Author: Richmond Cariaga

Close-up of a young man making a stop gesture.

If you are served with an Extreme Risk Protection Order (ERPO), don’t panic. An ERPO does not mean you are going to jail or will never be able to own a firearm. 

Our Seattle criminal defense attorney can help you fight an ERPO and regain complete freedom including the freedom to bear arms.

The Purpose of an ERPO

ERPOs are important legal tools to prevent violence and self-harm. The purpose of granting an ERPO is to protect a party who claims to have been attacked, threatened and/or stalked. An ERPO can also be granted to protect oneself against potential harm such as suicide.

The primary aim of this legal measure is to prevent a dangerous individual from buying or possessing a firearm. The ERPO can also force the seizure of a dangerous individual’s firearm. Prior to ERPOs, there were no “red flag laws” on the books to prevent potentially dangerous people from taking the lives of others.

The catch is that some ERPOs are granted when they are not justified. Scorned individuals, individuals with agendas, and those who are paranoid sometimes seek ERPOs for unjust reasons. Sufficient cause must be shown to obtain an ERPO. 

If the ERPO is granted without showing specific cause, our attorneys will build a legal argument based on those facts. The bottom line is that if you have not threatened someone or threatened to commit suicide, this “red flag” law should not be applicable. 

The quality of your criminal defense attorney in Seattle ultimately shapes the outcome of your case. In some situations, a criminal defense attorney’s strategic response to the ERPO is more important than the actual facts.

Fighting an ERPO

You have the right to challenge an ERPO filed against you. However, it is a mistake to fight an ERPO on your own. Meet with our legal team, tell us the facts of your situation and we’ll tailor a legal argument accordingly. Even if you have a history of mental illness or a criminal record, the right legal defense against an ERPO may preserve your freedom.

Our Seattle criminal defense attorney will fiercely advocate on your behalf in a court of law to prove you are not dangerous to others and yourself. As an example, if the petitioner does not provide credible or sworn evidence to the judge who determines the fate of the ERPO, we will highlight those flaws to prove there is not an extreme risk for violence. 

The end goal is to preserve your freedom including the right to bear arms for self-defense and defense of your property. Our legal team can also request that the judge seal your court record from public view using a Motion and Declaration to Seal Records of Extreme Risk Protection Order. Such a request can be made at the ERPO hearing, during the life of the order, and after the order ends.

Learn More During a Consultation With a Seattle Criminal Defense Attorney

Have you been targeted with an ERPO? Our criminal defense attorney in Seattle can help restore your freedom. Contact Jennifer today to schedule a consultation.

Hands, love and care touching in support, trust or unity for community, compassion or understanding. People holding hands in respect for loss, affection or passion for listening, talk or time

It might seem like life is ending after a child molestation charge. In reality, there’s no reason to panic. With the right Seattle criminal defense attorney, you can prove your innocence or have the charge reduced. 

This is your guide to moving forward after a child molestation charge in Seattle. 

A child molestation charge has the potential to upend your life. Choose the right Seattle criminal defense attorney and you’ll obtain a better sense of potential consequences. Your attorney will also help develop the optimal legal strategy. Let your attorney surmount the legal challenges and you’ll stand a much better chance of overcoming the allegations so you can return your life to normal.

From reviewing the charge to accumulating evidence, defending you at court hearings, and more, your attorney will navigate the entirety of the legal maze. You will be liberated to remain completely focused on work, family, and friends.

Understand the Reality of the Situation 

If you are innocent, you undoubtedly feel as though you are being persecuted. The sad truth is people lie, oftentimes for money or to ruin another’s reputation. Research indicates kids, especially those who are toddlers, are suggestible. A parent or other guardian’s suggestion that something inappropriate occurred might lead a child toward making a false statement. Moreover, there is the potential for medical professionals to find little or even no evidence that molestation occurred.

The challenge lies in proving the truth of the matter to clear your name and return your life to at least a semblance of normalcy. Our Seattle criminal defense attorney goes to great lengths to prove the client’s innocence. We consult with experts in false memory syndrome, medical professionals, and child psychologists.

Be Honest With Your Seattle Child Molestation Defense Lawyer

Your criminal defense attorney in Seattle will ask some personal questions, some of which might be uncomfortable to answer. It is imperative that you tell the truth to your attorney so he or she can develop the best possible legal defense based on facts. 

Your attorney understands the complexity of the legal landscape.  Your attorney also understands what must be done to defeat the charge.

Ask for Professional Help

If the charge has made it difficult to live normally or if you made a mistake, don’t be afraid to ask for help. Professional counseling will help you get through this difficult chapter of life. Moreover, a willingness to seek mental health counseling indicates you are deserving of mercy from the prosecutor and the court. 

