Kansas City Sex Crimes Lawyer

Aggressive, Tactical Attorneys Defending You Against Sex Crimes Charges

There is perhaps no category of crime that elicits the same public reaction as sex offenses. And the strong public condemnation has led to similarly harsh laws and sentencing guidelines. Depending on the nature of the offenses and the victims involved, criminal sexual crimes can actually result in harsher penalties than murder.

If you’ve even been accused of a sex crime (not yet charged), the cards are already stacked against you. If the accusations lead to charges and conviction, you could be facing years (or decades) in prison followed by lifetime supervision, residency restrictions, and difficulty finding a job.

Facing sex crime charges means your freedom, as well as your reputation, is on the line. It’s crucial you involve a skilled Kansas City sex crimes attorney even if you face informal allegations of sex crime charges. An experienced criminal defense lawyer can protect your rights and help you successfully navigate the criminal justice system.

Our experienced attorneys understand the seriousness of sexual crimes and the importance of a vigorous defense. We will leverage our legal knowledge to minimize or eliminate potential jail time, fines, or other consequences.

Law Firm With a Reputation You Can Trust

While a sex crime in Missouri can be classified as a misdemeanor, it doesn’t take much to elevate charges to felony sex crimes. For example, subjecting someone to sexual contact without their consent is, in most cases, classified as a misdemeanor. However, suppose sex offenders have a previous conviction of a similar offense or use a weapon during the commission of the offense. In that case, sex crime charges can be elevated to felony charges.

Many criminal defense lawyers push their clients to accept plea deals if those clients have been charged with sex crimes. That’s not what we do. Our firm has a reputation for fighting and winning tough sex crimes cases, and we do whatever it takes to give our clients the best outcomes available.

To be sure, there are cases in which a plea deal is the most appropriate strategy. But the way we see it, a plea deal should be a last resort and not the first option. We represent you in court and use our trial-tested strategies to protect your rights.

Comprehensive Defense Against Sex Crime Charges

We defend clients facing nearly any type of sex offense charge, including those related to:

Rape
Statutory rape
Sexual abuse
Possession of child pornography
Creation or distribution of child pornography
Child molestation
Solicitation of prostitution
Indecent exposure
Lewd and lascivious behavior
Sexual misconduct
Internet sex crimes
Sexual exploitation of a minor
Failure to register as a sex offender

When reading any of the criminal charges above, most people would be quick to rush to judgment and assume the worst. But each of us is innocent until proven guilty, and our firm is committed to preserving that principle and protecting our clients.

Our team of experienced defense attorneys will work with prosecutors and law enforcement to reduce or dismiss charges, negotiate a favorable plea deal, or take the case to trial. No matter the case, we ensure you are updated and kept informed throughout the process.

When Does Someone Have to Register as a Sex Offender?

Missouri sex crime state laws state that every individual convicted of a certain sex crime must be registered as a sex offender. These sex offenses include, among others, statutory rape, sexual exploitation of a child, promotion of pornography for underage persons, and promoting prostitution offenses. Anyone convicted or pleading guilty to one of these sex offenses is obligated to report their personal information to the Sex Offender Registry, which is maintained by the Missouri State Highway Patrol.

If someone is required to register as a sex offender in Missouri, they must register in person at the county sheriff’s office no more than three days after they are released from custody. The three-day timeline also applies if someone is moving into the state or is moving into a different county within Missouri.

When registering, the person must provide their full legal name, date of birth, Social Security number, and current address. The deputy will take down information regarding what offenses the person was convicted of, as well as a detailed physical description that includes identifying marks, such as tattoos.

In most cases, those required to register as sex offenders must also provide a list of all online identities, such as usernames or handles they use for social media, gaming, and other online activities.

How long you have to remain on the sex offender registry depends on the nature of the conviction. However, it is sometimes possible to have your name removed in specific situations by filing a petition. A sex crimes attorney can let you know if you’re eligible and help with this process.

How Does Consent Factor Into These Cases?

Consent is almost always an important factor in sex offense cases. When there are sex crime allegations, establishing proof that both parties were legally capable of consenting and did so can result in the charges being dropped or dismissed. While there is no strict legal definition of what consent includes, Missouri law does have specific parameters outlining when minors are able to consent to sexual activity and what constitutes someone being unable to consent.

The legal age of consent in Missouri is 17. However, those between the ages of 14 and 16 are legally able to consent to sexual activity as long as the other party is no more than 4 years old. This helps protect teenagers in romantic relationships from being charged with statutory rape or another offense for consensual sexual activity. However, minors under the age of 14 are not legally able to consent in any capacity, no matter the age of the other person.

Missouri law also states that anyone, regardless of age, is unable to consent to sexual activity if they are incapacitated or otherwise incapable of providing consent. This can include those who may have mental disabilities that render them unable to provide consent or when someone is under the impairing influence of alcohol or another substance. Any sexual activity that happens under forcible compulsion, which includes if someone is given a substance without their knowledge, is also assumed not to include consent.

What Are the Potential Consequences of a Sex Crimes Conviction?

Sex crimes carry some of the most serious potential penalties of any offenses in Missouri. Those who are convicted can find themselves facing legal repercussions in the form of a criminal sentence, as well as consequences in their personal lives after they’ve been released. If it’s not possible to get the charges against you dropped or to get an acquittal verdict from a jury, a sex crimes attorney can go to work to attempt to get the lowest possible sentence for your charges. This will vary depending on the severity of the charge but include the following.

