Internet Sex Crimes Lawyer in Lexington, MO. Internet sex crimes are some of the most serious accusations you can face in Missouri. You might think that these convictions are less serious than molestation or sexual abuse, 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 Lexington, MO, Combs Waterkotte. We have extensive experience fighting for clients accused of internet sex crimes. We’re here to help, not to judge.
On this page, you’ll learn about common online sex crime charges in Lexington, MO, and why it’s essential to work with an adept criminal defense attorney to protect your rights. If you need expert advice for your case, call our team at (314) 900-HELP or tell us about your case online to set up a confidential consultation.
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On This Page
- How an online sex crimes lawyer can work to defend you
- What to look for when deciding which attorney to work with
- Internet sex crime charges our firm defends in Lexington, MO
- Why you need to think about Federal criminal defense
- Steps to take if you’ve been accused of an internet sex crime
- How our lawyers defend online sex crime charges in Lexington, MO
- The penalties you can face if you’re convicted of an online sex crime
- How to contact a Lexington, MO, internet sex crimes lawyer today
What Your Lexington, MO, Internet Sex Crimes Lawyer Does for You
If you’ve been accused of an online sex crime, your first step should be, contacting a reputable Lexington, 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, your attorney starts their job while the police are conducting their investigation. It’s common for them to help by speaking to law enforcement 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. It’s important to dissect possible intentions behind the accusations, rather than accept them uncritically.
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 impact you regardless of the case’s outcome. An attorney can promote your side of the story and protect you from the spotlight.
Essential Qualities in Your Lexington, MO Internet Sex Crime Defense Lawyer
For many reasons, you need a local Lexington, 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 deciding who to represent you, look for someone with the following:
- Experience: Your attorney should know the ins and outs of the law you’re accused of breaking.
- Client-Centered Approach: When you meet with your attorney, they should listen to you with compassion.
- Positive Reputation: Check reviews to see what people think of this attorney.
- Trial-Ready Strategy: Whether or not your case goes to trial, preparing for trial gives you an advantage throughout your case.
Combs Waterkotte’s online sex crime lawyers embody all of these qualities. When you choose us, you get a team who cares about you, has decades of experience, is known for success, and is always ready to take a case to trial. 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 …
Lexington, 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 some of the most common ones:
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: 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 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. 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 refers to situations where an adult over the age of 21 uses the internet, phone, or other electronic device to convince someone under the age of 15 to engage in sexual activity.
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 involves causing emotional distress to someone without a legitimate reason. 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.
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 fight for the best outcome possible in your case.
Federal Charges: Why They Matter for Internet Sex Crime Cases
Unfortunately, if you’ve been accused of an internet sex crime in Lexington, MO, you may have to deal with more than just the local 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 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. It can feel unwinnable on your own.
Your Lexington, MO, internet sex crimes lawyer can’t be someone who stops when the federal government gets involved. You need a team who isn’t scared to go up against the best. At Combs Waterkotte, you get a team of attorneys, support staff, and investigators who will fight for justice against any opponent.
How to Handle Accusations of an Online Sex Crime
As soon as you’re aware that you’re facing online sex crime charges in Lexington, MO, you need to take thoughtful steps to protect your freedom. Making mistakes early on can lead to a conviction. But by preventing them, you’re more likely to get a positive outcome.
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
Any time you’re facing criminal charges, this should be your first step. An attorney can help you make it through interrogations, 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: Speak with Investigators Alone
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 could accidentally say something that makes you look guilty.
Do: Invoke Your FIfth Amendment Rights
If you’re arrested, you might be put in an interrogation room before your attorney is there – don’t talk. Invoke your Fifth Amendment rights and politely request to see your attorney.
Don’t: Reach Out to Your Accuser
If you’re falsely accused, something is being blown out of proportion, or if the alleged victim changes their story, your might be thinking about talking with them to figure things out. But this will likely end up hurting your case. Even if you don’t mean it, this contact could be seen as intimidation, leading to additional charges.
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 it’s lost, take screenshots or other steps to save whatever you have. 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.
Common Defenses Our Lawyers Use Against Internet Sex Crime Allegations
Each case is unique, and you deserve a defense that’s tailored to your situation. At Combs Waterkotte, we provide clients with tailored defenses that maximize the chance of a positive outcome. You’re involved at every stage, and we work with you to figure out the best approach.
Below are six of the most common tactics your Lexington, 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: Law enforcement and the prosecution have to follow rules when making their case. If you weren’t read your Miranda rights before a statement, or evidence was collected illegally, we can push 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: 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 can investigate the accuser’s motives and use this to raise reasonable doubt.
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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 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 Lexington, 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 your family could be torn apart. Additionally, people will likely treat you differently if they find out about your conviction.
Because of this, it’s important to fight for your freedom in court, with a skilled attorney at your side.
Defend Your Innocence: Call Combs Waterkotte Today for a Leading Internet Sex Crimes Lawyer in Lexington, MO
Our team is ready to represent you. You shouldn’t settle for anything less than Missouri’s leading criminal defense law firm. We bring the following to the table:
- A team with a track record of success.
- 24/7 availability if you have questions or need an update on your case.
- 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 Lexington, MO, reach out to a lawyer today at (314) 900-HELP or send us a message for a no strings attached consultation.
