Sex crimes attorney in Clay County, MO. If you are facing sex crime charges in or around Clay County, MO, Combs Waterkotte is here for you and ready to talk about how our skilled sex crimes attorneys can help. Get in touch with our team for a free review of your case online through our form or call (314) 900-HELP.
At Combs Waterkotte, we know precisely what’s at stake. You need the help of an experienced Clay County, MO sex crimes attorney to protect your rights and defend your case. Sex crimes carry serious consequences, including harsh prison sentences, mandatory sex offender registration, and hefty fines. Trust Combs Waterkotte.
Legal Videos
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 …
Too Intoxicated to Give Consent?
Missouri criminal defense lawyers Steven Waterkotte and Chris Combs talk about alleged victims being too intoxicated to give consent. Episode Transcript Steve Waterkotte: Most people …
Criminal Lawyer Talks About Representing Sex Criminals
Real Criminal Defense Lawyer talks about representing sex criminals. Episode Transcript Steve Waterkotte: I always say probably what the public views as the most vile or despicable …
Your Word Against Theirs in Court
Are just allegations enough to get charged with a crime? When it's your word against theirs in court. Episode Transcript Chris Combs: And allegations alone will do it. Steve hit on this …
What Happens When You Are Charged With a Child Sex Crime?
What happens when you are charged with a child sex crime? Episode Transcript Chris Combs: If you're a tier three sex offender, you can only have approved electronic devices. You have to …
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 …
Too Intoxicated to Give Consent?
Missouri criminal defense lawyers Steven Waterkotte and Chris Combs talk about alleged victims being too intoxicated to give consent. Episode Transcript Steve Waterkotte: Most people …
Criminal Lawyer Talks About Representing Sex Criminals
Real Criminal Defense Lawyer talks about representing sex criminals. Episode Transcript Steve Waterkotte: I always say probably what the public views as the most vile or despicable …
Your Word Against Theirs in Court
Are just allegations enough to get charged with a crime? When it's your word against theirs in court. Episode Transcript Chris Combs: And allegations alone will do it. Steve hit on this …
What Happens When You Are Charged With a Child Sex Crime?
What happens when you are charged with a child sex crime? Episode Transcript Chris Combs: If you're a tier three sex offender, you can only have approved electronic devices. You have to …
Article Summary
Facing a sex crime accusation in Clay County, MO can turn your entire life upside down, and the impact can last long after the case ends. Here, you’ll learn how a skilled sex crimes attorney can safeguard your rights, dismantle the prosecution’s arguments, and work to prevent severe outcomes like prison sentences and mandatory sex offender registration. Discover the charges we handle, why it’s vital to get legal help immediately, and how our confidential, relentless defense strategies help protect your freedom and your future when everything is on the line.
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Common Sex Crime Charges in Clay County, MO
Sex crimes in Clay County, MO run the gamut in terms of substance, severity, and potential sentences, from sexual assault and rape to child pornography and sexual misconduct with a minor. Some of the most common sex crime charges in Missouri include:
- Rape: Defined under Missouri Law as nonconsensual sexual intercourse or penetration, rape is a felony offense with potential sentences from 5 years in prison up to life without parole as outlined in Missouri Revised Statute § 566.030.
- Sexual Assault: When someone is accused of sexual assault in Clay County, MO, it typically involves unwanted sexual touching or physical contact, including groping. In Missouri, this is considered a serious felony. If convicted, you could face up to 30 years in prison depending on the nature of the offense.
- Statutory Rape: Statutory rape involves sexual activity with someone legally incapable of giving consent due to age. In Clay County 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 involves the creation, distribution, or possession of sexually explicit images or videos of children under the age of 18. It is a serious Class D or Class B felony offense that can result in a prison sentence of up to 30 years, and pursuant to RSMo. § 573.037, you could be subject to separate sentences for each article of child pornography you are accused of possessing.
- Sexual Misconduct with a Minor: Sexual misconduct with a minor involves exposing genitals or coercing a minor under 15 to engage in sexually explicit behavior. As outlined in RSMo. § 566.083, this is a serious Class D or Class E felony that can result in prison and long-term consequences.
A Sex Crimes Conviction in Clay County, MO Can Change Everything. Let Us Help You Fight Back.
The consequences of being convicted of a sex crime in Missouri extend far beyond a courtroom sentence. You may face registration as a sex offender, severe limitations on housing and employment, and irreparable harm to your reputation and relationships. It’s a burden that follows you for life — unless you fight it with everything you’ve got in Clay County, MO.
