Felonies are very serious crimes that risk far more severe penalties than misdemeanors do. In addition, you will lose certain rights if convicted of a felony, such as the right to vote and/or purchase a firearm. Therefore, reducing a felony charge to a misdemeanor is in your best interests as this transition can help to mitigate undesirable consequences in the…
Having a parent sentenced to prison can be traumatic for children of any age. What can you do to reduce the impact on their lives and in what ways can the child maintain a connection to their parent? Visitation This is perhaps the top concern for the parent facing confinement. The incarcerated parent does not automatically lose their visitation rights…
Separating Fact from Fiction in Sex Crimes Even with virtually unlimited information available at a moment’s notice through the internet, many myths about sex crimes and sex crime defense persist. Here are a few of the most common ones. People in possession of child pornography have committed sexual assault – or will The general connection between viewing pornography and sexual…
Assembling a Defense From Sexual Assault Charges Accusations of sexual assault can be a life-altering and precarious situation for the accused. Sadly, modern history had not been friendly to accusers before several high-profile backlashes to decades of shameful victim-blaming culminated in the “Me Too” movement. But we’re now experiencing a trend of over-correction, often putting the accused under a microscope…
A trial for the accused might only last a short time, but their record could stay with them for the rest of their life. Felonies are crimes that come with the most severe punishments because they’re the most serious offenses. Generally, the offenses are violent and damaging actions that harm others. A person found guilty of murder, rape, kidnapping, armed…
Regular viewers of the TV show Cops will have likely seen a shirtless, wild-eyed suspect claim that buying drugs from an undercover cop is entrapment. While entrapment is a legitimate defense, people often misunderstand what it means and when it applies to their situation, if at all. Entrapment defined As it appears on the Washington State Legislature website, entrapment is…
Lie Detectors, or Polygraphs, in Sex Crime Cases Polygraph testing, commonly known as “lie detectors,” are often used in sex crime cases, including investigation, prosecution, defense and for managing convicted sex offenders while they are on parole. With all the questions about the accuracy of polygraph tests, how much legal weight do these tests carry? Lie detectors for defendants An…
Common Questions and Answers about Sex Crimes and Sex Offenders After our overview of the different sex offender levels in Washington State, we’d like to tackle a few commonly asked questions about offenders who have served their time and are now living in the community. How can I see if a sex offender is living in my neighborhood? Washington State…
If you’re accused of assault and battery, take these accusations seriously. Our attorneys specialize in aggravated assault and battery, and can help guide you through the process. Sometimes there’s confusion about the difference between assault and battery. Understanding these differences is vital to your case and its potential outcomes. Keep reading for clear definitions of these actions, the typical penalties,…
Washington state lists its crimes in the Revised Code of Washington. This code is where you will find the list of all crimes under Washington law, the definition of each crime, and sentencing guidelines in some cases. Two types of crimes: misdemeanors and felonies Washington state recognizes two types of crimes, misdemeanors and felonies. It is critical to understand the…
