Grandview, MO

Sex Crimes Attorney in Grandview, MO

If you are facing charges related to sex crimes in Grandview, Missouri, Combs Waterkotte is here for you and ready to talk about how our team of sex crimes attorneys in Grandview, MO can help you. Get in touch with our knowledgeable team for a free case review by filling out our form or by calling (314) 900-HELP.

The stakes are high, but you still have protections under the law. You require the assistance of a competent and experienced sex crimes attorney in St. Louis to defend your rights and defend your case. Sex crimes come with serious ramifications, including a prison sentence, substantial fines, and mandatory registration as a sex offender. Below, our skilled sex crimes defense lawyers explore the different categories of sex crime charges in Missouri, the potential consequences of a conviction, and how a competent defense attorney from Combs Waterkotte can defend you when you are accused of a sex crime.

Sex Crime Charges in Missouri

Sex crimes in Missouri span a wide range 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 Grandview, Missouri include:

• Rape: Rape is defined as non-consensual sexual activity or penetration. It is a grave felony offense that carries a penal sentence ranging from five years in prison to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole, pursuant to Missouri Revised Statute 566.030.
• Sexual assault: Sexual assault refers to any unwanted physical contact, including groping. It is also a serious felony offense that can result in a penal sentence of up to 30 years.
• Statutory rape: Statutory rape occurs when someone has a sexual encounter 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 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 involves the production, distribution, or possession of pornographic material involving children under the age of 18. It is a serious D or B felony offense that can result in a penal sentence of up to 30 years, and pursuant to Missouri Revised Statute 573.037, you could be subject to separate sentences for each article 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 illegal in Missouri, but sexual misconduct with a minor is the most serious 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 Grandview, Missouri

If you are found guilty of a sex crime in Missouri, you are subject to severe consequences that can impact your life for years to come. Each case is different and depends on 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 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 pay considerable 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 required to register as a sex offender for the remainder 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 harm 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 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 Grandview, MO Can Help You

When you hire Combs Waterkotte to protect you in your Missouri sex offense case in Grandview, MO, you enjoy essential and thoughtfully considered legal guidance and representation throughout your case. An experienced defense attorney in St. Louis can help you by putting in extensive effort to defend and ensure your rights, including:

1. Investigating the charges: Your attorney will examine the charges against you, interrogate witnesses, and gather evidence to build a strong defense.
2. Legal advice: We will give you legal advice regarding your case, address 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, lower 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 overwhelming and it can be difficult 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 chose not to go to trial or getting 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 your life. With a criminal defense attorney dedicated to your case, you have a chance. As a leading legal defense firm in Grandview, Missouri, Combs Waterkotte understands the weighty nature of sex crime charges and the damaging consequences they can have on individuals and their families. Our experienced sex crimes attorneys have skillfully defended countless clients against a variety of sex crime and other criminal charges, and we are dedicated to supplying our clients with the best possible legal representation.

Other cases we take on in Grandview, MO include:

• 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 unquestionably life-altering experience, with the potential for harsh legal penalties and an unquantifiable social cost. At Combs Waterkotte, we realize the emotional and financial burden of dealing with a sex crime charge, and we are here to help you navigate this difficult time.

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