Sex Crimes in Tacoma

Washington State is often cited as a region of the country where many groups of people can visit or take up residence and truly be themselves. This Pacific Northwest region offers huge parcels of wilderness for nature lovers but also has progressive urban centers for city dwellers. As a result, there is a huge diverse group of people here, from Indigenous Native American tribes to new immigrants.

Unfortunately, whenever you get a group of people together, whether it is in a small rural town or a larger urban center, there will always be some kind of conflict and reports of crime. Some crimes are straightforward in their criminal nature, such as theft. Tragically, there are others with far more traumatic consequences, and these are sexual offenses. A sexual offense can be devastating for both the victim of the crime and, in some cases, the party accused of committing the crime if there is an error in the charges. Society tends to view sexual offenses as one of the most serious crimes, both legally and socially. This is one reason why it’s crucial to seek good legal representation when facing such charges.

For decades, our team of attorneys has successfully handled many legal cases all over Washington State, from simple civil violations to serious and complex criminal trials. We offer our legal services to cities like Tacoma and the surrounding area. Our lawyers have longstanding legal experience helping people challenge serious charges such as sexual offenses.

As with other states in America, Washington State is prone to the occasional crime. In 2022, over 5500 forcible sex offenses were recorded in Washington State. In legal terms, a forcible sex offense is a sexual act that occurs to a person against their will. Fortunately, the state is experiencing an overall decline in crime in general, and this has extended to sexual offenses as well. Unfortunately, even with dropping rates, people are still victimized, and in 2022 the most common age range for rape cases in Washington State was between the ages of 15 and 17.

Washington State takes sex crimes very seriously, and state prosecutors tend to pursue maximum penalties for those accused, especially if those crimes involve minors. However, that doesn’t mean that the mechanisms for law enforcement and rendering verdicts are flawless and always correct in their decisions. Even the legal system can make mistakes, so it’s important to understand what you’re facing and what your options are for contesting a charge.

Washington State has a broad array of different charges that it classifies as sexual offenses. Some are straightforward to understand and prosecute, such as rape, but there are others where people may be surprised to find they are being charged with a sexual offense with no such action has occurred. This is why it can be crucial at times to seek out legal representation and get a better understanding of the nature of the charges and, in some cases, what can be done to overturn them.

Some of the more typical sexual offenses that people may face include:

While there is a time and a place for people to put on performances or displays of a sexual nature, when viewing or spying is done without consent in what should be a private activity, that is considered voyeurism. The primary components of this charge are that the victim did not give permission to be viewed, was likely unaware of being viewed, and was viewed by the perpetrator with the express purpose of sexual gratification.

Rape is the action of forced sexual activity with an unwilling participant and has several categories. There are the degrees of rape, of increasing severity, from third, second, and finally first, which is the most serious. There is also another category of rape specifically focused on children, which has its own degrees as well. It’s crucial to note that minors can also be charged with this crime if the age of the victim is under 12 and the accused is two or more years older.

Custodial sexual misconduct is a specific type of sexual offense relating to inappropriate sexual activity between someone under some confinement or other official institutional detainment and a person in power at such a facility. The most common example of this crime is when a correctional officer is accused of exploiting their position to conduct sexual activity with inmates at a prison. Sexual activity with someone under arrest also falls under the purview of this charge.

This can sometimes be a very surprising sexual offense to some since no actual sexual activity occurs. Criminal trespass against children is when someone with an existing criminal record as a sex offender visits a facility that the law deems inappropriate because of their background. This is tailored specifically toward child sex offenders with the understanding if a facility that cares for or educates children has been served written notice, they are not to enter those grounds; the charge may be applied if it is believed the offender has ignored the written notice and come onto the property.

Of course, anyone who is facing a potential trial for a sexual offense is now in peril of receiving some of the most severe penalties the legal system is capable of dispensing. Jail sentences are typical of most convictions, but the longer-lasting damage is to a person’s reputation and future. A criminal record has a serious impact on career prospects, but a sex offender is even worse off, particularly as there may be a requirement to register as such.

We don’t believe that every accusation of a sexual offense is necessarily a just one. Our lawyers have challenged sexual offense charges in Western Washington and the rest of Washington state for over 20 years. If you, or someone you know, is being charged with a sexual offense, an experienced sex crime attorney is essential to challenging the verdict. Our Tacoma sex crime attorneys are professional, experienced lawyers who can help people facing sexual offense charges to lessen or even overturn a verdict.

A sex crime conviction incurs severe, life-altering penalties. However, there are other repercussions that go far beyond the ruling that is handed down in the case. The damage to your reputation caused by a sex crime conviction can be devastating, and could cause you to lose far more than just your freedom.

Defending yourself against these serious charges can be difficult, so contact the professional Tacoma sex crime lawyers from the Law Office of Jason S. Newcombe and make sure your legal rights are protected.

A Tacoma sex crime charge can leave you feeling immobilized. However, your attorney may be able to defend you against these charges. Time is of the essence, so you should speak with one of our Tacoma sex crime attorneys about your situation immediately. Our team of experienced lawyers handle sex crime cases involving sexual rape, child molestation, child pornography, assault, and solicitation of a minor on the internet. No matter what charges you face, you have legal rights guaranteed by Washington State Law.

The stakes couldn't be higher in these cases, because a conviction will have a devastating impact on your life and the lives of everyone in your family. Even people who are wrongly accused of a sex crime often suffer terrible consequences, but this pales in comparison to a conviction because the stigma of being a convicted sex offender will follow you anywhere you go. There are even smartphone apps that identify sex crime convicts addresses for anyone in their neighborhood to see.

It's common for prosecutors to seek maximum sentences in sex crime cases, so get help from our Tacoma sex crime lawyers and aggressively defend yourself against the lasting repercussions of a conviction.

With more than 3 decades of combined criminal law experience, our team of experienced lawyers have represented a number of Tacoma clients just like you. At risk is your freedom, career, and reputation so there is no room for error when defending clients in these cases. The role of a Tacoma attorney is to develop a defense that protects innocent people from false charges, and this is something that often takes a great deal of time and effort.

Work with a lawyer who has experience with Tacoma sex crime cases, and knowledge of how the law applies to your particular situation. Contact one of our Tacoma sex crime lawyers today to schedule a private and confidential case evaluation, so that we can start working on your defense right away.

When you retain an attorney from our qualified Tacoma legal team, you have your own personal advocate who will defend your character and guide you through all of your interactions with the prosecutor and court. Contact one of our lawyers today and protect yourself from the lifelong damage of a sex crime conviction.