Sex Crimes Attorney Crawford County, MO

Sex crimes attorney in Crawford County, MO. Accused of a sex crime in or around Crawford County, 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 Crawford County, MO to protect your rights and fight for your freedom.

Article Summary

Facing a sex crime accusation in Crawford 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.

Sex Crime Offenses We Defend in Crawford County, MO

Sex crimes in Crawford 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: Sexual assault involves any unwanted sexual contact, including touching or groping. It is also a serious felony offense that can result in a prison sentence of up to 30 years.
• Statutory Rape: Statutory rape occurs when an individual engages in sexual activity with a minor who is below the age of consent, as they are considered too young to be capable of giving informed consent. The age of consent in Crawford County and elsewhere in Missouri is 17 years old, and engaging in sexual activity with a minor under the age of 14 as an adult can result in charges of statutory rape in the first degree.
• Child Pornography: Accusations of child pornography involve creating, possessing, or distributing images or videos depicting minors in sexual situations. Missouri law (RSMo. § 573.037) allows prosecutors to pursue charges for each piece of content, meaning multiple felonies and up to 30 years in prison depending on case details.
• 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 Crawford County, MO Can Change Everything. Let Us Help You Fight Back.

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 Crawford County, MO area.

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 Crawford 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:

• Skilled Defense From Start to Finish: Our Crawford County, MO sex crimes attorneys have over 50 years of combined experience. From pretrial investigations to courtroom proceedings, we serve as advocates for our clients. We are fully transparent throughout the legal process, providing honest legal advice, strategizing possible defense tactics, and protecting your rights and future during hearings and trials.
• 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 Crawford 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.
• Relentless In-Court Representation in Crawford County, MO: Our Crawford County, 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 Crawford County: Even after a conviction, a dedicated Crawford County, MO sex crimes attorney doesn’t stop fighting. We can file appeals, pursue post-conviction motions, or explore other legal avenues to challenge wrongful convictions or lessen the impact of a guilty verdict.

Sex Crimes Attorney in Crawford County, MO: Common Defenses

Being accused of a sex crime in Crawford 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 Crawford County, MO.
• Rights Violations or Procedural Errors:
  If the police in or around Crawford County, MO violated your constitutional rights, such as conducting an illegal search or coercing a confession in the Crawford 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 Crawford County, MO sex crimes attorney can argue that the state has not met its burden of proof beyond a reasonable doubt.
• You Lacked Criminal Intent:
  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.
• Reasonable Belief of Legal Age:
  In certain cases in Crawford County, MO, a legitimate belief that the other person was of legal age may apply. If the facts support it, we’ll use this defense to show you did not knowingly break the law and fight for the most favorable outcome possible.

Your Best Defense Starts with a Crawford County, MO Sex Crimes Attorney Who Fights for You

Sex crime charges are among the most serious a person can face — but you are not alone. When you hire Combs Waterkotte in Crawford 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 respected Crawford County, 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 types of cases we handle in Crawford County, MO are:

• Drivers License Reinstatement Attorney
• Careless Imprudent Driving Attorneys
• Weapons Crime Attorney
• DWI Administrative Hearing Lawyer

You Deserve a Strong Defense. Speak With a Crawford County, MO Sex Crimes Attorney Today.

If you’ve been accused of a sex crime in or around Crawford County, MO, or if you think you might be under investigation, don’t wait. You have no time to waste. Talking to police without a lawyer can make your situation far worse. Every conversation and decision matters from the very first moment.

Call a skilled Crawford 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.