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The fundamentals of challenging evidence
# The fundamentals of challenging evidence | The Law Office of Michael Austin Stewart
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Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consetetur sadipscing elitr, sed diam nonumyeirmod tempor invidunt ut labore et dolore magna aliquyam erat, sed diamvoluptua. At vero eos et accusam et justo duo dolores et ea rebum. Stet clita kasd gubergren, no sea takimata sanctus est Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consetetur sadipscing elitr, sed diam nonumyeirmod tempor invidunt ut labore et dolore magna aliquyam erat, sed diamvoluptua. At vero eos et accusam et justo duo dolores et ea rebum. Stet clita kasd gubergren, no sea takimata sanctus est Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet.
3 types of assault charges
# 3 types of assault charges | The Law Office of Michael Austin Stewart
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What should you consider before deciding on a plea offer?
# What should you consider before deciding on a plea offer? | The Law Office of Michael Austin Stewart
Does Your Situation Call For A Hero?
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The 3 types of criminal defense strategies
The Washington Association of Sheriffs & Police Chiefs reported an increase of 16.6% in murders from 2021 to 2022 in the state. For those facing accusations of committing those murders, finding a proper defense strategy was imperative.
Defending one’s rights in the face of criminal charges involves a complex legal landscape, with three primary approaches known as negative, affirmative, and procedural criminal defenses. These strategies are essential to navigate the criminal justice system effectively and protect individuals from unjust consequences.
1. Negative defense
Negative criminal defense is one of the most common approaches. It revolves around challenging the prosecution’s evidence and burden of proof. In a negative defense, the accused party asserts that the prosecution did not meet its obligation of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
This strategy involves asking if the proof that the prosecution shows in court is trustworthy and important. It focuses on the idea that there might not be enough definite evidence to prove that the person did the crime, instead of giving a different story about what happened.
4 reasons people rob banks
# 4 reasons people rob banks | The Law Office of Michael Austin Stewart
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How can a criminal record impact your professional reputation?
# How can a criminal record impact your professional reputation? | The Law Office of Michael Austin Stewart
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Avoiding conflicts during a heated visitation or custody exchange
# Avoiding conflicts during a heated visitation or custody exchange | The Law Office of Michael Austin Stewart
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What you need to know about no-contact orders in Washington state
# What you need to know about no-contact orders in Washington state | The Law Office of Michael Austin Stewart
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Understanding the negative impact of an identity theft charge
# Understanding the negative impact of an identity theft charge | The Law Office of Michael Austin Stewart
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We Will Fight to Protect Your Future
Felony
DUI
Certain factors like prior convictions can lead to a DUI being charged as a felony. Our firm can work with you from the start of your case and fight to protect your criminal record and driving privileges.
Sex
Crimes
Our firm can advocate for people facing serious sex crime allegations such as rape, sexual assault, or charges involving child pornography. We will build our defense to protect you from the immediate penalties and potential collateral consequences, like sex offender registration.
Drug
Crimes
Attorney Michael Austin Stewart can help you take on felony charges of drug possession and distribution. Our firm can challenge improper police procedures and look for weaknesses in the prosecution's case to limit the potential exposure to you.
White
Collar
Crimes
We can help you fight charges of fraud, embezzlement, and other white-collar offenses. These cases often involve complex evidence and detailed investigations, which is why you need a seasoned defense attorney at your side.
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.
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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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.
1105 Tacoma Ave South, Suite A, Tacoma, WA 98402
123-456-7890
