Sex crime allegations in Washington state trigger serious consequences. Investigations move quickly, prosecutors pursue maximum penalties, and the stakes couldn’t be higher. When you are confronting charges this serious, you need a Bellevue, WA criminal defense attorney who knows how to fight back.
The Law Offices of Mark S. Treyz provides aggressive, strategic representation for individuals facing sex crime allegations in Bellevue and throughout Washington. With decades of experience in criminal defense, we are prepared to defend your case from day one. Don’t wait until it’s too late—contact us today for a free consultation and take the first step toward protecting your future.
Washington State Sex Crime Charges
Sex crime charges in Washington carry some of the most severe penalties in the criminal justice system. A Bellevue sex crime defense attorney can challenge the prosecution’s case and build a comprehensive defense strategy tailored to the allegations you are facing.
Common sex crime charges in Washington include:
- Rape: Rape is one of the most serious sex crime charges in Washington. This offense involves engaging in sexual intercourse with another person by forcible compulsion or without their consent. If convicted, you could face life in prison and significant fines, depending on the severity of the charge. Rape charges are categorized into degrees, with first-degree rape carrying the harshest penalties.
- Revenge Porn: Revenge porn, or the unlawful distribution of intimate images, is prohibited in Washington. This offense involves sharing private, explicit images of another person without their consent, often with the intent to harm their reputation or cause distress.
- Prostitution and Solicitation: Prostitution involves offering or engaging in sexual acts for money, while solicitation involves attempting to pay someone for these acts. Both offenses carry criminal penalties and the potential for lasting social and professional consequences.
- Voyeurism: This crime involves secretly observing or recording another person without their consent, often for sexual gratification, when the person has a reasonable expectation of privacy. If convicted, voyeurism is typically charged as a gross misdemeanor or a felony, depending on the circumstances of the case.
The Serious Consequences of a Sex Crime Conviction
In Washington, the criminal penalties for sex crimes can be harsh. Depending on the severity of the offense, you could face years or even decades in prison. You may need to pay substantial fines that can reach tens of thousands of dollars, in addition to court costs and restitution payments to the alleged victim. These consequences create barriers to employment, housing, and educational opportunities.
The penalties associated with a sex crime don’t go away when your sentence is complete. Many sex crime convictions require mandatory registration as a sex offender, a legal obligation that can follow you for the rest of your life.
Under RCW 9A.44.130, individuals convicted of certain offenses must register with their local law enforcement agency and submit to ongoing monitoring. This requirement imposes significant restrictions on where you can live, work, and travel. You must regularly update your information with law enforcement, including address changes, employment details, and school enrollment.
How a Bellevue, WA Sex Crime Defense Attorney Can Protect Your Future
When you are facing sex crime charges, the quality of your legal representation can make a major difference in the outcome. The Law Offices of Mark S. Treyz brings decades of criminal defense experience to every case, providing clients with aggressive advocacy and strategic defense planning.
Our Bellevue sex crime defense lawyer knows that every case is unique, with its own set of facts, evidence, and challenges. Our goal is to build the strongest possible defense, whether that means negotiating a favorable plea agreement or taking your case to trial and fighting for a not-guilty verdict.
Our firm begins with a thorough investigation of the allegations against you, examining every piece of evidence the prosecution plans to use and identifying weaknesses in their case. We challenge unreliable witness testimony, questionable forensic evidence, and procedural violations that could result in suppression of evidence or dismissal of charges. Your lawyer will also explore alternative explanations for the alleged conduct and investigate whether false accusations, mistaken identity, or other factors played a role in your arrest.
Your Constitutional Rights During Investigation and Arrest
From the moment law enforcement begins investigating you for a sex crime, you have constitutional rights that protect you from government overreach. Remember:
- You have the right to remain silent—anything you say to police can and will be used against you in court.
- You have the right to refuse searches of your home, vehicle, or electronic devices without a warrant.
- You have the right to a sex crime defense attorney, and you should exercise that right immediately.
Law enforcement officers are trained to elicit confessions and gather incriminating evidence, often using tactics that pressure suspects into making statements they later regret. Do not answer questions without your sex crime defense attorney in Bellevue, WA present, no matter how innocent you believe your answers might be.
Why You Should Secure Legal Representation Early
The earlier you retain an attorney, the more opportunities your lawyer has to protect your rights and build your defense. Early intervention allows your lawyer to preserve evidence, interview witnesses, and potentially prevent charges from being filed in the first place.
Once charges are filed, the stakes increase. Prosecutors begin building their case and your window for negotiation begins to close. By securing experienced legal representation early, you give yourself the best possible chance of achieving a favorable outcome—whether that’s a dismissal, reduced charges, or an acquittal at trial.
Contact The Law Offices of Mark S. Treyz Today
Few accusations carry the weight and stigma of sex crime charges. Even before a conviction, your personal and professional life can unravel as friends, family, and colleagues distance themselves. Without aggressive legal representation, you could face years behind bars and a lifetime on the sex offender registry.
The Law Offices of Mark S. Treyz has defended clients in Bellevue against charges ranging from assault to internet crimes, challenging evidence and protecting their constitutional rights. If you are facing sex crime allegations, we will fight back with everything the law allows. Contact us at (253) 272-8666 for a confidential consultation and start building your defense.