No two cases are alike. Outcomes depend on the facts, the law, the judge, and how quickly you act. That’s why hiring an experienced Clay County, MO sex crimes attorney immediately is critical. At Combs Waterkotte, we begin building your defense from the moment you call — fighting for dropped charges, reduced penalties, or total acquittal. Here’s how we help:
- Trusted Legal Advocacy You Can Rely on in Clay County, MO: With over 60 years of combined legal experience, our Clay County, MO sex crimes attorneys know how to fight — and win. From the moment your case begins, we provide straightforward legal guidance, craft powerful defense strategies, and ensure your rights are protected at every stage of the process, from investigation through verdict.
- In-Depth Case Review: Thoroughly assessing the details of your case is one of the first steps of a Combs Waterkotte sex crimes attorney in Clay County, MO. We don’t take the prosecution’s word for it. Our skilled sex crimes legal team reviews evidence, interviews any witnesses, and identifies possible legal issues that could affect your defense. This comprehensive analysis helps us formulate an effective defense strategy tailored specifically to your case.
- Courtroom Advocacy in Clay County, MO: When it’s time to face a judge and jury, our experienced Clay County, MO litigators rise to the occasion. We present persuasive arguments, cross-examine key witnesses, and challenge the prosecution at every turn — always aiming to establish reasonable doubt and secure the best possible outcome for you.
- Post-Trial: The legal fight doesn’t stop after a verdict. If you’ve been convicted, our team continues working to seek justice through appeals, sentence mitigation, or post-conviction relief. We’re committed to doing everything possible to challenge unjust outcomes and restore your future.
Sex Crimes Attorney in Clay County, MO: Common Defenses
Being accused of a sex crime in Clay County, MO is overwhelming, but a powerful defense can make all the difference. Every case is unique, and the strongest defense depends on the exact facts and legal circumstances. Below are some of the most effective legal defenses our attorneys use in sex crime cases:
- Consent:
Many sex crime cases hinge on whether the act was consensual. If both people willingly participated and were of legal age, we can use text messages, prior relationship history, or witness accounts to argue affirmative consent and dismantle the charge. - Alibi:
If you weren’t there, you couldn’t have committed the crime. An alibi defense uses concrete evidence like phone data, receipts, or security footage to prove you were elsewhere at the time of the alleged offense. - Fabricated Claims:
Sometimes people lie — out of anger, spite, or to gain leverage in custody or divorce battles. We expose inconsistencies, motives, and lack of evidence to reveal false allegations and protect your name and freedom in Clay County, MO. - Your Rights Were Violated:
If the police in or around Clay County, MO violated your constitutional rights, such as conducting an illegal search or coercing a confession in the Clay County, MO area, your sex crimes attorney can move to suppress improperly obtained evidence or even have the charges thrown out entirely. - Insufficient Evidence:
If the prosecution’s case lacks solid evidence, or relies heavily on unreliable witness statements or questionable forensic results, your Clay County, MO sex crimes attorney can argue that the state has not met its burden of proof beyond a reasonable doubt. - Mental Health or Cognitive Challenges:
When mental illness or cognitive limitations played a role at the time of the alleged offense, we may pursue a defense of diminished responsibility, showing you lacked the intent necessary for conviction and arguing for reduced or alternative sentencing. - Mistaken Belief About Age:
In Clay County, 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.
Clay County Resources
Below are quick links to important websites that may assist you with your legal matters in Clay County and Missouri.
Why Hiring a Clay County, MO Sex Crimes Attorney Is Critical — And How We Help
Sex crime charges are among the most serious a person can face — but you are not alone. When you hire Combs Waterkotte in Clay County, MO, you gain a defense team that brings relentless preparation and deep courtroom experience to your case. We treat every case like everything is on the line, because it is.
As a leading Clay County, MO criminal defense law firm, we understand the serious nature of sex crimes and the devastating consequences they can have on individuals and their families. Our experienced sex crimes attorneys have successfully defended numerous clients against a variety of sex crimes and other criminal charges, and we are committed to providing our clients with the best.
Other types of cases we handle in Clay County, MO are:
Your Freedom Is at Risk. Contact a Clay County, 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 Clay County, 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 a skilled Clay County, MO sex crimes attorney at Combs Waterkotte immediately at (314) 900-HELP or reach out online to schedule a free consultation to protect your rights and get clear, honest answers about your options. We are ready to stand by you, fight for you, and work tirelessly to secure the best possible outcome.
