Sex Crimes Attorney Shelby County, MO

Sex crimes attorney in Shelby County, MO. Facing sex crime charges in the Shelby County, MO area? Combs Waterkotte is ready to stand by your side with proven, aggressive defense strategies. If you’ve been accused of a sex crime in Shelby County, MO, don’t wait—reach out to our skilled sex crimes attorneys today. Call (314) 900-HELP or contact us online for a free, confidential case evaluation.

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 Shelby County, MO to protect your rights and fight for your freedom.

Article Summary

Being charged with a sex crime in Shelby County, MO is one of the most serious legal challenges you can face, with consequences that can follow you for the rest of your life. On this page, you’ll find out how an experienced sex crimes attorney can defend your rights, challenge the evidence against you, and fight to keep you out of prison and off the sex offender registry. Learn about the charges we handle, why acting quickly is crucial, and how our discreet, determined defense can help you safeguard your freedom and reputation when everything is at stake.

Types of Sex Crime Charges in Shelby County, MO

Sex crime charges in Shelby County, MO cover a wide range of alleged conduct, levels of severity, and penalties — from sexual assault and rape to child pornography and statutory offenses. Below are some of the most frequently prosecuted sex crimes under Missouri law:

• 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: When someone is accused of sexual assault in Shelby 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 Shelby 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 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 Shelby County, 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.

The Stakes are Too High — Don’t Face Sex Crime Charges Alone in Shelby County, 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 Shelby 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 Shelby 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:

• Expert Legal Representation in Shelby County, MO: Backed by decades of combined legal insight, our Shelby County, 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.
• Thorough Case Investigations: Thoroughly assessing the details of your case is one of the first steps of a Combs Waterkotte sex crimes attorney in Shelby 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 Shelby County, MO: Our Shelby 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.
• Ongoing Legal Help After Trial in Shelby County: A conviction isn’t the end in Shelby County, 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 Shelby County, 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 Shelby County, 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:
  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 Shelby County, MO.
• Your Rights Were Violated:
  If law enforcement in Shelby County, MO violated your constitutional rights — through an unlawful search and seizure or improper interrogation — we can challenge the legality of that evidence. A successful motion to suppress can significantly weaken the case or result in full dismissal.
• Insufficient Evidence:
  If the prosecution lacks credible physical proof, relies on hearsay, or presents inconsistent testimony, your Shelby County, MO sex crimes attorney can highlight those gaps to show the state hasn’t met its burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
• Mental Health or Cognitive Challenges:
  If you were suffering from a psychiatric condition or cognitive impairment, we may argue that you weren’t mentally capable of forming intent, a key element the state must prove. That can lead to lesser charges or alternative resolutions focused on treatment.
• Reasonable Belief of Legal Age:
  In Shelby 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.

How a Sex Crimes Attorney in Shelby County, 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 Shelby 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 Shelby 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 take on in Shelby County, MO include:

• Drivers License Reinstatement Attorney
• Careless Imprudent Driving Attorneys

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

Accused of a sex crime in Shelby County, 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 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 Shelby County. Let us help protect it.