Sex Crimes Attorney Benton, MO

Sex crimes attorney in Benton, MO. Accused of a sex crime in or around Benton, MO? You don’t have to face it alone. Combs Waterkotte’s dedicated sex crimes attorneys are here to protect your name, your freedom, and your future. We’re ready to discuss your case during a free consultation, and build a strong defense tailored to you. Call us now at (314) 900-HELP or reach out online.

We understand how high the stakes are. A conviction could mean prison time, lifelong sex offender registration, and permanent damage to your future. Trust an experienced sex crimes attorney in Benton, MO to protect your rights and fight for your freedom.

Article Summary

Being accused of a sex crime in Benton, MO is life-altering, and the consequences can follow you forever. This page explains how an experienced sex crimes attorney can protect your rights, challenge the prosecution’s case, and fight to avoid harsh penalties like prison time and mandatory sex offender registration. Learn what types of charges we defend, why early action is critical, and how our discreet, aggressive defense strategies help clients protect their freedom and reputation when facing serious allegations.

Sex Crime Offenses We Defend in Benton, MO

Allegations of sex crimes in Benton, MO can vary greatly, from lesser misdemeanors to severe felonies that carry life-changing penalties. At Combs Waterkotte, we have experience defending clients against a wide range of charges, including:

• Rape: Rape is defined as non-consensual sexual intercourse or sexual penetration. It is a serious felony offense that carries a prison sentence ranging from five years to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole pursuant to Missouri Revised Statute § 566.030.
• Sexual Assault: Sexual assault in Benton, MO refers to any unwanted sexual contact, including groping or inappropriate touching. In Missouri, it’s a felony offense that may lead to up to 30 years in prison depending on the severity of the case and any prior offenses.
• Statutory Rape: Statutory rape involves sexual activity with someone legally incapable of giving consent due to age. In Benton and anywhere else in Missouri, that means under 17. Engaging in sexual activity with a child under 14 is charged as statutory rape in the first degree, a serious felony carrying lengthy prison terms.
• Child Pornography: Child pornography charges apply to possessing, distributing, or creating explicit material involving minors under 18. Under RSMo. § 573.037, each file or image can be charged separately, potentially resulting in multiple sentences — often as Class D or Class B felonies.
• Sexual Misconduct with a Minor: Defined under RSMo. § 566.083, sexual misconduct with a minor refers to engaging in or inducing sexual acts with someone under 15 in Benton, MO, including exposure or coercion. These charges are often Class D or Class E felonies and carry both incarceration and lifelong stigma if convicted.

The Stakes are Too High — Don’t Face Sex Crime Charges Alone in Benton, MO

A conviction for a sex crime in Missouri brings life-changing consequences. You could face years behind bars, mandatory sex offender registration, and long-term damage to your career, family, and reputation. Where you live, where you work, and how people see you — it can all change with a single guilty verdict in the Benton, MO area.

The facts of each case are unique, and every detail matters. Whether it’s challenging unreliable evidence or exposing procedural errors, your defense starts now. With a tough and tactical Benton, MO sex crimes attorney on your side from the start, you improve your odds of avoiding the harshest outcomes. Here’s what we bring to your corner from day one:

• Trusted Legal Advocacy You Can Rely on in Benton, MO: Backed by decades of combined legal insight, our Benton, MO sex crimes attorneys are with you every step of the way. From pretrial preparation to courtroom defense, we offer honest advice, develop proven defense strategies, and work tirelessly to protect your rights, reputation, and freedom.
• Case Evaluation: We don’t rely on assumptions. Every case begins with a meticulous evaluation by a seasoned Combs Waterkotte defense attorney in Benton, MO. We dig into police reports, scrutinize evidence, identify legal errors, and speak with potential witnesses — all to build a personalized defense strategy that fits your exact situation.
• Confident Courtroom Defense in Benton, MO: Our Benton, MO sex crimes attorneys are tenacious litigators who present compelling arguments on your behalf in court. They rigorously question witnesses, dismantle the prosecution’s arguments, and present evidence and testimony to support your defense. The objective is to raise reasonable doubt in the minds of the jury, aiming for an acquittal, or, when that’s not possible, to reduce the severity of any sentence imposed.
• Post-Conviction Support in Benton: A conviction isn’t the end in Benton, MO. Our work continues with appeals, motions for post-conviction relief, and efforts to reduce or reverse wrongful outcomes. Your fight for justice deserves tireless advocacy, and we never stop pushing for the best result possible.

Sex Crimes Attorney in Benton, MO: Common Defenses

A sex crime accusation can flip your world upside down. But you are not powerless. The right legal strategy, built on the facts and guided by an experienced Benton, MO sex crimes attorney, can lead to reduced charges or even full acquittal. Here are some of the most proven defenses our legal team may use in your case:

• Consent:
  In many cases, the issue isn’t whether something happened — it’s whether it was consensual. If both individuals voluntarily agreed and were legally allowed to give consent, this defense can dismantle the prosecution’s argument. Texts, messages, prior communications, or witnesses can all help show mutual agreement.
• Alibi:
  One of the strongest defenses available is proving you were somewhere else when the alleged crime occurred. Witness statements, receipts, phone records, or video footage can support an airtight alibi.
• Fabricated Claims:
  Not all accusations are truthful. Whether motivated by jealousy, retaliation, or manipulation, we use forensic inconsistencies, testimony gaps, and documented history to prove the accusation is false or exaggerated.
• Your Rights Were Violated:
  If the police in or around Benton, MO violated your constitutional rights, such as conducting an illegal search or coercing a confession in the Benton, MO area, your sex crimes attorney can move to suppress improperly obtained evidence or even have the charges thrown out entirely.
• Weak or Circumstantial Evidence:
  When prosecutors rely on speculation, sketchy witness claims, or flimsy forensic tests, it’s our job to expose those weaknesses. If the case doesn’t hold up under scrutiny, your Benton, MO sex crimes lawyer will push hard for dismissal or acquittal.
• Mental Incapacity or Diminished Responsibility:
  If you suffered from a mental health condition or cognitive impairment at the time of the incident, we may argue you were incapable of forming criminal intent, which can lead to reduced charges or penalties.
• Mistaken Belief About Age:
  In Benton, MO statutory sex crime cases, we may argue that you had a reasonable and good-faith belief that the other individual was of legal age. This defense depends on the specific facts, but it can be effective in minimizing charges or penalties.

How a Sex Crimes Attorney in Benton, MO Can Help You

At Combs Waterkotte, we don’t just represent you, we fight for your future. If you’re facing sex crime charges in Benton, MO, don’t go it alone. The legal system can be overwhelming, but with our experienced sex crimes defense attorneys on your side, you have a real chance at protecting your name, freedom, and livelihood.

As a respected Benton, MO criminal defense firm, we know what’s at stake. From the moment you contact us, we go to work building a powerful defense strategy, challenging the prosecution’s case, and helping you navigate every phase of the legal process. Our track record includes successfully defending clients against serious charges, and we’re ready to do the same for you.

Other cases we take on in Benton, MO include:

Your Freedom Is at Risk. Contact a Benton, MO Sex Crimes Lawyer Now.

Facing a sex crime accusation can feel overwhelming, isolating, and terrifying. But, you don’t have to face it alone. Whether you’ve been charged or are under investigation in Benton, MO, the decisions you make today could shape the rest of your life. Don’t talk to police without experienced legal counsel by your side.

Call the trusted team at Combs Waterkotte now at (314) 900-HELP or reach out online for a free, confidential consultation. We’ll listen without judgment, explain your options clearly, and take immediate steps to defend your rights. You have a future in Benton. Let us help protect it.