Shelby County, MO

Sex Crimes Attorney in Shelby County, MO

If you are facing charges related to sex crimes in Shelby County, Missouri, Combs Waterkotte is here for you and ready to talk about how our group of sex crimes attorneys in Shelby County, MO can assist you. Get in touch with our expert team for a complimentary case review by filling out our form or via (314) 900-HELP.

The consequences are serious, but you still have protections under the law. You need the support of a knowledgeable and seasoned sex crimes attorney in St. Louis to protect your rights and represent your case. Sex crimes carry significant ramifications, which can include prison time, exorbitant fines, and mandatory enrollment as a sex offender. On this page, our experienced sex crimes criminal defense lawyers discuss the various categories of sex crime charges in Missouri, the potential penalties of a conviction, and how a proficient defense attorney from Combs Waterkotte can protect you when you face a sex crime.

Types of Sex Crime Charges in Missouri

Sex crimes in Missouri encompass a broad spectrum in terms of substance, severity, and potential sentences, ranging from sexual assault and rape to child pornography and sexual misconduct involving a minor. Some of the Shelby County, Missouri sex crime cases we take on include:

• Rape: Rape is described as non-consensual sexual activity or penetration. It is a grave felony offense that carries a prison sentence ranging from a five-year jail stint to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole, pursuant to Missouri Revised Statute 566.030.
• Sexual assault: Sexual assault describes any non-consensual sexual contact, including touching. It is also a grave felony offense that can result in a penal sentence of up to 30 years.
• Statutory rape: In Missouri, it is considered statutory rape when an individual has a sexual encounter with a minor. Children under the age of consent are considered incapable of giving informed consent because of their young age. The age of consent in Missouri is 17 years old, and an adult who engages in sexual activity with a child under the age of 14 can result in charges of statutory rape in the first degree.
• Child pornography: Child pornography involves the creation, distribution, or possession of pornographic material involving children under the age of 18. It is a serious felony offense, up to a class B felony, that can result in a prison sentence of up to 30 years, and pursuant to Missouri Revised Statute 573.037, you could be subject to separate penalties for each individual piece of child pornography you are accused of possessing.
• Sexual misconduct with a minor: Sexual misconduct with a minor is defined in Missouri law as sexual contact with a minor who is less than 15 years of age, 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 prohibited in Missouri, but sexual misconduct with a minor is the most egregious offense under Missouri Revised Statute 566.083, often a class D or E felony, and can result in a prison sentence and other consequences.

Consequences of a Sex Crime Conviction in Shelby County, Missouri

If you are found guilty of a sex crime in Missouri, you are faced with severe consequences that can impact your life for many years. Each case has its own details, including the evidence presented, the nature of what happened, your previous criminal history, the judge presiding over your case, and skill of your defense lawyer and other factors. Though the consequences of any criminal record are many, some of the primary consequences of a sex crime conviction in St. Louis or Missouri include:

1. Prison time: Based on the severity of the offense and Missouri law sentencing guidelines, you could be subject to years or even life in prison.
2. Fines: As is the case in many criminal felony and misdemeanor charges, you may have to cover considerable fines and court costs.
3. Mandatory registration as a sex offender: If you are convicted of a sex crime in Missouri, you will be obligated to register as a sex offender for the rest of your life. This can significantly limit your employment opportunities, housing options, and personal relationships.
4. Damage to your reputation: A sex crime conviction will ostensibly tarnish your reputation and impact some of the relationships in your life, from romantic relationships to friends, colleagues, family members, and neighbors.
5. Lasting restrictions in your life: The permanent nature of Missouri’s sex offender registry along with the many consequences of a felony conviction, from losing the right to vote and own a firearm to being excluded from jobs, leases, and other opportunities due to background checks, makes it extraordinarily difficult to rebuild your life, even after you’ve served your sentence.

How a Sex Crimes Attorney in Shelby County, MO Can Help You

When you hire Chris Combs to represent you in your Missouri sex offense case in Shelby County, MO, you enjoy essential and carefully weighed legal guidance and representation throughout your case. An experienced legal attorney in St. Louis can help you by putting in extensive effort to defend and safeguard, including:

1. Investigating the charges: Your attorney will investigate the charges against you, question witnesses, and gather evidence to build a solid defense.
2. Legal advice: We will offer you legal advice regarding your case, answer your questions and assist you grasp what to expect before every step throughout the process.
3. Negotiating: In some cases, as your defense attorney we can engage in negotiations with the prosecutor to drop the charges, reduce the charges to lesser crimes, or come to a pre-plea agreement to prevent the downfalls of a conviction.
4. Court representation: We’ll be by your side at every court appearance. Standing in front of a judge can be daunting and it can be difficult to know what to do. A sex crimes attorney in St. Louis will represent you in court and make your defense to a judge and jury.
5. Plea bargains: If you decide not to go to trial or obtaining the case dismissed is not an option, we can negotiate a plea bargain to land you a lesser sentence than you would otherwise face.

This situation does not have to destroy your life. With a sexual offenses defense attorney dedicated to your case, you have a chance. As a leading legal defense firm in Shelby County, Missouri, Combs Waterkotte understands the weighty nature of sex crime charges and the damaging consequences they can have on individuals and their families. Our knowledgeable sex crimes attorneys have effectively defended countless clients against a variety of sex crime and other criminal charges, and we are dedicated to providing our clients with the best possible legal representation.

Other cases we take on in Shelby County, MO include:

• Gun Crime Lawyer
• Child Abuse & Neglect Lawyer
• Homicide Lawyer
• Assault Lawyer
• Rape Defense Lawyer
• Sex Offense Lawyers
• DWI Attorney
• Crime Defense Lawyers
• Domestic Violence Defense Attorneys
• Child Pornography Defense Lawyer

St. Louis Sex Crimes Attorney: Protecting Your Rights and Future

Being charged with a sex crime is an inevitably life-altering experience, with the potential for serious legal penalties and an unquantifiable social cost. At Combs Waterkotte, we acknowledge the emotional and financial burden of dealing with a sex crime charge, and we are here to assist you manage this difficult time.

Our team of seasoned St. Louis sex crimes attorneys is dedicated to protecting your rights and defending for your future. We have the know-how, proficiency, and resources needed to provide you with the best possible legal representation, and we are determined to helping you obtain the best possible outcome in your case. You have no time to waste. Call (314) 900-HELP now.