Internet Sex Crimes Lawyer in Camden Point, MO. Accused of an internet sex crime in Camden Point? You might think that these convictions are not as bad 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 Camden Point, MO, Combs Waterkotte. We have extensive experience fighting for clients accused of internet sex crimes. We’re here to help, not to judge.
This page will go over some of the most common online sex crime charges in Missouri, and why it’s important to find an adept criminal defense attorney to fight them. If you need expert advice for your case, call us at (314) 900-HELP or send us a note online to schedule a free 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 work to defend you
- Key qualities to think about when looking for a criminal defense attorney
- Internet sex crime charges our lawyers defend in Camden Point, MO
- The role of Federal law in your case
- What to do if you’re being charged with an internet sex crime
- Tactics our team uses to defend online sex crime accusations in Camden Point, MO
- The penalties you can face if you’re convicted of an online sex crime
- How to contact a Camden Point, MO, internet sex crimes lawyer now
What Your Camden Point, MO, Internet Sex Crimes Lawyer Does for You
If you’re facing online sex crime charges, speaking with a reputable Camden Point, MO, sex crime defense lawyer should be the first thing you do. The right attorney will listen to your story and build you a defense around it.
On the legal side, it’s never too early to call an attorney. They can even protect you while detectives are investigating the allegations. Typically, this means communicating with law enforcement on your behalf and supporting you during interrogations. While the police are looking for evidence to convict you, your lawyer will look for exculpatory evidence.
It’s common for these types of cases to center around either questions of consent or the admissibility of the state’s evidence. 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.
Finally, your criminal defense lawyer will help defend you from slander. Sex crime accusations carry a stigma that others don’t, and that can impact you regardless of the case’s outcome. An attorney can promote your side of the story and protect you from the spotlight.
Top Internet Sex Crime Defense Lawyer Qualities
For many reasons, you need a local Camden Point, MO, internet sex crimes attorney when facing these charges. But many people get lost when trying to pick the right person to represent them. When you’re deciding who to represent you, look for a firm with the following:
- Experience: Experience gives attorneys knowledge about which strategies work, and which ones don’t.
- Client-Centered Approach: You’re more than a case number, and your attorney should listen to your story, not build an impersonal defense.
- Positive Reputation: You want someone who’s well regarded, both amongst clients and peers.
- 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 provide all of the above. 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 …
Internet Sex Crime Charges We Defend in Camden Point, MO
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. Below are some of the ones we defend in Camden Point, MO:
Possessing Child Pornography
Statute: § 573.037
Description: Possession of child pornography occurs when a person has sexual pictures or videos of a minor in their possession. The alleged offender has to have them either on purpose, or recklessly.
Penalty: Typically a Class D felony. In certain circumstances, like having more than 20 images, it is a Class B felony.
Promoting Child Pornography
Statute: § 573.025 | § 573.035
Description: Promoting child pornography typically refers to giving it out. There are two degrees: First degree is for material that depicts someone under the age of 14, while second degree is for minors older than that. 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 the recipient was 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. This becomes an internet sex crime if the material is put online.
Penalty: Class B or Class A felony.
Solicitation (Enticement) of a Minor
Statute: § 566.151
Description: Solicitation of a minor occurs when 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 engage in sexual activity.
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 involves causing emotional distress to someone without a legitimate reason. First-degree stalking covers 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.
Regardless of the internet sex crime allegations you’re up against, Combs Waterkotte is ready for your case. We will tell your side of the story, dissect the prosecution’s case, and defend your rights/freedom against injustice.
Why You Need to Know About Federal Internet Sex Crime Charges in Camden Point, MO
Internet sex crime cases in Camden Point, MO, aren’t just facing the state prosecutor. You could also have to defend against 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 frequently involve the federal government, because they inherently go beyond state borders.
It can be even harder to defend yourself in federal court. Federal prosecutors are often some of the best at their jobs. It’s easy to feel intimidated and overwhelmed when walking into federal court to defend yourself.
Your Camden Point, MO, internet sex crimes lawyer can’t be someone who backs down in the face of adversity. You need a team who’s ready to fight in federal court. At Combs Waterkotte, you get a team of attorneys, support staff, and investigators who won’t back down, no matter who you’re facing.
What to Do if You’ve Been Accused of an Online Sex Crime in Camden Point
As soon as you’re aware that you’re facing online sex crime charges in Camden Point, MO, you need to take proactive steps to defend your innocence. In many cases, you making mistakes can lead to a conviction. But if you avoid them, you’re maximizing your defense’s power.
Here are the main Do’s and Don’t’s to follow if you’re accused of an internet sex crime:
Do: Reach Out to a Lawyer
This should be the first thing you do once you find out about the accusations. An attorney can help you make it through interrogations, 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 Alone
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 FIfth Amendment Rights
Whatever you do, if you end up in an interrogation room without a lawyer, don’t talk. State that you are invoking your Fifth Amendment rights and politely request to see your attorney.
Don’t: Reach Out to Your Accuser
If you’re falsely accused, something is being blown out of proportion, or if the alleged victim changes their story, your might be thinking about talking with them to figure things out. But this can have serious, negative consequences for your defense. Even if you don’t mean it, this contact could be seen as intimidation, making you look guilty.
Do: Gather and Preserve Evidence
Your internet sex crimes lawyer will need evidence to build an effective defense. Before it’s lost, take screenshots or other steps to save whatever you have. And let your attorney know about anything you find.
Don’t: Delete Evidence
Attempting to hide or delete information can hurt your case. Similar to contacting the alleged victim, in the end, this can make you look guilty.
The following document provides a guide on how to handle sex crime accusations: What to Do if You’re Accused of a Sex Crime.
Defense Camden Point, MO, Internet Sex Crime Lawyers Use in Court
Each case is unique, and your defense should be, too. At Combs Waterkotte, we provide clients with a defense strategy designed to fit their situation. We pick out an appropriate strategy and customize it to your situation.
Below are six of the most common defenses your Camden Point, MO, internet sex crimes lawyer might use in your case:
- Lack of Intent: Intent doesn’t matter for every internet sex crime, but for many, it does. For example, if you purchased a used phone 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 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: Unfortunately, you could be a victim of identity theft and impersonation. 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 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.
Penalties for an Online Sex Crime Conviction
Like most other crimes, internet sex crime convictions can result in a prison sentence. How long you could be sent to prison for is determined by . 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.
Along with the prison term, you’ll have join the sex offender registry. This could be at the federal and/or state level. In Camden Point, MO, it’s sometimes possible to remove your name from the registry, but this requires you to wait 10 or 20 years, without any other related convictions. In the meantime, violations are also treated harshly.
Finally, you’ll have to deal with the informal consequences. You can face career consequences, landlords may not want to lease to you, and you could lose custody of your children. Beyond that, people will likely treat you differently if they find out about your conviction.
Because of this, it’s critical that you fight for your freedom in court, with a skilled attorney at your side.
Defend Your Freedom: Call Combs Waterkotte Today for a Leading Internet Sex Crimes Lawyer in Camden Point, MO
Combs Waterkotte has what it takes to defend you. You shouldn’t settle for anything less than Missouri’s leading criminal defense law firm. When you hire us, you’re getting:
- A well-respected team which serves the entire state of Missouri.
- Easy communication and regular updates on your case.
- Insight into how the state builds its cases, from prior prosecuting experience.
- Experienced investigation capabilities to support your legal defense.
If you need an internet sex crimes lawyer in Camden Point, MO, call a lawyer today at (314) 900-HELP or reach out to us online for a confidential consultation.
