Sexual Misconduct Lawyer Morgan County, MO

Sexual misconduct lawyer in Morgan County, MO. If you find yourself under arrest or confronted with allegations of sexual misconduct in Morgan County or any other location within Missouri, the last thing you need is a defense attorney who approaches your case with judgmental attitudes or suspicious glances. At Combs Waterkotte, we fully comprehend that every scenario has multiple facets, and we acknowledge the emotional and financial difficulties that accompany facing a sexual misconduct charge in Morgan County, MOIf you have been arrested or are facing charges for sexual misconduct in Morgan County or anywhere else in Missouri, the last thing you want is judgment or sideways glances from your own lawyer. At Combs Waterkotte, we know that there is always more than one side of the story and we realize the emotional and financial burden of dealing with a sexual misconduct charge in Morgan County, MO.

You have no time to waste. Our team of well-informed sexual misconduct lawyers in Morgan County, MO is dedicated to protecting your rights and aggressively fighting for your future. We have the necessary experience and resources at our disposal to get you the best possible outcome in your case.

Call us as soon as possible at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online. Our Morgan County, MO sex crimes lawyer can meet with you virtually or in-person for a free, no-obligation case review to speak about the specifics of your case and offer expert legal guidance.

What is Considered Sexual Misconduct Under Missouri Law?

Sexual misconduct occurs when an individual engages in conduct that involves exposing themselves in a manner and in circumstances likely to provoke shock, offense, or alarm, or when individuals engage in sexual intercourse in public. There are three specific charges that a person accused of sexual misconduct can face in Morgan County and elsewhere in Missouri, including:

Sexual Misconduct in the First Degree

According to the provisions outlined in Missouri Revised Statutes § 566.093, a person may face charges of first-degree sexual misconduct if they:

• Expose their genitals under circumstances in which they know their conduct is likely to cause affront or alarm
• Have sexual contact in the presence of a third person or persons under circumstances where they know that such conduct is likely to cause affront or alarm
• Have sexual intercourse or deviate sexual intercourse in a public place in the presence of a third person

For a first offense, first-degree sexual misconduct is a class B misdemeanor, which carries with it up to 6 months in jail and a fine of up to $1,000. In the case of a second conviction, it elevates to a class A misdemeanor, which could mean up to a year in jail and a fine of up to $2,000.

Second-Degree Sexual Misconduct

Second-degree sexual misconduct is described under Missouri Revised Statutes § 566.095. It involves the act of soliciting or requesting another individual to participate in sexual conduct, knowing that such actions are likely to provoke affront or alarm. This offense is classified as a class C misdemeanor and carries a penalty of up to 15 days of incarceration and a fine not exceeding $500.

Sexual Misconduct Involving a Child

This stands as the most serious of sexual misconduct offenses. According to Missouri Revised Statutes § 566.083, a person is charged with sexual misconduct involving a child when they:

• Knowingly expose their genitals to a child less than 15 years of age under circumstances in which they know that the conduct is likely to cause affront or alarm to the child
• Knowingly expose their genitals to a child less than 15 years of age for the purpose of arousing or gratifying the sexual desire of anyone, including the child
• Knowingly coerce or induce a child less than 15 years of age to expose the child’s genitals for the purpose of arousing or gratifying the sexual desire of anyone, including the child
• Knowingly coerce or induce a child who they know to be less than 15 years of age to expose the breasts of a female child through the Internet or other electronic means for the purpose of arousing or gratifying the sexual desire of anyone, including the child

It is a class E felony for a first-time offender, which carries with it up to 4 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000. For a repeat offender, it is a class D felony, the punishment for which is up to 7 years in state prison and a fine of up to $10,000.

There is no mandatory minimum sentencing for any of these charges in Morgan County, MO. Additional sentencing options may also include probation, mandatory counseling, and restitution to the victim. Also, if you are convicted of a sex crime in Morgan County, MO, you will likely be required to register as a sex offender. The length of time you have to remain on the registry will depend on your age and the nature of the crime. We will work hard to dismiss or reduce your charges to ones that don’t require sex offender registry. Additionally, our skilled Morgan County, MO lawyers may be able to help petition for your removal under Missouri Revised Statutes § 589.041.

Give Combs Waterkotte a call right now if you are facing any of the above allegations in Morgan County, MO or contact us online to talk to one of our lawyers about your case.

Your Rights and the Morgan County, MO Sexual Misconduct Legal Process

If you’re accused of sexual misconduct in Morgan County or anywhere else in Missouri, it is crucial to understand your rights, including the presumption of innocence, the right to remain silent, and the right to legal counsel. Additionally, you have the right to a fair trial under the Sixth Amendment, due process under the 14th Amendment, and protection against self-incrimination as stipulated in the Fifth Amendment.

