Internet Sex Crimes Lawyer in Smithville, MO. Internet sex crimes are some of the most serious accusations you can face in Missouri. It can be tempting to think that these accusations are not as severe as molestation 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 Smithville, 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.
This page will go over some of the most common online sex crime charges in Missouri, and why you need an accomplished criminal defense attorney to fight them. If you need expert advice for your case, call our team at (314) 900-HELP or use our online contact form to schedule a confidential case review.
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This Page Covers
- How an online sex crimes lawyer can give you assistance
- What to look for when looking for a criminal defense attorney
- Internet sex crime charges our firm defends in Smithville, MO
- Why you need to think about Federal criminal defense
- Things to avoid if you’re being charged with an internet sex crime
- Tactics our team uses to fight online sex crime accusations in Smithville, MO
- How a sex crime conviction can affect your life
- How to talk to a Smithville, MO, internet sex crimes lawyer today
The Role of Your Smithville, MO, Internet Sex Crimes Lawyer in Your Case
If someone’s accusing you of committing an internet sex crime, contacting a reputable Smithville, 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, 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.
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 talk to you about both of these options to discover what’s right for you. It’s important to dissect possible motives behind the accusations, rather than take them at face value.
Finally, your criminal defense lawyer will help you promote a positive image. Sex crime accusations carry a stigma that others don’t, and that can have a wide-reaching impact on your life. An attorney can promote your side of the story and protect you from the spotlight.
Essential Qualities in Your Smithville, MO Internet Sex Crime Defense Lawyer
Working with a local Smithville, MO, internet sex crimes attorney is essential. But it’s not always clear who the right lawyer is for your case. When you’re evaluating your options, look for a firm which offers the following:
- Experience: Ideally with the exact crime you’ve been charged with.
- Client-First Approach: Look for someone who cares about your wellbeing, not just a paycheck.
- Positive Reputation: You want someone who’s well regarded, both amongst clients and peers.
- Trial-Ready Strategy: Even if you end up taking a plea deal, preparing for trial gives you an advantage throughout your case.
Combs Waterkotte’s online sex crime lawyers offer all of this for you. 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 …
Common Internet Sex Crime Charges in Smithville, MO
Missouri has a wide variety of laws governing sexual conduct on the internet. 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 possession normally has to be intentional.
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 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 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 is when 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: Missouri has different statutes that govern first- and second-degree stalking offenses. 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 making threats to the alleged victim and/or their family.
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 state’s case, and keep you in the loop for any/all updates.
The Intersection Between Federal Charges and State Charges for Internet Sex Crimes in Smithville, MO
Unfortunately, if you’ve been accused of an internet sex crime in Smithville, MO, you may have to deal with more than just the local prosecutor. You may also need to fight 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.
You probably don’t want to face federal criminal charges. The prosecutors are often more experienced and have stronger teams behind them. It can feel unwinnable on your own.
Your Smithville, 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 won’t back down, no matter who you’re facing.
What to Do if You’ve Been Accused of an Online Sex Crime in Smithville
As soon as you’re aware that you’re facing online sex crime charges in Smithville, MO, you need to take thoughtful 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.
Below 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
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 district attorney, and more. It’s never a good idea to try to handle things yourself.
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, a poorly handled interview can sink your case.
Do: Invoke Your FIfth Amendment Rights
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: 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, it’s possible you’re thinking about contacting them. But this can get you in even more trouble. Even if you aren’t trying to, this contact could be seen as intimidation, making you look guilty.
Do: Gather and Preserve Evidence
Your internet sex crimes lawyer will need evidence to build an effective defense. Before it’s lost, take screenshots or other steps to save the evidence. And let your attorney know about anything you find.
Don’t: Delete Evidence
Attempting to hide or delete information can hurt your case. 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.
Common Defenses Our Lawyers Use Against Internet Sex Crime Allegations
Your case is unique, and your defense should be built on a solid foundation. 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 tactics your Smithville, MO, internet sex crimes lawyer might use to defend you:
- 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: Evidence against you needs to be collected in a legal manner. 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 hacked into your social media account and used it to send explicit messages, 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 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.
Penalties for 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 Smithville, MO, some individuals are able to request removal from the registry, though this is only after a 10 or 20 year period post-sentence. And while you’re waiting, violations are also treated harshly.
Finally, you’ll be up against a very negative public opinion. You could lose your job, there are restrictions on where you can live, and you could lose custody of your children. Additionally, people will likely treat you differently if they find out about your conviction.
Because of this, it’s critical that you work with your defense lawyer to prevent these outcomes.
Talk To an Experienced Internet Sex Crimes Lawyer in Smithville, MO, Today
Combs Waterkotte is here to help. 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 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.
- A wide range of investigative resources, including a former law enforcement officer.
If you need an internet sex crimes lawyer in Smithville, MO, contact an attorney today at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online for a no strings attached consult.
