Eugene, Oregon Sex Crimes Attorneys | Sexual Abuse Lawyers

Aggressive Defense for Sex Crime Charges in Eugene, Oregon

Few accusations carry the social and legal consequences of a sex crime charge. Whether you are under investigation or facing prosecution, these cases often move swiftly and aggressively, with police, prosecutors, and investigators working to build a case against you before you even have the chance to defend yourself.

Oregon law takes sex offenses exceptionally seriously, and many charges-such as Rape, Sexual Abuse, Sodomy, and Unlawful Sexual Penetration-carry Measure 11 mandatory minimum sentences, meaning a conviction could lead to years or even decades in prison without the possibility of parole.

At the Law Office of Mike Arnold, we understand the high stakes in these cases and are committed to fiercely protecting our clients’ rights. With extensive trial experience and a deep understanding of forensic evidence, expert testimony, and aggressive cross-examination techniques, we build strong defenses against even the most challenging sex crime allegations.

Our founding attorney, Mike Arnold, is a former Eugene city prosecutor who knows firsthand how the state constructs these cases-and how to dismantle them. His work has been featured in major news articles and true-crime television programs, a testament to his ability to handle high-profile, high-stakes criminal defense cases with skill and tenacity.

Sex crime cases are highly complex, and the legal landscape has shifted dramatically in recent years. Once dismissed too easily, allegations are often accepted at face value, creating an environment where innocent people are accused and convicted without sufficient evidence. This is especially true in university disciplinary hearings, where due process protections are minimal, and the accused may not even have the opportunity to cross-examine their accuser.

If you or a loved one is facing sex crime charges in Oregon, the time to act is now. The government is already building its case-who is building yours? Contact the Lane County Law Office of Mike Arnold today for a free intake call or a paid consultation to start fighting back with an experienced, aggressive, and results-driven defense team.

Our Oregon Sex Crime Defense Philosophy and Goals

Goal #1: A dismissal or “no file” as quickly as possible.
Goal #2: An acquittal at trial.
Goal #3: A settlement you can live with (i.e, a crime that can be expunged rather than a sex crime).

We are not settlement lawyers. We are trial lawyers first. We prepare our cases for trial to be in the best position to settle your case. We do NOT take exorbitant flat fees and then pressure you to take a deal as quickly as possible. We work our cases and fight for your clients.

With the right team, there is hope. Don’t give up. Focus on what you are grateful for. Remember that things could always be much worse. And start building a team to support you.

What Types of Oregon Sex Crime Defendants Does the Law Office of Mike Arnold Represent?

The Law Office of Mike Arnold provides aggressive, strategic defense for individuals facing sex crime allegations in Eugene and throughout Oregon. These charges are among the most serious and complex in the legal system, often involving severe penalties, mandatory prison sentences, and lasting consequences.

We handle a wide range of state and federal sex crime cases, including but not limited to:

Measure 11 Sex Crimes (Mandatory Minimum Sentencing Cases)

• Rape (First and Second Degree) – Accusations of non-consensual sexual intercourse, which carry mandatory minimum sentences under Oregon’s Measure 11 laws.
• Sodomy (First and Second Degree) – Involves forced or non-consensual oral or anal sexual contact, prosecuted as a serious felony with severe penalties.
• Unlawful Sexual Penetration (First and Second Degree) – Charges involving non-consensual penetration with an object, which can result in significant prison time upon conviction.
• Sexual Abuse (First Degree) – Allegations involving forcible sexual contact, often prosecuted under Measure 11 sentencing guidelines.

Other Sex Crime Charges

• Sexual Abuse (Second and Third Degree) – Charges related to non-consensual sexual contact, including cases involving minors or incapacitated individuals.
• Online Sex Crimes & Internet-Based Offenses – Defense against enticing a minor, online solicitation, and unlawful use of electronic communications to commit a crime.
• Child Pornography Possession or Distribution – Federal and state prosecutions involving digital evidence, forensic computer analysis, and strict sentencing guidelines.
• Failure to Register as a Sex Offender – Defense for individuals accused of failing to comply with Oregon’s sex offender registration requirements.
• Public Indecency & Lewd Conduct – Charges stemming from allegations of inappropriate exposure or sexual conduct in public places.
• Sex Crime Allegations in University & Title IX Cases – Defense for students and faculty members facing campus-based investigations and disciplinary hearings, where due process protections are often minimal.

How We Defend Against Oregon Sex Crime Charges

Sex crime cases are highly complex, often relying on subjective testimony, forensic evidence, and digital communications. Our defense strategies focus on:

• Challenging the credibility of the accuser and exposing inconsistencies in their statements.
• Utilizing forensic experts to analyze DNA, digital evidence, and electronic communications.
• Filing motions to suppress illegally obtained evidence or statements.
• Defending against false or exaggerated accusations often made during divorce or custody battles.
• Aggressively cross-examining witnesses and law enforcement officers to highlight weaknesses in the prosecution’s case.

