Internet Sex Crimes Lawyer in Concordia, MO. Don’t underestimate internet sex crime allegations in Concordia, MO. It can be tempting to think that these charges are not as severe as rape or sexual assault, but the penalties for a conviction are often felonies, leading to years in prison.
These accusations are serious, but you have a path forward. Work with the leading internet sex crimes lawyer in Concordia, MO, Combs Waterkotte. Our firm has handled hundreds of sex crime cases. No matter your circumstances, we’re ready to craft a staunch defense.
This page will go over some of the most common online sex crime charges in Missouri, and why it’s essential to work with a skilled criminal defense attorney to protect your rights. If you’re facing charges and need help now, call our team at (314) 900-HELP or tell us about your case online to schedule a confidential case review.
Cases Handled
Over 10,000
Jail Days Saved
Over 1 Million
Google Reviews
500+ Perfect
Legal Experience
Over 80 Years
On This Page
- How an online sex crimes lawyer will protect your freedom
- Key qualities to think about when looking for a criminal defense attorney
- Internet sex crime charges our firm defends in Concordia, MO
- Why you need to think about Federal criminal defense
- Things to avoid if you’re facing internet sex crime allegations
- Tactics our team uses to defend online sex crime allegations in Concordia, MO
- How a sex crime conviction can affect your life
- How to talk to a Concordia, MO, internet sex crimes lawyer today
What Your Concordia, MO, Internet Sex Crimes Lawyer Does for You
If you’ve been accused of an online sex crime, your first step should be, getting in touch with a skillful Concordia, MO, sex crime defense lawyer should be your first step. The right attorney will listen to your story and build you a defense around it.
On the legal side, your attorney starts their job while the police are conducting their investigation. This usually involves speaking to law enforcement on your behalf and advising you on what to say. While the police are looking for evidence to convict you, your lawyer will look for exculpatory evidence.
Online sex crimes often hinge on either consent or how evidence was found. Your attorney should build a strong legal defense that examines the legality of the state’s investigation and/or whether the alleged victim consented. In doing so, you can examine the motives behind the accusations, rather than accept them without question.
Finally, your criminal defense lawyer will help defend you from slander. Sex crime accusations carry a stigma which can be hard to overcome, and that can affect you long before a conviction. An attorney who’s comfortable speaking in front of the press can defend your reputation and protect you from the spotlight.
Essential Qualities in Your Concordia, MO Internet Sex Crime Defense Lawyer
For many reasons, you need a local Concordia, MO, internet sex crimes attorney when facing these charges. But there are many options available, and it can be hard to figure out the right one for your case. When you’re picking an attorney, look for someone which can give you the following:
- Experience: Ideally with the exact crime you’ve been charged with.
- Client-First Approach: Look for someone who cares about your wellbeing, not just a paycheck.
- Positive Reputation: You want to work with someone who is known for getting positive results for clients.
- Trial-Ready Strategy: Even if you end up taking a plea deal, having a trial-ready strategy is an important piece of leverage.
Combs Waterkotte’s online sex crime lawyers embody all of these qualities. When you work with us, you’re getting a dedicated legal team that is known for delivering positive results. Our team is ready for your case today.
Legal Videos
What Happens When You Are Wrongfully Accused of a Sex Crime?
What happens when you are wrongfully accused of a sex crime? Episode Transcript Steve Waterkotte: Right. And you'll see sometimes, and I've had cases, where you had two individuals …
Too Intoxicated to Give Consent?
Missouri criminal defense lawyers Steven Waterkotte and Chris Combs talk about alleged victims being too intoxicated to give consent. Episode Transcript Steve Waterkotte: Most people …
Criminal Lawyer Talks About Representing Sex Criminals
Real Criminal Defense Lawyer talks about representing sex criminals. Episode Transcript Steve Waterkotte: I always say probably what the public views as the most vile or despicable …
Your Word Against Theirs in Court
Are just allegations enough to get charged with a crime? When it's your word against theirs in court. Episode Transcript Chris Combs: And allegations alone will do it. Steve hit on this …
What Happens When You Are Charged With a Child Sex Crime?
What happens when you are charged with a child sex crime? Episode Transcript Chris Combs: If you're a tier three sex offender, you can only have approved electronic devices. You have to …
What Happens When You Are Wrongfully Accused of a Sex Crime?
What happens when you are wrongfully accused of a sex crime? Episode Transcript Steve Waterkotte: Right. And you'll see sometimes, and I've had cases, where you had two individuals …
Too Intoxicated to Give Consent?
