Puyallup, WA Felony Defense Lawyer

Aggressive Felony Defense Attorney Serving Residents of Puyallup

When you have been charged with a felony, it may feel like your world is coming undone around you. As difficult as it may sound, the best thing you can do is to muster a calm, measured response. By working with a Puyallup felony defense attorney, you can make sure your rights are protected in court.

At The Law Office of Michael Austin Stewart Criminal Defense Lawyer, we provide strong counsel and representation for people facing felony charges. Our criminal defense lawyer has over 30 years of experience advocating for clients accused of serious offenses, which has helped us earn the trust of the community at large.

Addressing Charges Involving Rape and Child Pornography in Washington

Sex crime allegations can upend a person's life before the case is resolved. In Washington, many of these offenses are charged as felonies, and a conviction can bring prison time, registration requirements, and supervision conditions that follow a person long after sentencing.

Rape charges often depend on the state's version of what happened between the people involved. The prosecution may claim that force, incapacity, or lack of consent turned an encounter into a crime. First-degree rape is a Class A felony, which is punishable by a sentence of up to life in prison and a fine of up to $50,000. Evidence in these cases must be examined closely, especially when the accusation depends heavily on statements or digital communications.

Child pornography cases, often referred to as CSAM cases, require a careful technical defense. The presence of a file on a device does not always explain how it got there or who knowingly accessed it. Our firm can review how the evidence was found, how the devices were searched, and whether the state can actually connect the accused person to the alleged material.

Facing Felony DUI Charges?

Most DUI cases in Washington are charged as gross misdemeanors, but certain facts can raise the case to a felony. A person may face felony DUI charges after prior impaired-driving offenses or after a prior conviction involving serious harm caused while driving under the influence.

Felony DUI is a Class B felony. A conviction can result in a prison sentence of no more than 10 years in prison and a potential $20,000 fine. It can also come with license revocation, ignition interlock requirements, treatment obligations, and other consequences that affect your work, family responsibilities, and daily life.

A defense may begin with the traffic stop. If police lacked a lawful basis to stop the vehicle, evidence gathered afterward may be challenged. The testing process also deserves close review, since breath and blood results can be affected by flawed procedures, timing problems, or mishandled samples. Prior offense history may matter as well, especially when the state uses it to justify a felony charge.

Advocating for Clients Accused of Violent Crimes

Violent crime allegations can expose a person to some of the harshest penalties under Washington law. These cases may involve accusations of serious injury, weapon use, threats, or death. Prosecutors often move aggressively, but the seriousness of the accusation does not relieve the state of its burden of proof.

A strong defense begins with a careful look at what actually happened. Witness accounts may be incomplete or shaped by fear. Police may make early assumptions about who started the conflict or what the accused intended. Evidence that seems damaging at first may look very different once the full context is reviewed.

Our felony defense attorney can work to challenge the prosecution's version of events. We may examine intent, causation, self-defense, police conduct, and the strength of the evidence supporting the felony charge. When the facts do not support the charge filed, we can push for dismissal, reduced charges, or acquittal.

Meet With a Puyallup, Washington Felony Defense Attorney

Felony charges require a careful, immediate response. At The Law Office of Michael Austin Stewart Criminal Defense Lawyer, we help clients in Puyallup understand the case against them and take the next step with clarity. Call 123-456-7890 or contact our Puyallup, WA felony defense lawyer to arrange a free consultation.

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The first few hours after an arrest can be incredibly stressful, but they may also be incredibly important for your case. Anything you say during questioning could be used against you in court, even if police appear sympathetic to your circumstances. During this time, protecting your rights is absolutely critical. If you have been accused of a crime, do not hesitate to get in contact with a skilled criminal defense lawyer who can advise you on how to respond.

Attorney Michael Austin Stewart has decades of experience representing clients throughout Pierce County and the South Puget Sound in serious felony cases. When you work with our firm, your case will receive close attention from a seasoned trial attorney who will explore all of your options to fight the charges in court.

Proven experience representing clients in high-stakes criminal matters

When your freedom, reputation, or career is at risk, you need a respected and aggressive criminal defense attorney on your side. Attorney Michael Austin Stewart's successful case results speak to his diligence and willingness to fully investigate a charge. Across his 30-year career, he has obtained favorable outcomes for many clients, routinely securing sentencing terms well below the government's request as well as dismissals and not guilty verdicts.

Past case results are not a guarantee of future outcomes. Instead, they show the lengths we are willing to go to protect our clients. You only get one chance to protect your freedom and your name in a criminal case, so you should not settle for anything less than the best when looking for the right attorney.

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Case Results

Our firm has a demonstrated history of successes in criminal defense cases, frequently securing ideal outcomes through our fierce advocacy.

Felony DUI Dismissed

Achieved after court found no probable cause for the traffic stop

Felony Domestic Charges Dismissed

Secured after further investigation revealed death threats were falsified

Firearm Charge Dismissed

Achieved after it was revealed that the officer conducted a warrantless search without reasonable suspicion

Not Guilty Verdict in Rape Case

Defendant was completely exonerated after extensive cross-examination and arguments from defense

Reputable criminal defense trusted by local communities

Attorney Michael Austin Stewart has a reputation for being extremely tough in the courtroom while being approachable and personable with his clients. His main goal is to set you at ease while providing aggressive representation in court, taking a stand to protect your rights. We are available 24/7, as we remain in close communication with our clients in every case.

Our firm has also been recognized with many awards for our excellent client service and strong representation. Some of these accolades include placement in the Top 100 Trial Lawyers by The National Trial Lawyers, recognition as a Super Lawyer, and a 10.0 Avvo rating. We have also earned many 5-star reviews from clients we have personally helped through difficult situations, highlighting the trust we have built up across Tacoma and the wider community.

Strong counsel when you need it most

You can trust our firm to handle your case with the tact and care that it deserves. We know how to manage the media in cases that garner public attention—having taken on cases featured in CBS, The Washington Times, The Seattle Times, and other outlets—working to protect our clients' privacy as we build a careful defense. We also know how to navigate communication with police and prosecutors to minimize any possible risks.

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The Law Office of Michael Austin Stewart Criminal Defense Lawyer

Focused on
the Best Case
Outcome

Whether you are facing property crime charges, allegations of violent crime, or sex crime accusations, our firm will seek the best possible outcome to your case. To accomplish this, we carry out in-depth investigations to uncover all of the relevant facts, allowing us to build a nuanced argument to present to the court. Attorney Michael Austin Stewart is a trial-tested criminal defense lawyer with the skills and legal knowledge to present a strong case on your behalf.

If you have any questions about how we can help with your situation, do not hesitate to reach out. Seeking early legal counsel is critical for making sure that you are fairly represented during the criminal proceedings.

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Verdict Spotlight

Felony DUI Dismissed

Achieved after court found no probable cause for the traffic stop

Felony Domestic Charges Dismissed

Secured after further investigation revealed death threats were falsified

Firearm Charge Dismissed

Achieved after it was revealed that the officer conducted a warrantless search without reasonable suspicion

Not Guilty Verdict in Rape Case

Defendant was completely exonerated after extensive cross-examination and arguments from defense

Award-Winning

Our firm has been honored with many awards for our exceptional criminal defense.

30+ Years of Experience

Attorney Michal Austin Stewart has decades of courtroom experience defending clients accused of felony crimes.

Free Consultations

We offer free consultations to any prospective clients with questions about a pending criminal case or investigation.