Sex Crimes Attorney Kirkwood, MO

Sex crimes attorney in Kirkwood, MO. If you are facing sex crime charges in or around Kirkwood, 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.

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 Kirkwood, MO to protect your rights and fight for your freedom.

Article Summary

Being accused of a sex crime in Kirkwood, 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.

Common Sex Crime Charges in Kirkwood, MO

Sex crimes in Kirkwood, 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 in Kirkwood, 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 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 Kirkwood 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: 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: Sexual misconduct with a minor in Kirkwood, MO involves sexual contact with a minor who is under the age of 15, including acts such as exposing one’s genitals or coercing the minor to expose their genitals or breasts. Other forms of sexual misconduct are also illegal in Missouri, but sexual misconduct with a minor is the most serious offense under RSMo. § 566.083, often a Class D or Class E felony, and can result in a prison sentence and other consequences.

Consequences of a Kirkwood, MO Sex Crimes Conviction Are Too Severe to Face Alone

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 Kirkwood, 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 Kirkwood, 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 Kirkwood, MO: With over 60 years of combined legal experience, our Kirkwood, 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 Kirkwood, 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 Kirkwood, MO: When it’s time to face a judge and jury, our experienced Kirkwood, 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.

Kirkwood, MO Sex Crimes Attorney: Common Legal Defenses

Defending against a sex crime accusation in the Kirkwood, MO area is complex and deeply personal. The best defense strategy depends entirely on the facts of the case and the laws of the jurisdiction. Every situation is different. Below are some of the most frequently used legal defenses by our legal team in Kirkwood, MO sex crime cases:

• 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:
  A credible alibi can shut the case down. If you were not at the scene, we use physical evidence — time-stamped photos, location data, or surveillance — to back your alibi claim and establish reasonable doubt.
• False Allegations:
  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 Kirkwood, MO.
• Unlawful Police Conduct or Rights Violations:
  If police in Kirkwood, MO cut corners — like executing an illegal search or forcing a confession — we’ll file motions to suppress tainted evidence and challenge the legality of your arrest. That could mean your case gets thrown out before trial even begins.
• Weak or Circumstantial Evidence:
  If the prosecution’s case lacks solid evidence, or relies heavily on unreliable witness statements or questionable forensic results, your Kirkwood, 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.
• Mistaken Belief About Age:
  In certain cases in Kirkwood, 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.

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

Sex crime charges are among the most serious a person can face — but you are not alone. When you hire Combs Waterkotte in Kirkwood, 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 Kirkwood, 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 Kirkwood, MO are:

Take Action Now, Your Future Depends on It. Call a Kirkwood, MO Sex Crimes Attorney.

Accused of a sex crime in Kirkwood, MO? Even if you’re only being investigated, every second counts. Speaking to law enforcement without legal protection can severely jeopardize your case. The wrong move now can follow you for the rest of your life.

Call Combs Waterkotte at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online immediately. Our Kirkwood, MO sex crimes attorneys will take swift, strategic action to defend your rights, protect your future, and fight aggressively for the best possible result. Don’t delay — your defense starts the moment you make the call.