Sex Crimes Attorney Maryville, MO

Sex crimes attorney in Maryville, MO. If you are facing sex crime charges in or around Maryville, MO, Combs Waterkotte is here for you and ready to talk about how our skilled sex crimes attorneys can help. Get in touch with our team for a free review of your case online through our form or call (314) 900-HELP.

At Combs Waterkotte, we know precisely what’s at stake. You need the help of an experienced sex crimes attorney in Maryville, MO to protect your rights and defend your case. Sex crimes carry serious consequences, including harsh prison sentences, mandatory sex offender registration, and hefty fines. Trust Combs Waterkotte.

Article Summary

Being accused of a sex crime in Maryville, MO is life-altering, and the consequences can follow you forever. This page explains how an experienced sex crimes attorney can protect your rights, challenge the prosecution’s case, and fight to avoid harsh penalties like prison time and mandatory sex offender registration. Learn what types of charges we defend, why early action is critical, and how our discreet, aggressive defense strategies help clients protect their freedom and reputation when facing serious allegations.

Common Sex Crime Charges in Maryville, MO

Sex crimes in Maryville, MO run the gamut in terms of substance, severity, and potential sentences, from sexual assault and rape to child pornography and sexual misconduct with a minor. Some of the most common sex crime charges in Missouri include:

• Rape: Defined under Missouri Law as nonconsensual sexual intercourse or penetration, rape is a felony offense with potential sentences from 5 years in prison up to life without parole as outlined in Missouri Revised Statute § 566.030.
• Sexual Assault: Sexual assault involves any unwanted sexual contact, including touching or groping. It is also a serious felony offense that can result in a prison sentence of up to 30 years.
• Statutory Rape: Statutory rape occurs when an individual engages in sexual activity with a minor who is below the age of consent, as they are considered too young to be capable of giving informed consent. The age of consent in Maryville and elsewhere in Missouri is 17 years old, and engaging in sexual activity with a minor under the age of 14 as an adult can result in charges of statutory rape in the first degree.
• Child Pornography: Child pornography involves the creation, distribution, or possession of sexually explicit images or videos of children under the age of 18. It is a serious Class D or Class B felony offense that can result in a prison sentence of up to 30 years, and pursuant to RSMo. § 573.037, you could be subject to separate sentences for each article of child pornography you are accused of possessing.
• Sexual Misconduct with a Minor: Sexual misconduct with a minor involves exposing genitals or coercing a minor under 15 to engage in sexually explicit behavior. As outlined in RSMo. § 566.083, this is a serious Class D or Class E felony that can result in prison and long-term consequences.

The Stakes are Too High — Don’t Face Sex Crime Charges Alone in Maryville, MO

A conviction for a sex crime in Missouri brings life-changing consequences. You could face years behind bars, mandatory sex offender registration, and long-term damage to your career, family, and reputation. Where you live, where you work, and how people see you — it can all change with a single guilty verdict in the Maryville, MO area.

Each case is different and depends on the evidence presented, the nature of what took place, your previous criminal history, the judge presiding over your case, and other factors. The sooner you have a tough, knowledgeable Maryville, MO sex crimes attorney by your side, the better your chances of avoiding the worst penalties. From day one, we fight to get your charges reduced or dismissed. We also provide:

• Expert Legal Representation in Maryville, MO: With over 50 years of combined legal experience, our Maryville, MO sex crimes attorneys know how to fight — and win. From the moment your case begins, we provide straightforward legal guidance, craft powerful defense strategies, and ensure your rights are protected at every stage of the process, from investigation through verdict.
• Case Evaluation: Thoroughly assessing the details of your case is one of the first steps of a Combs Waterkotte sex crimes attorney in Maryville, MO. We don’t take the prosecution’s word for it. Our skilled sex crimes legal team reviews evidence, interviews any witnesses, and identifies possible legal issues that could affect your defense. This comprehensive analysis helps us formulate an effective defense strategy tailored specifically to your case.
• Confident Courtroom Defense in Maryville, MO: Our Maryville, MO sex crimes attorneys are tenacious litigators who present compelling arguments on your behalf in court. They rigorously question witnesses, dismantle the prosecution’s arguments, and present evidence and testimony to support your defense. The objective is to raise reasonable doubt in the minds of the jury, aiming for an acquittal, or, when that’s not possible, to reduce the severity of any sentence imposed.
• Post-Conviction Support in Maryville: A conviction isn’t the end in Maryville, MO. Our work continues with appeals, motions for post-conviction relief, and efforts to reduce or reverse wrongful outcomes. Your fight for justice deserves tireless advocacy, and we never stop pushing for the best result possible.