Our Morgan County, MO sexual misconduct defense lawyers can help walk you through the legal process, which can be particularly lengthy and complex. It typically involves:

• Investigation
• Evidence gathering
• Pre-trial motions
• Possible plea negotiations
• Trial, if necessary

Your Morgan County, MO sexual misconduct lawyer from Combs Waterkotte will guide you through every step, ensuring the protection of your rights and striving for the most advantageous legal representation and result. Give us a call now at (314) 900-HELP or reach out to us online.

How a Morgan County, MO Sexual Misconduct Attorney From Combs Waterkotte Can Help

Even allegations of sexual misconduct can be life-altering in Morgan County, MO. But, with the assistance of proficient legal representation, you can navigate the legal complexities and strive for a positive resolution. Seeking counsel from an adept criminal defense lawyer in Morgan County, MO, especially one with expertise in sexual misconduct cases, is the most prodent stop to protect your rights and construct a robust defense. Our Morgan County, MO attorneys will:

• Listen to your side of the story
• Conduct a full investigation into your case
• Scrutinize the evidence and examine how it was obtained
• Determine if your rights were violated
• Evaluate the reliability of witnesses
• Search for any inconsistencies in the accuser’s account
• Negotiate with prosecutors to have your charges reduced or even dismissed
• Defend you at trial if we have to, and challenge the jury on whether or not the prosecution has proven your charges beyond a reasonable doubt

Our skilled legal team makes sure that the citizens of Morgan County, MO receive fair, effective legal presentation in any situation. In addition to sexual misconduct defense in Morgan County, MO, our lawyers are experienced in many types of cases, including:

• Drivers License Reinstatement Attorney
• Careless Imprudent Driving Attorneys
• Weapons Crime Attorney

The Importance of Legal Representation in a Sexual Misconduct Case in Morgan County, MO

It is truly unfortunate in our society that if you are facing allegations of sexual misconduct, many will instantly and automatically judge you to be 100 percent at fault. The Morgan County, MO attorneys at Combs Waterkotte get it, and we fight to limit the impact these charges can have on you, your career, and your family. After all, our entire legal system operates under the premise that individuals are innocent until proven guilty.

When facing allegations of sexual misconduct in Morgan County or any other location within Missouri, it’s critical to consult with an experienced criminal defense attorney. Call us today at (314) 900-HELP or reach out to us online. Here’s why it’s so critical to at least speak to one of our lawyers who specialize in this area of the law:

• Legal Expertise: Cases involving sexual misconduct are inherently intricate from a legal standpoint, irrespective of the jurisdiction within Morgan County or Missouri. The potential ramifications of a conviction can range from a misdemeanor to a felony, contingent on the aforementioned circumstances. Our determined defense lawyers in Morgan County, MO possess the profound legal knowledge and experience necessary to adeptly navigate the intricacies of the legal system.
• Safeguarding Your Rights: Your Combs Waterkotte Morgan County, MO sexual misconduct attorney will work tirelessly to safeguard your constitutional rights at every stage of the legal proceedings. This includes ensuring that any evidence brought forth against you adheres to admissibility standards and that your entitlement to refrain from self-incrimination is duly upheld.
• Building a Formidable Defense: Our Morgan County, MO criminal defense lawyer will diligently scrutinize the circumstances surrounding the allegations against you, amass pertinent evidence, and build a robust and impermeable defense strategy. There is always more than one side of the story, and, depending on the specifics of your Morgan County, MO case, we may question the credibility of your accuser or challenge the evidence presented by the prosecutor.
• Negotiating Expertise: In some situations, your Morgan County, MO Combs Waterkotte attorney may be able to negotiate a plea bargain that reduces the charges or penalties you face, if not lead to a complete dismissal of the case. It is paramount to underscore that the ultimate decision always rests with you; nonetheless, all our legal counsel is grounded in our genuine belief of what serves your best interests.
• Trial Advocacy: If your case goes to trial in Morgan County or anywhere in Missouri, our sexual misconduct attorney will present your case persuasively, deftly cross-examine witnesses, and work to secure a favorable verdict.

Reach Out to a Sexual Misconduct Lawyer in Morgan County, MO Now | Combs Waterkotte

No matter the nature or severity of the allegations against you in Morgan County, MO, Combs Waterkotte was founded on helping good people in bad situations. We believe that you deserve an expert and dedicated professional defense team when you are facing criminal charges in Morgan County or anywhere in Missouri.

Give Combs Waterkotte’s Morgan County, MO sexual misconduct defense lawyer a call today at (314) 900-HELP or reach out to us online for a free consultation.