Child pornography defense lawyer in Gasconade County, MO. Facing allegations of or charges for the possession or distribution of child pornography threatens to destroy both your reputation and your future. If you’ve been accused of having or distributing child pornography in or around Gasconade County, MO, you could be looking at a felony charge and mandatory Missouri sex offender registration if convicted. Don’t leave that to chance.
Reach out to the criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte as soon as possible by calling (314) 900-HELP or contacting us online to schedule a complimentary, no-strings-attached case review. Our skilled child pornography defense lawyer is ready to meet with you personally, analyze the details of your case, and offer insights on the appropriate course of action.
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 …
What Can Lead to Child Pornography Charges in Gasconade County, MO?
Despite prevailing stereotypes, child pornography charges can impact individuals from all walks of life throughout the Gasconade County, MO area. As outlined in Missouri Revised Statute § 573.010, child pornography is defined as any material or performance that is obscene and depicts sexual conduct, contact, or sexual performance, involving a minor under 18 years old as a participant or portrayed observer.
As per RSMo § 573.037, a person commits the offense of child pornography if they knowingly or recklessly possess any child pornography of a minor below 18 years old or obscene material portraying what seems to be a minor below 18 years old.
A few specific instances of child pornography charges in Gasconade County and elsewhere in Missouri are:
- Possessing Child Pornography: The act of having child porn in one’s possession, irrespective of the quantity or form – digital, physical, etc.
- Promoting Child Pornography: Involves distributing or selling child pornography to an adult, or promoting adult pornography to a minor.
- Sexual Exploitation of a Minor: Filming, photographing, or participating in any aspect of the creation process of child pornography.
If you’re facing charges or have been questioned regarding any of these examples – or any other child pornography charges in Gasconade County, MO – call Combs Waterkotte now at (314) 900-HELP or reach out to us online. You need an experienced advocate on your side to protect your reputation, rights, and future.
-
Protect Your Life
![Image]()
Protect Your Life
A felony can have long-term consequences. Act quickly and carefully to protect your future and your livelihood.
Reach Out Now
-
Know Your Next Steps
![Image]()
Know Your Next Steps
Wondering what happens after your felony arrest? The skilled Combs Waterkotte attorneys have the answers.
Stay Informed
-
Title
![Image]()
Ready to Talk to an Expert?
Contact the experienced Combs Waterkotte felony lawyers now at (314) 900-HELP to get started on your defense.
Get Started
What Are the Legal Ramifications for Child Pornography in Gasconade County, MO?
From a statutory perspective, as outlined in RSMo § 573.037, the offense of child pornography is considered a class D felony when possessing just one still image of child pornography or one still image considered obscene. The severity of the offense escalates to a class B felony in Gasconade County, MO if any of the following conditions are met:
- Possess over 20 still images of child pornography
- Possess over 20 obscene still images
- Possess child pornography in the form of one motion picture, film, videotape, videotape production, or other moving image
- Possess obscene material in the form of one motion picture, film, videotape, videotape production, or other moving image
- Have previously been found guilty of an offense under this section
Legal Ramifications for Promotion of Child Pornography in Gasconade County, MO
Engaging in the promotion of child pornography to an adult is classified as a class C felony, punishable by up to 7 years in prison and fines. Moreover:
- If you knowingly promote child porn to a minor, or promote obscene material of a child under 14 years of age, you could be facing a class B felony – punishable by 5-15 years imprisonment.
- If you have had a previous child pornography conviction, wholesale promotion of child porn, or promoting child porn to a minor in Missouri, it’s a class D felony and could mean 4 years in prison and fines.
Legal Ramifications for Sexual Exploitation of a Minor in the Gasconade County, MO Area
If you are facing sexploitation charges, you are facing a class B felony. However, if the child involved was under 14 years of age the charges are elevated to a class A felony, which carries a minimum prison sentence of 10 years with a maximum of life imprisonment.
Gasconade County Resources
Below are quick links to important websites that may assist you with your legal matters in Gasconade County and Missouri.
Mandatory Sex Offender Registration in Gasconade County, MO and Throughout Missouri
According to RSMo § 589.400, any individual charged with the following crimes is required to register with the Missouri Sex Offender Registry within three days of their conviction or release from jail, prision, or probation:
- Possessing and/or promoting child pornography
- Using children in sexual performances
- Promoting sexual performance by children
- Sexually exploiting a minor
- Public display of sexually explicit material
- Promoting pornography for minors
- Promoting obscenity
- Coercing others to accept obscene materials
- Promoting prostitution
- Sexual contact with nursing home residents
Missouri also breaks down offenders into different tiers for sex offender registration requirements, including:
- Tier I Offenders: These individuals have a 15-year registration requirement and must report to the Chief Law Enforcement Officer (CLEO) in person once a year. These offenses do not include child pornography, and are more for misdemeanor sexual offenses or minor statutory offenses.
