Sexual Assault Attorney in Kansas City, Missouri

Perhaps no crimes cause a higher degree of public outcry than sex crimes. Sex crimes tend to be sensationalized when reported and dig at the moral fiber of the public in general. As a result, it should come as no surprise that every sex-related crime in Missouri carries a stiff punishment, as public policy has led to certain laws being passed that are extremely harsh in nature.

Therefore, if you’ve been arrested and charged with a sex crime in Missouri, you need to seek the help of a criminal defense attorney immediately to make sure that your rights are protected. Attorney John Anthony Picerno is a Missouri criminal defense attorney with over 22 years of experience, so contact his office to schedule a consultation.

Beginning January 1, 2017–Rape in the first degree, penalties–suspended sentences not granted, when. 566.030.

1. A person commits the offense of rape in the first degree if he or she has sexual intercourse with another person who is incapacitated, incapable of consent, or lacks the capacity to consent, or by the use of forcible compulsion. Forcible compulsion includes the use of a substance administered without a victim’s knowledge or consent which renders the victim physically or mentally impaired so as to be incapable of making an informed consent to sexual intercourse.

2. The offense of rape in the first degree or an attempt to commit rape in the first degree is a felony for which the authorized term of imprisonment is life imprisonment or a term of years not less than five years, unless:

1. 1. The offense is an aggravated sexual offense, in which case the authorized term of imprisonment is life imprisonment or a term of years not less than fifteen years;

2. 2. The person is a persistent or predatory sexual offender as defined in section 566.125 and subjected to an extended term of imprisonment under said section;

3. 3. The victim is a child less than twelve years of age, in which case the required term of imprisonment is life imprisonment without eligibility for probation or parole until the offender has served not less than thirty years of such sentence or unless the offender has reached the age of seventy-five years and has served at least fifteen years of such sentence, unless such rape in the first degree is described under subdivision (4) of this subsection; or

4. 4. The victim is a child less than twelve years of age and such rape in the first degree or attempt to commit rape in the first degree was outrageously or wantonly vile, horrible or inhumane, in that it involved torture or depravity of mind, in which case the required term of imprisonment is life imprisonment without eligibility for probation, parole or conditional release.

3. Subsection 4 of section 558.019 shall not apply to the sentence of a person who has been found guilty of rape in the first degree or attempt to commit rape in the first degree when the victim is less than twelve years of age, and “life imprisonment” shall mean imprisonment for the duration of a person’s natural life for the purposes of this section.

4. No person found guilty of rape in the first degree or an attempt to commit rape in the first degree shall be granted a suspended imposition of sentence or suspended execution of sentence.

Beginning January 1, 2017–Rape in the second degree, penalties. 566.031.

1. A person commits the offense of rape in the second degree if he or she has sexual intercourse with another person knowing that he or she does so without that person’s consent.

2. The offense of rape in the second degree is a class D felony.

Beginning January 1, 2017–Statutory rape and attempt to commit, first degree, penalties. 566.032.

1. A person commits the offense of statutory rape in the first degree if he or she has sexual intercourse with another person who is less than fourteen years of age.

2. The offense of statutory rape in the first degree or an attempt to commit statutory rape in the first degree is a felony for which the authorized term of imprisonment is life imprisonment or a term of years not less than five years, unless:

1. 1. The offense is an aggravated sexual offense, or the victim is less than twelve years of age in which case the authorized term of imprisonment is life imprisonment or a term of years not less than ten years; or

2. 2. The person is a persistent or predatory sexual offender as defined in section 566.125 and subjected to an extended term of imprisonment under said section.

Beginning January 1, 2017–Statutory rape, second degree, penalty. 566.034.

1. A person commits the offense of statutory rape in the second degree if being twenty-one years of age or older, he or she has sexual intercourse with another person who is less than seventeen years of age.

. The offense of statutory rape in the second degree is a class D felony.

Beginning January 1, 2017–Sodomy in the first degree, penalties–suspended sentence not granted, when. 566.060

1. A person commits the offense of sodomy in the first degree if he or she has deviate sexual intercourse with another person who is incapacitated, incapable of consent, or lacks the capacity to consent, or by the use of forcible compulsion. Forcible compulsion includes the use of a substance administered without a victim’s knowledge or consent which renders the victim physically or mentally impaired so as to be incapable of making an informed consent to sexual intercourse.

2. The offense of sodomy in the first degree or an attempt to commit sodomy in the first degree is a felony for which the authorized term of imprisonment is life imprisonment or a term of years not less than five years, unless:

1. 1. The offense is an aggravated sexual offense, in which case the authorized term of imprisonment is life imprisonment or a term of years not less than ten years;

2. 2. The person is a persistent or predatory sexual offender as defined in section 566.125 and subjected to an extended term of imprisonment under said section;

3. 3. The victim is a child less than twelve years of age, in which case the required term of imprisonment is life imprisonment without eligibility for probation or parole until the offender has served not less than thirty years of such sentence or unless the offender has reached the age of seventy-five years and has served at least fifteen years of such sentence, unless such sodomy in the first degree is described under subdivision (4) of this subsection; or

4. 4. The victim is a child less than twelve years of age and such sodomy in the first degree or attempt to commit sodomy in the first degree was outrageously or wantonly vile, horrible or inhumane, in that it involved torture or depravity of mind, in which case the required term of imprisonment is life imprisonment without eligibility for probation, parole or conditional release.

