Internet Sex Crimes Lawyer in Sweet Springs, MO. Don’t underestimate internet sex crime allegations in Sweet Springs, MO. You might think that these convictions are not as severe as molestation or sexual assault, but depending on what you’ve been accused of, you could be facing a life sentence.
Don’t try to fight these allegations alone. Work with the leading internet sex crimes lawyer in Sweet Springs, MO, Combs Waterkotte. Our firm has handled hundreds of sex crime cases. No matter your circumstances, we’re ready to craft a staunch defense.
This page will go over some of the most common online sex crime charges in Missouri, and why you need a talented criminal defense attorney to protect your rights. If you need expert advice for your case, call our team at (314) 900-HELP or send us a note online to set up a free case review.
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On This Page
- 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 Sweet Springs, MO
- The role of Federal law in your case
- Things to avoid if you’re facing internet sex crime allegations
- Different ways our attorneys fight online sex crime allegations in Sweet Springs, MO
- How a sex crime conviction can affect your life
- How to contact a Sweet Springs, MO, internet sex crimes lawyer now
What Your Sweet Springs, MO, Internet Sex Crimes Lawyer Does for You
If you’re facing online sex crime charges, contacting a skillful Sweet Springs, 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. It’s common for them to help by speaking to the police on your behalf and supporting you during interrogations. While the police are looking for evidence to convict you, your lawyer will look for exculpatory evidence.
The two major factors in most online sex crime charge defenses are consent and the legality of evidence. Your attorney should thoroughly investigate both of these avenues to see if they are viable defensive strategies. Any defense should also look at possible motives 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 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
If you’re facing internet sex crime charges, you need an internet sex crimes attorney in Sweet Springs, MO, who’s experienced with those charges. But it’s not always clear who the right lawyer is for your case. When you’re evaluating your options, look for someone which offers the following:
- Experience: Ideally with the exact crime you’ve been charged with.
- Client-First Approach: When you meet with your attorney, they should listen to you with compassion.
- Positive Reputation: You want to work with someone who is known for getting positive results for clients.
- 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 work with us, you’re getting a dedicated legal team that is known for delivering positive results. 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 Sweet Springs, MO
There are a wide variety of actions that fall into the ‘internet sex crimes’ category. 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 alleged offender has to have them either on purpose, or recklessly.
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 (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. 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 is when a person creates child pornography, whether on purpose or out of carelessness. This becomes an internet sex crime if the material is put 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 convince 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 involves causing emotional distress to someone without a legitimate reason. First-degree stalking is similar, but includes more advanced cases, like an adult over the age of 21 stalking someone under 17.
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 defend you. We will tell your side of the story, look for holes in the prosecution’s case, and defend your rights/freedom against injustice.
Why You Need to Know About Federal Internet Sex Crime Charges in Sweet Springs, MO
Internet sex crime cases in Sweet Springs, MO, aren’t just facing the state 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 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. It can feel unwinnable on your own.
Your Sweet Springs, 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 Sweet Springs
If you’ve been charged with an online sex crime in Sweet Springs, MO, you need to take proactive steps to defend your innocence. 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: Reach Out to an Attorney
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 district attorney, and more. Trying to clear up the accusation on your own is always a bad idea.
Don’t: Talk to the Police On Your Own
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’re not required to say anything without a lawyer.
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. State that you are invoking your right to remain silent and politely ask to speak with your attorney.
Don’t: Contact the Alleged Victim
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 have serious, negative consequences for your defense. Even if you are polite and respectful, 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. As you find it, be sure to share it with your attorney.
Don’t: Delete Information
Deleting incriminating evidence can worsen your situation. 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 Sweet Springs, 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 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 Sweet Springs, 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 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 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: 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 were elsewhere at the time.
- False Allegations: Unfortunately, there are sometimes false allegations of sex crimes, often as a part of interpersonal conflict. If the alleged victim is telling a false story, we can construct an alternative narrative to show your innocence.
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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.
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 Sweet Springs, MO, there is a path for some people to remove their name from the sex offender 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, there are restrictions on where you can live, 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 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 Sweet Springs, MO
Our team 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 a track record of success.
- Easy communication and regular updates on your case.
- A mission to help good people in bad situations.
- Experienced investigation capabilities to support your legal defense.
If you need an internet sex crimes lawyer in Sweet Springs, MO, get in touch with us right away at (314) 900-HELP or tell us about your charges online for a no strings attached consultation.
