Rape Defense Lawyers, Lathrop, MO. Being accused of rape can turn your world upside down, and Missouri legal statutes are very punitive for rape convictions. Facing these charges can seem like it’s the end of your life.
But it’s not. Allegations and charges aren’t guilty outcomes. And Combs Waterkotte is ready to battle to protect you from bad outcomes.
We protect Lathrop, MO, residents’ rights and give them a proper case against all criminal charges. We’re available to talk about your case today—reach us by phone at (314) 900-HELP or reach out online for a confidential consult.
Get the justice you deserve. Our rape and sexual assault defense attorneys will listen to your side of the story and build a defense around it. Contact us online or dial (314) 900-HELP for 24/7 support.
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Over 10,000
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Why You Need Combs Waterkotte’s Rape Defense Attorneys:
When you’ve been charged with a sex crime in Lathrop, MO, you need a team of rape defense lawyers before you talk to anyone. If you go it alone, you’re up against the following:
- Years In Prison. Different charges in the second degree can carry prison sentences of up to 7 years, while the more serious first-degree offences can go as far as life sentences.
- Losing Your Rights. In Missouri, people convicted of felonies lose several rights, most notably the right to vote, second amendment rights, 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.
When you see the penalties for sexual assault in Missouri, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Because of this, you’ll need to find Lathrop, MO, rape defense lawyers fast. And Combs Waterkotte is prepared to help.
When you hire us, you’re getting the following from the team crafting 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 group of rape defense lawyers who have experience with thousands of cases, including many just like yours.
- A strong defense that is prepared for trial in case we need to go that far.
- Effective, working relationships with prosecutors, which we can use to negotiate a plea deal if that can give you the positive outcomes you need.
Don’t give the state a chance to build a case you can’t defend against—speak with us now at (314) 900-HELP to talk to 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 …
Defenses Our Attorneys Use Against Lathrop, MO Rape Charges:
Our team of Lathrop rape defense lawyers have extensive knowledge of Missouri rape and sexual assault laws, and what techniques work to fight against related charges:
- Consent: In some rape cases, rather than being centered around whether or not the two parties had sex, the question is on consent, whether it was given or not, and whether it was freely given or not.
- Alibi: It’s highly unfortunate, but sometimes rape victims accuse the wrong person, and an alibi can be key to your defense.
- 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: 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.
Rape defense strategies are not one-size-fits-all. They need to be custom-made for each case. At Combs Waterkotte, we craft the most powerful 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 Lathrop, MO?
If you had to define rape, the image that comes to mind is probably that of forcible rape. But Missouri rape law has multiple different categories of rape, and categorizes certain acts as sodomy instead of rape.
We’ve outlined the different Lathrop, MO, criminal charges you could formally be up against 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 another person who is unable to consent, or using force to force them to have sex (additionally, this includes drugging them).
This is normally regarded as the most serious charge of the six outlined on this page
Second Degree Rape:
Second Degree Rape is defined in RSMo § 566.031 as engaging in sexual intercourse with someone when you know you don’t have their consent.
Compared to first-degree rape charges, the difference is that the alleged victim was able to consent at the time, but is saying 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 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 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 special ‘Romeo and Juliet’ laws regarding sexual activity with individuals in the in-between ages of 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 someoneor otherwise penetrating someone, and this is done while the alleged victim is unable to consent, or is made to do so by force.
This law reads and works very similarly to Missouri’s first-degree rape law; the only difference is the alleged type of act performed.
Second Degree Sodomy:
Second Degree Sodomy is defined in RSMo § 566.061 as having either oral, anal, or digital sex with another person or otherwise penetrating that individual, while knowing the other person does not consent.
In parallel to second-degree rape, the difference between first-degree sodomy and second-degree sodomy is that the alleged victim had the capacity to consent, but states they did not.
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, elective agreement to engage in sexual activity from both individuals who are capable of giving consent. Checking that all parties consent is important prior to beginning any sexual activity.
Combs Waterkotte’s Lathrop rape defense lawyers will defend you against all of the above charges and any other sexual assault allegations you may be facing.
Common Lathrop, MO Misconceptions About Rape:
“You can only be arrested for rape in Lathrop if there’s physical evidence.”
The Reality: If there’s no physical evidence, that can hurt the state’s chances of getting a conviction. However,, if the police have probable cause (which only has to be alleged victim testimony), they can make an arrest.
“There’s no reason to hire an attorney if you’re innocent.”
The Reality: If you’re up against rape charges, you’ll always want a team of rape defense lawyers watching your back, even if you’re innocent. You don’t want to try and navigate Missouri law without help or say something you think is innocuous that is later twisted to make you look guilty.
“Missouri law says nobody can have sex with someone under 17.”
The Reality: Missouri’s age of consent is 17. But, 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 being 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 Protects Against Rape Charges in Lathrop, MO. Combs Waterkotte Will Defend You.
Being accused of rape is traumatizing. And being the only person on your side is scary. But you are one call away from Missouri’s leading criminal defense lawyers. You can have Combs Waterkotte on your side.
We won’t stop fighting until you get the justice you deserve. Our rape defense lawyers offer high-quality legal expertise to all of our clients. And we want to deliver you the best possible outcome.
Talk to our team today at (314) 900-HELP or fill out our contact form for a free, confidential consultation.
