childhood mistake turned into child molestation charges

[droogin_princess]

My friend was recently arrested on a bench warrant that he didnt know he had.He is being accused of child molestation in the first degree in accordance with the definition of that crime in washington.He was arrested in california but extradited to washington. The said crime occured on 1-1-03 when he was still 12 and no charges were filed until 2008 when he had already turned 18. Is it legal for him to be convicted when he himself was under the age of consent and the law states that the perpatrator must be over 12 years old? Is it ok to mark him for life as a sexual predator when all he was doing was being a normal child exploring withsomeone else his age?

That is bizarre frankly. Hire a lawyer asap. That is a juvenile issue that should be handled as such and jail should not be a part of this--unless the situation is extremely severe and violent.

[droogin_princess]

unfortunately he cant afford to hire a lawyer and he has only talked to his DA twice. The worse thing is that if they do find him guilty he has to register as a sex offender even though he was still a child when it happened and he didnt understand exactly what was going on. its aslo unfair that the person waited so long after reporting the incident to press charges

I would say take a loan, get family help--do whatever you can --but get a private lawyer.

[droogin_princess]

his family isnt aware of how to do that since they all live in california and hes in jail in washington they dont know where to start or how they would be able to afford it

His family isn't aware of how to loan money because they're in a different state? I'm not sure I understand that.

He needs an attorney. Advise him to contact legal aid. If cannot afford an attorney one should be provided free of charge. You can keep coming back here making excuses about why he cannot hire an attorney but the fact remains he needs one. He cannot fight this charge by himself.

It is rather strange he's being charged as an adult when he was a minor. The parents should be the ones being charged as they were responsible for properly parenting the child.

[droogin_princess]

he has a district attorney because they have to give him one since he cant afford a private one but hes only talked to him twice and all the attorney is interested in doing is finding him a bargain not finding him innocent....were trying to find a private attorney that doesnt cost much and that is willing to let them pay him in small payments at a time

make sure you get a skilled experienced lawyer...you don't want to mess around with these kinds of charges--borrow the money if need be

[droogin_princess]

yah were trying to find someone who has dealed with these types of cases before so its takeing a while hopefully we have some luck realy soon