Internet Sex Crimes Lawyer in Polo, MO. Accused of an internet sex crime in Polo? It can be tempting to think that these convictions are not as bad as rape or sexual abuse, but some can be Class A felonies, resulting in a decades-long prison sentence.
You need help if you want to maximize your chances of a positive outcome. Work with the leading internet sex crimes lawyer in Polo, 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 it’s important to find an expert criminal defense attorney to fight them. If you’re facing charges and need help now, call our team at (314) 900-HELP or tell us about your case online to schedule a confidential case review.
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On This Page
- How an online sex crimes lawyer can work to defend you
- What to look for when looking for a criminal defense attorney
- Internet sex crime charges our lawyers defend in Polo, MO
- The role of Federal law in your case
- What to do if you’re being charged with an internet sex crime
- Tactics our team uses to fight online sex crime allegations in Polo, MO
- Formal and informal penalties for a conviction
- How to contact a Polo, MO, internet sex crimes lawyer now
What Your Polo, MO, Internet Sex Crimes Lawyer Does for You
If you’ve been accused of an online sex crime, your first step should be, getting in touch with a reputable Polo, 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, 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 supporting you during interrogations. In the meantime, they will look for exculpatory evidence.
It’s common for these types of cases to center around either questions of consent or the admissibility of the state’s evidence. Your attorney should thoroughly investigate both of these avenues to see if they are viable defensive strategies. In doing so, you can examine possible intentions behind the accusations, rather than accept them uncritically.
Finally, your criminal defense lawyer will help you promote a positive image. Sex crime accusations carry a stigma that’s uniquely negative, and that can have a wide-reaching impact on your life. 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
Working with a local Polo, MO, internet sex crimes attorney is essential. But many people get lost when trying to pick the right person to represent them. When you’re picking an attorney, look for a firm which can give you the following:
- Experience: Your attorney should know the ins and outs of the law you’re accused of breaking.
- 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: Check reviews to see what people think of this attorney.
- 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 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 …
Internet Sex Crime Charges We Defend in Polo, MO
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 occurs when a person has sexual pictures or videos of a minor in their possession. The possession normally has to be intentional.
Penalty: Ordinarily 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 (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. Providing such material to others violates 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 the recipient was 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 is when an adult who’s 21 or older 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 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 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.
Whatever type of internet sex crime charge you’re facing, Combs Waterkotte is ready for your case. We will tell your side of the story, dissect the prosecution’s case, and defend your rights/freedom against injustice.
The Intersection Between Federal Charges and State Charges for Internet Sex Crimes in Polo, MO
The local district attorney isn’t your only opponent if you’re facing internet sex crime charges in Polo, MO. You’re also potentially looking at 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 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. The prosecutors are often more experienced and have stronger teams behind them. By yourself, your chances are slim. With the right attorney, you get a fighting chance.
Your Polo, MO, internet sex crimes lawyer can’t be someone who backs down in the face of adversity. 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 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 Polo, MO, you need to take thoughtful steps to protect your freedom. Small mistakes early in the process can have large effects later down the line. But avoiding them can help your case immensely.
Here 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, avoid future mistakes, negotiate with the prosecutor, and more. When you’re alone, you’ll have fewer opportunities to improve your situation and more to make mistakes.
Don’t: Talk to the Police Alone
If the evidence against you is weak, you might think that an interview with the police is not a big deal. But that’s a mistake. 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. State that you are invoking your Fifth Amendment rights and politely ask to see your attorney.
Don’t: Reach Out to 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 will likely end up hurting your case. Even if you don’t mean it, 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 save whatever you have. And let your attorney know about anything you find.
Don’t: Delete Information
Deleting incriminating evidence can worsen your situation. If you do this, you can face additional charges and extended punishments.
For expert internet sex crimes lawyer advice, use this document to make sure you’re not missing anything: What to Do if You’re Accused of a Sex Crime.
Defense Polo, MO, Internet Sex Crime Lawyers Use in Court
Your case is unique, and your defense should be built on a solid foundation. At Combs Waterkotte, we provide clients with tailored defenses that maximize the chance of a positive outcome. We pick out an appropriate strategy and customize it to your situation.
Below are six of the most common tactics your Polo, MO, internet sex crimes lawyer might use in your case:
- Lack of Intent: Some cases can hinge on intent. 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: 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 found your wifi password and used it to distribute obscene images of a child.
- Alibi: Related to mistaken identity, we can build a case that you couldn’t have committed the crime because you weren’t accessing the internet at the time.
- False Allegations: Unfortunately, some people will make false allegations of a sex crime in order to hurt others. 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.
Penalties for 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 to register as a sex offender. This could be at the federal and/or state level. In Polo, MO, it’s sometimes possible to remove your name from the registry, but this can take a decade, or longer. 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, there are restrictions on where you can live, and you could lose custody of your children. Beyond that, people will be quick to judge you after finding out about the conviction.
For all these reasons, you need to fight for your freedom in court, with a skilled attorney at your side.
Defend Yourself: Call Combs Waterkotte Today for a Leading Internet Sex Crimes Lawyer in Polo, MO
Combs Waterkotte has what it takes to defend 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.
- 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 Polo, MO, call an attorney right away at (314) 900-HELP or use our online contact form for a confidential consult.
