Internet Sex Crimes Lawyer in Kearney, MO. Internet sex crimes are some of the most serious accusations you can face in Missouri. 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 Kearney, MO, Combs Waterkotte. We’ve fought thousands of cases, many of them just like yours. We know how delicate they can be and are committed to respecting you while building your defense.
This page will go over some of the most common online sex crime charges in Missouri, and why you need a skillful criminal defense attorney to defend you. If you’re facing charges and need help now, call our team at (314) 900-HELP or use our online contact form to set up a free case review.
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This Page Covers
- How an online sex crimes lawyer can give you assistance
- What to look for when deciding which attorney to work with
- Internet sex crime charges our lawyers defend in Kearney, MO
- Why you need to think about Federal criminal defense
- Do’s and Don’t’s if you’re being charged with an internet sex crime
- How our lawyers defend online sex crime charges in Kearney, MO
- Formal and informal penalties for a conviction
- How to contact a Kearney, MO, internet sex crimes lawyer now
What Your Kearney, MO, Internet Sex Crimes Lawyer Does for You
If you’re facing online sex crime charges, speaking with a respected Kearney, 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, the first thing your attorney should do is protect you during the investigation. This usually involves communicating with the police on your behalf and advising you on what to say. 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 talk to you about both of these options to discover what’s right for you. Any defense should also look at possible intentions behind the accusations, rather than accept them without question.
Additionally, your criminal defense lawyer will help you promote a positive image. Sex crime accusations carry a stigma that’s uniquely negative, and that can affect you long before a conviction. An attorney should ideally help you handle yourself in public and protect you from the spotlight.
Essential Qualities in Your Kearney, MO Internet Sex Crime Defense Lawyer
Working with a local Kearney, MO, internet sex crimes attorney is essential. But there are many options available, and it can be hard to figure out the right one for your case. When you’re picking an attorney, look for someone which offers the following:
- Experience: Experience gives attorneys knowledge about which strategies work, and which ones don’t.
- Client-Centered Approach: You’re more than a case number, and your attorney should listen to your story, not build an impersonal defense.
- Positive Reputation: You want someone who’s well regarded, both amongst clients and peers.
- 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 …
Kearney, MO, Internet Sex Crime Allegations Our Lawyers Fight
There are a wide variety of actions that fall into the ‘internet sex crimes’ category. Below are some of the ones we defend in Kearney, 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: 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. 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. This includes photographing or taking video of a child in a sexual situation.
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 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 could be any of a number of different actions, depending on the circumstances. 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 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 for your case. We will listen to your story, dissect the prosecution’s case, and fight for the best outcome possible in your case.
The Intersection Between Federal Charges and State Charges for Internet Sex Crimes in Kearney, MO
Unfortunately, if you’ve been accused of an internet sex crime in Kearney, MO, you may have to deal with more than just the local prosecutor. 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 frequently involve the federal government, because they inherently go beyond state borders.
Federal criminal charges are often even more serious than state charges. Judges have a reputation for being harsher. It’s easy to feel intimidated and overwhelmed when walking into federal court to defend yourself.
Your Kearney, MO, internet sex crimes lawyer can’t be someone who only fights in state court. 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 Kearney, MO, you need to take proactive steps to protect your innocence. In many cases, you making mistakes 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 prosecutor, and more. Trying to clear up the accusation on your own is always a bad idea.
Don’t: Talk to the Police 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, you could accidentally say something that makes you look guilty.
Do: Invoke Your FIfth Amendment Rights
You might find yourself in a police interrogation before your lawyer arrives – don’t talk. State that you are invoking your Fifth Amendment rights and politely request to speak with your attorney.
Don’t: Contact the Alleged Victim
If you personally know the alleged victim, 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, reaching out 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 preserve 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. If you do this, you can face additional charges and extended punishments.
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 Kearney, MO, Internet Sex Crime Lawyers Use in Court
Your case is unique, and your defense should be, too. 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 Kearney, MO, internet sex crimes lawyer might use in your case:
- Lack of Intent: For several accusations, you can be found innocent if you didn’t intend to commit the action. For example, if you bought 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 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: 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.
In addition to the prison sentence, you’ll have to register as a sex offender. This could be at the federal and/or state level. In Kearney, MO, there is a path for some people to remove their name from the sex offender registry, but this can take a decade, or longer. Regardless, violations are also treated harshly.
Finally, you’ll have to deal with the informal consequences. Potential employers may not want to hire you, landlords may not want to lease to you, and your family could be torn apart. Additionally, you likely won’t get a chance to defend yourself against people’s preformed opinions of you.
Because of this, you need to work with your defense lawyer to prevent these outcomes.
Defend Your Freedom: Call Combs Waterkotte Today for a Leading Internet Sex Crimes Lawyer in Kearney, 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 over 80 years of combined courtroom experience.
- 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 Kearney, MO, get in touch with us right away at (314) 900-HELP or tell us about your charges online for a free, confidential consult.
