The Washington State legal code for sex offenses is voluminous. The label of “sex crime” covers a multitude of offenses, many of them quite serious. Some of these crimes include sexual assault, molestation, sex with a minor, voyeurism, rape, and sexual misconduct. Penalties for sex crimes often include prison time. A conviction for a sex crime usually means being required to register as a sex offender, which is a designation that will haunt you for the rest of your life.
If you're falsely accused of a sex crime, your personal life, reputation, and family relationships may be jeopardized. If you're convicted of a sex crime, you could lose everything. Our Bremerton sex crimes lawyers understand the severity of any sex offense accusation. If you or a loved one is charged with any sex offense, it's highly important to retain an attorney before speaking with anyone in law enforcement. Anything you say to a police officer or prosecutor may be used to prosecute you, and when it comes to sex crimes, it probably will.
You've been Accused of a Sex Crime in Kitsap County. Now what?When you first find out that you've been accused of a sex offense, you may feel like your entire life is coming apart. Just the accusation of a sex-related crime can affect your family life or even cause you to lost your job. An accusation of criminal activity does not make you a criminal, so it's vital that you find a Bremerton sex crime attorney who will aggressively defend your Constitutional rights.
Our Bremerton sex crime lawyers can help you deal with cases involving:
Oftentimes sex offenses are delineated by “degrees” according to their severity. The severity of a sex crime is influenced by the following:
The most serious sex offenses are Class A felonies, which are the most egregious crimes a person can commit in Washington State. If convicted of a Class A sex crime, you will likely face significant prison time, expensive fines, probation, and a mandatory obligation to register in the Sex Offender Registry. Felony sex crime cases are heard in the Kitsap County Superior Court, which is located in Port Orchard.
Prosecutors take sex crimes very seriously and will usually seek maximum punishments for anyone found guilty. In cases involving a person under the age of consent (16), this is especially true. Keep in mind that persons who are falsely accused will still be punished to the fullest extent of the law if they're convicted. If you've been charged with any serious sex offense, contact one of our Bremerton sex crime lawyers without delay and make sure you have a voice capable of telling your side of the story.
Our Bremerton Sex Crime Attorneys Offer a Free Case EvaluationIf you or someone close to you is accused of a sex offense in Kitsap County, we urge you to contact our law office for a free consultation. All of the best Bremerton criminal lawyers will tell you the same thing – if you're charged with a sex crime, seek professional legal guidance immediately. Your future could very well depend on it.
If you've already been charged with a sex crime, you should note that many sex offenses have a “two strike” rule. This means that the second offense could carry a mandatory life sentence in prison. In some circumstances, persons found guilty of a sex crime may qualify for Washington State's Sex Offender Special Sentencing Alternative. This is a way to avoid prison and spend most of the sentence on probation. To qualify, the offender must have no prior sex offense convictions and be willing to seek outpatient treatment and supervision.
For more information contact one of our Kitsap County sex crime lawyers for a free consultation.