Incarceration

Sex crimes in Missouri can be categorized as felonies or misdemeanors, and there are classifications within these as well. How long the incarceration aspect of the sentence is depends heavily on these classes. For example, a Class A felony conviction in Missouri is punishable by up to life in prison. This is generally reserved for the most serious crimes, such as first-degree child molestation or first-degree rape. Class B felonies, such as first-degree aggravated sexual abuse, are punishable by up to 15 years in prison.

Misdemeanor convictions generally have less severe sentences, but you can still have to serve time in jail. Second-degree sexual abuse, for example, is a Class A misdemeanor, which means that the defendant can be sentenced to up to 1 year in jail.

It’s important to understand that some charges can be increased if there are aggravating factors. For sex crimes, this generally happens if the other party was under the age of 14, if a weapon was used during the offense, or if the defendant has previous sex crime convictions. There are also often mandatory minimum sentences for these types of crimes, which means that you must serve time if you are convicted. For example, the minimum sentence for a Class B felony is 5 years, and the minimum sentence for a Class A felony is 10 years.

Fines

Many people think of monetary penalties as being part of the civil court system, but criminal convictions can also carry fines, many of which are quite substantial. This is meant to act as a deterrent to keep people from committing crimes, thinking that they won’t have to serve time or that they will be able to get out early. How much of a fine you can be sentenced to depends on the charge. Felonies generally carry a maximum fine of up to $10,000, while misdemeanors are fined as detailed below:

Class A misdemeanor: up to $2,000
Class B misdemeanor: up to $1,000
Class C misdemeanor: up to $700
Class D misdemeanor: up to $500

Keep in mind that these are maximums, which means that these can be lowered or waived completely in some cases through the assistance of an attorney. If you are not able to pay your fines, the courts can put a garnishment on your wages or a lien on property, such as a house.

Having to Register as a Sex Offender

Most sex crimes convictions require that the person register as a sex offender. Tier I, II, and III offenders must all register with the county sheriff’s office as convicted sex offenders. Missouri Revised Statute 589.404 outlines all of the convictions that require someone to register as a sex offender, but a few of the more common ones by tier are included below.

Tier I:

First-degree sexual abuse
Possession of child pornography
First-degree sexual misconduct
Trafficking for the purpose of sexual exploitation
Sexual conduct with a vulnerable person

Tier II:

Third-degree child molestation
Sexual contact with a student
Sexual exploitation of a minor
Promoting child pornography
Patronizing prostitution

Tier III:

Rape
Statutory rape
Incest
Sexual trafficking of a child
A second or subsequent offense of sexual misconduct involving a child

Tier I offenders must go in person to the sheriff’s office once per year during their birth month to report to the registry. Tier II offenders must go twice a year, and Tier III offenders must go every 90 days.

Being a registered sex offender can also make it more difficult to be accepted in the community. You can face social stigma that can lead to isolation and challenges making friends, interacting with neighbors, and developing relationships. Many people don’t understand the nuances of the sex offender registry system and often see anyone on it as a predator.

Being on the sex offender registry can also make it more difficult to get certain jobs and be eligible for certain types of rental housing. You may not be able to participate in certain activities with your children or attend school events. It’s common for these restrictions to also take a toll on the person’s mental health.

Damage to Your Reputation

While the criminal justice system in Missouri and the United States as a whole rests on the idea of innocent until proven guilty, the truth is that even the mere accusations of a sex crime can cause long-term damage to your reputation. Even if formal charges are never brought against you, the charges were dropped, or you were acquitted, it can still leave a lasting stigma that can follow you for the rest of your life. When you are convicted of a sex crime, this is intensified.

It’s not uncommon for those convicted of sexual offenses to be ostracized by their friends and even family members. You may be fired from your job and face other societal consequences. While a defense attorney can’t necessarily make it easier for you to re-enter society after you’ve been charged with a sex crime, they can help you present the best defense possible to show that the charges have no merit.

A Solid Record of Success

At the Missouri DWI & Criminal Law Center, we’ve successfully represented clients charged with rape and other sex crimes. We are experienced in handling charges of sexual assault, aggravated sexual assault, and the criminal act of engaging in a sexual act without informed consent.

Our attorneys have an impressive record of success in these cases, and we can provide references from past clients who felt satisfied with the outcome of their cases.

We know how to successfully defend sex crime cases and the laws surrounding sex crimes in Kansas City. We tirelessly advocate for our clients and strive to obtain the best possible outcome in every case.

If you or someone you love is facing sex crime charges, please don’t wait to seek legal help. Contact our experienced Kansas City sex crime attorneys today. We are here to help you fight your charges and protect your rights.

Let’s Discuss Your Criminal Charges in a Free Consultation

Being charged with a sex crime is a life-changing experience, and allegations related to these types of offenses should always be responded to immediately by a qualified and experienced criminal defense attorney. The Missouri DWI & Criminal Law Center is based in Belton, and we serve the Kansas City metro area, helping defendants and those under investigation understand what they’re up against and how they can protect their rights and their freedom. To schedule your free initial consultation, send us a secure email or call 816-846-2219.