Combs Waterkotte is the leading Statutory Sodomy Defense Law Firm serving St. Louis, Kansas City, and the entire state of Missouri.

Statutory Sodomy Defense Lawyer in Missouri

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Statutory sodomy charges are among the most severe sex crime allegations in Missouri. Convictions carry mandatory sex offender registration, long-term imprisonment, and life-altering consequences. Combs Waterkotte is Missouri’s leading criminal defense and sex crimes law firm. We are available 24/7 to protect your rights. Call (314) 900-HELP now for a confidential consultation.

Statutory sodomy involves any form of deviate sexual intercourse with a minor under the legal age of consent. Missouri law does not allow consent or mistake of age to serve as valid defenses in most cases.

A person commits first-degree statutory sodomy if they engage in deviate sexual intercourse with a child under the age of 14.

Penalties include:

• 5 years to life in prison
• 10 years to life if the offense is aggravated (victim under 12, use of a weapon, serious injury, incest, or prior sex offense)
• No parole for offenders classified as predatory or repeat sexual offenders

A person 21 or older commits second-degree statutory sodomy if they engage in deviate sexual intercourse with someone under 17 years old.

Penalties include:

• Class D felony — up to 7 years in prison and fines up to $10,000

Missouri defines deviate sexual intercourse to include:

• Touching another person’s genitals, mouth, or anus with a hand, mouth, or tongue
• Penetration, however slight, of the genitals or anus with a finger, object, or instrument
• Acts performed for sexual arousal, gratification, intimidation, or harm

Statutory sodomy convictions require lifetime registration as a Tier III sex offender. This includes:

• Severe employment and housing restrictions
• Ongoing public listing and monitoring
• In-person verification every 90 days

A statutory sodomy conviction cannot be expunged. It remains on your criminal record for life.

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Combs Waterkotte is the leading Sexual Misconduct Defense Law Firm serving St. Louis, Kansas City, and the entire state of Missouri.

Sexual Misconduct Defense Lawyer in Missouri

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Sexual misconduct charges can turn your life upside down. A conviction can damage your reputation, take away your freedom, and follow you for the rest of your life. Combs Waterkotte is the trusted St. Louis and Missouri sex crimes defense firm that stands beside clients in their most difficult moments. We offer confidential, nonjudgmental, and aggressive defense for anyone facing sexual misconduct allegations in Missouri.

Missouri divides sexual misconduct into three main categories, each with different definitions and penalties.

Under §566.093 RSMo, a person commits first-degree sexual misconduct if they:

• Expose their genitals in a situation where they know it will likely shock, offend, or alarm others
• Engage in sexual contact in the presence of a third person under circumstances likely to cause shock, offense, or alarm
• Have sexual intercourse in a public place in the presence of a third person

Penalties include:

• First offense: Class B misdemeanor (up to 6 months in jail; fines up to $1,000)
• Second offense: Class A misdemeanor (up to 1 year in jail; fines up to $2,000)

Under §566.095 RSMo, second-degree sexual misconduct occurs when a person solicits or requests sexual conduct from another person knowing the request will likely shock, offend, or alarm them.

Penalty: Class C misdemeanor (up to 15 days in jail; fines up to $500)

Under §566.083 RSMo, a person commits this offense if they:

• Expose their genitals to a child under 15, knowing it is likely to shock, offend, or alarm, or for sexual arousal or gratification
• Coerce or persuade a child under 15 to expose their genitals for arousal or gratification
• Coerce or persuade a child under 15 to expose the breasts of a female child through electronic communication

Penalties include:

• First offense: Class E felony (up to 4 years in prison; fines up to $10,000)
• Subsequent offenses: Class D felony (up to 7 years in prison; fines up to $10,000)

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Combs Waterkotte is the leading Vehicle Hijacking Defense Law Firm serving St. Louis, Kansas City, and the entire state of Missouri.

