A conviction for a sex offense in Washington state could result in a life sentence, or the requirement of having to register as a sex offender for the rest of your life. Additionally, you could lose your job, your family and friends and many other things that are important to you. That is why it is even more imperative for one to consider retaining a Washington criminal defense lawyer for these serious matters. A criminal defense attorney in Washington can use his skills, knowledge and experience to protect those accused of sex crimes in Washington, and protect the defendant from losing his or her life. There are several sex-related crimes that one can be charged with in Washington state.
Child Molestation:
In Washington State child molestation is defined as any unlawful sexual activity involving an adult (or an older minor) and a child. A person may have made a serious mistake which resulted in a criminal investigation and possible subsequent charge(s). On many occasions, however, a person may be the victim of false allegations. Whether you are under investigation or are currently facing criminal charges, it is imperative that you contact a Washington criminal defense lawyer in order to preserve your chances to attain the best possible outcome and protect all of your rights.
Rape and Statutory Rape:
In Washington State there are different types and degrees of rape, each involving non-consensual, sexual intercourse with another person. A person convicted of either rape or rape of a child will be sentenced to a minimum number of years in prison, and may even be given an indeterminate sentence, which is a sentence that could mean life in prison. A person convicted of either rape or rape of a child may also be required to register as a sex offender. There also are many other severe, life changing consequences for those convicted of rape or rape of a child in Western Washington. With the assistance of the Seattle criminal attorneys, you can protect and defend your legal rights to avoid the life altering consequences that one faces upon being convicted for a sex-related crime.
Sex Offender Registration:
The Washington and Federal sex registration laws are extremely complex. A person convicted of a sex offense in Western Washington is required to register every address, every trip to another state; juvenile sex-offenders are required to register attendance at every school for a minimum of ten years. Sex offender registration prohibits individuals from having any contact with minors, and some times could even prohibit one from having contact with ones own children. If a person fails to correctly register, such a failure can lead to the person being charged with an entirely new sex crime. Sex offender registration applies to all sex and kidnapping offenses. Therefore, it is imperative to contact a Seattle criminal lawyer to avoid these serious consequences.
