Child Molestation

Child Molestation Attorney in Oregon City

Public Defense Roots. Serious Criminal Defense for Clackamas County.

A child molestation charge doesn’t wait. From the moment law enforcement opens an investigation, anything you say can be used against you, and the consequences of a conviction extend far beyond prison time. At Morrisson Law LLC, we defend individuals facing child molestation and related sex crime charges in Oregon City and throughout Clackamas County. Attorney Sarah Morrisson spent years in public defense representing clients charged with sexual assault and other serious offenses, giving our firm direct, hands-on familiarity with how these cases are built and prosecuted.

These charges can trigger sex offender registration, career loss, housing restrictions, and lasting reputational harm. An accusation alone can bring law enforcement and child protective services to your door before any formal charge is filed. Getting an attorney involved early can put you in a stronger position to protect your rights at every stage.

Call (971) 299-8747 to schedule a free case analysis with Morrisson Law LLC. We serve Oregon City, Clackamas County, and clients throughout our full Oregon and Washington service area.

How Oregon Law Charges Child Molestation

Conduct commonly called child molestation is prosecuted under Oregon’s sexual abuse statutes, which carry a range of penalties depending on the circumstances. Understanding which charge applies to your case matters from day one.

Sexual Abuse in the Third Degree (ORS 163.415): A Class A misdemeanor, typically charged when there is unwanted sexual contact without other aggravating factors.
Sexual Abuse in the Second Degree (ORS 163.425): A Class C felony, involving sexual intercourse, oral or anal sexual intercourse, or unlawful penetration with a person who does not or cannot consent.
Sexual Abuse in the First Degree (ORS 163.427): A Class B felony, triggered when the victim is under 14, when forcible compulsion is used, or when the victim is incapable of consent.

Oregon’s age of consent is 18. Any sexual contact with a person under 18 can be charged as a crime regardless of perceived consent.

Ballot Measure 11 & Jessica’s Law Mandatory Minimums

When Sexual Abuse in the First Degree is prosecuted as a Ballot Measure 11 offense, it carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 75 months (6 years and 3 months) with no possibility of parole, early release for good behavior, or sentence reduction. Measure 11 removed judicial discretion for certain serious offenses, meaning the sentence can apply regardless of individual circumstances or prior history.

Jessica’s Law adds another layer: persons over 18 convicted of qualifying first-degree sex offenses against a child under 12 face a mandatory minimum of 25 years. Prosecutors may also file related charges alongside sexual abuse counts, including rape under ORS 163.365 or 163.375, sodomy under ORS 163.395 or 163.405, unlawful sexual penetration under ORS 163.408 or 163.411, and contributing to the sexual delinquency of a minor. The defense must address each charge and the evidence behind it.

Consequences Beyond the Sentence

A conviction for most sex crimes in Oregon typically requires lifetime sex offender registration. Oregon classifies registered offenders into three levels based on assessed risk, and higher levels can require broad community notification to neighbors, schools, churches, and media. These convictions generally can’t be sealed or expunged under Oregon law.

The collateral effects reach every part of life. A registered sex offender can face restrictions on where they can live and work, and the conviction appears on public records that affect employment applications, housing, and child custody proceedings. Non-citizens may face immigration consequences, and professional licenses can be lost. When this much is at stake, the defense has to be thorough from the start.

Why Oregon City Clients Work With Morrisson Law LLC

Attorney Morrisson’s background in public defense means she has represented clients facing sexual assault and serious sex crime charges across Oregon, including in Clackamas County Circuit Court. That experience shaped how we approach these cases: we know how charges are filed, how investigations are conducted, and where defenses can be built.

We handle Ballot Measure 11 offenses, including Sexual Abuse in the First Degree, and we understand Oregon’s mandatory minimum sentencing landscape at a practical level. Attorney Morrisson is licensed in both Oregon and Washington and handles cases in Clackamas, Multnomah, Washington, Yamhill, Columbia, Clark, and Cowlitz Counties. We’re also licensed to practice in the Federal Court for the District of Oregon, covering both state and federal matters.

Attorney Morrisson started her career at Legal Aid and assisted in certifying a federal class action lawsuit against a New York jail and school district for constitutional violations. That foundation shapes how we approach every defense: protecting our clients means protecting constitutional rights. As a woman-owned, independent criminal defense firm, we don’t hand clients off to associates. You work directly with Attorney Morrisson and our team from the first call through resolution.

Take the First Step Toward Protecting Your Rights

The prosecution, law enforcement, and investigators are all focused on building a case against you. You need someone focused on defending you. Morrisson Law LLC offers free case analyses so you can understand your situation and your options without any upfront commitment. We’ve handled thousands of serious criminal cases across Oregon and Washington, and direct attorney access starts with your first contact.

Call (971) 299-8747 or reach out online to schedule your free case analysis with Morrisson Law LLC today.

What Happens After a Child Molestation Accusation in Oregon

An accusation can set multiple agencies in motion before a single charge is filed. In Oregon, a child molestation allegation typically triggers a parallel investigation by law enforcement and the Department of Human Services (DHS). Investigators may conduct recorded interviews with the child, the accused, and witnesses, and any statements made before an attorney is retained can be used against the accused at trial.

After an arrest, the accused is generally arraigned in Clackamas County Circuit Court, where charges are formally read and bail is addressed. Two constitutional rights matter most at this stage: the right to remain silent and the right to an attorney. Exercising both early is one of the most important steps a person can take. An attorney who engages during the investigation phase, before charges are filed, may be able to influence the charging decision or preserve critical evidence.

How Defense Is Built in Child Molestation Cases

The prosecution must prove each element of the charged offense beyond a reasonable doubt. Our defense work starts there: examining whether the evidence actually supports every required element. No two cases are identical, and strategy is built from the specific facts, not a generic formula.

Defense avenues in these cases may include:

Challenging how the accusation arose: Adult coaching, leading interview techniques, and custody dispute motivations are documented factors in false accusation cases and form a recognized area of defense investigation.
Reviewing physical and forensic evidence: What was collected, how it was handled, and whether it supports the charge.
Motions to suppress: Evidence obtained in violation of constitutional protections may be challenged and excluded.
Oregon’s close-in-age provision: Under ORS 163.345, a defense may be available in certain cases where the parties are within three years of age. This is a fact-specific determination that depends on the statute charged.
Psychosexual evaluation: May be sought by the defense for use in negotiations or sentencing mitigation.

We pursue defined legal strategies with clear goals at every stage, working alongside our clients rather than around them. If you’re facing charges or believe you’re under investigation in Oregon City or anywhere in Clackamas County, call (971) 299-8747 to start with a free case analysis.

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