Missouri criminal defense lawyers Steven Waterkotte and Chris Combs talk about alleged victims being too intoxicated to give consent. Episode Transcript Steve Waterkotte: Most people …
Criminal Lawyer Talks About Representing Sex Criminals
Real Criminal Defense Lawyer talks about representing sex criminals. Episode Transcript Steve Waterkotte: I always say probably what the public views as the most vile or despicable …
Your Word Against Theirs in Court
Are just allegations enough to get charged with a crime? When it's your word against theirs in court. Episode Transcript Chris Combs: And allegations alone will do it. Steve hit on this …
What Happens When You Are Charged With a Child Sex Crime?
What happens when you are charged with a child sex crime? Episode Transcript Chris Combs: If you're a tier three sex offender, you can only have approved electronic devices. You have to …
Concordia, MO, Internet Sex Crime Allegations Our Lawyers Fight
Internet sex crimes isn’t a formal category in Missouri – instead, it refers to certain sex crimes allegedly done in such a way that the internet was involved. Here are a few of the most common charges we defend against:
Possessing Child Pornography
Statute: § 573.037
Description: Possession of child pornography is when a person has sexual images or videos of a person under the age of 18, or who appears to be under 18. In most cases, this doesn’t include accidental possession.
Penalty: Normally a Class D felony. In certain circumstances, like repeat offenses, it is a Class B felony.
Promoting Child Pornography
Statute: § 573.025 | § 573.035
Description: Promoting (such as distributing) child pornography is split into two degrees: First degree is for material that depicts someone under the age of 14, while second degree is for ages 15-17. Selling or giving such material away breaks this law.
Penalty: First Degree: Class B felony, or Class A felony if promoted to a minor. Second Degree: Class D felony, or Class B felony if promoted to a minor
Exploitation of a Minor (Producing Child Pornography)
Statute: § 573.023
Description: Exploitation of a minor is when a person creates child pornography, whether on purpose or out of carelessness. While this may be a physical act, it becomes an internet sex crime if the material is posted online.
Penalty: Class B or Class A felony.
Solicitation (Enticement) of a Minor
Statute: § 566.151
Description: Solicitation of a minor refers to situations where an adult over the age of 21 uses the internet, phone, or other electronic device to try to get someone under the age of 15 to have sex, or a similar act.
Penalty: 5-30 years in prison, with no possibility for probation or early release for at least 5 years.
Stalking
Statute: § 565.225 | § 565.227
Description: Stalking could be any of a number of different actions, depending on the circumstances. Second-degree stalking is more general, and includes cases where one person disturbs or follows another person, causing emotional stress. First-degree stalking is similar, but includes more advanced cases, like making threats to the alleged victim and/or their family.
Penalty: First Degree: Class E felony in most cases, Class D in more advanced cases. Second Degree: Class A misdemeanor in most cases, Class E felony in advanced cases.
Whatever type of internet sex crime charge you’re facing, Combs Waterkotte is ready for your case. We will listen to your story, dissect the prosecution’s case, and fight for the best outcome possible in your case.
Federal Charges: Why They Matter for Internet Sex Crime Cases
Unfortunately, if you’ve been accused of an internet sex crime in Concordia, MO, you may have to deal with more than just the local prosecutor. You’re also potentially looking at federal sex crime allegations. Most criminal cases require special circumstances to get the attention of the federal government – usually this means the alleged act went across state borders. Internet crimes frequently involve the federal government, because they inherently go beyond state borders.
You probably don’t want to face federal criminal charges. Judges have a reputation for being harsher. It’s easy to feel intimidated and overwhelmed when walking into federal court to defend yourself.
Your Concordia, MO, internet sex crimes lawyer can’t be someone who backs down in the face of adversity. You need a team with the strength to take on the U.S. government. At Combs Waterkotte, you get a team of attorneys, support staff, and investigators who will fight for justice against any opponent.
How to Handle Accusations of an Online Sex Crime
If you’ve been charged with an online sex crime in Concordia, MO, you need to take thoughtful steps to defend your freedom. In many cases, you making mistakes can lead to a conviction. But avoiding them can help your case immensely.
Below are the main Do’s and Don’t’s to be aware of if you’re accused of an internet sex crime:
Do: Reach Out to an Attorney
Whatever your situation is, a lawyer should be your first call. An attorney can help you make it through interrogations, avoid future mistakes, negotiate plea deals, and more. When you’re alone, you’ll have fewer opportunities to improve your situation and more to make mistakes.
