Rockville Child Pornography Lawyer

Knowledgeable Defense for Child Pornography Charges in Rockville, MD

Materials of a sexual nature are regularly shared online or through other means. While pornography in general is not illegal, materials that depict minors engaging in sex acts are considered to be child pornography, which is strictly prohibited in Maryland and throughout the United States. Offenses involving the possession, distribution, creation, or promotion of explicit material featuring minors are serious sex crimes. The legal consequences of child pornography charges are severe, and those who have been accused of these offenses will need to understand how they can defend themselves.

At Salvado Law Offices, our experienced criminal defense lawyers can provide crucial legal support in cases involving child pornography. We can review the offenses a person is accused of committing, determine what evidence may be presented during a case, and work to find solutions that will allow a person to avoid a conviction. We understand how serious these charges are, and we can provide compassionate representation, focusing on responding to accusations, developing effective defense strategies, and protecting a person's reputation. We work to protect our clients' legal rights while providing them with the assurance that they will have a skilled legal advocate on their side throughout the legal process.

Accusations of Child Pornography Crimes

There are a variety of circumstances that may lead to child pornography charges. Key factors in these cases may include the nature of the material in question, the actions the person allegedly took regarding the material, and their intent. Materials may be considered child pornography if they depict children below the age of 16 or 18 engaging in sexual conduct, depending on the specific charge and the specific facts. Child pornography crimes may include:

• Possession: A person may be accused of having explicit material involving minors stored on any device or medium. These materials may include photographs, computer-generated images, or videos in the form of physical images, films or videotapes, or files stored on a computer.
• Accessing: Actively seeking out or viewing child pornography online or through other means may result in criminal charges, even if a person did not retain possession of physical materials or digital files.
• Distribution: Sharing or disseminating explicit material featuring minors will typically result in more severe penalties than possession of child pornography.
• Promotion: Advertising, promoting, or encouraging the production or distribution of child pornography is treated the same as distribution of these materials.
• Creation: Producing or facilitating the creation of explicit material involving minors is one of the most serious child pornography offenses. These offenses may involve taking photographs or videos of minors engaging in sex acts or soliciting minors to engage in the creation of child pornography.

Specific Charges Related to Child Pornography

Maryland law outlines several different types of charges that can be applied in cases involving child pornography:

• Simple possession of visual representation of a child under 16 engaged in certain sexual acts: Knowingly having explicit material involving minors under 16 in one's possession is a misdemeanor offense. The penalties for simple possession of this variation of child pornography may include up to five years in prison and fines of up to $2,500 for a first offense or 10 years in prison and $10,000 in fines for a second or subsequent offense. A second or subsequent conviction for this charge is a felony.
• Accessing or viewing a visual representation of a child under 16 engaged in certain sexual acts: Intentionally seeking out or viewing explicit material featuring minors may result in the same penalties as simple possession of a visual representation of a child under 16 engaged in certain sexual acts.
• Distribution of child pornography: A person who shares or disseminates explicit material involving minors under the age of 18, including through online sharing, physical distribution, or other methods, may be charged with a felony. Penalties include up to 10 years in prison and up to $25,000 in fines for a first offense or 20 years in prison and $50,000 in fines for each subsequent offense.
• Possession of child pornography with the intent of distributing it: a person who possesses pornography involving minors with the intent of distributing those images may be charged with a felony. This offense may result in the same penalties as those that apply for distribution of child pornography.
• Promotion of child pornography: This offense may involve actions encouraging the production or distribution of explicit material featuring minors. It may result in the same penalties as those that apply for distribution of child pornography.
• Creation of child pornography: A person who engages in activities related to the production of explicit material featuring minors will face felony charges. A conviction will result in penalties similar to distribution or promotion of child pornography.

People convicted of child pornography offenses will also be required to register as sex offenders. This status can affect a person's life in many ways, including placing limitations on where they can live and making it difficult to find employment or pursue education.

Contact Our Rockville, Maryland Child Pornography Attorneys

With the help of a skilled lawyer, people accused of child pornography offenses can determine the best defense strategies, which may include showing that they did not have knowledge of the materials in their possession or demonstrating that the charges were based on false accusations or mistaken identities. At Salvado Law Offices, we can help ensure that the rights of our clients are protected, and we can work to resolve these cases while minimizing the impact on their lives. Contact our office and arrange a free consultation by calling 301-933-1814. We represent clients in the areas surrounding Rockville, MD and Falls Church, VA.