Mount Vernon Criminal Defense Attorneys
Mount Vernon, Washington state, was founded in the 1870s and named after the estate of the first U.S. president, George Washington.
Initially designed as a logging community, Mount Vernon today is known for its annual Tulip Festival Street Fair, which is part of the larger Skagit Valley Tulip Festival. Every April, hundreds of thousands of visitors come to enjoy the colorful blooms and rich history of flowers growing in the region.
But even in smaller towns like Mount Vernon, criminal activity still takes place.
At Vindicate Criminal Law Group, we support our community by providing fair representation to those accused of sex crimes, domestic violence, order of protection violations and other activities.
If you’re looking for a criminal defense attorney in Mount Vernon, Washington, keep reading to learn more about how we can assist you.
Sex Crimes
If a person intentionally engages someone else in sexual conduct against their will, perhaps using threatening language or force, they are committing a sex crime.
The truth is that a wide range of illegal activities fall under the umbrella of sex crimes, and it goes beyond the things that often jump immediately to mind. The action doesn’t need to involve any violence, and it doesn’t need to result in sexual intercourse.
Sex crimes run the gamut from urinating in public to taking indecent liberties to violent sexual assault, with many other actions in between, including:
- Child pornography
- Voyeurism
- Sexual exploitation of a minor
- Sexual assault
- Custodial sexual misconduct
- Rape
- Statutory rape
- Solicitation and prostitution
For example, one common sex crime charge is sexual assault, which might be limited to threatening words or might escalate to nonconsensual bodily contact or even rape.
Most often, it involves a body part being touched without permission, and that body part does not have to be among those typically considered sexual.
Some situations resulting in sex crime charges include:
- The abuse of a supervisory position (such as an employer molesting an employee) or significant relationship (like a family member)
- “Knowingly causing” sexual contact with a minor
- Sexual abuse by foster parents of their charge
Indecent liberties might sound a bit vague at first, but it generally refers to forcing sexual contact on someone who is unable to consent due to their disability, age, or incapacity (if they have passed out, for example).
The Revised Code of Washington outlines all sex crimes and how they’re handled in our state. In the State of Washington, it’s quite easy to file sex crimes charges against someone.
However, building a successful defense is considerably harder. It comes down to the accuser’s word against the accused’s word. Defending the accused person isn’t a simple matter, which is why defendants should seek an expert sex crimes lawyer.
For those facing sex crime charges locally, the experience and knowledge of a criminal defense attorney in Everett, Washington, is a must.
Domestic Violence
Domestic violence includes a range of actions occurring between spouses, family members, cohabitating partners, co-parents, and other relationships. It commonly involves improper conduct like physical abuse or even sexual assault but can extend to financial or emotional abuse.
In the state of Washington, it’s fairly easy to file a domestic violence charge. Once someone does that, it’s a serious challenge to get the justice system to reverse course, even if charges are dropped and you’re working with a domestic violence lawyer.
Because of the court’s and the public’s view on domestic violence, the prosecution won’t always halt an investigation when things change in favor of the accused.
This is largely because law enforcement hasn’t always acted fairly or thoroughly in domestic violence cases, and they want to ensure all valid accusations are addressed.
Generally, the court system, a jury, and the public find it hard not to sympathize with a victim.
Part of the reason is that the alleged abuse isn’t usually witnessed. Law enforcement officials are even granted special protections for their handling of these sensitive cases.
Of course, in reality, we know that domestic violence charges are sometimes filed out of resentment, anger, jealousy, and to tip the scales of power within divorce or child custody proceedings.
While making false accusations or exaggerating valid ones is never alright, that doesn’t make it any easier to defend an accused person in court.
If you find yourself facing domestic violence charges, work with someone who knows how to build your defense, and talk to an experienced criminal defense attorney in Mount Vernon, Washington.
Order Of Protection Defense
After experiencing domestic violence, sexual abuse, or other forms of harassment, a victim may get an order of protection. Like a no-contact order, an order of protection is a way to stay safe after one’s security is threatened. Perhaps you’ve heard of this referred to as a restraining order.
When a person finds themselves named in an order of protection, it’s generally because someone in their life is afraid of danger to themselves, their children, or other people they care about.
An order of protection doesn’t mean or demand that the accused is facing criminal charges. Further, the order is often temporary.
In fact, the alleged abused doesn’t even need to be aware the order is being made, though it must be served to them right away.
You should always take an order of protection seriously, but the fact that you might not immediately be aware of it could present a challenge, whether or not you have the help of an order of protection lawyer.
In the state of Washington, violating an order of protection could be a gross misdemeanor or a felony, depending on the circumstance. Either of these may lead to severe and long-lasting consequences.
Fortunately, the law in Washington says that you must be aware of the order if you’re to be charged with violating it. Still, if it was issued in another state or without criminal charges, things can get complicated.
If you’re in the state of Washington and are facing accusations of violating an order of protection, now is the time to contact a criminal defense attorney in Mount Vernon, Washington.
We are deeply familiar with how these charges work and will work tirelessly to ensure your fair representation and the right outcome.
Vindicate Criminal Law Group Stands For The Criminally Accused In Mount Vernon, Washington
We recognize that being charged with crimes can upend your entire life, as well as that of your family.
Our team is committed to defending your well-being and future, even in the most serious of cases and accusations. You deserve fair representation.
If you’d like to learn more about how we work and build successful defenses against sex crimes, domestic violence, or order of protection violation charges, call or text 855-898-2542 or complete the contact form on our website.