Lakewood, Washington Felony Defense Attorney
Skilled Defense Lawyer for People Accused of Felony Crimes in Lakewood
Felony charges should never be treated lightly. In Washington, felonies carry not only substantial prison time, but also high fines, depending on the sentence. As soon as you have been arrested or charged with an offense, it is in your best interests to seek legal representation. A Lakewood, WA felony defense lawyer can provide you with legal advice and representation in a criminal case.
At The Law Office of Michael Austin Stewart Criminal Defense Lawyer, we have successfully represented numerous clients facing major charges. Many of our clients have praised our strong advocacy and excellent communication, as you can see in our testimonials. You can trust us to provide you with an aggressive defense focused on protecting your future.
Representation in Violent Crime Cases in Lakewood
At The Law Office of Michael Austin Stewart Criminal Defense Lawyer, we defend clients facing violent crime allegations in Lakewood, including:
- First-degree assault, which may involve allegations of great bodily harm, firearm use, deadly weapons, or conduct likely to cause death
- Homicide offenses, including manslaughter, murder, vehicular homicide, and homicide by abuse
- Robbery, which combines theft allegations with claims of force, threats, injury, or weapon involvement
- Domestic violence-related felonies, where the underlying charge may carry no-contact orders, firearm restrictions, and family consequences
A violent crime charge often centers on witness accounts, physical evidence, intent, injury severity, self-defense issues, and police assumptions. Our firm can review the prosecution's theory and work to protect your freedom and record.
Accused of Felony DUI or Vehicular Homicide?
Most DUI charges in Washington are gross misdemeanors, but a DUI can become a felony when the accused has enough prior qualifying offenses or a prior conviction for certain serious impaired-driving crimes. Felony DUI cases often involve license consequences, ignition interlock requirements, treatment obligations, and long-term supervision.
Vehicular homicide is even more serious. Prosecutors may file this charge after a fatal crash if they claim the driver was under the influence or that the defendant drove with disregard for the safety of others. A defense may focus on whether the accused person's driving actually caused the death, whether toxicology results are reliable, and whether another factor contributed to the crash.
Handling Felony Drug Charges
Felony drug cases often center on claims that the accused was involved in more than simple possession. Prosecutors may use evidence from a vehicle, home, phone, package, or personal belongings to argue that the drugs were connected to delivery or distribution. Even then, the state must prove more than suspicion. Our defense attorney can challenge how the evidence was found and if it truly supports the charge filed.
A defense may focus on how the evidence was obtained and whether it can be used at all. It may also examine the reliability of lab testing and question whether the accused person was actually connected to the alleged drugs. In some cases, the prosecution's theory depends on assumptions about intent that are not supported by the facts. Our firm can review how the investigation was conducted to identify weaknesses in the state's argument.
Legal Advice and Representation for Washington Sex Crime Cases
Sex crime allegations carry consequences that extend far beyond prison exposure. A sex crime conviction can affect far more than the sentence imposed in court. Registration requirements, supervision conditions, and court orders can reshape where a person lives, works, travels, and communicates. These cases can also damage a person's reputation long before the evidence is fully tested.
The defense must focus on the specific accusation and the proof behind it. In a Washington sex crime case, that may mean challenging an unsupported allegation, exposing gaps in the investigation, disputing digital evidence, questioning witness reliability, or addressing consent when the law allows it.
Contact a Lakewood, WA Felony Defense Lawyer
At The Law Office of Michael Austin Stewart Criminal Defense Lawyer, we provide focused defense for people facing serious felony charges in Lakewood. Call 123-456-7890 or contact our Lakewood, Washington felony defense attorney to arrange a free consultation.
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.














