Internet Sex Crimes Lawyer in Edgerton, MO. Don’t underestimate internet sex crime allegations in Edgerton, MO. You might think that these accusations are less serious than rape or sexual abuse, but some can be Class A felonies, resulting in a decades-long prison sentence.
These accusations are serious, but you have a path forward. Work with the leading internet sex crimes lawyer in Edgerton, MO, Combs Waterkotte. Our firm has handled hundreds of sex crime cases. No matter your circumstances, we’re ready to craft a staunch defense.
Continue reading to learn about the types of internet sex crime accusations you could face in Edgerton, MO, and why you need a skilled criminal defense attorney to fight them. If you want to know what we can do for your case, call us at (314) 900-HELP or tell us about your case online to set up a confidential consultation.
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On This Page
- How an online sex crimes lawyer can give you assistance
- What to look for when looking for a criminal defense attorney
- Internet sex crime charges our firm defends in Edgerton, MO
- The intersection between online crime charges and Federal law
- What to do if you’re being charged with an internet sex crime
- Tactics our team uses to fight online sex crime charges in Edgerton, MO
- How a sex crime conviction can affect your life
- How to get in touch with a Edgerton, MO, internet sex crimes lawyer now
How Your Edgerton, MO, Internet Sex Crimes Lawyer Can Help
If someone’s accusing you of committing an internet sex crime, talking to a respected Edgerton, MO, 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, your attorney starts their job while the police are conducting their investigation. This usually involves communicating with the police on your behalf and advising you on what to say. They will also conduct their own investigation 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. In doing so, you can examine possible motives behind the accusations, rather than accept them uncritically.
Additionally, your criminal defense lawyer will help defend you from slander. Sex crime accusations carry a stigma which can be hard to overcome, and that can affect you long before a conviction. An attorney can promote your side of the story and protect you from the spotlight.
Essential Qualities in Your Edgerton, MO Internet Sex Crime Defense Lawyer
For many reasons, you need a local Edgerton, MO, internet sex crimes attorney when facing these charges. 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 a firm which offers the following:
- Experience: Ideally with the exact crime you’ve been charged with.
- Client-Centered Approach: You’re more than a case number, and your attorney should listen to your story, not build an impersonal defense.
- Strong 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 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 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 …
Edgerton, MO, Internet Sex Crime Allegations Our Lawyers Fight
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 Edgerton, MO:
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. In most cases, this doesn’t include accidental possession.
Penalty: Normally 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. Selling or giving such material away breaks 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 refers to situations where a person intentionally or recklessly creates child pornography. 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: 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: 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 is similar, but includes more advanced cases, like if you’d previously been convicted of a crime with the same alleged victim.
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 learn your case inside and out, look for holes in the prosecution’s case, and defend your rights/freedom against injustice.
Federal Charges: Why They Matter for Internet Sex Crime Cases
The local district attorney isn’t your only opponent if you’re facing internet sex crime charges in Edgerton, MO. 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.
Federal criminal charges are often even more serious than state charges. Judges have a reputation for being harsher. It can feel unwinnable on your own.
Your Edgerton, MO, internet sex crimes lawyer can’t be someone who only fights in state court. You need a team who isn’t scared to go up against the best. At Combs Waterkotte, you get a team of attorneys, support staff, and investigators who doesn’t give up when the federal prosecutors enter the room.
What to Do if You’ve Been Accused of an Online Sex Crime in Edgerton
If you’ve been charged with an online sex crime in Edgerton, MO, you need to take thoughtful steps to defend your innocence. Small mistakes early in the process can have large effects later down the line. But by preventing them, you’re more likely to get a positive outcome.
Below are the main Do’s and Don’t’s to be aware of 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, come up with a defense strategy, negotiate with the prosecutor, and more. When you’re alone, you’ll have fewer opportunities to improve your situation.
Don’t: Speak with Investigators Without Counsel
Particularly if you’re innocent, you might be tempted to talk things out, thinking you can avoid legal trouble. But this is where most people make mistakes. Regardless of your situation, you’re not required to say anything without a lawyer.
Do: Invoke Your Right to Remain Silent
Whatever you do, if you end up in an interrogation room without a lawyer, don’t talk. State that you are invoking your right to remain silent and politely ask to see your attorney.
Don’t: Reach Out to Your Accuser
If this is all some sort of misunderstanding between you and the alleged victim, 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 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. Similar to contacting the alleged victim, in the end, this can make you look guilty.
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.
Defense Edgerton, MO, Internet Sex Crime Lawyers Use in Court
Your case is unique, and you deserve a defense that’s tailored to your situation. 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 Edgerton, 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 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 evidence was collected illegally, we can file for it to be suppressed.
- Consent: Consent applies in cases where someone agreed to an action – while it doesn’t always apply, this often legalizes it. Note that this does not apply to offenses involving minors.
- Mistaken Identity: With internet crimes, it can be hard to properly identify who the person is behind the keyboard. It’s possible someone stole your credit card information and used it to purchase child pornography, or another person found your wifi password and used it to distribute obscene images of a child.
- Alibi: Related to mistaken identity, we can build a case that you are factually innocent 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 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
A conviction will lead to a prison sentence, in most cases. 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.
In addition to the prison sentence, you’ll have join the sex offender registry. This could be at the federal and/or state level. In Edgerton, MO, it’s sometimes possible to remove your name from the registry, but this can take a decade, or longer. And while you’re waiting, violations are also treated harshly.
Finally, you’ll have to deal with the informal consequences. You could lose your job, 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.
For all these reasons, it’s critical that you work with your defense lawyer to prevent these outcomes.
Don’t Wait: Call Now for an Internet Sex Crimes Lawyer in Edgerton, 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. We offer:
- A well-respected team which serves the entire state of Missouri.
- Help when you need it most, through our 24/7 support.
- 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 Edgerton, MO, contact our team any time, day or night at (314) 900-HELP or tell us about your charges online for a no strings attached consult.