If you or a loved one is facing sex crime charges in Oregon, time is critical. Contact the Law Office of Mike Arnold today for a free intake call or a paid consultation and take the first step toward protecting your freedom, reputation, and future.

Settlement Goals in Oregon Sex Offense Cases

Settlement goals depend on each case. When the stakes are high (prison or registerable sex offense), clients’ goals can range from wanting an expungeable non-registerable offense, minimal incarceration, an outright dismissal or acquittal at trial. Typically, a sex crime requires someone to register for the rest of their life, which makes any plea agreement a hard pill to swallow when falsely accused.

If You Have Been Charged With a Sex Crime in Oregon: Apply for Court Appointed Counsel

Even if you plan to retain an Oregon attorney with family funds, apply for court appointed counsel. Tell the truth 100% of the time with everyone you talk to or say nothing. If you qualify for court-appointed attorneys, Oregon will pay for investigative fees and expert witnesses, saving money to be applied to attorney fees. And you typically get what you pay for in life – the service industries are no exception. The supply and demand curve are alive and well for legal services. Although our firm does not take court-appointed criminal cases, we can use court-appointed funds for non-routine costs and expenses, such as polygraphs, investigators, etc.

Understand the Pretrial Release Decision (Bail and Release Agreements)

Your attorney can move the court for pretrial release, to reduce bail, or to modify the terms of a release agreement. Many Oregon counties have genuine judicial scrutiny of the bail amounts and release decisions. Lane County, in particular, had been under increased scrutiny for its failure to have an elected judge honestly review the release decisions of the unelected bureaucrats at Pretrial Services, an arm of the circuit court. However, with the persistence of vigilant attorneys, that system has improved drastically.

The State of Oregon’s Burden of Proof: Can They Prove Their Case?

Under our constitution, an accused person is innocent unless and until proven guilty. The question for the jury is not whether or not you committed the crime but whether or not the state of Oregon has proven beyond a reasonable doubt that you committed the crime as alleged by the State.

At our firm, we can research the legal issues unique to your case and discuss the merits of challenging the state prosecutor’s alleged evidence through tactical motions to suppress and motions in limine. We can even challenge unlawful confessions. In addition to challenging the legal sufficiency of the admissible or inadmissible evidence, we attempt to challenge the factual sufficiency of the evidence by aggressively and diligently investigating the case facts and having a confidential investigator speak to actual and purported witnesses for the government and you. If a suggestive photo identification implied an identity or other “eye witness” problems, we can challenge that evidence with an ID expert with nationally recognized credentials. Human beings are terrible fact recorders. The human mind is not set up to videotape this despite the hopes and wishes of ignorant government agents who believe witnesses as if they are infallible.

The Law Office of Mike Arnold’s Unique Approach to Oregon Sex Crime Defenses

Mike is known for utilizing his skills from other practice areas to defend your case. He is not a one-dimensional lawyer with a one-size-fits-all approach to your case.. Your case is not “business as usual” for Mike; your life and facts are unique. You deserve individualized attention. Because Mike has a broad range of criminal and civil litigation experience, he has many experiences and relationships with trial experts that you do not usually see in a criminal litigation case. He can analyze your case’s unique set of fact issues and work with you to brainstorm what expert witnesses will best assist in telling the jury the story on a disputed fact. That might distinguish between a simple he-said, she-said among witnesses and reasonable doubt/acquittal/dismissal.

Understand Oregon’s Sex Crime Conviction Sentencing Factors

It is customary for Oregon state prosecutors to overcharge a client and hold an overly harsh potential punishment over their head to force a settlement on the terms of the government. While Mike is preparing your case for a jury trial, he will also be contemplating sentencing mitigation issues to present to the prosecutor and judge to challenge any sentencing recommendation by the state. This includes having a thoughtful and thorough investigator research mitigating factors and employing other experts to assist at sentencing, such as substance abuse specialists, family case history, psych evaluators, and others to help build your case for success.

Contact Our Skilled Sex Crime Defense Lawyers in Eugene, Oregon for Help Today

A sex crime accusation can devastate your freedom, reputation, and future-but you don’t have to face it alone. At the Law Office of Mike Arnold, we provide aggressive, strategic, and results-driven defense for clients accused of serious sex offenses in Eugene and throughout Oregon. With extensive trial experience and a deep understanding of forensic evidence, digital investigations, and cross-examination techniques, we know how to fight against false allegations, weak evidence, and unfair prosecutions.

Our firm offers flat-fee and hourly-based representation, ensuring you receive dedicated, personalized legal advocacy tailored to your case. We are available after hours, on weekends, and for urgent defense matters to provide immediate legal guidance when needed.

If you or a loved one is under investigation or facing charges, time is critical-the prosecution is already building a case against you. Call 541-359-4585 today for a free intake call or a paid attorney consultation, or contact us online to start protecting your rights and future. We don’t wait-we take action.