Sex-Related Crimes Attorney in Kansas City, Kansas

Facing a charge for a sex crime is not something to be taken lightly. In both Kansas and Missouri, sex charges are taken very seriously and can leave a lasting impact on your future. At the Richman Law Office LLC, I firmly believe that everyone deserves competent and professional legal representation, regardless of the charges they are facing. If you’ve been arrested for sex crimes and are looking for a criminal defense attorney in Kansas City, Kansas or Kansas City, Missouri, call me today to talk through your options. I will listen to your version of events, thoroughly investigate your case, then work to pursue the best outcome possible.

Types of Sex-Related Crimes

The way sex crimes are defined will look slightly different whether your charges originated in Kansas or Missouri. For example, in Kansas, the age of consent is 16, while in Missouri it’s 17. Generally, though, the types of crimes that are considered “sex-related” will be very similar. Some of the more serious sex crimes in either state are rape or statutory rape (meaning rape of a minor), sexual violence, indecency with a child, or sexual assault or aggravated sexual assault. Other crimes such as lewdness or exposure might have lesser penalties, but they are still categorized as sex-related crimes

The penalty for sex-related crimes is highly dependent on the specific type of crime committed, whether force was used, and the age of the victim. For example, in Missouri, a 1st-degree rape charge is considered a felony. If convicted, you could see 10 to 30 years in prison. A 2nd-degree sexual abuse charge is classified as a misdemeanor, and a conviction may lead to up to a year in jail. In both cases, however, you will be placed on the national sex-offender registry—and the same is true for those convicted of sex crimes in Kansas.

When you work with a criminal defense lawyer, they’ll investigate your specific case to determine the best defense strategy. In some cases, you may be able to prove that your accuser was lying and that you’ve been falsely accused or misidentified and you are innocent. You may also be able to prove that you genuinely believed you had consent.

Defining Consent in Kansas and Missouri

Consent is an important concept to understand when facing charges for a sex-related crime. In both states, there’s not a clear definition of consent, but it’s generally understood that consent means both parties understand the nature of the sexual act and actively agree to it. In both states, minors are not considered old enough to give consent, though the age of consent changes. In Kansas, you only have to be 16 to consent to sex, while in Missouri you have to be 17 if the other person is 21 or over. If not, then the age of consent drops to 14 in Missouri.

What to Do if You Are Accused of a Sex Crime

If you’re accused of a sex crime, you need to take it very seriously, whether you believe yourself to be guilty or innocent. The most important thing you can do for yourself is to contact a local criminal defense attorney who’s knowledgeable about state laws and can advise you through this process. As your attorney will tell you, you should not make any statement to the police without your lawyer present. You should begin to gather as much evidence as you can that can help in your defense. This could include writing down details of the incident, noting dates and times, and compiling a list of witnesses that can corroborate your story. Above all, you should never confront your accuser.