Rape Defense Lawyers, Garden City, MO. Rape allegations are hard to handle, and Missouri legal statutes are very punitive for rape convictions. Facing these charges can feel like your life is over.
But it’s not. Accusations and indictments are not convictions. And Combs Waterkotte is prepared to fight against those outcomes.
We defend Garden City, MO, residents’ freedom and give them a proper case against any criminal charges. We’re available to talk about your case today—give us a call at (314) 900-HELP or use our online form for a free consultation.
Get the justice you deserve. Our rape and sexual assault defense lawyers will treat you like a person, not a case number. Contact us online or call (314) 900-HELP to start today.
Cases Handled
Over 10,000
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Over 60 Years
Why You Need Combs Waterkotte’s Rape Defense Attorneys:
When you’ve been charged with a sex crime in Garden City, MO, you need a team of rape defense lawyers right away. If you try to fight the charges without a lawyer, you’re potentially looking at the following:
- Years In Prison. The second-degree offences listed below all carry prison sentences of up to 7 years, while the harsher first-degree charges can go as far as life in prison.
- Losing Your Rights. In Missouri, convicted felons lose many rights, most notably the right to vote, the right to own a gun, 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.
- Job Impacts. You can lose your job just for being accused of rape.
When you hear about the penalties for sexual assault in Missouri, it’s hard to even think of a plan to move forward. To give yourself the best chance to avoid these, it’s critical that you hire Garden City, MO, rape defense lawyers fast. And Combs Waterkotte is prepared to protect you.
When you hire us, you’re getting the following from the team 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.
- An adept group of rape defense lawyers who have experience with thousands of cases, many just like yours.
- A strong defense that is built for trial should your case go that far.
- Effective, working relationships with the state, which we can use to negotiate a plea deal if that can effectively protect your interests.
Don’t give the state a chance to build a case you can’t defend against—call 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 Lawyers Use Against Garden City, MO Rape Charges:
Our team of Garden City rape defense lawyers have substantial knowledge of Missouri rape and sexual assault laws, and what strategies work to defend against them:
- Consent: In some rape cases, the argument will center around whether consent was freely given or not.
- Alibi: Alibis create reasonable doubt by providing evidence indicating that you were somewhere else at the time of the crime.
- 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: Improperly obtained evidence can be thrown out before it is used against you.
Your case needs a custom-designed strategy to give you the best possible odds at a positive outcome. At Combs Waterkotte, we create the strongest defense possible for your specific case and will give you honest, helpful advice on how to move forward.
What’s the Difference Between Rape, Statutory Rape, and Sodomy in Garden City, MO?
If you had to define rape, the first thing that comes to mind is probably forcing someone to have sex against their will. But Missouri rape law has multiple different categories of rape, and distinguishes sodomy as a separate offense.
Below are the different Garden City, MO, criminal charges you could formally be up against when accused of ‘rape:’
First Degree Rape:
First Degree Rape is defined in Missouri Revised Statute § 566.030 as having sex with another person who is unable to consent, or using force to force them to have sex (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 without having 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 whether the alleged victim “consented” or not is irrelevant.
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.
Statutory rape degrees are distinguished by the age of the alleged victim and offender. It’s also important to be aware that Missouri has some additional laws regarding sex with individuals between the ages of fourteen and sixteen.
First Degree Sodomy:
First Degree Sodomy is defined in RSMo § 566.060 as engaging in either oral, anal, or digital sex with someoneor otherwise penetrating that person, while the alleged victim is unable to consent, or is forced to participate.
This law reads and works very similarly to Missouri’s first-degree rape law; 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, while knowing the other person does not consent.
Just like with second-degree rape, what distinguishes second-degree from first-degree degree sodomy is that the alleged victim had the capacity to consent, but did not do so.
Rape, statutory rape, and sodomy all have details that make them different from one another, however, 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 activity as an affirmative, unforced agreement to engage in sexual activity from all relevant individuals who are able to give consent. Obtaining clear consent is important prior to engaging in any sexual action.
Our Garden City rape defense lawyers will fight against rape, statutory rape, sodomy, and any other sexual assault allegations you may be charged with.
Common Garden City, MO Misconceptions About Rape:
“Without proof, the police in Garden City 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,, you can be arrested for nothing more than probable cause, which can include the accusations themselves.
“If you’re innocent of the charges, you don’t need a lawyer.”
The Reality: Whatever the circumstances, it’s critical to have an expert team of rape defense lawyers watching your back, even if you’re innocent. You don’t want to face a complex legal system without help or make a mistake that unintentionally makes you look guilty.
“Missouri law says nobody can have sex with someone under 17.”
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.
“If someone’s had any alcohol, they can’t legally give consent.”
The Reality: There are some situations where it is impossible for someone to give consent (most notably if they are unconscious), however, 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 Garden City, MO. Combs Waterkotte Will Defend You.
Being accused of rape is traumatizing. And fighting against it on your own is hard. But you have another option. You can have Combs Waterkotte on your side.
We don’t charge by the hour, so you can get in touch with us 24/7 if you need something for your case. Our rape defense lawyers know what it takes to build a stellar defense against these charges. And we’re ready to take your case.
Speak with our team now at (314) 900-HELP or fill out our online form for a no-obligation, confidential consultation.
