The following are real Missouri sex crime case results handled by Combs Waterkotte. Each case required strategic analysis of the law, the evidence, and the prosecution’s burden of proof.
Child Endangerment; 1st Degree
Result: Charge reduced to misdemeanor child endangerment with SIS probation, and no conviction upon successful completion.
Defense strategy: Early intervention at the bond stage and aggressive negotiation with the prosecutor led to a charge reduction and probation-only outcome, avoiding a felony conviction.
Child Molestation & Sodomy
Result: NOT GUILTY
Defense strategy: Thorough cross-examination of the accuser, exposing issues in the testimony, led the jury to reject the prosecution’s case.
Child Pornography
Result: Dismissal
Defense strategy: Utilizing forensic analysis and expert testimony challenges was critical. By questioning the digital evidence and its interpretation, the firm secured dismissal before the case progressed.
Forcible Rape
Result: NOT GUILTY
Defense strategy: Being retained immediately after charges were filed allowed the team to build defense from day one — including investigation, evidence review, and preparation for trial — ultimately resulting in a not guilty verdict.
Harassment & Sexual Misconduct
Result: Sexual misconduct dismissed; client resolved on harassment with a negotiated outcome.
Defense strategy: Separating charges and negotiating effectively helped eliminate the most serious allegation while containing consequences on the lesser offense.
Indecent Exposure
Result: No felony conviction; client received probation and avoided sex offender registration.
Defense strategy: Focus on mitigating long-term fallout (felony status and registration exposure) through plea negotiations and framing the conduct in context.
Sexual Misconduct (Exposure allegation)
Result: NOT GUILTY
Defense strategy: Jury trial approach that disputes identification and credibility issues — forcing the state to meet its burden beyond a reasonable doubt.
Sodomy & Child Molestation (Juvenile)
Result: Probation through pretrial resolution after strategic investigation.
Defense strategy: Thorough pretrial fact development and leveraging deposition results provided bargaining power that protected the young client from harsher penalties.
Sodomy & Incest (Juvenile)
Result: Probation
Defense strategy: Early action and advocacy led to a negotiated sentence tailored to the client’s situation and minimized severe consequences.
Statutory Sodomy
Result: Case dismissed at preliminary hearing due to lack of probable cause.
Defense strategy: Persistent preliminary hearing challenge to the state’s case, focusing on inconsistencies, resulted in a judge not finding probable cause — ending the case before trial.
Statutory Sodomy & Incest (Juvenile)
Result: NOT GUILTY after trial
Defense strategy: The team confronted serious multi-count allegations with trial readiness and detailed challenge to the state’s statements and proof.
What These Results Show
These outcomes demonstrate that effective sex crimes defense rests on several key approaches:
- Immediate legal involvement, before evidence solidifies.
- Fact investigation and discovery leverage, often before formal charges.
- Cross-examination and credibility testing where testimony is central.
- Technical challenges to evidence, especially digital/forensic material.
- Strategic negotiation that narrows or reduces charges to protect futures.
No two cases are alike, but these outcomes reflect a consistent focus on protecting clients’ freedom, record, and future through tactical defense work and advocacy at every stage of the case.
Expert Sex Crimes Defense in Missouri
If you or a loved one has been accused of a sex crime in Missouri, help is only a phone call away. With over 60 years of combined criminal defense experience, Combs Waterkotte’s Missouri criminal defense lawyers have successfully handled over 10,000 cases, many just like yours.
Give us a call at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online to start protecting your freedom and future today.
