Puyallup, WA Sex Crimes Defense Attorney

Seasoned Sex Crimes Defense Lawyer Protecting Clients’ Futures in Puyallup, Washington

An accusation of a sex crime can have a ripple effect across your life, affecting everything from your personal relationships to your employment to your freedom. During an investigation, you may be approached by police, and anything you say to them could be used against you. When you are facing the possibility of prison time and registration as a sex offender, get in contact with a Puyallup sex crime defense lawyer.

At The Law Office of Michael Austin Stewart Criminal Defense Lawyer, we have represented and successfully defended clients accused of rape and other sex crimes, as you can see in our prior case results. With decades of criminal law experience, we are equipped to represent clients facing a variety of different charges.

What to Expect From a Rape Charge in Puyallup

A rape charge in Washington can place a person in one of the most serious positions in the criminal court system. This specific crime involves allegations of non-consensual sexual intercourse when certain aggravating circumstances are alleged, such as serious injury, kidnapping, or the use of a deadly weapon. The accusation alone can begin affecting a person's work, family relationships, housing, and reputation well before the case is resolved.

First-degree rape is classified as a Class A felony in Washington. In practical terms, this means a conviction can carry life in prison and a fine of up to $50,000. It may also lead to sex offender registration and strict supervision after release.

The state may present the allegation as straightforward, but these cases often depend on context. A defense must examine how the encounter developed, what each person understood, and whether the evidence supports the charge beyond a reasonable doubt. The case should never be reduced to an accusation alone.

What Is Sexual Assault?

Sexual assault is a broad term. Washington law does not use one single charge for every act that people may describe this way. Instead, prosecutors file specific offenses based on the alleged conduct and the circumstances surrounding it. Conduct described as sexual assault may lead to charges involving:

• Rape, when the allegation involves non-consensual sexual intercourse
• Indecent liberties, when the allegation involves unlawful sexual contact under certain circumstances
• Child molestation, when the alleged conduct involves sexual contact with a minor
• Sexual misconduct with a minor, when age and authority issues are involved
• Other sex offenses based on alleged coercion, incapacity, or lack of legal consent

The charge filed will shape the penalties, defense strategy, and long-term consequences. Our firm can review the exact allegations and explain what the state must prove. A careful defense can help separate assumption from evidence and prevent the prosecution's version of events from going unchallenged.

Accused of Possessing or Distributing Child Sex Abuse Materials in Puyallup?

Child sex abuse material cases, sometimes referred to as CSAM or child pornography cases, require a careful legal and technical defense. Digital evidence can be more complicated than it appears. A file on a phone or computer does not automatically prove who placed it there, who saw it, or what the accused person knew. Shared devices, cloud accounts, cached files, automatic downloads, and incomplete forensic conclusions can all affect the case.

Our firm can examine how police obtained the evidence and whether the search was lawful. We can also review the digital forensic findings and challenge unsupported conclusions about access, possession, or distribution. In a case with this much stigma, the defense must be precise from the start.

Contact a Puyallup Sex Crimes Defense Lawyer Today

At The Law Office of Michael Austin Stewart Criminal Defense Lawyer, we help clients in Puyallup respond to sex crime allegations with care, privacy, and clear legal direction. Call 253-442-7544 or contact our Puyallup, Washington sex crimes defense attorney to arrange a free initial consultation.