Internet Sex Crimes Lawyer in Platte Woods, MO. Internet sex crimes are some of the most serious accusations you can face in Missouri. It can be tempting to think that these convictions are not as bad as rape or sexual abuse, but the penalties for a conviction are often felonies, leading to years in prison.
Don’t try to fight these allegations alone. Work with the leading internet sex crimes lawyer in Platte Woods, MO, Combs Waterkotte. Our firm has handled hundreds of sex crime cases. 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 Platte Woods, MO, and why you need a skilled criminal defense attorney to protect your rights. If you’re facing charges and need help now, call us at (314) 900-HELP or send us a note online to set up a free consultation.
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This Page Covers
- How an online sex crimes lawyer will help you defend yourself
- Key qualities to think about when deciding which attorney to work with
- Internet sex crime charges our firm defends in Platte Woods, MO
- Why you need to think about Federal criminal defense
- What to do if you’re being charged with an internet sex crime
- How our lawyers fight online sex crime allegations in Platte Woods, MO
- Formal and informal penalties for a conviction
- How to talk to a Platte Woods, MO, internet sex crimes lawyer now
What Your Platte Woods, MO, Internet Sex Crimes Lawyer Does for You
If you’re facing online sex crime charges, contacting a seasoned Platte Woods, 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 speaking to law enforcement on your behalf and supporting you during interrogations. They will also conduct their own investigation for exculpatory evidence.
The two major factors in most online sex crime charge defenses are consent and the legality of evidence. 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.
Finally, your criminal defense lawyer will help you protect your reputation. Sex crime accusations carry a stigma that others don’t, 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 Platte Woods, MO Internet Sex Crime Defense Lawyer
For many reasons, you need a local Platte Woods, 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 a firm which offers the following:
- Experience: Experience gives attorneys knowledge about which strategies work, and which ones don’t.
- Client-Centered Approach: Look for someone who cares about your wellbeing, not just a paycheck.
- Strong Reputation: You want to work with someone who is known for getting positive results for clients.
- Trial-Ready Strategy: Regardless of the charge you’re facing, a trial-ready strategy maximizes your chances of a positive outcome.
Combs Waterkotte’s online sex crime lawyers offer all of this for you. We are dedicated to providing our clients with quality legal representation. Our team won’t stop fighting till you get the justice you deserve.
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 …
Internet Sex Crime Charges We Defend in Platte Woods, MO
There are a wide variety of actions that fall into the ‘internet sex crimes’ category. Below are some of the ones we defend in Platte Woods, 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. In most cases, this doesn’t include accidental possession.
Penalty: Ordinarily 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 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. 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. 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 over the age of 21 uses the internet, phone, or other electronic device to try to get 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 is more general, and includes cases where one person disturbs or follows another person, causing emotional stress. First-degree stalking is similar, but includes 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.
Regardless of the internet sex crime allegations you’re up against, Combs Waterkotte is ready to build you a defense. We will tell your side of the story, look for holes in the prosecution’s case, and fight for the best outcome possible in your case.
Why You Need to Know About Federal Internet Sex Crime Charges in Platte Woods, MO
Unfortunately, if you’ve been accused of an internet sex crime in Platte Woods, 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 in particular are affected by this, since the internet goes beyond Missouri state borders.
You probably don’t want to face federal criminal 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 Platte Woods, 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 Platte Woods
If you’ve been charged with an online sex crime in Platte Woods, MO, you need to take proactive steps to defend 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 follow if you’re accused of an internet sex crime:
Do: Contact an Attorney
This should be the first thing you do once you find out about the accusations. An attorney can help you make it through interrogations, avoid future mistakes, negotiate plea deals, and more. It’s never a good idea to try to handle things yourself.
Don’t: Talk to the Police Alone
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 could accidentally say something that makes you look guilty.
Do: Invoke Your Right to Remain Silent
You might find yourself in a police interrogation before your lawyer arrives – don’t talk. Invoke your right to remain silent and politely ask to speak with your attorney.
Don’t: Contact the Alleged Victim
If this is all some sort of misunderstanding between you and the alleged victim, your might be thinking about talking with them to figure things out. But this can have serious, negative consequences for your defense. Even if you don’t mean it, 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 it’s lost, take screenshots or other steps to save the evidence. As you find it, be sure to share it with your attorney.
Don’t: Delete Information
Deleting incriminating evidence can worsen your situation. Similar to contacting the alleged victim, in the end, this can make you look guilty.
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.
Defense Platte Woods, MO, Internet Sex Crime Lawyers Use in Court
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 Platte Woods, MO, internet sex crimes lawyer might use to defend you:
- Lack of Intent: Intent doesn’t matter for every internet sex crime, but for many, it does. 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 illegally, 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: 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 are factually innocent because you weren’t accessing the internet 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.
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 join the sex offender registry. This could be at the federal and/or state level. In Platte Woods, MO, it’s sometimes possible to remove your name from the registry, though this is only after a 10 or 20 year period post-sentence. Regardless, violations can have harsh penalties in and of themselves.
Finally, you can face informal penalties and a social stigma. Potential employers may not want to hire you, landlords may not want to lease to you, 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 critical that you act fast and do what you can to avoid a conviction in the first place.
Don’t Wait: Call Now for an Internet Sex Crimes Lawyer in Platte Woods, MO
Our team is ready to represent 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. 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.
- A wide range of investigative resources, including a former law enforcement officer.
If you need an internet sex crimes lawyer in Platte Woods, MO, reach out to an attorney now at (314) 900-HELP or send us a message for a confidential consultation.
