Internet Sex Crimes Lawyer in Waverly, MO. Don’t underestimate internet sex crime allegations in Waverly, MO. It can be tempting to think that these convictions are not as bad as molestation or sexual abuse, but some can be Class A felonies, resulting in a decades-long prison sentence.
If you’re facing these allegations, you can get help. Work with the leading internet sex crimes lawyer in Waverly, 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.
On this page, you’ll learn about common online sex crime charges in Waverly, MO, and why it’s important to find a skillful criminal defense attorney to defend you. 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 consultation.
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On This Page
- 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 lawyers defend in Waverly, MO
- Why you need to think about Federal criminal defense
- Steps to take if you’ve been accused of an internet sex crime
- Different ways our attorneys fight online sex crime charges in Waverly, MO
- Formal and informal penalties for a conviction
- How to get in touch with a Waverly, MO, internet sex crimes lawyer now
The Role of Your Waverly, MO, Internet Sex Crimes Lawyer in Your Case
If you’ve been accused of an online sex crime, your first step should be, getting in touch with a respected Waverly, 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. This usually involves speaking to law enforcement on your behalf and supporting you during interrogations. They will also conduct their own investigation 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 build a strong legal defense that examines the legality of the state’s investigation and/or whether the alleged victim consented. It’s important to dissect the motives behind the accusations, rather than accept them without question.
Additionally, your criminal defense lawyer will help you protect your reputation. Sex crime accusations carry a stigma that’s uniquely negative, and that can have a wide-reaching impact on your life. An attorney should ideally help you handle yourself in public and protect you from the spotlight.
Essential Qualities in Your Waverly, MO Internet Sex Crime Defense Lawyer
If you’re facing internet sex crime charges, you need an internet sex crimes attorney in Waverly, MO, who’s experienced with those 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-First Approach: Look for someone who cares about your wellbeing, not just a paycheck.
- Positive Reputation: You want to work with someone who is known for getting positive results for clients.
- Trial-Ready Strategy: Even if you end up taking a plea deal, a trial-ready strategy maximizes your chances of a positive outcome.
Combs Waterkotte’s online sex crime lawyers provide all of the above. 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 …
Common Internet Sex Crime Charges in Waverly, 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 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 (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 promoted to 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 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 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 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.
The Intersection Between Federal Charges and State Charges for Internet Sex Crimes in Waverly, MO
Unfortunately, if you’ve been accused of an internet sex crime in Waverly, MO, you may have to deal with more than just the local prosecutor. You could also have to defend against 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. Judges have a reputation for being harsher. By yourself, your chances are slim. With the right attorney, you get a fighting chance.
Your Waverly, 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 will fight for justice against any opponent.
How to Handle Accusations of an Online Sex Crime
If you’ve been charged with an online sex crime in Waverly, MO, you need to take proactive steps to defend your innocence. In many cases, you making mistakes can lead to a conviction. 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
Whatever your situation is, a lawyer should be your first call. An attorney can help you interact with investigators, 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 On Your Own
It can be tempting to think, “This is all just a misunderstanding; I can clear this up when I talk to the police.” But in reality, this is a dangerous trap to fall into. Regardless of your situation, you could accidentally say something that makes you look guilty.
Do: Invoke Your Right to Remain Silent
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 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, it’s possible you’re thinking about contacting them. But this will likely end up hurting your case. Even if you don’t mean it, this contact could be seen as intimidation, leading to additional charges.
Do: Gather and Preserve Evidence
Your internet sex crimes lawyer will talk with you about any evidence that can be used to protect you. Before it’s lost, take screenshots or other steps to preserve the evidence. As you find it, be sure to share it with your attorney.
Don’t: Delete Information
Trying to cover up evidence will only make things worse. If you do this, you can face additional charges and extended punishments.
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 Waverly, 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 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 tactics your Waverly, 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 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: 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 weaponize sex crime allegations for their own means (for example, in a child custody battle). 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. 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 to register as a sex offender. This could be at the federal and/or state level. In Waverly, MO, it’s sometimes possible to remove your name from the registry, but this can take a decade, or longer. Regardless, violations are also treated harshly.
Finally, you’ll have to deal with the informal consequences. Potential employers may not want to hire you, there are restrictions on where you can live, and your family could be torn apart. Beyond that, people will be quick to judge you after finding out about the conviction.
For all these reasons, it’s important to fight for your freedom in court, with a skilled attorney at your side.
Don’t Wait: Call Now for an Internet Sex Crimes Lawyer in Waverly, MO
Combs Waterkotte is ready to represent you. You shouldn’t settle for anything less than Missouri’s leading criminal defense law firm. When you hire us, you’re getting:
- A team with over 80 years of combined courtroom experience.
- 24/7 availability if you have questions or need an update 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 Waverly, MO, get in touch with a lawyer now at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online for a free, confidential consultation.
