Internet Sex Crimes Lawyer in Waldo, MO. Internet sex crimes are some of the most serious accusations you can face in Missouri. You might think that these accusations are not as bad as rape or sexual assault, 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 Waldo, MO, Combs Waterkotte. Our firm has handled hundreds of sex crime cases. 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 essential to work with a talented criminal defense attorney to fight them. If you’re facing charges and need help now, call us at (314) 900-HELP or use our online contact form to schedule a free consultation.
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On This Page
- How an online sex crimes lawyer will give you assistance
- What to look for when looking for a criminal defense attorney
- Internet sex crime charges our firm defends in Waldo, MO
- Why you need to think about Federal criminal defense
- Do’s and Don’t’s if you’re being charged with an internet sex crime
- Different ways our attorneys fight online sex crime allegations in Waldo, MO
- Formal and informal penalties for a conviction
- How to get in touch with a Waldo, MO, internet sex crimes lawyer today
The Role of Your Waldo, MO, Internet Sex Crimes Lawyer in Your Case
If someone’s accusing you of committing an internet sex crime, talking to a skillful Waldo, MO, sex crime defense lawyer should be your first step. 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 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 the motives behind the accusations, rather than take them at face value.
Lastly, your criminal defense lawyer will help you promote a positive image. Sex crime accusations carry a stigma that others don’t, and that can impact you regardless of the case’s outcome. An attorney should ideally help you handle yourself in public and protect you from the spotlight.
Essential Qualities in Your Waldo, MO Internet Sex Crime Defense Lawyer
Working with a local Waldo, MO, internet sex crimes attorney is essential. But it’s not always clear who the right lawyer is for your case. When you’re picking an attorney, 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: You’re more than a case number, and your attorney should listen to your story, not build an impersonal defense.
- Strong Reputation: You want someone who’s well regarded, both amongst clients and peers.
- 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 offer all of this for you. When you work with us, you’re getting a dedicated legal team that is known for delivering positive results. 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 Waldo, 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 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. In most cases, this doesn’t include accidental possession.
Penalty: Typically 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 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 minors older than that. 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 promoted to 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. 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 is 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: Rather than fitting into a felony category, this statute has its own sentencing guidelines: 5-30 years imprisonment, with a minimum of 5 years before parole or early release eligibility.
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 covers 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.
Whether it’s one of the allegations above or another one entirely, Combs Waterkotte is ready to build you a defense. We will listen to your story, dissect the state’s case, and defend your rights/freedom against injustice.
The Intersection Between Federal Charges and State Charges for Internet Sex Crimes in Waldo, MO
Internet sex crime cases in Waldo, 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 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’s easy to feel intimidated and overwhelmed when walking into federal court to defend yourself.
Your Waldo, MO, internet sex crimes lawyer can’t be someone who backs down in the face of adversity. You need a team who’s ready to fight in federal court. At Combs Waterkotte, you get a team of attorneys, support staff, and investigators who won’t back down, no matter who you’re facing.
How to Handle Accusations of an Online Sex Crime
If you’ve been charged with an online sex crime in Waldo, MO, you need to take thoughtful steps to defend your innocence. Small mistakes early in the process can have large effects later down the line. But by preventing them, you’re more likely to get a positive outcome.
Below are the main Do’s and Don’t’s to be aware of 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 interact with investigators, come up with a defense strategy, negotiate plea deals, and more. It’s never a good idea to try to handle things yourself.
Don’t: Talk to the Police 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, a poorly handled interview can sink your case.
Do: Invoke Your FIfth Amendment Rights
Whatever you do, if you end up in an interrogation room without a lawyer, don’t talk. Invoke your right to remain silent and politely request to see 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 will likely end up hurting your case. Even if you are polite and respectful, reaching out could be seen as intimidation, leading to additional charges.
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
Attempting to hide or delete information can hurt your case. 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 Waldo, 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. We pick out an appropriate strategy and customize it to your situation.
Here are six of the most common defenses your Waldo, MO, internet sex crimes lawyer might use in your case:
- Lack of Intent: For several accusations, you can be found innocent if you didn’t intend to commit the action. For example, if you bought a used phone 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 without justification, we can file 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: 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 are factually innocent because you were elsewhere at the time.
- False Allegations: Unfortunately, some people will make false allegations of a sex crime in order to hurt others. 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.
Penalties for an Online Sex Crime Conviction
The first thing most people think of as a consequence is 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.
Along with the prison term, you’ll have join the sex offender registry. This could be at the federal and/or state level. In Waldo, 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. In the meantime, violations are also treated harshly.
Finally, you’ll have to deal with the informal consequences. You could lose your job, 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, you need to act fast and do what you can to avoid a conviction in the first place.
Get Help From Your Waldo, MO Internet Sex Crimes Lawyer Now
Our firm 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. We offer:
- A team with over 80 years of combined courtroom experience.
- 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 Waldo, MO, reach out to a lawyer today at (314) 900-HELP or tell us about your charges online for a free case review.
