Rape Defense Lawyers, Blue Valley, MO. Rape accusations carry a lot of stigma, and Missouri legal statutes are very punitive for rape convictions. Being accused can seem like a hopeless situation.
But it’s not. Allegations and indictments are not convictions. And Combs Waterkotte is here to fight against bad outcomes.
We defend Blue Valley, MO, residents’ right to due process and give them a proper defense against any criminal charges. We’re ready to start working on your case today—talk to us at (314) 900-HELP or fill out our contact form online for a free consult.
You need a leading defense attorney. Our rape and sexual assault defense lawyers will listen to your side of the story and build a defense around it. Contact us online or call (314) 900-HELP to start today.
Cases Handled
Over 10,000
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Legal Experience
Over 60 Years
Why You Need Combs Waterkotte’s Rape Defense Attorneys:
If you’ve been charged with rape in Blue Valley, MO, you need a team of rape defense lawyers before you do anything else in your case. If you try to fight the allegations by yourself, you’re up against the below consequences:
- Prison Time. The second-degree offences listed below all carry prison sentences of up to 7 years, while the more serious first-degree offences can be as high as life in prison without parole.
- Losing Your Rights. In Missouri, people convicted of felonies lose many rights, particularly the right to vote, the right to possess a firearm, and certain employment rights. It can also have an impact on your parental rights.
- Sex Offender Registration. If you’re convicted of rape, your name will likely be put on a public sex offender registry.
- Career Consequences. You can be fired just for being accused of rape.
If you review the penalties for sexual assault in Missouri, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Because of this, you’ll need to hire Blue Valley, MO, rape defense lawyers fast. And Combs Waterkotte is ready to protect you.
We take pride in offering the following when building your rape/sexual assault defense:
- A client-centered approach because we want to be sure we are capturing your story, needs, and goals.
- A knowledgeable team of rape defense lawyers who have experience with thousands of cases, including many just like yours.
- A staunch defense that is built for trial if your case goes that far.
- Effective, working relationships with prosecutors across the state, which we lean on to come up with a plea deal if that can give you the positive outcomes you need.
Don’t wait for “things to blow over” (they won’t)—speak with us now at (314) 900-HELP to speak with one of our rape defense lawyers today.
Legal Videos
What Penalties Apply To Federal Sex Crime Convictions?
What Penalties Apply To Federal Sex Crime Convictions? Andrew Russek and Chris Combs from Combs Waterkotte federal criminal defense firm discuss potential penalties related to federal sex crime …
Do Federal Sex Crimes Require Sex Offender Registration?
Do Federal Sex Crimes Require Sex Offender Registration? Andrew Russek, a lawyer with leading federal criminal defense firm Combs Waterkotte, discusses the sex offender registry and federal sex …
What Makes A Sex Crime Federal Rather Than State?
What Makes A Sex Crime Federal Rather Than State? Andrew Russek and Chris Combs of Combs Waterkotte discuss factors that play into a sex crime being classified as federal, rather than …
What Are Federal Sex Crime Charges?
What Are Federal Sex Crime Charges? Chris Combs and Andrew Russek of Combs Waterkotte discuss the most common federal sex crime charges. Interview Transcript Scott Michael Dunn: Well, let's …
Everything You Need To Know About Federal Criminal Charges
Featured on Hexxen Studios, Chris Combs and Andrew Russek sat down to talk about federal criminal charges. In this video, you can learn about different types of federal charges, how they differ …
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 …
What Penalties Apply To Federal Sex Crime Convictions?
What Penalties Apply To Federal Sex Crime Convictions? Andrew Russek and Chris Combs from Combs Waterkotte federal criminal defense firm discuss potential penalties related to federal sex crime …
Do Federal Sex Crimes Require Sex Offender Registration?
Do Federal Sex Crimes Require Sex Offender Registration? Andrew Russek, a lawyer with leading federal criminal defense firm Combs Waterkotte, discusses the sex offender registry and federal sex …
What Makes A Sex Crime Federal Rather Than State?
What Makes A Sex Crime Federal Rather Than State? Andrew Russek and Chris Combs of Combs Waterkotte discuss factors that play into a sex crime being classified as federal, rather than …
What Are Federal Sex Crime Charges?
What Are Federal Sex Crime Charges? Chris Combs and Andrew Russek of Combs Waterkotte discuss the most common federal sex crime charges. Interview Transcript Scott Michael Dunn: Well, let's …
Everything You Need To Know About Federal Criminal Charges
Featured on Hexxen Studios, Chris Combs and Andrew Russek sat down to talk about federal criminal charges. In this video, you can learn about different types of federal charges, how they differ …
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 …
Defense Strategies Our Lawyers Use Versus Blue Valley, MO Rape Charges:
Our Blue Valley rape defense lawyers have intense knowledge of Missouri rape and sexual assault laws, and effective strategies to defend against them:
- Consent: In some rape cases, the question is not whether sexual activity occurred, but whether it was consensual.
