Experienced Lawyer for Lakewood Residents Under Prosecution
Lakewood is a city of about 60,000 residents, located in Pierce County in Washington. It has a total area of roughly 19 square miles and contains multiple lakes, including American Lake, Gravelly Lake, Lake Louise, Lake Steilacoom, and Waughop Lake. Creeks running through the town drain into Puget Sound. Like other cities around the United States, it is the site of chronic crimes. If you are accused of sex offenses or domestic violence in the Lakewood area, skilled criminal defense attorney Vindicate Criminal Law Group may be able to advise you.
Defending Against Sex Offenses or Domestic Violence Allegations
Sex crimes and domestic violence charges can have serious repercussions. Both categories cover a broad range of offenses in Washington. Sex crimes can include rape, molestation, child pornography, and other illegal activity against minors. Domestic violence is a designation that can be assigned to a variety of offenses committed by family members, people who share a household, or even teenagers who are dating.
A common example of domestic violence is a husband who beats his wife and children. However, it could also arise in less obvious situations, such as a 17-year-old girl who stalks a 17-year-old boy with whom she previously had a dating relationship. Under RCW 9A.46.110, a person commits the crime of stalking if he or she intentionally harasses or repeatedly follows somebody, the victim is scared that the stalker intends to hurt him or her, and the stalker intends to frighten the victim or reasonably should know the victim is afraid, irrespective of his or her intent.
Sex crimes can similarly happen in a wide range of situations and also carry a serious stigma. There are many legal consequences for a conviction, including potential prison time and hefty fines, but there are also social consequences. One of the more frightening aspects of a serious sex crimes conviction is the duty to register in a sex offender database. The public has access to this record, and someone accused may be understandably concerned that a conviction may haunt him or her far into the future.
A convicted person’s duty to register varies based on the class of conviction. For example, someone convicted of a class A felony who has one or more prior convictions for a sex offense can only be relieved of the duty to register by petitioning the superior court if either of two circumstances exist. The first is if the person has spent 10 consecutive years in the community without any new convictions. The second is if the person was convicted for a sex crime when he or she was a juvenile. The court considers the nature of the offense and the behavior of the petitioner both before and after the conviction when deciding whether to relieve the petitioner of the duty to register.
Consult a Criminal Defense Attorney in Lakewood
It is reasonable to be anxious about the future if you are accused of sex offenses or domestic violence in Lakewood. At Vindicate Criminal Law Group, we understand that the consequences of a conviction can be very harsh. A knowledgeable lawyer can develop a strong defense strategy to seek a dismissal if possible, or otherwise try to minimize the consequences. Contact us today for your confidential case evaluation, or call (888) 212-4824
Contact us today for your confidential case evaluation, or call (888) 212-4824.