3. Subsection 4 of section 558.019 shall not apply to the sentence of a person who has been found guilty of sodomy in the first degree or an attempt to commit sodomy in the first degree when the victim is less than twelve years of age, and “life imprisonment” shall mean imprisonment for the duration of a person’s natural life for the purposes of this section.

4. No person found guilty of sodomy in the first degree or an attempt to commit sodomy in the first degree shall be granted a suspended imposition of sentence or suspended execution of sentence.

Beginning January 1, 2017–Sodomy in the second degree, penalty. 566.061.

. A person commits the offense of sodomy in the second degree if he or she has deviate sexual intercourse with another person knowing that he or she does so without that person’s consent.

2. The offense of sodomy in the second degree is a class D felony.

Beginning January 1, 2017–Statutory sodomy and attempt to commit, first degree, penalties. 566.062.

1. A person commits the offense of statutory sodomy in the first degree if he or she has deviate sexual intercourse with another person who is less than fourteen years of age.

2. The offense of statutory sodomy in the first degree or an attempt to commit statutory sodomy in the first degree is a felony for which the authorized term of imprisonment is life imprisonment or a term of years not less than five years, unless:

1. 1. The offense is an aggravated sexual offense or the victim is less than twelve years of age, in which case the authorized term of imprisonment is life imprisonment or a term of years not less than ten years; or

2. 2. The person is a persistent or predatory sexual offender as defined in section 566.125 and subjected to an extended term of imprisonment under said section.

Beginning January 1, 2017–Statutory sodomy, second degree, penalty.

1. A person commits the offense of statutory sodomy in the second degree if being twenty-one years of age or older, he or she has deviate sexual intercourse with another person who is less than seventeen years of age.

2. The offense of statutory sodomy in the second degree is a class D felony.

Beginning January 1, 2017–Child molestation, first degree, penalties. 566.067.

. A person commits the offense of child molestation in the first degree if he or she subjects another person who is less than fourteen years of age to sexual contact and the offense is an aggravated sexual offense.

2. The offense of child molestation in the first degree is a class A felony and, if the victim is a child less than twelve years of age, the person shall serve his or her term of imprisonment without eligibility for probation, parole, or conditional release.

Beginning January 1, 2017–Child molestation, second degree, penalties. 566.068.

1. A person commits the offense of child molestation in the second degree if he or she:

1. 1. Subjects a child who is less than twelve years of age to sexual contact; or

2. 2. Being more than four years older than a child who is less than seventeen years of age, subjects the . . . child to sexual contact and the offense is an aggravated sexual offense.

2. The offense of child molestation in the second degree is a class B felony.

Beginning January 1, 2017–Child molestation, third degree, penalty. 566.069.

1. A person commits the offense of child molestation in the third degree if he or she subjects a child who is less than fourteen years of age to sexual contact.

2. The offense of child molestation in the third degree is a class C felony, unless committed by the use of forcible compulsion, in which case it is a class B felony.

Beginning January 1, 2017–Child molestation, fourth degree, penalty. 566.071.

1. A person commits the offense of child molestation in the fourth degree if, being more than four years older than a child who is less than seventeen years of age, subjects the child to sexual contact.

2. The offense of child molestation in the fourth degree is a class E felony.

Beginning January 1, 2017–Sexual misconduct involving a child, penalty–applicability of section–affirmative defense not allowed, when. 566.083.

1. A person commits the offense of sexual misconduct involving a child if such person:

1. 1. Knowingly exposes his or her genitals to a child less than fifteen years of age under circumstances in which he or she knows that his or her conduct is likely to cause affront or alarm to the child;

2. 2. Knowingly exposes his or her genitals to a child less than fifteen years of age for the purpose of arousing or gratifying the sexual desire of any person, including the child;

3. 3. Knowingly coerces or induces a child less than fifteen years of age to expose the child’s genitals for the purpose of arousing or gratifying the sexual desire of any person, including the child; or

4. 4. Knowingly coerces or induces a child who is known by such person to be less than fifteen years of age to expose the breasts of a female child through the internet or other electronic means for the purpose of arousing or gratifying the sexual desire of any person, including the child.

2. The provisions of this section shall apply regardless of whether the person violates this section in person or via the internet or other electronic means.

3. It is not a defense to prosecution for a violation of this section that the other person was a peace officer masquerading as a minor.