Vehicle Hijacking Defense Lawyer in Missouri

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Passed in 2020, Missouri’s vehicle hijacking law imposes severe penalties on anyone convicted of forcibly taking control of a vehicle. The experienced Missouri criminal defense and theft lawyers at Combs Waterkotte understand the high stakes involved in these cases. With extensive resources and deep knowledge of Missouri law, we fight for dismissals, acquittals, charge reductions, and the protection of your future.

While many states classify theft into separate crimes like fraud, auto theft, and larceny, Missouri uses a single comprehensive stealing statute to handle all theft-related offenses. Historically, this meant auto theft was handled under the same statute as shoplifting or embezzlement.

But vehicle hijacking is fundamentally different because it involves taking an occupied vehicle, which creates substantial danger to the driver and passengers. Recognizing this, Missouri passed a dedicated vehicle hijacking statute in 2020. This law blends elements of robbery and stealing to create a standalone felony offense with serious consequences.

Vehicle hijacking occurs when someone knowingly uses or threatens physical force to seize control or possession of a vehicle from another person.

The term “vehicle” includes almost all motorized, wheeled vehicles—including cars, ATVs, motorcycles, and trucks—except:

• Trains
• Motorized wheelchairs
• Electric or motorized bicycles

Missouri statutes don’t define “physical force,” so courts use its ordinary meaning. Physical force can include:

• Punching
• Kicking
• Pushing or pulling
• Shooting
• Stabbing

The law also includes threats of force. A person can be charged with vehicle hijacking even if they never physically touch the driver—as long as they make a credible threat, such as threatening to shoot unless the victim exits the vehicle.

Prosecutors may seek enhanced penalties if the alleged hijacker:

• Caused serious physical injury
• Carried a deadly weapon
• Used or threatened a dangerous instrument
• Displayed what appeared to be a weapon
• Took a vehicle with a child or “special victim” inside

Vehicle hijacking with aggravating circumstances closely parallels first-degree robbery. Under Missouri law, first-degree robbery involves forcibly stealing property while:

• Causing serious physical injury
• Being armed with a deadly weapon
• Using or threatening a dangerous instrument
• Displaying what appears to be a deadly weapon
• Stealing a controlled substance from a pharmacy

However, there is an important distinction: robbery requires proof that the force used was intended to overcome the victim’s resistance or coerce them into surrendering property. Vehicle hijacking does not require this specific element—making it easier for prosecutors to pursue a conviction.

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Combs Waterkotte is the leading Stealing of a Motor Vehicle Defense Law Firm serving St. Louis, Kansas City, and the entire state of Missouri.

Stealing of a Motor Vehicle Defense Lawyer in Missouri

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Missouri imposes harsh penalties on those who are convicted of stealing motor vehicles. You could face significant time in prison, fines that drain your finances, and the long-term consequences that come with having a criminal record. At Combs Waterkotte, our Missouri criminal defense and theft lawyers fight these charges aggressively to protect your future and your freedom.

In Missouri, stealing a motor vehicle is considered more serious than stealing other types of property. If you take a vehicle or catalytic converter without the owner’s permission — or by force — and intend to deprive the owner of it, the state can charge you with motor vehicle theft.

The potential charges include:

• Stealing a motor vehicle: Class D felony
• Stealing a catalytic converter: Class E felony
• Repeat offenders: Two prior theft convictions within 10 years can elevate the charge to a Class B felony

Tampering with a motor vehicle is a related but separate offense. Often referred to as “joyriding,” this charge involves knowingly possessing, receiving, selling, or operating a vehicle without the owner’s consent.

The key difference between tampering and stealing: tampering does not require proof that you intended to permanently deprive the owner of the vehicle.

• First-degree tampering (driver): Class D felony
• Second-degree tampering (passenger): Class A misdemeanor

Carjacking — sometimes called vehicle hijacking — involves using or threatening force to take control of another person’s vehicle. This offense carries extremely severe penalties.

Carjacking becomes a Class A felony when it involves:

• The use of a deadly weapon
• Serious injury to a victim or bystander
• The use or threat of a dangerous weapon
• Taking a vehicle with a child or special victim inside

All other forms of carjacking are generally charged as Class B felonies.

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