Internet Sex Crimes Lawyer in Wellington, 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 bad as rape or sexual abuse, 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 Wellington, 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.
Continue reading to learn about the types of internet sex crime accusations you could face in Wellington, MO, and why you need an accomplished criminal defense attorney to fight them. If you want to know what we can do for your case, call our team at (314) 900-HELP or use our online contact form to schedule a free consultation.
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This Page Covers
- How an online sex crimes lawyer will protect your freedom
- What to look for when looking for a sex crimes attorney
- Internet sex crime charges our firm defends in Wellington, MO
- The intersection between online crime charges and Federal law
- Steps to take if you’re being charged with an internet sex crime
- Tactics our team uses to defend online sex crime accusations in Wellington, MO
- Formal and informal penalties for a conviction
- How to contact a Wellington, MO, internet sex crimes lawyer today
How Your Wellington, MO, Internet Sex Crimes Lawyer Can Help
If you’re facing online sex crime charges, getting in touch with a seasoned Wellington, MO, sex crime defense lawyer should be the first thing you do. The right attorney will listen to your story and build you a defense around it.
On the legal side, your attorney starts their job while the police are conducting their investigation. 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. It’s important to dissect possible intentions behind the accusations, rather than accept them uncritically.
Finally, 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 who’s comfortable speaking in front of the press can defend your reputation and protect you from the spotlight.
What to Look for in Your Wellington, MO, Internet Sex Crime Defense Lawyer
If you’re facing internet sex crime charges, you need an internet sex crimes attorney in Wellington, 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 someone with the following:
- Experience: Your attorney should know the ins and outs of the law you’re accused of breaking.
- Client-Centered Approach: Look for someone who cares about your wellbeing, not just a paycheck.
- 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. We are dedicated to providing our clients with quality legal representation. Our team is ready for your case today.
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 …
Wellington, MO, Internet Sex Crime Allegations Our Lawyers Fight
There are a wide variety of actions that fall into the ‘internet sex crimes’ category. Below are some of the ones we defend in Wellington, MO:
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. In most cases, this doesn’t include accidental possession.
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 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 occurs 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 have sex, or a similar act.
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.
Regardless of the internet sex crime allegations you’re up against, Combs Waterkotte is ready to build you a defense. We will listen to your story, dissect the prosecution’s case, and fight for the best outcome possible in your case.
Federal Charges: Why They Matter for Internet Sex Crime Cases
Internet sex crime cases in Wellington, 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. Judges have a reputation for being harsher. It’s easy to feel intimidated and overwhelmed when walking into federal court to defend yourself.
Your Wellington, MO, internet sex crimes lawyer can’t be someone who stops when the federal government gets involved. 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.
Do’s and Don’t’s of Internet Sex Crime Accusations
If you’ve been charged with an online sex crime in Wellington, MO, you need to take the right steps to defend your freedom. In many cases, you making mistakes can lead to a conviction. But by preventing them, you’re more likely to get a positive outcome.
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 make it through interrogations, avoid future mistakes, negotiate plea deals, and more. When you’re alone, you’ll have fewer opportunities to improve your situation.
Don’t: Talk to the Police Without Counsel
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’re not required to say anything without a lawyer.
Do: Invoke Your FIfth Amendment Rights
You might find yourself in a police interrogation before your lawyer arrives – don’t talk. Invoke your Fifth Amendment rights and politely request to see 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 will likely end up hurting your case. Even if you aren’t trying to, this contact could be seen as intimidation, leading to additional charges.
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 preserve the evidence. And don’t keep anything from your attorney – they’re there to help.
Don’t: Delete Information
Attempting to hide or delete information can hurt your case. 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 Wellington, MO, Internet Sex Crime Lawyers Use in Court
Your situation is unique, and you deserve a defense that’s tailored to your situation. 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.
Here are six of the most common defenses your Wellington, MO, internet sex crimes lawyer might use to defend you:
- Lack of Intent: Intent doesn’t matter for every internet sex crime, but for many, it does. For example, if you bought a used phone 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 the police made a legal error while collecting evidence, we can push for it to be suppressed.
- 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 stole your credit card information and used it to purchase child pornography, 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 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. 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
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.
On top of that, you’ll have join the sex offender registry. This could be at the federal and/or state level. In Wellington, MO, some individuals are able to request removal from the registry, but this can take a decade, or longer. And while you’re waiting, violations can have harsh penalties in and of themselves.
Finally, you’ll be up against a very negative public opinion. You can face career consequences, there are restrictions on where you can live, and you could lose custody of your children. Additionally, people will be quick to judge you after finding out about the conviction.
For all these reasons, it’s critical that you fight for your freedom in court, with an experienced attorney at your side.
Get Help From Your Wellington, MO Internet Sex Crimes Lawyer Now
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 well-respected team which serves the entire state of Missouri.
- Easy communication and regular updates 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 Wellington, MO, reach out to an attorney now at (314) 900-HELP or send us a message for a no strings attached consult.
