Internet Sex Crimes Lawyer in Cleveland, MO. Internet sex crimes are some of the most serious accusations you can face in Missouri. You might think that these accusations are not as bad as rape or sexual assault, but some can be Class A felonies, resulting in a decades-long prison sentence.
If you’re facing these allegations, you can get help. Work with the leading internet sex crimes lawyer in Cleveland, MO, Combs Waterkotte. Our firm has handled hundreds of sex crime cases. 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 important to find a skillful 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 set up a confidential case review.
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This Page Covers
- How an online sex crimes lawyer can protect your freedom
- Key qualities to think about when looking for a criminal defense attorney
- Internet sex crime charges our lawyers defend in Cleveland, MO
- Why you need to think about Federal criminal defense
- Do’s and Don’t’s if you’re being charged with an internet sex crime
- How our lawyers defend online sex crime charges in Cleveland, MO
- How a sex crime conviction can affect your life
- How to get in touch with a Cleveland, MO, internet sex crimes lawyer now
What Your Cleveland, MO, Internet Sex Crimes Lawyer Does for You
If you’re facing online sex crime charges, speaking with a seasoned Cleveland, MO, sex crime defense lawyer should be your first step. The right attorney will defend you in the legal realm as well as the court of public opinion.
On the legal side, your attorney starts their job while the police are conducting their investigation. This usually involves communicating with law enforcement on your behalf and supporting you during interrogations. In the meantime, they 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 talk to you about both of these options to discover what’s right for you. Any defense should also look at possible motives behind the accusations, rather than accept them without question.
Finally, 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.
Essential Qualities in Your Cleveland, MO Internet Sex Crime Defense Lawyer
Working with a local Cleveland, MO, internet sex crimes attorney is essential. But it’s not always clear who the right lawyer is for your case. When you’re deciding who to represent you, look for a firm which offers the following:
- Experience: Experience gives attorneys knowledge about which strategies work, and which ones don’t.
- Client-First Approach: Look for someone who cares about your wellbeing, not just a paycheck.
- Positive Reputation: Check reviews to see what people think of this attorney.
- Trial-Ready Strategy: Whether or not your case goes to trial, preparing for trial gives you an advantage throughout your case.
Combs Waterkotte’s online sex crime lawyers offer all of this for you. When you choose us, you get a team who cares about you, has decades of experience, is known for success, and is always ready to take a case to trial. 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 …
Cleveland, MO, Internet Sex Crime Allegations Our Lawyers Fight
There are a wide variety of actions that fall into the ‘internet sex crimes’ category. Here are a few of the most common charges we defend against:
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. In most cases, this doesn’t include accidental possession.
Penalty: Normally 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 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 is 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: Rather than fitting into a felony category, this statute has its own sentencing guidelines: 5-30 years imprisonment, with a minimum of 5 years before parole or early release eligibility.
Stalking
Statute: § 565.225 | § 565.227
Description: Stalking can occur online, either in second- or first-degree. 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.
Whether it’s one of the allegations above or another one entirely, Combs Waterkotte is ready to defend you. We will listen to your story, dissect the prosecution’s case, and keep you in the loop for any/all updates.
Federal Charges: Why They Matter for Internet Sex Crime Cases
Unfortunately, if you’ve been accused of an internet sex crime in Cleveland, MO, you may have to deal with more than just the local prosecutor. You could also have to defend against 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 are more likely to get federal attention because the internet is not bound within a given state.
You probably don’t want to face federal criminal charges. The prosecutors are often more experienced and have stronger teams behind them. By yourself, your chances are slim. With the right attorney, you get a fighting chance.
Your Cleveland, MO, internet sex crimes lawyer can’t be someone who only fights in state court. 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 will fight for justice against any opponent.
What to Do if You’ve Been Accused of an Online Sex Crime in Cleveland
When facing internet sex crime allegations in Cleveland, MO, you need to take the right steps to protect your freedom. Making mistakes early on 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 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 with the prosecutor, 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 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 Right to Remain Silent
If you’re arrested, you might be put in an interrogation room before your attorney is there – don’t talk. Invoke your Fifth Amendment rights and politely request to speak with your attorney.
Don’t: Reach Out to the Alleged Victim
If this is all some sort of misunderstanding between you and the alleged victim, you might be tempted to reach out to them. But this can have serious, negative consequences for your defense. Even if you are polite and respectful, reaching out could be seen as intimidation, making you look guilty.
Do: Gather and Preserve Evidence
Your internet sex crimes lawyer will talk with you about any evidence that can be used to protect you. Before anything can be lost or deleted, take screenshots or other steps to preserve the evidence. And let your attorney know about anything you find.
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.
Common Defenses Our Lawyers Use Against Internet Sex Crime Allegations
Your situation 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 Cleveland, MO, internet sex crimes lawyer might use to defend you:
- 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 push for it to be suppressed.
- Consent: Consent doesn’t apply to every defense, but for some, it does. For example, it can be legal to post sexual images of someone online if you have their permission. 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 couldn’t have committed the crime because you were elsewhere at the time.
- False Allegations: Unfortunately, some people will weaponize sex crime allegations for their own means (for example, in a child custody battle). We will work to raise reasonable doubt as to why your accuser might be making these allegations.
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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
A conviction will lead to a prison sentence, in most cases. 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.
Along with the prison term, you’ll have join the sex offender registry. This could be at the federal and/or state level. In Cleveland, MO, there is a path for some people to remove their name from the sex offender registry, but this can take a decade, or longer. In the meantime, violations can have harsh penalties in and of themselves.
Finally, you’ll have to deal with the informal consequences. You could lose your job, there are restrictions on where you can live, and you could lose custody of your children. Additionally, people will likely treat you differently if they find out about your conviction.
Because of this, you need to fight for your freedom in court, with an experienced attorney at your side.
Talk To an Experienced Internet Sex Crimes Lawyer in Cleveland, MO, Today
Our team is here to help. We don’t take shortcuts or settle for bad deals – we fight for your rights and are here to support you. When you hire us, you’re getting:
- A team with a track record of success.
- Help when you need it most, through our 24/7 support.
- Insight into how the state builds its cases, from prior prosecuting experience.
- An investigation team lead by a former law enforcement officer supporting our attorneys.
If you need an internet sex crimes lawyer in Cleveland, MO, get in touch with our team now at (314) 900-HELP or send us a message for a no strings attached consultation.