. The offense of sexual misconduct involving a child is a class E felony unless the person has previously been found guilty of an offense under this chapter or the person has previously been found guilty of an offense in another jurisdiction which would constitute an offense under this chapter, in which case it is a class D felony.

Beginning January 1, 2017–Sexual misconduct, first degree, penalties. 566.093.

1. A person commits the offense of sexual misconduct in the first degree if such person:

1. 1. Exposes his or her genitals under circumstances in which he or she knows that his or her conduct is likely to cause affront or alarm;

2. 2. Has sexual contact in the presence of a third person or persons under circumstances in which he or she knows that such conduct is likely to cause affront or alarm; or

3. 3. Has sexual intercourse or deviate sexual intercourse in a public place in the presence of a third person.

. The offense of sexual misconduct in the first degree is a class B misdemeanor unless the person has previously been found guilty of an offense under this chapter, or has previously been found guilty of an offense in another jurisdiction which would constitute an offense under this chapter, in which case it is a class A misdemeanor.

Beginning January 1, 2017–Sexual abuse in the first degree, penalties. 566.100.

1. A person commits the offense of sexual abuse in the first degree if he or she subjects another person to sexual contact when that person is incapacitated, incapable of consent, or lacks the capacity to consent, or by the use of forcible compulsion.

2. The offense of sexual abuse in the first degree is a class C felony unless the victim is less than fourteen years of age, or it is an aggravated sexual offense, in which case it is a class B felony.

Beginning January 1, 2017–Sexual abuse, second degree, penalties. 566.101.

1. A person commits the offense of sexual abuse in the second degree if he or she purposely subjects another person to sexual contact without that person’s consent.

2. The offense of sexual abuse in the second degree is a class A misdemeanor, unless it is an aggravated sexual offense, in which case it is a class E felony.

Crime of promoting online sexual solicitation, violation, penalty. 566.103.

1. A person or entity commits the offense of promoting online sexual solicitation if such person or entity knowingly permits a web-based classified service owned or operated by such person or entity to be used by individuals to post advertisements promoting prostitution, enticing a child to engage in sexual conduct, or promoting sexual trafficking of a child after receiving notice under this section.

2. As used in this section, the term “web-based classified service” means a person or entity in whose name a specific URL or internet domain name is registered which has advertisements for goods and services or personal advertisements.

3. An advertisement may be deemed to promote prostitution, entice a child to engage in sexual conduct, or promote sexual trafficking of a child, if the content of such advertisement would be interpreted by a reasonable person as offering to exchange sexual conduct for goods or services in violation of chapter 567, as seeking a child for the purpose of sexual conduct or commercial sex act, or as offering a child as a participant in sexual conduct or commercial sex act in violation of section 566.151, * 566.212, or 566.213.

4. It shall be prima facie evidence that a person or entity acts knowingly if an advertisement is not removed from the web-based classified service within seventy-two hours of that person or entity being notified that an advertisement has been posted on that service which is prohibited under this section.

.5 Notice under this section may be provided by certified mail or facsimile transmission by the attorney general or any prosecuting attorney or circuit attorney.

6. A violation of this section shall be a felony, punishable by a fine in the amount of five thousand dollars per day that the advertisement remains posted on the web-based classified service after seventy-two hours of when notice has been provided pursuant to this section.

. Original jurisdiction for prosecution of a violation of this section shall be with the local prosecuting attorney or circuit attorney.

Below are two of the most prevalent issues in regards to sex crimes in Missouri:

Internet Pornography

Internet pornography that is sent and even purchased between adults is not necessarily illegal, unless said pornography involves children or people acting against their will. However, any form of Internet pornography that is sent or sold to minors is dealt with harshly by the Missouri statutes. If a defendant is found to have engaged in such conduct and is convicted of the charges, he or she faces the penalties associated with a Class D felony, which can mean up to 10 years in prison.

Sex Crimes Involving Minors

Aside from the Internet-driven sex crimes involving minors and pornography, there are many other offenses that fall under this realm. Generally speaking, all of the offenses are felonies, the only difference being which degree of felony applies. For instance, examples of charges of this type include statutory rape, sexual exploitation of a minor, promoting child pornography, possession of child pornography, sexual assault and a whole host of other offenses. As stated earlier, public policy is what drives legislation, and legislation is what leads to sentencing guidelines and sometimes decisions in the courtroom. Sex crimes involving minors is a touchstone that angers the general public like perhaps no other prominent issue, which is why being charged with such an offense is a serious matter, and most likely involves a prison term if a conviction is the result.

Your Legal Rights

Despite all this being said, it does not mean that you are without rights if you have been arrested and charged with a sex-related crime. The Constitution guarantees every criminal defendant certain rights and privileges, and if you value your freedom and reputation, you must take the steps necessary to make use of all of these rights that are available to you.

Of course, the first step is finding out what these rights are, and the second is enforcing them. In order to complete both of these steps, you need to contact Criminal Defense Attorney KC Missouri, John Anthony Picerno immediately for a full consultation