Puyallup, WA Felony Defense Lawyer

Aggressive Felony Defense Attorney Serving Clients Accused of Serious Crimes in Puyallup, Washington

When you have been charged with a felony, it may feel like your world is coming undone around you. As difficult as it may sound, the best thing you can do is to muster a calm, measured response. By working with a Puyallup felony defense attorney, you can make sure your rights are protected in court.

At The Law Office of Michael Austin Stewart Criminal Defense Lawyer, we provide strong counsel and representation for people facing felony charges. Our criminal defense lawyer has over 30 years of experience advocating for clients accused of serious offenses, which has helped us earn the trust of the community at large.

Addressing Charges Involving Rape and Child Pornography in Washington

Sex crime allegations can upend a person's life before the case is resolved. In Washington, many of these offenses are charged as felonies, and a conviction can bring prison time, registration requirements, and supervision conditions that follow a person long after sentencing.

Rape charges often depend on the state's version of what happened between the people involved. The prosecution may claim that force, incapacity, or lack of consent turned an encounter into a crime. First-degree rape is a Class A felony, which is punishable by a sentence of up to life in prison and a fine of up to $50,000. Evidence in these cases must be examined closely, especially when the accusation depends heavily on statements or digital communications.

Child pornography cases, often referred to as CSAM cases, require a careful technical defense. The presence of a file on a device does not always explain how it got there or who knowingly accessed it. Our firm can review how the evidence was found, how the devices were searched, and whether the state can actually connect the accused person to the alleged material.

Facing Felony DUI Charges?

Most DUI cases in Washington are charged as gross misdemeanors, but certain facts can raise the case to a felony. A person may face felony DUI charges after prior impaired-driving offenses or after a prior conviction involving serious harm caused while driving under the influence.

Felony DUI is a Class B felony. A conviction can result in a prison sentence of no more than 10 years in prison and a potential $20,000 fine. It can also come with license revocation, ignition interlock requirements, treatment obligations, and other consequences that affect your work, family responsibilities, and daily life.

A defense may begin with the traffic stop. If police lacked a lawful basis to stop the vehicle, evidence gathered afterward may be challenged. The testing process also deserves close review, since breath and blood results can be affected by flawed procedures, timing problems, or mishandled samples. Prior offense history may matter as well, especially when the state uses it to justify a felony charge.

Advocating for Clients Accused of Violent Crimes

Violent crime allegations can expose a person to some of the harshest penalties under Washington law. These cases may involve accusations of serious injury, weapon use, threats, or death. Prosecutors often move aggressively, but the seriousness of the accusation does not relieve the state of its burden of proof.

A strong defense begins with a careful look at what actually happened. Witness accounts may be incomplete or shaped by fear. Police may make early assumptions about who started the conflict or what the accused intended. Evidence that seems damaging at first may look very different once the full context is reviewed.

Our felony defense attorney can work to challenge the prosecution's version of events. We may examine intent, causation, self-defense, police conduct, and the strength of the evidence supporting the felony charge. When the facts do not support the charge filed, we can push for dismissal, reduced charges, or acquittal.

Meet With a Puyallup, Washington Felony Defense Attorney

Felony charges require a careful, immediate response. At The Law Office of Michael Austin Stewart Criminal Defense Lawyer, we help clients in Puyallup understand the case against them and take the next step with clarity. Call 253-442-7544 or contact our Puyallup, WA felony defense lawyer to arrange a free consultation.