If you are proven guilty yet enrolled in psychiatric counseling, your sentence might be reduced, potentially preventing jail or prison time.

Recognize That the Stakes are High

The molestation of a child has the potential to result in a lengthy prison sentence spanning half a decade or even longer. First-degree child molestation is a class A felony. Moreover, a conviction carries a lifelong sexual offender registration listing that makes it difficult to rent apartments near schools and obtain employment in certain fields.

What matters most is that you take the steps necessary to protect yourself from the penalties listed above. Do not answer questions posed by the police until your attorney is present. Even a slight verbal misstep can be construed as an admission of guilt that renders you unemployed and imprisoned.

Learn More During a Consultation With Our Seattle Criminal Defense Attorneys

Your future hangs in the balance after a child molestation charge. Contact Jennifer right away for a consultation.

a domestic violence survivor sitting on a bed, that needs a seattle domestic violence lawyer

If you have experienced sexual assault by someone close to you, Washington law provides clear protections for you. You have the right to be safe, to receive medical and emotional care, to decide whether and when to report, and to seek legal protections that limit contact and support accountability. These rights apply even if you do not pursue criminal charges.

What happened to you matters. And you do not have to go through this alone.

Your Rights as a Survivor in Washington

Washington law recognizes that sexual assault within a domestic relationship can involve unique risks and barriers. Survivors are protected through a combination of legal, procedural, and advocacy-based rights designed to center your safety and autonomy.

You have the right to:

  • Make your own decisions about reporting or not reporting
  • Receive medical care and forensic exams without pressure
  • Seek protection from the court through civil orders
  • Access counseling and financial support programs
  • Have an advocate with you during key steps, including police or court interactions

These rights apply whether the person who harmed you is a spouse, partner, former partner, or family member.

Your Rights When Interacting With Police

Reporting sexual assault is a personal decision. Some survivors report immediately, others wait, and some choose not to report at all. Each of these choices is valid.

If you do contact law enforcement, you have the right to:

  • Be treated with dignity and respect
  • Provide information at your own pace
  • Request a sexual assault advocate during interviews
  • Decline to answer questions you are not ready to address
  • Receive information about next steps and available resources

If you want confidential guidance before deciding, organizations like RAINN offer 24-hour support. You can reach the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or chat online to talk through options without obligation.

Your Rights in Court and Through Protective Orders

Survivors of sexual assault connected to domestic violence can seek civil protection even if no criminal case is filed. These court orders are designed to reduce contact and improve safety.

In Washington, you may request:

  • Temporary protection orders that provide fast, short-term safety
  • Full protection orders after a court hearing, which may last months or longer

Protection orders can include no-contact rules, distance requirements, and restrictions on communication. You do not need a criminal conviction to ask for one.

Forms and instructions are available through Washington State Courts, and legal support can help you prepare for hearings and understand what to expect.

Financial and Practical Support for Survivors

Healing often involves expenses that survivors should not have to carry alone. Washington offers compensation programs to help cover costs tied to recovery.

Through the state’s victim compensation system, you may be eligible for help with:

  • Medical treatment and follow-up care
  • Counseling and therapy
  • Lost income related to the assault
  • Other qualifying expenses connected to recovery

Advocacy and Emotional Support Are Part of Your Rights

Legal protections are only one part of support. Survivors also have the right to emotional care and advocacy without judgment. The Washington State Office of Crime Victim Advocacy maintains a statewide directory of programs, including legal aid and advocacy services that can assist with applications and referrals.

Advocates can:

  • Explain options in plain language
  • Attend medical or legal appointments with you
  • Help with safety planning
  • Connect you to counseling and housing resources

You can work with an advocate whether or not you pursue a legal case. Support is not contingent on reporting.

When you are facing the aftermath of sexual assault by someone close to you, it can be hard to know what comes next. We take the time to explain your options, answer questions honestly, and help you move forward at a pace that feels right for you. Our role is to protect your rights while respecting your decisions and boundaries.

Our work in these cases focuses on safety, protection, and guidance around criminal matters and civil protection orders. Jennifer Horwitz Law does not file civil lawsuits for damages on behalf of sexual assault survivors, but we can explain available options and, where appropriate, help connect you with other resources or counsel.

Taking the Next Step Toward Safety and Stability

If you want to talk through legal options or next steps, we are here to help. Jennifer Horwitz offers one-hour paid consultations and limited-scope support for survivors seeking guidance without full representation. For some people, this provides the clarity they need.

Contact Jennifer Horwitz Law to schedule a confidential consultation and discuss the support that makes sense for you.