Internet Sex Crimes Lawyer in Higginsville, MO. Accused of an internet sex crime in Higginsville? You might think that these convictions are not as bad as molestation or sexual abuse, but some can be Class A felonies, resulting in a decades-long prison sentence.
Don’t try to fight these allegations alone. Work with the leading internet sex crimes lawyer in Higginsville, MO, Combs Waterkotte. We have extensive experience fighting for clients accused of internet sex crimes. 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 Higginsville, MO, and why it’s essential to work with an experienced criminal defense attorney to defend you. If you need expert advice for your case, call our team at (314) 900-HELP or send us a note online to set up a confidential case review.
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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 Higginsville, 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 charges in Higginsville, MO
- How a sex crime conviction can affect your life
- How to contact a Higginsville, MO, internet sex crimes lawyer now
The Role of Your Higginsville, MO, Internet Sex Crimes Lawyer in Your Case
If you’ve been accused of an online sex crime, your first step should be, getting in touch with a skillful Higginsville, MO, sex crime defense lawyer should be the first thing you do. The right attorney will listen to your story and build you a defense around it.
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 build a strong legal defense that examines the legality of the state’s investigation and/or whether the alleged victim consented. It’s important to dissect possible motives behind the accusations, rather than accept them without question.
Finally, your criminal defense lawyer will help defend you from slander. 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.
Top Internet Sex Crime Defense Lawyer Qualities
If you’re facing internet sex crime charges, you need an internet sex crimes attorney in Higginsville, MO, who’s experienced with those 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 can give you the following:
- Experience: Ideally with the exact crime you’ve been charged with.
- 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 someone who’s well regarded, both amongst clients and peers.
- Trial-Ready Strategy: Even if you end up taking a plea deal, a trial-ready strategy maximizes your chances of a positive outcome.
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 …
Common Internet Sex Crime Charges in Higginsville, MO
Missouri has a wide variety of laws governing sexual conduct on the internet. Below are some of the ones we defend in Higginsville, 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. The alleged offender has to have them either on purpose, or recklessly.
Penalty: Typically 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 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 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. 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 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 have sex, or a similar act.
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 covers more advanced cases, like actions done in violation of a restraining order.
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 to defend you. We will listen to your story, look for holes in the state’s case, and defend your rights/freedom against injustice.
Federal Charges: Why They Matter for Internet Sex Crime Cases
Internet sex crime cases in Higginsville, MO, aren’t just facing the state prosecutor. You may also need to fight 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.
It can be even harder to defend yourself in federal court. Federal prosecutors are often some of the best at their jobs. It can feel unwinnable on your own.
Your Higginsville, 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 doesn’t give up when the federal prosecutors enter the room.
How to Handle Accusations of an Online Sex Crime
As soon as you’re aware that you’re facing online sex crime charges in Higginsville, MO, you need to take the right steps to defend your freedom. In many cases, you making mistakes can lead to a conviction. But avoiding them can help your case immensely.
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
Whatever your situation is, a lawyer should be your first call. 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: Speak with Investigators Without Counsel
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 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 request to see your attorney.
Don’t: Reach Out to the Alleged Victim
If you’re falsely accused, something is being blown out of proportion, or if the alleged victim changes their story, it’s possible you’re thinking about contacting them. But this can get you in even more trouble. 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 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 save whatever you have. And let your attorney know about anything you find.
Don’t: Delete Information
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.
The following document provides a guide on how to handle sex crime accusations: What to Do if You’re Accused of a Sex Crime.
Common Defenses Our Lawyers Use Against Internet Sex Crime Allegations
Your case is unique, and your defense should be built on a solid foundation. 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 tactics your Higginsville, 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 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 the police made a legal error while collecting evidence, we can push for it to be suppressed.
- 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: 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 logged into your computer to stalk someone.
- Alibi: Related to mistaken identity, we can build a case that you are factually innocent because you weren’t accessing the internet at the time.
- False Allegations: Unfortunately, there are sometimes false allegations of sex crimes, often as a part of interpersonal conflict. 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.
Consequences of 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 Higginsville, 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’ll have to deal with the informal consequences. You can face career consequences, landlords may not want to lease to you, and you could lose custody of your children. Beyond that, people will be quick to judge you after finding out about the conviction.
Because of this, you need to work with your defense lawyer to prevent these outcomes.
Get Help From Your Higginsville, MO Internet Sex Crimes Lawyer Now
Our firm 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 offer:
- A well-respected team which serves the entire state of Missouri.
- Help when you need it most, through our 24/7 support.
- A mission to help good people in bad situations.
- An investigation team lead by a former law enforcement officer supporting our attorneys.
If you need an internet sex crimes lawyer in Higginsville, MO, contact one of our representatives any time, day or night at (314) 900-HELP or send us a message for a no strings attached consult.
