Seattle Sex Crimes Defense Attorneys Fighting for Your Rights
What to Expect if You Are Convicted
Sentences for sex offenses have gotten significantly longer in recent years as the Washington Legislature has worked to answer the public outcries after a few heinous crimes. While Washington has not formally adopted the "one strike and you're out" approach for sex offenses yet, the fact is that many offenses can get you life in prison under the current law. The stakes have never been higher for those accused of sex crimes.
Life in prison is actually a very real risk for some. For serious sex offenses, including offenses against children under 14, forcible rape, and violent crimes committed with sexual motivation, offenders are now sentenced to what the law calls "determinate plus" sentences. These are in fact indeterminate sentences, meaning they can go on for the rest of the offenders life. The Court sets a minimum sentence instead of a maximum, and at the end of the minimum sentence an offender must convince the Indeterminate Sentence Review Board that it is safe to release them. For many offenders the ISRB has said no, and many of those will remain in prison for life.
Many of our clients have admitted their crimes and given statements to the police before we ever meet them. Others are falsely accused and must face the potential consequence of a life sentence if they are convicted. Every person accused of a sex crime, whether they have admitted it or not, must have a lawyer who understands the consequences of these sentences. At Rhodes & Meryhew we work to find solutions that allow our clients to get beyond these offenses, not solutions that can cost them their freedom for the rest of their life.
We believe that the more you know about the charges against you and the criminal justice system, the better you can defend yourself and assist your attorney. To assist you we have gathered information regarding the State and Federal laws that govern sex crimes and domestic violence offenses, the defenses to these crimes, evaluation and treatment resources and a whole lot more.
Visit our Information Centers to learn more...
Call 206-264-1590 for a free consultation or send us an e-mail with a brief description of your situation and concerns.
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