Rape Defense Lawyers, East Side KC, MO. Being accused of rape can turn your world upside down, and Missouri legal statutes are very punitive for rape convictions. Being called an alleged rapist can seem like your life is over.
But it’s not. Accusations and indictments are not guilty outcomes. And Combs Waterkotte is on your side to battle to protect you from bad outcomes.
We protect East Side KC, MO, residents’ freedom and give them a strong case against all 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 now.
Get the justice you deserve. Our rape and sexual assault defense lawyers will advise you on the best strategy to protect your interests. Contact us online or dial (314) 900-HELP for help 24/7.
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Over 10,000
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Over 60 Years
Why You Need Combs Waterkotte’s Rape Defense Attorneys:
If you’ve been charged with a sex crime in East Side KC, MO, you need help from expert rape defense lawyers right away. Should you not hire anyone, you’re risking the following:
- Prison Time. Second-degree rape and sodomy charges can carry prison sentences of up to 7 years, while the first-degree offences can be as harsh as life sentences.
- Losing Your Rights. In Missouri, convicted felons lose many rights, including the right to vote, second amendment rights, and certain employment rights. It can also affect 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 look at the penalties for sexual assault in Missouri, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. This is why it’s important for you to bring in East Side KC, MO, rape defense lawyers fast. And Combs Waterkotte is ready to protect you.
Here’s what we bring to the table when crafting your rape/sexual assault defense:
- A client-centered approach because it’s important to fully know your side of the story before building a defense.
- A knowledgeable team of rape defense lawyers who have experience with thousands of cases, many just like yours.
- A strong defense that is ready for trial if your case goes that far.
- Longstanding relationships with the state, which we will leverage when negotiating a favorable plea deal if that can give you the positive outcomes you need.
Don’t wait while the prosecution builds a case against you—get a hold of 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 …
Defensive Tactics Our Attorneys Use Versus East Side KC, MO Rape Charges:
Our team of East Side KC rape defense lawyers have substantial knowledge of Missouri rape and sexual assault laws, and effective strategies to defend against related charges:
- Consent: In some rape cases, the argument will center around whether consent was freely given or not.
- Alibi: In cases of mistaken identity or outright false allegations, an alibi can prove that you were elsewhere at the time.
- Physical Evidence: Even if you don’t have an alibi, physical evidence like DNA might be able to exonerate you.
- Fourth Amendment or Fifth Amendment Rights Violations: If the state broke any rules when gathering evidence, we can argue to have it thrown out.
Rape defense strategies are not one-size-fits-all. They need to be custom-made for each case. At Combs Waterkotte, we craft the finest defense possible for your circumstances 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 East Side KC, MO?
If someone asked you to describe rape, the prototypical image would be someone being physically forced to have nonconsensual sex. But Missouri rape law distinguishes statutory and forcible rape, and categorizes certain acts as sodomy instead of rape.
We’ve outlined the different East Side KC, MO, criminal charges you could be actually charged with when someone makes allegations of ‘rape:’
First Degree Rape:
First Degree Rape is defined in Missouri Revised Statute § 566.030 as having sexual intercourse with someone who cannot consent, or coercing them to have sex with force or threats of force (this also includes giving them substances without their knowledge).
This is the bar against which other charges are measured
Second Degree Rape:
Second Degree Rape is defined in RSMo § 566.031 as having sex with a person when you know you don’t have their consent.
This is different from first-degree rape in 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 an adult engaging in sexual intercourse with someone younger than fourteen.
What makes this different from first-degree rape is that the alleged victim could have voluntarily agreed to have sex (this would not count as consent, legally).
Second Degree Statutory Rape:
Second Degree Statutory Rape is defined in RSMo § 566.034 as an adult over the age of twenty-one engaging in sexual intercourse with someone under the age of seventeen.
The difference between first-degree and second-degree statutory rape is the age range. It’s also relevant to know that Missouri has special laws specifically in regards to sexual intercourse with individuals in the in-between ages of fourteen to sixteen.
First Degree Sodomy:
First Degree Sodomy is defined in RSMo § 566.060 as participating in either oral, anal, or digital sex with another personor otherwise penetrating another person, while that individual cannot consent, or is made to do so by force.
You may notice that the language for this statute is nearly identical to that of first-degree rape; even the penalties are the same. The difference between these two laws is in the action(s) that allegedly took place.
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 a person, while knowing the other person does not consent.
Similar to second-degree rape, what distinguishes second-degree from first-degree degree sodomy is that the alleged victim was able to consent, but states they did not.
While the details of the alleged crime and the penalties all vary, no matter which action or degree you look at, you’ll find one of the key features is a lack of consent. Missouri defines consent for sexual intercourse as an affirmative, voluntary agreement to engage in sexual activity from all involved individuals who have the capacity to give consent. Checking that all parties consent is important before engaging in any sexual action.
Combs Waterkotte’s East Side KC rape defense lawyers will defend you against all of the above charges and any other sexual assault allegations you may be facing.
Common East Side KC, MO Misconceptions About Rape:
“You can’t be arrested/charged in East Side KC if there’s no physical evidence.”
The Reality: This misconception is rooted in the difference between arrests, charges, and convictions. You can be charged and convicted of rape without physical evidence, although it is harder for the state to do so. Meanwhile, if the police have probable cause (which only has to be alleged victim testimony), they can make an arrest.
“You don’t need a lawyer if you’re innocent.”
The Reality: Whatever the circumstances, it’s critical to have an experienced group of rape defense lawyers on your side, whether you’re innocent or guilty. You don’t want to face a complex legal system on your own or slip up and say something that can be misinterpreted.
“You can’t have sex with someone younger than 17 in Missouri.”
The Reality: While the age of consent in Missouri is 17, the state does have ‘Romeo and Juliet’ laws that allow people aged 14-16 to have sex with a partner up to four years older than themselves.
“A person can’t consent if they’ve had something to drink.”
The Reality: In reality, there isn’t a legal definition of how drunk is too drunk to consent. That said, if you’re ever unsure about whether or not someone can consent, don’t have sex.
Combs Waterkotte Protects Against Rape Charges in East Side KC, MO. Combs Waterkotte Will Defend You.
Being accused of rape is traumatizing. And being the only person on your side is scary. But you don’t have to go it alone. You can have Combs Waterkotte on your side.
We have a stellar reputation with over 400 five star reviews. Our rape defense lawyers know what it takes to build a stellar defense against these charges. And whatever charges you’re up against, we’re ready to talk.
Get ahold of us today at (314) 900-HELP or reach out online for a no-obligation, confidential consultation.
