Howard County Child Pornography Lawyer
If you or a loved one are facing an investigation into your involvement with child pornography or any related offenses, you may need the advice and services that only a Howard County child pornography lawyer may be able to offer you.
The potential ramifications of a child pornography conviction are harsh and can have life-altering implications for you and your family.
A criminal defense lawyer may be able to evaluate your situation and determine the course of action in your case that is most likely to achieve your goals. With much-needed legal advice, you may be able to emerge from the allegations against you with a minimum of impact on your life.
Child Pornography Offenses
Md. Code, Crim. Law § 11-207 outlaws a variety of conduct involving child pornography, or images of children who are under the age of 18 and engaged in sexual behaviors, such as representations of minors in sadomasochistic acts, sexual conduct, or states of sexual excitement.
Specifically, under this code section, individuals are prohibited from causing or allowing minors to participate in the production of child pornography, photograph or film minors engaged in sexual activities, or use a computer to depict minors engaged in sexual activities.
Likewise, this section makes it unlawful for individuals to distribute or possess with the intent to distribute child pornography in any form or use a computer to disseminate information about minors that could lead them to be used for sexual conduct or abuse.
Individuals who violate any provisions of this code section commit a felony offense. A conviction for this offense can result in a maximum ten-year prison sentence and a $25,000 fine for a first offense.
However, as a child pornography lawyer in Howard County may attest, any subsequent offenses can result in a maximum 20-year prison sentence and a maximum $50,000 fine.
Possession of Child Pornography Charges and Penalties
Md. Code, Crim. Law § 11-208 addresses possession of child pornography, which is a misdemeanor for a first-time offense and a felony for a subsequent offense. An initial conviction on possession of child pornography carries the potential for up to five years in jail and a $2,500 fine. For a subsequent felony offense, however, the penalties potentially increase to a ten-year sentence and a $10,000 fine.
Under this code section, individuals are prohibited from possessing any form of child pornography, which is any format that depicts children under the age of 16 who are engaged in sadomasochistic abuse, sexual conduct, or sexual excitement. Whether child pornography is in the form of films, videos, images, or any visual representations, they are illegal to possess.
However, nothing in this code section prohibits parents from possessing nude images of their children, absent any depictions of their children that would meet the definition of child pornography.
As defenses to possession of child pornography charges may be available, individuals accused of wrongdoing may want to consult a child pornography attorney in Howard County for advice about their legal options. With legal help, these persons may be able to build a defense strategy that is most likely to be useful for their specific situations.
Possible Child Pornography Penalties
Aside from the imprisonment and thousands of dollars in fines that can result from a child pornography-related conviction, individuals are likely to suffer the indignities that typically accompany any sex offense conviction.
Whether convicted of possession or distribution of child pornography, individuals in this situation are likely to face mandatory sex offender registration for a lengthy period. This requirement can stifle employment opportunities and make individuals generally unwelcome in their neighborhoods and communities.
Persons convicted of possession of child pornography will face mandatory sex offender registration for 15 years following their release from incarceration. On the other hand, individuals with a conviction for production, distribution, or possession with intent to distribute child pornography will face a 25-year registration period.
Let a Howard County Child Pornography Attorney Assist You
Penalties for child pornography charges may vary, depending on your history of prior convictions, the nature and the extent of the child pornography involved, and the existence of any related illicit activity involving minors. Nonetheless, all sanctions for a child pornography conviction are likely to be severe.
A Howard County child pornography lawyer may be your best means of fighting back against child pornography and related charges.
In some cases, child pornography offenses may become federal crimes, which can elevate the severity of the offenses to a whole new level. Getting legal advice from the outset of your case may be the best strategy for combatting any criminal charges that you may be facing.