Rape

Rape Attorney in West Linn, Oregon

Criminal Defense for Felony Sex Charges in Clackamas County

Morrisson Law LLC defends individuals charged with rape and related sex crimes in West Linn and throughout Clackamas County. Attorney Sarah Morrisson brings years of public defense experience handling sexual assault cases across multiple Oregon and Washington jurisdictions. We’ve defended people in exactly these situations before, and we’re prepared to defend you.

Rape charges in Oregon are felony offenses that trigger some of the state’s harshest sentencing laws. First and second-degree rape are Ballot Measure 11 crimes, meaning a conviction can carry a mandatory minimum prison sentence with no possibility of parole, good-time credit, or early release. The stakes are high from the moment an investigation begins. Engaging defense counsel immediately can affect how that investigation proceeds, long before charges are formally filed.

A rape charge doesn’t wait, and neither should you. Call us today at (971) 299-8747 for a free case analysis and direct access to Attorney Morrisson and our team.

Oregon Rape Charges: Degrees, Elements & Mandatory Minimums

Oregon defines rape in three degrees under ORS Chapter 163. Each degree carries different elements and significantly different consequences.

First-Degree Rape (ORS 163.375)

A Class A felony and a Ballot Measure 11 offense, first-degree rape carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 100 months. Prosecutors typically charge it when the accusation involves forcible compulsion, a victim under age 12, a victim under 16 who is the defendant’s child or sibling, or a victim who was incapable of consent due to mental incapacitation or physical helplessness. Under Jessica’s Law, an adult convicted of a first-degree sex offense against a child under 12 may face a mandatory minimum of 25 years (300 months), depending on the circumstances and prior criminal history.

Second-Degree Rape

Also a Ballot Measure 11 offense, second-degree rape carries a mandatory minimum of 75 months. A judge cannot depart below this floor regardless of the facts of the case or the defendant’s history.

Third-Degree Rape

A Class C felony and a non-Measure 11 offense, third-degree rape is the least severe charge but still a serious felony with lasting consequences, including potential sex offender registration.

Oregon law recognizes two broad theories of liability: the victim did not consent and was subjected to forcible compulsion (physical force or threat), and the victim could not legally consent due to age or lack of mental capacity. A rape accusation doesn’t require an allegation of physical force. Cases prosecuted through Clackamas County Circuit Court in Oregon City are shaped by the specific theory the prosecution pursues, which makes early analysis of the charging document critical.

Why West Linn Residents Choose Morrisson Law LLC

Sex crime cases proceed to trial more often than most other criminal matters. That makes the depth of a firm’s actual courtroom and public defense experience a meaningful factor, not just a credential on a website.

Public Defense Background in Sexual Assault Cases

Attorney Morrisson spent years in public defense representing clients charged with sexual assault, domestic violence, assault, burglary, and property crimes. She has handled thousands of cases across multiple jurisdictions in Oregon and Washington. That volume builds procedural familiarity with courts, prosecutors, and defense strategies.

Constitutional Rights at the Core

Attorney Morrisson began her legal career at Legal Aid and assisted in certifying a federal class action lawsuit against a New York jail and school district for violations of the United States Constitution. That foundation shapes how we approach every case. Defending our clients means defending constitutional rights at every stage of the process.

Dual-State & Federal Court Coverage

Attorney Morrisson is licensed in both Oregon and Washington and serves Multnomah, Washington, Clackamas, Yamhill, Columbia, Clark, and Cowlitz counties. Morrisson Law LLC is also licensed in the Federal Court for the District of Oregon. Whether your matter is a state-level charge in Clackamas County or a federal criminal matter, we can represent you. Associate Attorney Nick McCormick, who began his career at one of Oregon’s foremost criminal defense firms, is also admitted to the Oregon State Bar and the U.S. Federal Court for the District of Oregon.

Independent Firm, Direct Attorney Access

Morrisson Law LLC is a woman-owned, independently operated practice focused on criminal defense. When you work with us, you work with Attorney Morrisson and our team directly throughout the entire case. You won’t be handed off to a rotating cast of associates or absorbed into a large multi-practice firm where criminal defense is one department among dozens.

Facing a Rape Investigation or Charge in West Linn? Contact Us First.

Police and prosecutors begin building their case quickly after an arrest or investigation starts. Talking to law enforcement without an attorney present is one of the most common and costly mistakes an accused person can make. Retaining a rape attorney in West Linn as early as possible can give us a wider range of options to protect your rights, including the ability to communicate with investigators before charges are filed.

Morrisson Law LLC offers free case analyses, and you’ll have direct access to Attorney Morrisson from the first call. We serve clients in West Linn and throughout the Portland metro area, including all of Clackamas County.

Call (971) 299-8747 to speak with our team today.

Consequences That Extend Beyond a Prison Sentence

A rape conviction doesn’t end when a sentence is served. The collateral consequences follow a person into nearly every area of life, often permanently.

Areas commonly affected by a conviction include:

Professional licensing: Licenses in healthcare, education, law, and other regulated fields can be revoked or denied.
Employment: Most employers conduct background checks, and a sex crime record can disqualify candidates from a wide range of positions.
Child custody & parental rights: A conviction can directly affect custody determinations and parental rights.
Housing: Private landlord screening and, for registered sex offenders, legal residency restrictions near schools and parks can make housing harder to secure.
Criminal record: In Oregon, a rape conviction cannot typically be expunged or set aside, meaning the record is generally permanent.
Immigration status: For non-citizens, a conviction can affect visa eligibility, green card status, and the path to naturalization.

These consequences reach far beyond the courtroom and can reshape many aspects of a person’s life after a conviction.

Sex Offender Registration in Oregon

A rape conviction in Oregon typically triggers a lifetime requirement to register as a sex offender. The state classifies registrants into three levels based on assessed risk, and each level carries distinct public notification obligations. Across all levels, registration generally requires periodic in-person check-ins with law enforcement and can impose restrictions on where a registrant can live, work, and travel.

Level 1: Low Risk

Community notification at this level is limited, and a registrant’s information is not published on Oregon’s public sex offender website. Level 1 is the only classification where a registrant may apply for removal from the registry, available after five years following the end of supervision. That said, certain convictions, including rape in the first degree, are specifically disqualified from relief eligibility under Oregon law.

Level 2: Moderate Risk

At this level, law enforcement provides broader notification to neighbors, nearby schools, churches, and childcare facilities. No relief from registration is available at Level 2, though reclassification to Level 1 may be sought under some circumstances.

Level 3: High Risk

Level 3 carries the widest community notification, including local media coverage, and the registrant’s name, photograph, and address are published on Oregon’s publicly searchable sex offender registry. Employers, landlords, and community members can access that information directly.

Understanding what registration requires at each level is part of understanding the full weight of a conviction, and why building a strong defense from the outset matters.

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