Rape Defense Lawyers, Stewartsville, MO. Rape allegations can be life-altering, and Missouri law treats people convicted of rape severely. Facing these charges can feel like it’s the end of your life.
But it’s not. Accusations and indictments aren’t convictions. And Combs Waterkotte is on your side to battle to defend you against those outcomes.
We defend Stewartsville, MO, residents’ rights and give them a strong defense against all criminal charges. We’re available to talk about your case today—speak with us at (314) 900-HELP or get in touch online for a confidential 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. Reach out online or call (314) 900-HELP for 24/7 support.
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Why You Need Combs Waterkotte’s Rape Defense Attorneys:
When you’ve been accused of sexual assault or rape in Stewartsville, MO, you need help from expert rape defense lawyers immediately. If you don’t hire an attorney, you’re in danger of the below consequences:
- Years In Prison. The second-degree offences listed below can carry prison sentences of up to 7 years, while the more serious first-degree offences can be as high as life sentences.
- Losing Your Rights. In Missouri, convicted felons lose several significant 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.
- Career Impacts. You can be fired if you’re accused of rape (even if it’s just allegations).
If you review the penalties for sexual assault in Missouri, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. This is why it’s important for you to hire Stewartsville, MO, rape defense lawyers fast. And Combs Waterkotte is ready to protect you.
When you hire us, you’re getting the following from the team 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.
- A knowledgeable group of rape defense lawyers who have helped clients in thousands of cases, several just like yours.
- A staunch defense that is built for trial should your case go that far.
- Strong relationships with the state, which we will leverage when negotiating a plea deal to give you positive outcomes without going through a trial.
Don’t give the state a chance to build a case you can’t defend against—get a hold of 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 …
Defensive Tactics Our Lawyers Use Against Stewartsville, MO Rape Charges:
Our team of Stewartsville rape defense lawyers have wide knowledge of Missouri rape and sexual assault laws, and effective ways to fight against them:
- 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: Alibis create reasonable doubt by providing evidence indicating that you were somewhere else at the time of the crime.
- 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: 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.
Your case needs a custom-designed strategy to give you the best possible odds at a positive outcome. At Combs Waterkotte, we construct 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 Stewartsville, 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 distinguishes sodomy as a separate offense.
Here are the different Stewartsville, 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 someone 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 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 another person without having their consent.
Compared to first-degree rape charges, the difference is that the alleged victim had the ability to consent, but claims 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 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.
Statutory rape degrees are distinguished by the age of the alleged victim and offender. It’s also relevant to know that Missouri has special laws specifically in regards to sexual activity with individuals from 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 someoneor otherwise penetrating that individual, while that individual is unable to consent, or is forced to participate.
This law reads and works very similarly to Missouri’s first-degree rape law; 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 participating in either oral, anal, or digital sex with another person or otherwise penetrating someone, when the alleged victim states that they did not give consent.
In parallel to second-degree rape, what distinguishes second-degree from first-degree degree sodomy is that the alleged victim was able to consent, but did not for that instance/act.
Rape, statutory rape, and sodomy all have details that make them different from one another, however, one common trend is the lack of consent. Missouri defines consent for sex as an affirmative, voluntary agreement to engage in sexual activity from both individuals who have the capacity to give consent. Obtaining clear consent is important before proceeding with any sexual action.
Our Stewartsville rape defense lawyers will build a defense for you for any of the charges listed above, and any other sexual assault allegations you may be facing.
Common Stewartsville, MO Misconceptions About Rape:
“You can only be arrested for rape in Stewartsville if there’s physical evidence.”
The Reality: While a lack of physical evidence against you can make it harder for a prosecutor to convict you, all that the police need to arrest you is probable cause (which doesn’t have to be more than an accusation).
“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 an expert team of rape defense lawyers watching your back, whether you’re innocent or guilty. You don’t want to face a complex legal system without help or slip up and say something that can be misinterpreted.
“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 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: While there are some cases where a person objectively cannot consent, such as if they are unconscious, 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 Stewartsville, MO. Combs Waterkotte Will Defend You.
A rape allegation can throw your life into disarray. And fighting against it on your own is hard. But you are one call away from Missouri’s leading criminal defense lawyers. 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 we’re ready to take your case.
Talk to our team today at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online for a free, confidential consultation.
