Internet Sex Crimes Lawyer in Excelsior Estates, MO. Accused of an internet sex crime in Excelsior Estates? It can be tempting to think that these convictions are not as bad as molestation or sexual abuse, but depending on what you’ve been accused of, you could be facing a life sentence.
If you’re facing these allegations, you can get help. Work with the leading internet sex crimes lawyer in Excelsior Estates, MO, Combs Waterkotte. Our firm has handled hundreds of sex crime cases. 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 important to find a talented criminal defense attorney to fight them. If you need expert advice for your case, call us at (314) 900-HELP or use our online contact form to schedule a free case review.
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On This Page
- How an online sex crimes lawyer will help you defend yourself
- Key qualities to think about when looking for a sex crimes attorney
- Internet sex crime charges our firm defends in Excelsior Estates, MO
- The intersection between online crime charges and Federal law
- What to do if you’re facing internet sex crime allegations
- Different ways our attorneys fight online sex crime allegations in Excelsior Estates, MO
- How a sex crime conviction can affect your life
- How to contact a Excelsior Estates, MO, internet sex crimes lawyer now
How Your Excelsior Estates, MO, Internet Sex Crimes Lawyer Can Help
If you’re facing online sex crime charges, talking to a skillful Excelsior Estates, MO, sex crime defense lawyer should be the first thing you do. The right attorney will defend you in the legal realm as well as the court of public opinion.
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. In the meantime, they will look for exculpatory evidence.
Online sex crimes often hinge on either consent or how evidence was found. Your attorney should thoroughly investigate both of these avenues to see if they are viable defensive strategies. It’s important to dissect possible motives behind the accusations, rather than accept them uncritically.
Lastly, your criminal defense lawyer will help you promote a positive image. Sex crime accusations carry a stigma that others don’t, and that can impact you regardless of the case’s outcome. An attorney who’s comfortable speaking in front of the press can defend your reputation and protect you from the spotlight.
What to Look for in Your Excelsior Estates, MO, Internet Sex Crime Defense Lawyer
For many reasons, you need a local Excelsior Estates, MO, internet sex crimes attorney when facing these charges. But it’s not always clear who the right lawyer is for your case. When you’re picking an attorney, 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: When you meet with your attorney, they should listen to you with compassion.
- Strong Reputation: You want to work with someone who is known for getting positive results for clients.
- Trial-Ready Strategy: Regardless of the charge you’re facing, preparing for trial gives you an advantage throughout your case.
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 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 Excelsior Estates, 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 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: Normally a Class D felony. In certain circumstances, like possession videos instead of a still picture, 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. While this may be a physical act, it becomes an internet sex crime if the material is posted online.
Penalty: Class B or Class A felony.
Solicitation (Enticement) of a Minor
Statute: § 566.151
Description: Solicitation of a minor is when an adult who’s 21 or older uses the internet, phone, or other electronic device to try to get someone under the age of 15 to have sex, or a similar act.
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 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 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.
Whatever type of internet sex crime charge you’re facing, Combs Waterkotte is ready for your case. We will tell your side of the story, look for holes in the state’s case, and keep you in the loop for any/all updates.
The Intersection Between Federal Charges and State Charges for Internet Sex Crimes in Excelsior Estates, MO
The local district attorney isn’t your only opponent if you’re facing internet sex crime charges in Excelsior Estates, MO. 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 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. By yourself, your chances are slim. With the right attorney, you get a fighting chance.
Your Excelsior Estates, MO, internet sex crimes lawyer can’t be someone who backs down in the face of adversity. 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 Excelsior Estates, MO, you need to take the right steps to protect your innocence. Small mistakes early in the process can have large effects later down the line. 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
Whatever your situation is, a lawyer should be your first call. An attorney can help you interact with investigators, avoid future mistakes, negotiate with the district attorney, and more. When you’re alone, you’ll have fewer opportunities to improve your situation.
Don’t: Speak with Investigators Alone
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, 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. State that you are invoking your Fifth Amendment rights and politely request to speak with your attorney.
Don’t: Reach Out to the Alleged Victim
If you personally know the alleged victim, it’s possible you’re thinking about contacting them. But this can have serious, negative consequences for your defense. Even if you don’t mean it, reaching out could be seen as intimidation, making you look guilty.
Do: Gather and Preserve Evidence
Your internet sex crimes lawyer will use whatever evidence you have to build your defense. Before it’s lost, take screenshots or other steps to preserve the evidence. And let your attorney know about anything you find.
Don’t: Delete Evidence
Trying to cover up evidence will only make things worse. 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.
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.
Here are six of the most common tactics your Excelsior Estates, 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 computer without knowing it had child pornography on it, you never intended to possess it.
- Rights Violation: Evidence against you needs to be collected in a legal manner. 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 suppression.
- 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: With internet crimes, it can be hard to properly identify who the person is behind the keyboard. It’s possible someone hacked into your social media account and used it to send explicit messages, 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 couldn’t have committed the crime because you weren’t accessing the internet at the time.
- False Allegations: Unfortunately, some people will make false allegations of a sex crime in order to hurt others. 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. 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 Excelsior Estates, MO, some individuals are able to request removal from the registry, but this requires you to wait 10 or 20 years, without any other related convictions. Regardless, violations are also treated harshly.
Finally, you can face informal penalties and a social stigma. You can face career consequences, there are restrictions on where you can live, and you could lose custody of your children. Beyond that, people will be quick to judge you after finding out about the conviction.
For all these reasons, you need to work with your defense lawyer to prevent these outcomes.
Don’t Wait: Call Now for an Internet Sex Crimes Lawyer in Excelsior Estates, MO
Combs Waterkotte is ready to represent you. 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. We offer:
- A team with a track record of success.
- 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 Excelsior Estates, MO, call one of our representatives any time, day or night at (314) 900-HELP or use our online contact form for a free, confidential consult.
