The Special Assault Defense Blog | The Marshall Defense Firm

Man in handcuffs being interviewed by police

Can I Refuse a Police Interview?

07 Nov 2018

In a word, yes. You are required to identify yourself to the police in some situations, but aren’t obligated to answer questions beyond that. Washington law mandates that any person stopped for a traffic infraction...

split arrow with left arrow pointing to innocent and right arrow pointing to guilty

Should You Pursue a Special Sex Offender Sentencing Alternative (SSOSA) If You’re Innocent?

24 Oct 2018

The Marshall Defense Firm

Being accused of a sex offense is a nightmare—particularly if you’re innocent—and you may want to consider all of the possibilities that would allow you to avoid putting your fate in the hands of a...

group of male and female students walking down a high school hallway

Is There a Treatment Alternative for Juvenile Sex Offenders?

10 Oct 2018

The Marshall Defense Firm

Established in 1984, Washington’s Special Sex Offender Sentencing Alternative (SSOSA) authorizes courts to order certain sexual offenders to undergo treatment in lieu of serving time in prison. For someone being prosecuted for a sex offense...

wooden dolls posed for group therapy session

What You Need to Know About SSOSA Evaluations and Conditions

03 Oct 2018

The Marshall Defense Firm

Washington’s Special Sex Offender Sentencing Alternative (SSOSA) provides an opportunity for those who have committed sex offenses to receive treatment for sexual compulsion and avoid the time in prison that would otherwise result from a...

teenage boy turning corner of high school hallway stairs

When Can a Juvenile be Charged as An Adult for a Sex Crime in Washington?

19 Sep 2018

The Marshall Defense Firm

Generally speaking, if a child is charged with a crime before his or her 18th birthday, the case will be handled by the juvenile court. However, there are some situations in which a child under...

What’s Wrong with Title IX?

14 Aug 2018

The Marshall Defense Firm

Title IX is a federal law that prohibits discrimination based on sex in federally-funded education programs. Its most visible application is probably in the context of women’s collegiate sports, but the law actually covers much...

What You Need to Know About Washington State Sexual Assault Laws

31 Jul 2018

The Marshall Defense Firm

In the modern world, where both increased sexual freedom and campaigns like the #metoo movement compete for cultural bandwidth, it can be surprisingly difficult to know what sorts of behaviors constitute sexual assault and what...

Mother Worried About Unhappy Teenage Son

What to Know When Your Child is Being Accused of a Sex Crime

03 Jul 2018

The Marshall Defense Firm

If your child is the subject of a sex crime investigation or prosecution, you’re probably feeling a lot of things: disbelief, anger, hurt, embarrassment, concern for your child’s future. All these feelings are normal and...

Man and woman pointing fingers at each other

What Is a “He Said, She Said” Case?

21 Jun 2018

The Marshall Defense Firm

Accusations of rape and other sex crimes are notoriously difficult to investigate and resolve due to their nature. Most of these cases arise from events which happen in private when only the accused and the...

How to End Your Requirement to Register as a Sex Offender

22 May 2018

The Marshall Defense Firm

If you’re legally required to register as a sex offender, you know it can be a rugged way to live. It’s the modern scarlet letter. Most likely you’re looking forward to the day when you...

arm of person wearing a suit knocking on the door to someone's home

What Are Your Rights When CPS Comes to Your House?

04 May 2018

The Marshall Defense Firm

It’s a nightmare for any parent to imagine CPS coming to your home to investigate abuse or neglect allegations against you regarding your kids. Your mind is probably racing with questions: Who would accuse me...

Grayscale photo of a drunk girl lying face down on couch

Can a Mentally Incapacitated Person Consent to Sex?

19 Apr 2018

The Marshall Defense Firm

Consent is a hot topic right now in discussions everywhere about sexual mores and politics. It’s nearly impossible these days to listen in on any conversation about sex—whether it be in an educational institution, in...

Can My Title IX Decision be Overturned?

03 Apr 2018

The Marshall Defense Firm

Change is in the air for students accused of sexual assault on campus. While Obama-era policies at the Department of Education (ED) meant a difficult fight for students defending themselves against accusations in university investigations...

lawyer working with documents at a courtroom

Should I Hire an Attorney for My CPS Case?

06 Mar 2018

The Marshall Defense Firm

Discovering that you and your family are the subjects of a Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) investigation can be one of the most frightening and upsetting things a parent or caregiver can encounter. Fortunately,...

open red book with gold-lined pages flipping

What is Voyeurism in Washington State?

10 Feb 2018

The Marshall Defense Firm

“Voyeurism” is big word that means viewing, photographing, or filming another person for sexual gratification, under circumstance where that person has a reasonable expectation of privacy, and without their consent. This could include peering into...

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I’ve Been Convicted of a Sex Crime—Can I Appeal?

02 Feb 2018

The Marshall Defense Firm

A criminal conviction can be devastating blow, especially after a hard-fought legal battle. If you’ve been convicted of a sex crime, your first thought may be to appeal your case. But how do appeals work? ...

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How Reliable Is DNA Evidence?

23 Jan 2018

The Marshall Defense Firm

It’s easy to think after watching any given crime show on TV that DNA evidence is infallible, that it always leads to a just and fair conviction. In real life, however, the situation is far...

Judge's gavel on a wooden desk, law books in background

What is the Washington Statute of Limitations for a Sex Crime?

12 Jan 2018

The Marshall Defense Firm

Sexual harassment and sexual assault claims are having a moment of intense media coverage and focus. While for some this phenomenon means relief from many years of silence, for others it can mean a long-established,...

Do the Police Have the Right to Search My Computer?

09 Jan 2018

The Marshall Defense Firm

In the modern world, data privacy is a huge issue. So many parts of our everyday lives and communications now take place over the internet. Many of us are accustomed to thinking of our computers,...

police officer standing in foreground with white police SUV with lights flashing in background

What to do Before You Talk to the Police

21 Dec 2017

The Marshall Defense Firm

It’s the stuff of TV crime dramas – a suspect is called in for questioning, and the first and only thing he says is “I want to talk to my lawyer.” While the idea of...

Empty courtroom focusing on jurors panel

How are Juvenile Sex Offenders Sentenced?

18 Dec 2017

The Marshall Defense Firm

Every adult can remember doing something unwise, even dangerous, as a young person, something that he or she would never do after reaching maturity. While adolescence can be a wonderful time of discovery and development,...

Can Someone be Falsely Accused of Shaking a Baby?

14 Dec 2017

The Marshall Defense Firm

No loving parent ever dreams that he or she will be the subject of a “shaken baby” investigation or prosecution. Popular belief mistakenly tells us that child abuse allegations are never leveled against good parents....