Internet Sex Crimes Lawyer in Kansas City, MO. Internet sex crimes are some of the most serious accusations you can face in Missouri. It can be tempting to think that these charges are not as bad as rape or sexual assault, but the penalties for a conviction are often felonies, leading to years in prison.
You need help if you want to maximize your chances of a positive outcome. Work with the leading internet sex crimes lawyer in Kansas City, 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 Kansas City, MO, and why you need an experienced criminal defense attorney to defend you. If you want to know what we can do for your case, call our team at (314) 900-HELP or tell us about your case online to set up a free consultation.
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This Page Covers
- How an online sex crimes lawyer can help you defend yourself
- What to look for when looking for a criminal defense attorney
- Internet sex crime charges our firm defends in Kansas City, MO
- The intersection between online crime charges and Federal law
- What to do if you’re facing internet sex crime allegations
- How our lawyers defend online sex crime accusations in Kansas City, MO
- The penalties you can face if you’re convicted of an online sex crime
- How to talk to a Kansas City, MO, internet sex crimes lawyer now
The Role of Your Kansas City, MO, Internet Sex Crimes Lawyer in Your Case
If you’re facing online sex crime charges, talking to a seasoned Kansas City, MO, sex crime defense lawyer should be your first step. 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. 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.
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. Any defense should also look at possible intentions behind the accusations, rather than accept them uncritically.
Additionally, your criminal defense lawyer will help you promote a positive image. 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.
What to Look for in Your Kansas City, MO, Internet Sex Crime Defense Lawyer
If you’re facing internet sex crime charges, you need an internet sex crimes attorney in Kansas City, MO, who’s experienced with those charges. But many people get lost when trying to pick the right person to represent them. When you’re deciding who to represent you, look for someone with the following:
- Experience: Experience gives attorneys knowledge about which strategies work, and which ones don’t.
- Client-Centered Approach: When you meet with your attorney, they should listen to you with compassion.
- Positive 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. We are dedicated to providing our clients with quality legal representation. 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 …
Kansas City, 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. 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 alleged offender has to have them either on purpose, or recklessly.
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. Selling or giving such material away breaks 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. 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 occurs 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 can occur online, either in second- or first-degree. Second-degree stalking involves causing emotional distress to someone without a legitimate reason. First-degree stalking is similar, but includes 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.
The Intersection Between Federal Charges and State Charges for Internet Sex Crimes in Kansas City, MO
Unfortunately, if you’ve been accused of an internet sex crime in Kansas City, MO, you may have to deal with more than just the local prosecutor. You could also have to defend against 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.
You probably don’t want to face federal criminal charges. Federal prosecutors are often some of the best at their jobs. It’s easy to feel intimidated and overwhelmed when walking into federal court to defend yourself.
Your Kansas City, 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.
Do’s and Don’t’s of Internet Sex Crime Accusations
When facing internet sex crime allegations in Kansas City, MO, you need to take proactive steps to protect your freedom. 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 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 handle interviews, come up with a defense strategy, negotiate with the prosecutor, and more. Trying to clear up the accusation on your own is always a bad idea.
Don’t: Talk to the Police On Your Own
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 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 Your Accuser
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 aren’t trying to, this contact 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 preserve the evidence. As you find it, be sure to share it with your attorney.
Don’t: Delete Information
Attempting to hide or delete information can hurt your case. If you do this, you can face additional charges and extended punishments.
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 a defense strategy designed to fit their situation. You’re involved at every stage, and we work with you to figure out the best approach.
Here are six of the most common defenses your Kansas City, 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 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 without justification, we can push 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: Unlike physical crimes, it’s easy to impersonate someone else on the internet. 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 weaponize sex crime allegations for their own means (for example, in a child custody battle). 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
Like most other crimes, internet sex crime convictions can result in a prison sentence. The specific penalty is determined by what law you’re accused of violating. 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 join the sex offender registry. This could be at the federal and/or state level. In Kansas City, MO, there is a path for some people to remove their name from the sex offender registry, but this requires you to wait 10 or 20 years, without any other related convictions. In the meantime, violations can have harsh penalties in and of themselves.
Finally, you’ll be up against a very negative public opinion. Potential employers may not want to hire you, landlords may not want to lease to you, and your family could be torn apart. Beyond that, you likely won’t get a chance to defend yourself against people’s preformed opinions of you.
For all these reasons, you need to work with your defense lawyer to prevent these outcomes.
Defend Your Innocence: Call Combs Waterkotte Today for a Leading Internet Sex Crimes Lawyer in Kansas City, MO
Our firm is here to help. We don’t take shortcuts or settle for bad deals – we fight for your rights and are here to support you. When you hire us, you’re getting:
- 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 Kansas City, MO, get in touch with our team any time, day or night at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online for a free, confidential case review.
