Internet Sex Crimes Lawyer in Missouri. Internet sex crimes are some of the most serious accusations you can face in Missouri. You might think that these convictions are not as bad as rape or sexual assault, but some can be Class A felonies, resulting in a decades-long prison sentence.
Don’t try to fight these allegations alone. Work with the leading internet sex crimes lawyer in Missouri, Combs Waterkotte. We’ve fought thousands of cases, many of them just like yours. We know how delicate they can be and are committed to respecting you while building your 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 an experienced criminal defense attorney to fight them. If you’re facing charges and need help now, call us at (314) 900-HELP or send us a note online to schedule a confidential consultation.
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This Page Covers
- How an online sex crimes lawyer can help you defend yourself
- What to look for when deciding which attorney to work with
- Internet sex crime charges our lawyers defend in Missouri
- The intersection between online crime charges and Federal law
- What to do if you’ve been accused of an internet sex crime
- How our lawyers defend online sex crime allegations in Missouri
- Formal and informal penalties for a conviction
- How to get in touch with a Missouri internet sex crimes lawyer today
How a Missouri Internet Sex Crimes Lawyer Can Help
If you’re facing online sex crime charges, contacting a reputable Missouri sex crime defense lawyer should be your first step. The right attorney will help with not only the legal aspects of your case, but also public perception.
On the legal side, the first thing your attorney should do is protect you during the investigation. This usually involves communicating with law enforcement on your behalf and supporting you during interrogations. They will also conduct their own investigation 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. It’s important to dissect the motives behind the accusations, rather than take them at face value.
Lastly, your criminal defense lawyer will help you protect your reputation. Sex crime accusations carry a stigma that others don’t, 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.
Top Internet Sex Crime Defense Lawyer Qualities
Working with a local Missouri internet sex crimes attorney is essential. But there are many options available, and it can be hard to figure out the right one for your case. When you’re deciding who to represent you, look for someone with the following:
- Experience: Your attorney should know the ins and outs of the law you’re accused of breaking.
- Client-First Approach: You’re more than a case number, and your attorney should listen to your story, not build an impersonal defense.
- Strong Reputation: You want to work with someone who is known for getting positive results for clients.
- Trial-Ready Strategy: Whether or not your case goes to trial, having a trial-ready strategy is an important piece of leverage.
Combs Waterkotte’s online sex crime lawyers embody all of these qualities. We are dedicated to providing our clients with quality legal representation. Our team won’t stop fighting till you get the justice you deserve.
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 …
Common Internet Sex Crime Charges in Missouri
Missouri has a wide variety of laws governing sexual conduct on the internet. 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. The possession normally has to be intentional.
Penalty: Ordinarily 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. Providing such material to others violates 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 refers to situations where a person intentionally or recklessly creates child pornography. This includes photographing or taking video of a child in a sexual situation.
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 convince 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: Missouri has different statutes that govern first- and second-degree stalking offenses. Second degree stalking involves causing emotional distress to someone without a legitimate reason. First degree stalking covers more advanced cases, like actions done in violation of a restraining order.
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 to defend you. We will listen to your story, look for holes in the prosecution’s case, and fight for the best outcome possible in your case.
Federal Charges: Why They Matter for Internet Sex Crime Cases
Internet sex crime cases in Missouri aren’t just facing the state prosecutor. You’re also potentially looking at federal sex crime allegations. Normally, for the federal government to be involved, the alleged offense needs to occur on federal property or cross state lines. Internet crimes in particular are affected by this, since the internet goes beyond Missouri state borders.
Federal criminal charges are often even more serious than state charges. The prosecutors are often more experienced and have stronger teams behind them. It’s easy to feel intimidated and overwhelmed when walking into federal court to defend yourself.
Your internet sex crimes lawyer can’t be someone who only fights in state court. 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 won’t back down, no matter who you’re facing.
How to Handle Accusations of an Online Sex Crime
If you’ve been charged with an online sex crime in Missouri, you need to take the right steps to defend your innocence. Making mistakes early on can lead to a conviction. But avoiding them can help your case immensely.
Here are the main Do’s and Don’t’s to follow if you’re accused of an internet sex crime:
Do: Contact an Attorney
This should be the first thing you do once you find out about the accusations. An attorney can help you interact with investigators, avoid future mistakes, negotiate plea deals, and more. Trying to clear up the accusation on your own is always a bad idea.
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, you could accidentally say something that makes you look guilty.
Do: Invoke Your Right to Remain Silent
You might find yourself in a police interrogation before your lawyer arrives – don’t talk. Invoke your right to remain silent and politely ask to speak with your attorney.
Don’t: Contact Your Accuser
If you’re falsely accused, something is being blown out of proportion, or if the alleged victim changes their story, you might be tempted to reach out to them. But this can get you in even more trouble. Even if you are polite and respectful, this contact could be seen as intimidation, hurting your case.
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 save the evidence. As you find it, be sure to share it with your attorney.
Don’t: Delete Information
Deleting incriminating evidence can worsen your situation. 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.
Common Defenses Our Lawyers Use Against Internet Sex Crime Allegations
Each case is unique, and you deserve a defense that’s tailored to your situation. At Combs Waterkotte, we provide clients with tailored defenses that maximize the chance of a positive outcome. We pick out an appropriate strategy and customize it to your situation.
Below are six of the most common defenses your internet sex crimes lawyer might use in your case:
- Lack of Intent: Some cases can hinge on intent. For example, if you bought a used computer without knowing it had child pornography on it, you never intended to possess it.
- Rights Violation: Law enforcement and the prosecution have to follow rules when making their case. If you weren’t read your Miranda rights before a statement, or evidence was collected illegally, we can push for it to be suppressed.
- Consent: Some actions are only illegal if the alleged victim did not consent. If we can provide compelling evidence that they did, it will erode the state’s case. 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 stole your credit card information and used it to purchase child pornography, or another person logged into your computer to stalk someone.
- Alibi: Related to mistaken identity, we can build a case that you couldn’t have committed the crime because you were elsewhere at the time.
- False Allegations: Unfortunately, some people will make false allegations of a sex crime in order to hurt others. We can investigate the accuser’s motives and use this to raise reasonable doubt.
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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.
Penalties for 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.
On top of that, you’ll have to register as a sex offender. This could be at the federal and/or state level. In Missouri, some individuals are able to request removal from the registry, though this is only after a 10 or 20 year period post-sentence. In the meantime, violations can have harsh penalties in and of themselves.
Finally, you can face informal penalties and a social stigma. Potential employers may not want to hire you, landlords may not want to lease to you, and you could lose custody of your children. On top of that, people will likely treat you differently if they find out about your conviction.
For all these reasons, it’s important to act fast and do what you can to avoid a conviction in the first place.
Talk To an Experienced Internet Sex Crimes Lawyer in Missouri Today
Combs Waterkotte is here to help. 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. When you hire us, you’re getting:
- A team with over 80 years of combined courtroom experience.
- 24/7 availability if you have questions or need an update on your case.
- Prior experience with the prosecutor’s office, and insights into how they build their cases.
- An investigation team lead by a former law enforcement officer supporting our attorneys.
If you need an internet sex crimes lawyer, call us now at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online for a free case review.