- Alibi: It’s highly unfortunate, but sometimes rape victims accuse the wrong person, and an alibi can be key to your defense.
- Physical Evidence: Evidence can make or break a case. Whether it’s DNA, injury reports, communication records, or something else.
- Fourth Amendment or Fifth Amendment Rights Violations: Sometimes, something goes wrong with the state’s investigation or how they handle the evidence—that can lead to it being thrown out for rights violations.
Each case is unique, and each defense needs to be tailored to the specifics of the case. At Combs Waterkotte, we craft the finest defense possible for your specific case and will tell you what outcomes we think are realistically achievable for you, and how best to get there.
What’s the Difference Between Rape, Statutory Rape, and Sodomy in Blue Valley, MO?
When most people think of rape, the image that comes to mind is probably that of forcible rape. But Missouri rape law distinguishes statutory and forcible rape, as well as defining sodomy as a similar offense.
We’ve outlined the different Blue Valley, MO, criminal charges you could be facing when someone accuses you of ‘rape:’
First Degree Rape:
First Degree Rape is defined in Missouri Revised Statute § 566.030 as having sex with someone who cannot consent, or compelling them to engage in sexual intercourse through force (additionally, this includes drugging them).
This is the bar against which other charges are measured
Second Degree Rape:
Second Degree Rape is defined in RSMo § 566.031 as engaging in sexual intercourse with a person without having their consent.
Compared to first-degree rape charges, the difference is that the alleged victim had the ability to consent, but states that they did not.
First Degree Statutory Rape:
First Degree Statutory Rape is defined in RSMo § 566.032 as having sex with someone younger than fourteen years old.
What distinguishes this from first-degree and second-degree rape is that whether the alleged victim “consented” or not is irrelevant.
Second Degree Statutory Rape:
Second Degree Statutory Rape is defined in RSMo § 566.034 as having sex with someone younger than seventeen years old while being older than twenty-one.
Second-degree statutory rape is different from first-degree because of the age requirements. It’s also relevant to know that Missouri has some additional laws regarding sexual activity with individuals from fourteen to sixteen.
First Degree Sodomy:
First Degree Sodomy is defined in RSMo § 566.060 as engaging in either oral, anal, or digital sex with a personor otherwise penetrating that individual, and this is done while the alleged victim is unable to consent, or is coerced to do so via force.
You may notice that the language for this statute is nearly identical to that of first-degree rape; the main difference is that rape covers sexual intercourse, while sodomy covers other sexual acts.
Second Degree Sodomy:
Second Degree Sodomy is defined in RSMo § 566.061 as having either oral, anal, or digital sex with someone or otherwise penetrating an individual, with the knowledge that the other person does not consent.
In parallel to second-degree rape, the differentiator between this and first-degree sodomy is that the alleged victim could have given consent, but did not for that instance/act.
While the details of the alleged crime and the penalties all vary, they all involve a lack of consent. Missouri defines consent for sexual activity as an affirmative, voluntary agreement to engage in sexual activity from all relevant individuals who have the capacity to give consent. Checking that all parties consent is important before proceeding with any sexual activity.
Our Blue Valley rape defense lawyers will fight against rape, statutory rape, sodomy, and any other sexual assault allegations you may be up against.
Common Blue Valley, MO Misconceptions About Rape:
“Without proof, the police in Blue Valley won’t arrest you for rape.”
The Reality: If there’s no physical evidence, that can hurt the state’s chances of getting a conviction. However,, all that the police need to arrest you is probable cause (which doesn’t have to be more than an accusation).
“Innocent people don’t need attorneys.”
The Reality: If you’re up against rape charges, you’ll always want agroup of rape defense lawyers watching out for your interests, even if you’re innocent. You don’t want to try and navigate Missouri law without help or slip up and say something that can be misinterpreted.
“It’s illegal to have sex with someone under 17 in Missouri.”
The Reality: This misconception is rooted in truth, because 17 is in fact the age of consent in Missouri. However, the state does have ‘Romeo and Juliet’ laws that allow 14-16 year olds to engage in sexual intercourse with someone close to them in age (up to four years their senior).
“If someone’s had any alcohol, they can’t legally give consent.”
The Reality: In reality, there isn’t a legal definition of how drunk is too drunk to consent. That said, if you have even the slightest suspicion that someone has had too much to drink, don’t have sex.
Combs Waterkotte Defends Against Rape Charges in Blue Valley, MO. Combs Waterkotte Will Defend You.
A rape allegation can throw your life into disarray. And trying to go it alone is setting yourself up for failure. But you have a path forward. You can have Combs Waterkotte fighting for your freedom.
We’re here to help good people in bad situations. Our rape defense lawyers have the experience and expertise necessary to craft a forceful defense. And whatever charges you’re up against, we’re ready to talk.
Talk to us now at (314) 900-HELP or fill out our online form for a no-obligation, confidential consultation.
