Bremerton, Washington Sexual Assault Attorney Thomas Weaver
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Before You Talk to the Police, Talk to Tom
The long-term consequences of an arrest and conviction on a sex offense are very serious. You will face the stigma of registering as a sex offender in the community where you live for at least the next 10 years. For some offenses, the registration requirement is for the remainder of your life. Being convicted of a sex offense while you are in the Army or Navy can result in the loss of your military career.
At the Law Office of Thomas E. Weaver, I understand both the long-term as well as the short-term consequences of a sex crime arrest . My goal is to minimize the effect of the arrest on your life now and in the future.
While the public tends to lump all sex offenses into one category, partly because they have similar sounding names, the reality is that there are many different types of sex offenses. Rape in the first degree, rape in the third degree, rape of a child in the first degree, and rape of a child in the third degree all sound similar and all require sex registration, but are vastly different crimes. Rape in the first degree is a forcible rape, usually by a stranger though not always, and is accompanied by serious body injury or the use of a weapon. Rape in the third degree is what most people associate with “date rape” or “acquaintance rape.” Rape of a child in the first degree involves the molestation of a small child under twelve years old. Rape of a child in the third degree, sometimes called “statutory rape,” is sexual intercourse with a child fourteen or fifteen years old.
Because the various sex offenses can differ so much in their facts, but carry equal stigmas, it is important to have a lawyer who has experience working with all of these potential charges. Sex offenses can be some of the most difficult cases to try. Many attorneys are uncomfortable with the concept of cross-examining a seven-year-old victim about his or her sexual experiences. But failure to effectively cross-examine can result in something equally tragic: the wrongful conviction of an innocent person.
No one wants a criminal record. Being a convicted felon includes going to jail, paying fines, and being on probation. But for many people, it is what happens after they have completed their sentence that has the most impact. There is no stigma equal to a lifetime of having to register as a sex offender. I understand this and will fight on your behalf.As an experienced Washington appellate lawyer, I will always look for technical defenses in a way that will benefit your case.
Bremerton, Washington sexual assault attorney Thomas E. Weaver represents people accused of sex crimes in Kitsap and Jefferson counties on the western side of Puget Sound, including Bremerton, Silverdale, Port Orchard, Poulsbo, Bainbridge Island, Belfair, Gig Harbor, Port Townsend, Port Angeles and Shelton.
Before You Talk to the Police, Talk to Tom
