provides legal exemptions for sexual acts between two minors who are close in age, Washington does not.

Instead, state law dictates that having sexual relations with someone who is under 16 can lead to a statutory rape charge. Under the law, minors under 16 do not have the right to consent, even if they agree to participate in the sexual act. Nevertheless, if the minor is 14 or 15 and the defendant is less than 48 months older, it is generally not prosecutable as felony statutory rape.

There are also legal limitations as to who can have sexual relations with a minor, even if they are 16. For example, someone 18 years old is prohibited from having sex with a 16-year-old if they are in a position of trust, such as a teacher, coach, or counselor; they can face enhanced penalties under sexual misconduct with a minor laws. Violations of these laws could result in the individual being charged with a felony or high-level misdemeanor.

What Should I Do if I am Under Investigation for an Alleged Sex Crime?

As discussed previously, if you are under investigation for an alleged sex crime, you must exercise your constitutional right to remain silent. From the moment you know you or believe that you are under investigation, you must seek legal representation at once. The investigators may try several interrogation tactics to try to get you to talk about the case, but do not answer any questions without your criminal defense attorney being present. Your attorney can advise you of what questions to answer and protect you from inadvertently incriminating yourself.

Other critical steps to keep in mind include:

  • Do not discuss the case with anyone, as anything you say can be used in court against you.
  • Do not contact the accuser and avoid sending or responding to any calls, texts, social media posts, or through a third-party. Trying to contact the accuser could result in you being hit with intimidation charges.
  • Do not consent to searches of your residence, vehicle, or phone. You should also not provide a DNA sample unless the police have a warrant.
  • Do not delete any text messages, emails, or social media posts, as this could lead to being charged with tampering with evidence.

Who has to register as a Sex Offender?

One likes the idea of potentially having to register as a sex offender. In Washington, specific individuals convicted of sex crimes such as child molestation, rape, and sexual exploitation of a minor must register their address with law enforcement officials. Individuals who live, work, or attend school in the state and are subject to registration requirements, ranging from 10 years to lifetime registration, must be listed on the public registry.

Individuals Required to Register

  • Anyone convicted of misdemeanor and felony sex crimes
  • Federal or out-of-state offenders who have moved to the state from another jurisdiction that also requires them to register
  • Juvenile offenders who have been convicted of kidnapping or other specific sex crimes can petition to stop registration after 10 years have passed

Duration of Required Registration

  • Class A felony: Lifetime registration
  • Class B felony: Mandatory registration for 15 years
  • Class C felony: Mandatory registration for 10 years

Risk Levels

Offenders are classified by their risk level, which also determines if they appear on the sex offender registry.

  • Level 1: Low risk, individuals must register, but in most cases, their names are not published on the public registry
  • Level 2: Moderate risk, names are published on the public registry
  • Level 3: High risk, names are published on the public registry

Contact The Curtis Firm Immediately to Learn More About How We Can Defend Your Rights, Reputation, and Freedom

As a former prosecutor, James Curtis understands the investigative process and can immediately protect you from any additional harm to your family, employment, or reputation. Our legal professionals offer compassionate representation as we fight to get your charges dismissed or reduced so you can confidently resume your life.

Contact our King County law firm today at 253-649-2426 to schedule a free strategy session to determine your legal options.