- Tier II Offenders: Offenders in this tier face a 25-year registration requirement and must report to the CLEO in person semiannually. These offenses include possession of child pornography, indecent exposure, and other nonviolent sexual crimes against minors.
- Tier II Offenders: Individuals in this tier have a lifetime registration requirement and must report to the CLEO in person every 90 days. These offenses include violent acts including rape, child molestation, sexual assault, as well as repeat offenses.
Penalties for Not Registering as a Sex Offender in Gasconade County, MO
Failure to register as a sex offender is a class E felony unless you are required to register after being charged with an offense in chapter 566 as an unclassified felony, a class A or B felony, or a felony involving a child under the age of 14, in which case it turns into a class D felony.
Combs Waterkotte is an award-winning criminal defense law firm based in St. Louis. In addition to expert legal representation from our skilled Gasconade County, MO child pornography lawyers, we provide assistance in the following areas for clients in Gasconade County, MO:
What Are Common Defenses Against Child Pornography Charges in Gasconade County, MO?
The Combs Waterkotte skilled Gasconade County, MO child pornography defense team has a combined 60-plus years of experience defending clients throughout Gasconade County, MO in cases just like yours. While every case is different with unique circumstances, some defense strategies our attorneys have used include:
Unintentional Possession Defense
The basis of this defense, also commonly referred to as “unintended possession,” is that you didn’t mean to have child porn in your possession, or that the material didn’t belong to you. It may be applicable if child pornography was found on a shared computer or hard drive or on a device accessible to individuals other than yourself without your knowledge. An unintentional download through an unsecured network or the malicious actions of a vengeful ex-spouse or someone else in Gasconade County, MO could also be considered.
Your knowledgeable Combs Waterkotte defense lawyer can establish the most important factor – that you didn’t possess child pornography to your knowledge. Call us now at (314) 900-HELP or reach out to us online.
Accidental Possession Defense
The internet poses various threats, and your computer is susceptible to viruses, spyware, malware, spam, or other elements without your knowledge. These intrusions could include child pornography or other obscene materials. Many individuals throughout Gasconade County and Missouri have files on their computers that they are unaware of. An accidental possession defense argues that you did not knowingly possess child pornography, emphasizing the unintentional nature of its presence on your device.
A “Not Child Porn” Defense
This defense is based on the prosecution’s burden to prove that material in question involves any individual under the age of 18. Also, if the material serves a scientific, religious, or educational purpose it should not be considered child pornography.
Illegal Search and Seizure
Law enforcement often makes procedural errors, violating an individual’s Fourth Amendment rights under the Constitution. The defense team at Combs Waterkotte always has your rights, your future, and your best interests in mind in Gasconade County, MO. If evidence was seized illegally, your Gasconade County, MO child pornography defense lawyer will argue its inadmissibility.
Entrapment
Entrapment can occur in a variety of circumstances throughout Missouri. The defense is rooted in the fact that you would not have committed the offense if law enforcement hadn’t initiated contact with you and persuaded you to do so. In some cases, officers may induce individuals to purchase content that wasn’t clearly labeled or believed to be child porn, only to arrest them for buying child porn. Entrapment happens more often than we might know – particularly when law enforcement runs a child porn sting operation which may round up multiple people, not all of whom are guilty.
Psychological Addiction/Mitigating Circumstances
While it isn’t necessarily a winning defense, claiming a psychological addiction to child pornography can serve as a strategy to reduce your sentence or, in some cases, avoid imprisonment via a treatment program and probation. Your Combs Waterkotte Gasconade County, MO defense attorney may present a variety of mitigating factors, like mental health issues, a history of abuse or neglect, extreme stress or anxiety, family conflict, lack of guidance as a child, and others.
Don’t Wait – Contact a Gasconade County, MO Child Pornography Defense Lawyer Now at Combs Waterkotte
Child pornography charges are serious and can cast enduring, if not permanent, shadows on your reputation and future in Gasconade County, MO. But, as serious as they are, there are defenses available from the skilled and tenacious Combs Waterkotte legal team. Don’t try to navigate the uncertainties and complexities of the Gasconade County or Missouri legal system on your own.
We know that good people often find themselves caught in bad situations in Gasconade County and throughout Missouri. We are here to help. Call our accomplished Gasconade County, MO child pornography defense lawyers as soon as possible at (314) 900-HELP or fill out our online contact form to arrange a free, confidential case review.