Don’t: Talk to the Police On Your Own
It can be tempting to think, “This is all just a misunderstanding; I can clear this up when I talk to the police.” But in reality, this is a dangerous trap to fall into. Regardless of your situation, a poorly handled interview can sink your case.
Do: Invoke Your Right to Remain Silent
Whatever you do, if you end up in an interrogation room without a lawyer, don’t talk. Invoke your right to remain silent and politely ask to see your attorney.
Don’t: Contact Your Accuser
If you personally know the alleged victim, you might be tempted to reach out to them. But this can get you in even more trouble. Even if you aren’t trying to, this contact could be seen as intimidation, leading to additional charges.
Do: Gather and Preserve Evidence
Your internet sex crimes lawyer will use whatever evidence you have to build your defense. Before anything can be lost or deleted, take screenshots or other steps to preserve the evidence. As you find it, be sure to share it with your attorney.
Don’t: Delete Information
Trying to cover up evidence will only make things worse. If you do this, you can face additional charges and extended punishments.
For expert internet sex crimes lawyer advice, use this document to make sure you’re not missing anything: What to Do if You’re Accused of a Sex Crime.
Defense Concordia, MO, Internet Sex Crime Lawyers Use in Court
Each case is unique, and you deserve a defense that’s tailored to your situation. At Combs Waterkotte, we provide clients with defenses designed to fit best into their situation. You’re involved at every stage, and we work with you to figure out the best approach.
Below are six of the most common defenses your Concordia, MO, internet sex crimes lawyer might use in your case:
- Lack of Intent: For several accusations, you can be found innocent if you didn’t intend to commit the action. For example, if you bought a used computer without knowing it had child pornography on it, you never intended to possess it.
- Rights Violation: There are rules for how the police are supposed to conduct their investigations. If you weren’t read your Miranda rights before a statement, or the police made a legal error while collecting evidence, we can file for suppression.
- Consent: Consent applies in cases where someone agreed to an action – while it doesn’t always apply, this often legalizes it. Note that this does not apply to offenses involving minors.
- Mistaken Identity: Unlike physical crimes, it’s easy to impersonate someone else on the internet. It’s possible someone hacked into your social media account and used it to send explicit messages, or another person logged into your computer to stalk someone.
- Alibi: Related to mistaken identity, we can build a case that you are factually innocent because you weren’t accessing the internet at the time.
- False Allegations: Unfortunately, some people will weaponize sex crime allegations for their own means (for example, in a child custody battle). If the alleged victim is telling a false story, we can construct an alternative narrative to show your innocence.
Free book
Charged With a Sex Crime? Common Defense Strategies in Sex Crime Cases
Combs Waterkotte is Missouri and Illinois’s leading sex crime defense law firm. Our team of expert criminal defense attorneys have handled over 10,000 cases – many just like yours – and have saved out clients from over 1 million days from jail or prison.
Consequences of an Online Sex Crime Conviction
Like most other crimes, internet sex crime convictions can result in a prison sentence. The length of the sentence depends on what you’re being accused of. A lighter allegation that’s a Class A misdemeanor has a maximum of one year, while a Class A felony can go up to 30 years, or even life imprisonment.
In addition to the prison sentence, you’ll have to register as a sex offender. This could be at the federal and/or state level. In Concordia, MO, some individuals are able to request removal from the registry, but this requires you to wait 10 or 20 years, without any other related convictions. In the meantime, violations can have harsh penalties in and of themselves.
Finally, you can face informal penalties and a social stigma. You can face career consequences, there are restrictions on where you can live, and your family could be torn apart. Additionally, people will likely treat you differently if they find out about your conviction.
Because of this, it’s important to fight for your freedom in court, with a skilled attorney at your side.
Talk To an Experienced Internet Sex Crimes Lawyer in Concordia, MO, Today
Our team is ready to represent you. We’re not going to make false promises or sugarcoat your situation – we’re going to come up with a plan to help you get out of it. We offer:
- A well-respected team which serves the entire state of Missouri.
- 24/7 availability if you have questions or need an update on your case.
- A mission to help good people in bad situations.
- Experienced investigation capabilities to support your legal defense.
If you need an internet sex crimes lawyer in Concordia, MO, call us any time, day or night at (314) 900-HELP or tell us about your charges online for a no strings attached case review.
