The Special Assault Defense Blog | 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...

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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,...

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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...

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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,...

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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...

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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....

Juries No Longer Allowed to Know a Person’s Immigration Status

11 Dec 2017

The Marshall Defense Firm

The Washington State Supreme Court has approved a new rule of evidence that can harm defendants in some domestic violence and sexual assault cases. Effective next year, information about a witness’s immigration status will generally be...

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Sex Offenders Will Now be Identified on US Passports – Here Is what you need to know

07 Dec 2017

The Marshall Defense Firm

In 2016, Congress passed the “International Megan’s Law.” The law aims to protect children from sexual abuse and exploitation, especially through sex trafficking and sex tourism. The law went into effect in late 2017, allowing...

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Five Terms You Need to Know if You’re Accused of Physical Child Abuse

21 Nov 2017

The Marshall Defense Firm

If you’re accused of physically abusing a child, you may encounter any of these five terms. 1. Parental Right to Discipline As a parent, you are legally entitled to discipline your children. The right to spank...

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Can a Domestic Violence Case Impact Child Custody?

03 Nov 2017

The Marshall Defense Firm

Child custody battles are never easy but adding domestic violence issues to the mix certainly complicates matters. If a domestic violence case is clouding your efforts to reach a custody plan that is best for...

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What is the Fresh Complaint Rule?

01 Nov 2017

The Marshall Defense Firm

When you are facing sexual assault charges, you may find yourself frustrated with and confused by the complexity of the legal system. Being a defendant in such a case can include an unwelcome, high-stakes education...

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What Every Foster Parent Should Know About CPS Investigations

26 Oct 2017

The Marshall Defense Firm

Few people are more admirable than those who open their homes and their families to children who need a safe place to live while their own families resolve serious issues. Foster parents can help kids...

5 Things You Need to Know About Child Abuse Charges

29 Sep 2017

The Marshall Defense Firm

1. You have rights as a parent. You are entitled to discipline your children in whatever reasonable manner you determine is appropriate. The right to physically discipline (i.e. spank) your child should not result in...

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What is the Difference Between Civil and Criminal Sexual Assault Cases?

26 Sep 2017

The Marshall Defense Firm

When you learn that someone is accusing you of sexual assault, there are probably a number of questions running through your mind – how did this happen? What is at stake for me? Do I...

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What Could You Lose When You’re Accused of Physical Child Abuse?

21 Sep 2017

The Marshall Defense Firm

We all have a natural desire to protect kids. When it comes to child abuse accusations, however, this instinct may seem overshadow the concerns of the adult involved. If you’ve been accused of physical child abuse,...

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How Accurate is a Child’s Memory?

12 Sep 2017

The Marshall Defense Firm

Frequently in child abuse investigations and trials, the primary evidence is that given by the child involved. Sometimes this evidence is the only evidence that the alleged abuse ever occurred. But is a child’s memory...

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Is a SSOSA Right for Me?

08 Sep 2017

The Marshall Defense Firm

If you’ve been convicted of a sexual offense in Washington State, you may be eligible for sentencing under Washington’s Special Sexual Offender Sentencing Alternative (SSOSA). What is a SSOSA, you might ask? Under Washington law, some...

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What Is Sexual Exploitation in Washington State?

05 Sep 2017

The Marshall Defense Firm

Washington law forbids the sexual exploitation of children. This prohibition seems simple enough at face value, but what kind of conduct does the law actually prohibit, and how broadly is the law applied? The law...