ParkvilleBig Creek, MO

Sex Crimes Attorney in ParkvilleBig Creek, MO

If you are facing accusations related to sex crimes in ParkvilleBig Creek, Missouri, Combs Waterkotte is here for you and ready to discuss how our team of sex crimes attorneys in ParkvilleBig Creek, MO can assist you. Get in touch with our professional team for a free case review by filling out our form or by calling (314) 900-HELP.

The consequences are serious, but you still have protections under the law. You require the support of a skilled and experienced sex crimes attorney in St. Louis to protect your rights and represent your case. Sex crimes come with serious ramifications, including jail or prison time, exorbitant fines, and mandatory registration as a sex offender. On this page, our skilled sex crimes criminal defense attorneys outline the different types of sex crime charges in Missouri, the potential consequences of a conviction, and how a proficient 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 substance, gravity, and potential sentences, ranging from sexual assault and rape to child pornography and sexual misconduct involving a minor. Some of the most common sex crime charges in ParkvilleBig Creek, Missouri include:

• Rape: Rape is described as non-consensual sexual intercourse 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 non-consensual sexual contact, including touching. It is also a serious felony offense that can result in a penal sentence of up to 30 years.
• Statutory rape: In Missouri, it is considered statutory rape when someone has a sexual encounter with a minor who is below the age of consent, as they are treated 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 depicting 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 individual 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 penal sentence and other consequences.

Consequences of a Sex Crime Conviction in ParkvilleBig Creek, Missouri

If you are convicted of a sex crime in Missouri, you are faced with harsh consequences that can affect your life for years to come. Each case has its own details, including the evidence presented, the nature of what occurred, your previous criminal history, the judge presiding over your case, and capability 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 face years or even life in prison.
2. Fines: As is the case in many criminal felony and misdemeanor charges, you may have to settle substantial fines and court costs.
3. Mandatory registration as a sex offender: If you are convicted of a sex crime in Missouri, you will be compelled to register as a sex offender for the remainder of your life. This can greatly 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 exceedingly difficult to rebuild your life, even after you’ve served your sentence.

How a Sex Crimes Attorney in ParkvilleBig Creek, MO Can Help You

When you hire Chris Combs to represent you in your Missouri sex offense case in ParkvilleBig Creek, MO, you receive vital and carefully weighed legal guidance and representation throughout your case. An experienced criminal defense attorney in St. Louis can help you by working hard to defend and protect, including:

1. Investigating the charges: Your attorney will examine the charges against you, interrogate witnesses, and compile evidence to build a compelling defense.
2. Legal advice: We will give you legal advice regarding your case, answer your questions and help you grasp 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, minimize the charges to lesser crimes, or come to a pre-plea agreement to avoid 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 argue your defense to a judge and jury.
5. Plea bargains: If you opt 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.

Don’t let this wreck your life. With a criminal defense attorney dedicated to your case, you have a chance. As a leading criminal defense firm in ParkvilleBig Creek, Missouri, Combs Waterkotte comprehends the grave nature of sex crime charges and the devastating 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 supplying our clients with the best possible legal representation.

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 recognize the emotional and financial burden of dealing with a sex crime charge, and we are here to support you manage this difficult time.

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