Internet Sex Crimes Lawyer in Windsor, MO. Accused of an internet sex crime in Windsor? It can be tempting to think that these charges are less serious than rape or sexual abuse, but some can be Class A felonies, resulting in a decades-long prison sentence.
Don’t try to fight these allegations alone. Work with the leading internet sex crimes lawyer in Windsor, 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.
On this page, you’ll learn about common online sex crime charges in Windsor, MO, and why it’s essential to work with a skillful criminal defense attorney to defend you. If you need expert advice for your case, call our team at (314) 900-HELP or tell us about your case online to set up a confidential consultation.
Cases Handled
Over 10,000
Jail Days Saved
Over 1 Million
Google Reviews
500+ Perfect
Legal Experience
Over 80 Years
On This Page
- How an online sex crimes lawyer will give you assistance
- What to look for when looking for a sex crimes attorney
- Internet sex crime charges our firm defends in Windsor, MO
- The role of Federal law in your case
- Do’s and Don’t’s if you’re being charged with an internet sex crime
- Different ways our attorneys defend online sex crime accusations in Windsor, MO
- The penalties you can face if you’re convicted of an online sex crime
- How to talk to a Windsor, MO, internet sex crimes lawyer today
The Role of Your Windsor, MO, Internet Sex Crimes Lawyer in Your Case
If you’ve been accused of an online sex crime, your first step should be, talking to a seasoned Windsor, MO, sex crime defense lawyer should be the first thing you do. 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. Typically, this means communicating with law enforcement on your behalf and advising you on what to say. 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 talk to you about both of these options to discover what’s right for you. In doing so, you can examine possible intentions behind the accusations, rather than accept them without question.
Additionally, your criminal defense lawyer will help you promote a positive image. 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 can promote your side of the story 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 Windsor, MO, who’s experienced with those charges. But it’s not always clear who the right lawyer is for your case. When you’re picking an attorney, 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: When you meet with your attorney, they should listen to you with compassion.
- Strong 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, 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 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 …
Internet Sex Crime Charges We Defend in Windsor, MO
There are a wide variety of actions that fall into the ‘internet sex crimes’ category. Here are some of the most common ones:
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. 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. 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 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 refers to situations where an adult who’s 21 or older 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: 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 actions done in violation of a restraining order.
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 to build you a defense. We will tell your side of the story, dissect the prosecution’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 Windsor, MO
The local district attorney isn’t your only opponent if you’re facing internet sex crime charges in Windsor, MO. 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.
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 Windsor, 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
As soon as you’re aware that you’re facing online sex crime charges in Windsor, MO, you need to take proactive steps to protect 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.
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
This should be the first thing you do once you find out about the accusations. An attorney can help you handle interviews, 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
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 Right to Remain Silent
You might find yourself in a police interrogation before your lawyer arrives – don’t talk. State that you are invoking your Fifth Amendment rights and politely ask to see your attorney.
Don’t: Contact the Alleged Victim
If you personally know the alleged victim, it’s possible you’re thinking about contacting them. 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 need evidence to build an effective defense. Before it’s lost, take screenshots or other steps to save whatever you have. As you find it, be sure to share it with your attorney.
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.
Defense Windsor, MO, Internet Sex Crime Lawyers Use in Court
Your situation is unique, and your defense should be, too. At Combs Waterkotte, we provide clients with a defense strategy designed to fit their situation. You’re involved at every stage, and we work with you to figure out the best approach.
Below are six of the most common defenses your Windsor, 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 purchased 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 the police made a legal error while collecting evidence, 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: Unlike physical crimes, it’s easy to impersonate someone else on the internet. 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: To help show a 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, some people will weaponize sex crime allegations for their own means (for example, in a child custody battle). We will work to raise reasonable doubt as to why your accuser might be making these allegations.
Free book
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. 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.
In addition to the prison sentence, you’ll have join the sex offender registry. This could be at the federal and/or state level. In Windsor, 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, landlords may not want to lease to you, and you could lose custody of your children. On top of that, people will be quick to judge you after finding out about the conviction.
For all these reasons, it’s important to act fast and do what you can to avoid a conviction in the first place.
Talk To an Experienced Internet Sex Crimes Lawyer in Windsor, MO, Today
Combs Waterkotte is ready to represent you. You shouldn’t settle for anything less than Missouri’s leading criminal defense law firm. We bring the following to the table:
- 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.
- Experienced investigation capabilities to support your legal defense.
If you need an internet sex crimes lawyer in Windsor, MO, reach out to a lawyer any time, day or night at (314) 900-HELP or reach out to us online for a confidential case review.
