Internet Sex Crimes Lawyer in Freeman, MO. Accused of an internet sex crime in Freeman? It can be tempting to think that these charges are not as bad as 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 Freeman, MO, Combs Waterkotte. We have extensive experience fighting for clients accused of internet sex crimes. We know how delicate they can be and are committed to respecting you while building your defense.
On this page, you’ll learn about common online sex crime charges in Freeman, MO, and why it’s essential to work with an experienced criminal defense attorney to defend you. 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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This Page Covers
- How an online sex crimes lawyer can protect your freedom
- What to look for when looking for a sex crimes attorney
- Internet sex crime charges our lawyers defend in Freeman, MO
- The role of Federal law in your case
- Steps to take if you’re being charged with an internet sex crime
- Tactics our team uses to fight online sex crime charges in Freeman, MO
- How a sex crime conviction can affect your life
- How to contact a Freeman, MO, internet sex crimes lawyer today
How Your Freeman, MO, Internet Sex Crimes Lawyer Can Help
If someone’s accusing you of committing an internet sex crime, contacting a skillful Freeman, 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. 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. Any defense should also look at the motives behind the accusations, rather than take them at face value.
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 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
If you’re facing internet sex crime charges, you need an internet sex crimes attorney in Freeman, MO, who’s experienced with those charges. 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 with the following:
- Experience: Your attorney should know the ins and outs of the law you’re accused of breaking.
- Client-First Approach: You’re more than a case number, and your attorney should listen to your story, not build an impersonal defense.
- Strong Reputation: You want to work with someone who is known for getting positive results for clients.
- 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. When you work with us, you’re getting a dedicated legal team that is known for delivering positive results. Our team is here to give you a top-quality defense.
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 …
Freeman, MO, Internet Sex Crime Allegations Our Lawyers Fight
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: 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. Providing such material to others violates this law.
Penalty: First Degree: Class B felony, or Class A felony if the recipient was 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 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 refers to situations where 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 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 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.
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 keep you in the loop for any/all updates.
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 Freeman, 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 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. By yourself, your chances are slim. With the right attorney, you get a fighting chance.
Your Freeman, 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 will fight for justice against any opponent.
What to Do if You’ve Been Accused of an Online Sex Crime in Freeman
If you’ve been charged with an online sex crime in Freeman, MO, you need to take proactive steps to protect your innocence. 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 a Lawyer
Whatever your situation is, a lawyer should be your first call. An attorney can help you interact with investigators, come up with a defense strategy, negotiate with the district attorney, and more. It’s never a good idea to try to handle things yourself.
Don’t: Talk to the Police On Your Own
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 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 right to remain silent and politely ask to see 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 get you in even more trouble. Even if you are polite and respectful, 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 anything can be lost or deleted, take screenshots or other steps to save 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. 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 Freeman, MO, Internet Sex Crime Lawyers Use in Court
Your situation is unique, and your defense should be built on a solid foundation. At Combs Waterkotte, we provide clients with defenses designed to fit best into their situation. You’re involved at every stage, and we work with you to figure out the best approach.
Below are six of the most common defenses your Freeman, MO, internet sex crimes lawyer might use to defend you:
- Lack of Intent: Some cases can hinge on intent. For example, if you bought a used phone 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 file for suppression.
- 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: 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 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
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 Freeman, MO, there is a path for some people to remove their name from the sex offender registry, though this is only after a 10 or 20 year period post-sentence. Regardless, violations are also treated harshly.
Finally, you’ll have to deal with the informal consequences. You can face career consequences, there are restrictions on where you can live, and your family could be torn apart. On top of that, you likely won’t get a chance to defend yourself against people’s preformed opinions of you.
For all these reasons, it’s important to fight for your freedom in court, with a skilled attorney at your side.
Talk To an Experienced Internet Sex Crimes Lawyer in Freeman, MO, Today
Combs Waterkotte has what it takes to defend 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 well-respected team which serves the entire state of Missouri.
- 24/7 availability if you have questions or need an update 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 Freeman, MO, call us today at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online for a confidential case review.
