Rape Defense Lawyers, Platte Woods, MO. Rape allegations can be life-altering, and Missouri law treats people convicted of rape severely. Facing these charges can seem like it’s the end of your life.
But it’s not. Allegations and indictments aren’t guilty outcomes. And Combs Waterkotte is on your side to battle to protect you from bad outcomes.
We protect Platte Woods, MO, residents’ freedom and give them a proper case against any criminal charges. We’re ready to start working on your case today—talk to us at (314) 900-HELP or reach out online for a free, confidential consultation.
We are here to help, not to judge. Our rape and sexual assault defense attorneys will listen to your side of the story and build a defense around it. Reach out online or dial (314) 900-HELP to speak with someone anytime, any day.
Why You Need Combs Waterkotte’s Rape Defense Attorneys:
If you’ve been charged with sexual assault or rape in Platte Woods, MO, you need a team of rape defense lawyers before you do anything else in your case. If you try to fight the charges without a lawyer, you’re potentially looking at the below consequences:
- Prison Time. Second-degree rape and sodomy charges can carry prison sentences of up to 7 years, while the harsher first-degree charges can be as harsh as life in prison.
- Losing Your Rights. In Missouri, convicted felons lose many rights, most notably the right to vote, second amendment rights, and certain employment rights. Depending on your situation, your parental rights may also be affected.
- 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 even before a conviction.
When you hear about the penalties for sexual assault in Missouri, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Because of this, it’s important for you to hire Platte Woods, MO, rape defense lawyers fast. And Combs Waterkotte is prepared to protect you.
Here’s what we bring to the table when building 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 experienced team of rape defense lawyers who have helped clients in thousands of cases, many just like yours.
- A staunch defense that is prepared for trial in case we need to go that far.
- Effective, working relationships with the state, which we lean on to come up with 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—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 …
Defensive Tactics Combs Waterkotte Uses Against Platte Woods, MO Rape Charges:
Our team of Platte Woods rape defense lawyers have wide knowledge of Missouri rape and sexual assault laws, and what techniques work to defend 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: In cases of mistaken identity or outright false allegations, an alibi can prove that you were elsewhere at the time.
- Physical Evidence: DNA, medical reports, location data, and more can all be key in establishing a narrative of events.
- Fourth Amendment or Fifth Amendment Rights Violations: If the state broke any rules when gathering evidence, we can argue to have it thrown out.
Your case needs a custom-designed strategy to give you the best possible odds at a positive outcome. At Combs Waterkotte, we build 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 Platte Woods, MO?
If someone asked you to describe rape, the first thing that comes to mind is probably forcing someone to have sex against their will. But Missouri rape law distinguishes statutory and forcible rape, and categorizes certain acts as sodomy instead of rape.
Below are the different Platte Woods, MO, criminal charges you could be facing when accused 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 compelling them to engage in sexual intercourse through 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 engaging in sexual intercourse with a person when you know you don’t have their consent.
This is different from first-degree rape in that the alleged victim is capable of consenting, 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 makes this different from first-degree rape is that it doesn’t matter if the alleged victim states that they provided “consent,” because people under that age are not legally able to do so.
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. Keep in mind that Missouri has some additional laws in regards to 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 having either oral, anal, or digital sex with someoneor otherwise penetrating a person, and this is done while the alleged victim is unable to consent, or is forced to participate.
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 another person or otherwise penetrating another person, while knowing the other person does not consent.
As with second-degree rape, the differentiator between this and first-degree sodomy is that the alleged victim was able to consent, but did not do so.
While the details of the alleged crime and the penalties all vary, they all involve a lack of consent. Missouri defines consent for sexual intercourse as an affirmative, voluntary agreement to engage in sexual activity from all relevant individuals who are able to give consent. Checking that all parties consent is important prior to beginning any sexual action.
Combs Waterkotte’s Platte Woods rape defense lawyers will fight against rape, statutory rape, sodomy, and any other sexual assault allegations you may be facing.
Common Platte Woods, MO Misconceptions About Rape:
“Without proof, the police in Platte Woods won’t arrest you for rape.”
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, all that the police need to arrest you is probable cause (which doesn’t have to be more than an accusation).
“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 try and navigate Missouri law on your own or say something you think is innocuous that is later twisted to make you look guilty.
“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 which legalize sex between someone aged 14-16 and another person up to four years older.
“If someone’s had any alcohol, they can’t legally give consent.”
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 Defends Against Rape Charges in Platte Woods, MO. Combs Waterkotte Will Defend You.
Being accused of rape is traumatizing. And being the only person on your side is scary. But you have a path forward. 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 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 our team today at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online for a no-obligation, confidential consultation.