Maryville, MO Sex Crimes Attorney: Common Legal Defenses

Defending against a sex crime accusation in the Maryville, MO area is complex and deeply personal. The best defense strategy depends entirely on the facts of the case and the laws of the jurisdiction. Every situation is different. Below are some of the most frequently used legal defenses by our legal team in Maryville, MO sex crime cases:

• Consent:
  Many sex crime cases hinge on whether the act was consensual. If both people willingly participated and were of legal age, we can use text messages, prior relationship history, or witness accounts to argue affirmative consent and dismantle the charge.
• Alibi:
  If you weren’t there, you couldn’t have committed the crime. An alibi defense uses concrete evidence like phone data, receipts, or security footage to prove you were elsewhere at the time of the alleged offense.
• False Allegations:
  In rare but serious situations, accusations may be fabricated out of revenge, jealousy, custody disputes, or other personal motives. We can present evidence of bias, inconsistencies, or ulterior motives to undermine the credibility of the allegations.
• Your Rights Were Violated:
  If police in Maryville, MO cut corners — like executing an illegal search or forcing a confession — we’ll file motions to suppress tainted evidence and challenge the legality of your arrest. That could mean your case gets thrown out before trial even begins.
• Insufficient Evidence:
  When prosecutors rely on speculation, sketchy witness claims, or flimsy forensic tests, it’s our job to expose those weaknesses. If the case doesn’t hold up under scrutiny, your Maryville, MO sex crimes lawyer will push hard for dismissal or acquittal.
• You Lacked Criminal Intent:
  If you suffered from a mental health condition or cognitive impairment at the time of the incident, we may argue you were incapable of forming criminal intent, which can lead to reduced charges or penalties.
• Reasonable Belief of Legal Age:
  In Maryville, MO statutory sex crime cases, we may argue that you had a reasonable and good-faith belief that the other individual was of legal age. This defense depends on the specific facts, but it can be effective in minimizing charges or penalties.

How a Sex Crimes Attorney in Maryville, MO Can Help You

At Combs Waterkotte, we don’t just represent you, we fight for your future. If you’re facing sex crime charges in Maryville, MO, don’t go it alone. The legal system can be overwhelming, but with our experienced sex crimes defense attorneys on your side, you have a real chance at protecting your name, freedom, and livelihood.

As a leading Maryville, MO criminal defense law firm, we understand the serious nature of sex crimes and the devastating consequences they can have on individuals and their families. Our experienced sex crimes attorneys have successfully defended numerous clients against a variety of sex crimes and other criminal charges, and we are committed to providing our clients with the best.

Other types of cases we take on in Maryville, MO include:

• Drivers License Reinstatement Attorney
• Careless Imprudent Driving Attorneys
• Weapons Crime Attorney

You Deserve a Strong Defense. Speak With a Maryville, MO Sex Crimes Attorney Today.

If you’ve been accused of a sex crime in or around Maryville, MO, or if you think you might be under investigation, don’t wait. You have no time to waste. Talking to police without a lawyer can make your situation far worse. Every conversation and decision matters from the very first moment.

Call Combs Waterkotte at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online immediately. Our Maryville, MO sex crimes attorneys will take swift, strategic action to defend your rights, protect your future, and fight aggressively for the best possible result. Don’t delay — your defense starts the moment you make the call.