Statutory rape is a serious crime in Washington, involving sexual contact with a child under the age of 16. If you are facing statutory rape charges, you face a large risk to your reputation, future, and relationships. You need an expert Tacoma statutory rape defense attorney on your side to investigate these claims and craft a compelling case for your defense.
The Law Offices of Mark S. Treyz has significant experience helping those accused of statutory rape regain their futures. Our criminal defense lawyers can help you combat invalid accusations.
- Very few people anticipate paying for criminal defense legal fees. The Law Offices of Mark S. Treyz offers flexible payment plans to increase affordability and help you receive the legal services you need.
- Since we operate a small firm, your case will receive individual, personalized attention for your benefit. We will not hand your case off to an intern or case manager – we will work closely with you every step of the way.
- Attorney Mark Treyz has over 30 years of experience representing many different types of criminal defense cases, including statutory rape charges.
What Is Statutory Rape?
Statutory rape does not always involve forcible sexual intercourse that is against a victim’s will. In fact, statutory rape refers to sexual intercourse or contact that occurs with a person under the age of consent, which is 16 years old in Washington state. These laws state that minors below the age of 16 are incapable of giving consent.
Washington classifies statutory rape charges under the following categories.
- Rape of a child in the first degree occurs if the victim is under the age of 12 and the perpetrator is over two years older than the victim.
- Rape of a child in the second degree applies if the victim in question is at least 12 years old, but is under the age of 14. The perpetrator must be at least three years older than the victim.
- Rape of a child in the third degree applies if the victim is at least 14 years old, but is under the age of 16 at the time of the crime. The perpetrator must be at least four years older than the victim.
- First-degree child molestation occurs when a minor under the age of 11 and a defendant three years older than the minor have sexual contact. Contact refers to sexual touching without pentration.
Anyone who falls within these parameters can receive a statutory rape charge. However, many accusations of statutory rape can be false – unnecessarily tarnishing the reputation of the accused. If you are facing statutory rape charges, a Tacoma statutory rape defense lawyer can help outline your legal options. Contact our law firm online or call us at (253) 272-8666.
Penalties for statutory rape charges range based on the class of the crime and the presence of certain, such as a younger victim or sexual penetration. All statutory rape charges are felonies and many include fines, jail time, and sex offender registration.
Why You Need an Attorney for Your Statutory Rape Defense
If you are facing charges for statutory rape in Washington state, contact the Law Offices of Mark S. Treyz as soon as possible. Hiring a Tacoma criminal defense attorney for your statutory rape case can provide significant benefits to you and your future.
- Combatting charges of sexual assault crimes such as statutory rape requires knowledge of defense strategies and arguments to craft a compelling case in your favor. Your attorney will have significant experience representing and defending clients accused of sexual assault, helping you present a strong case in front of the jury.
- You may not have access to investigative resources and experts that attorney does. Using his or her large expanse of resources, your attorney can help you build a strong defense and dispute the charges.
- Facing statutory rape charges alone can be intimidating and confusing. You may not know what to do to fight these charges. Your attorney can guide you through the process and advise you on your legal options, helping you take the best course of action.
Are you facing a statutory rape charge in Tacoma? The Law Offices of Mark S. Treyz is here to help. Our Tacoma statutory rape defense attorneys have over 30 years of experience representing defendants in criminal cases and can assist you with your statutory rape charge.
Contact us today to schedule your free consultation at our Tacoma offices.