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Platte City, MO

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Last Updated: February 29, 2024

Sex Crimes Attorney in Platte City, MO

If you are facing charges related to sex crimes in Platte City, Missouri, Combs Waterkotte is here for you and ready to discuss how our experienced sex crimes attorneys in Platte City, MO can assist you. Get in touch with our professional team for a complimentary case review by filling out our form or via (314) 900-HELP.

The consequences are serious, but you still have constitutional rights. You require the support of a competent and experienced sex crimes attorney in St. Louis to protect your rights and defend your case. Sex crimes carry serious consequences, which can include prison time, substantial fines, and mandatory enrollment as a sex offender. On this page, our skilled sex crimes defense lawyers discuss the various types of sex crime charges in Missouri, the potential consequences of a conviction, and how a competent defense attorney from Combs Waterkotte can advocate you when you face a sex crime.

Sex Crime Charges in Missouri

Sex crimes in Missouri encompass a broad spectrum in terms of nature, gravity, and potential punishments, including everything from sexual assault and rape to child pornography and sexual misconduct involving a minor. Some of the most common sex crime charges in Platte City, Missouri include:

  • Rape: Rape is described as non-consensual sexual activity or penetration. It is a grave felony offense that carries a sentence of anywhere from five years to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole, pursuant to Missouri Revised Statute 566.030.
  • Sexual assault: Sexual assault involves any unwanted physical contact, including groping. It is also a grave felony offense that can result in a penal sentence of up to 30 years.
  • Statutory rape: Statutory rape occurs when an individual has a sexual encounter with a minor. Children under the age of consent are seen as too young to be capable of giving informed consent. 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 production, 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 article of child pornography you are accused of possessing.
  • Sexual misconduct with a minor: Sexual misconduct with a minor in Missouri 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 egregious offense under Missouri Revised Statute 566.083, often a class D or E felony, and can result in a penal sentence and other consequences.

Consequences of a Sex Crime Conviction in Platte City, Missouri

If you are found guilty of a sex crime in Missouri, you are faced with serious consequences that can alter your life for years to come. Each case is different and is influenced by the evidence presented, the nature of what happened, your previous criminal history, the judge presiding over your case, and competence 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: In accordance with the severity of the offense and Missouri law sentencing guidelines, you could face years or even life in prison.
  2. Fines: As is the case in many criminal felony and misdemeanor charges, you may have to pay significant fines and court costs.
  3. Mandatory registration as a sex offender: If you are found guilty of a sex crime in Missouri, you will be compelled to register as a sex offender for the rest of your life. This can severely limit your employment opportunities, housing options, and personal relationships.
  4. Damage to your reputation: A sex crime conviction will ostensibly tarnish your reputation and affect 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 forfeiting 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 Platte City, MO Can Help You

When you hire Chris Combs to defend you in your Missouri sex offense case in Platte City, MO, you get vital and thoughtfully considered legal guidance and representation throughout your case. An experienced legal attorney in St. Louis can help you by diligently to defend and ensure your rights, including:

  1. Investigating the charges: Your attorney will investigate the charges against you, question witnesses, and gather evidence to build a strong defense.
  2. Legal advice: We will give you legal advice regarding your case, answer your questions and help you understand what to expect before every step throughout the process.
  3. Negotiating: In some cases, as your defense attorney we can discuss terms with the prosecutor to drop the charges, lower the charges to lesser crimes, or come to a pre-plea agreement to sidestep 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 intimidating and it can be hard to know what to do. A sex crimes attorney in St. Louis will represent you in court and argue your defense to a judge and jury.
  5. Plea bargains: If you opt not to go to trial or achieving the case dismissed is not an option, we can arrange a plea bargain to secure you a lesser sentence than you would otherwise face.

This situation does not have to destroy the life you’ve built. With a sexual offenses defense attorney dedicated to your case, you have a chance. As a leading legal defense firm in Platte City, Missouri, Combs Waterkotte understands the grave nature of sex crime charges and the devastating consequences they can have on individuals and their families. Our seasoned sex crimes attorneys have skillfully defended countless clients against a variety of sex crime and other criminal charges, and we are committed to supplying our clients with the best possible legal representation.

Other cases we take on in Platte City, MO include:

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 harsh legal penalties and an unquantifiable social cost. At Combs Waterkotte, we recognize the emotional and financial burden of dealing with a sex crime charge, and we are here to help you manage this difficult time.

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

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