Internet Sex Crimes Lawyer in East Side KC, MO. Don’t underestimate internet sex crime allegations in East Side KC, MO. It can be tempting to think that these charges are less serious than molestation or sexual assault, but depending on what you’ve been accused of, you could be facing a life sentence.
You need help if you want to maximize your chances of a positive outcome. Work with the leading internet sex crimes lawyer in East Side KC, MO, Combs Waterkotte. We’ve fought thousands of cases, many of them just like yours. 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 talented 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 consultation.
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On This Page
- How an online sex crimes lawyer can work to defend you
- What to look for when looking for a criminal defense attorney
- Internet sex crime charges our lawyers defend in East Side KC, MO
- The role of Federal law in your case
- Steps to take if you’re being charged with an internet sex crime
- Different ways our attorneys defend online sex crime allegations in East Side KC, MO
- The penalties you can face if you’re convicted of an online sex crime
- How to get in touch with a East Side KC, MO, internet sex crimes lawyer now
The Role of Your East Side KC, MO, Internet Sex Crimes Lawyer in Your Case
If someone’s accusing you of committing an internet sex crime, contacting a skillful East Side KC, 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. Typically, this means communicating with law enforcement on your behalf and advising you on what to say. In the meantime, they will look for exculpatory evidence.
The two major factors in most online sex crime charge defenses are consent and the legality of 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 promote a positive image. Sex crime accusations carry a stigma that’s uniquely negative, and that can have a wide-reaching impact on your life. 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
For many reasons, you need a local East Side KC, 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 picking an attorney, look for someone 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, 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 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 …
Common Internet Sex Crime Charges in East Side KC, MO
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 occurs when a person has sexual pictures or videos of a minor in their possession. The possession normally has to be intentional.
Penalty: Ordinarily 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 (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 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 refers to situations where an adult who’s 21 or older uses the internet, phone, or other electronic device to convince 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 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 an adult over the age of 21 stalking someone under 17.
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 state’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 East Side KC, 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 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. Federal prosecutors are often some of the best at their jobs. It can feel unwinnable on your own.
Your East Side KC, MO, internet sex crimes lawyer can’t be someone who stops when the federal government gets involved. 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.
Do’s and Don’t’s of Internet Sex Crime Accusations
As soon as you’re aware that you’re facing online sex crime charges in East Side KC, MO, you need to take thoughtful steps to protect your freedom. Making mistakes early on can lead to a conviction. But by preventing them, you’re more likely to get a positive outcome.
Below are the main Do’s and Don’t’s to follow if you’re accused of an internet sex crime:
Do: Contact a Lawyer
Any time you’re facing criminal charges, this should be your first step. 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 Without Counsel
If the evidence against you is weak, you might think that an interview with the police is not a big deal. But that’s a mistake. Regardless of your situation, you’re not required to say anything without a lawyer.
Do: Invoke Your FIfth Amendment Rights
You might find yourself in a police interrogation before your lawyer arrives – don’t talk. Invoke your Fifth Amendment rights and politely ask to speak with 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 are polite and respectful, reaching out could be seen as intimidation, hurting your case.
Do: Gather and Preserve Evidence
Your internet sex crimes lawyer will need evidence to build an effective 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 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.
If you’ve just been accused and are trying to figure out what to do, follow the steps on this document: 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 your defense should be, too. 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 East Side KC, MO, internet sex crimes lawyer might use in your case:
- Lack of Intent: Some cases can hinge on intent. 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 evidence was collected without justification, we can file for suppression.
- 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 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 couldn’t have committed the crime because you were elsewhere at the time.
- False Allegations: Unfortunately, there are sometimes false allegations of sex crimes, often as a part of interpersonal conflict. 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.
Consequences of 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.
On top of that, you’ll have to register as a sex offender. This could be at the federal and/or state level. In East Side KC, 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 can face informal penalties and a social stigma. Potential employers may not want to hire you, there are restrictions on where you can live, 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, you need to work with your defense lawyer to prevent these outcomes.
Talk To an Experienced Internet Sex Crimes Lawyer in East Side KC, MO, Today
Our team is ready to represent you. We don’t take shortcuts or settle for bad deals – we fight for your rights and are here to support you. We bring the following to the table:
- A team with a track record of success.
- Easy communication and regular updates on your case.
- Prior experience with the prosecutor’s office, and insights into how they build their cases.
- Experienced investigation capabilities to support your legal defense.
If you need an internet sex crimes lawyer in East Side KC, MO, call one of our representatives now at (314) 900-HELP or tell us about your charges online for a confidential consultation.
