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Maryland Child Pornography Lawyer

People who violate Maryland’s child pornography laws face stiff penalties and other destructive consequences, which in the past few years have become even more severe. In addition to long prison sentences and very high fines, those convicted of a Maryland sex crime are required to register as sex offenders making it all the more important that those accused hire an experienced Maryland child pornography lawyer who can contend on their behalf.

Child Pornography Lawyer in MarylandLocal, state – and possibly federal – investigators will collect and evaluate all evidence, including that which is found on your computer.  After a thorough forensic analysis of data – and evaluation of other information – prosecutors will determine what specific child pornography charges – again, Maryland or federal – you will be charged with. They will be based on many factors, including the following:

  • The number of images on your computer
  • The number of times you have visited Internet destinations that deal in child porn
  • The type of video or images
  • Viewing frequency
  • The nature of any “chat room” or text messages and e-mails on your computer, including conversations with undercover police officers if any have occurred

Maryland Child Pornography Violations

Under Section 11-207 of the Maryland Criminal Code that governs the offense of child pornography, a person may not:

  • In any way, knowingly cause, induce or allow a minor to participate in the production of obscene matter or performance that depicts a minor engaged in sadomasochistic abuse or sexual conduct
  • Photograph or film a minor engaging in any of the above conducts
  • Use a computer to depict or describe a minor engaging in any of the sexual conducts
  • Knowingly promote, advertise, solicit, distribute, or possess (with the intent to distribute) any visual or verbal materials involving a minor engaged in any of the above describe sexual conducts

If prosecutors can prove that a suspect has violated any of these statutes, he or she will be found guilty of a serious Maryland felony.  As a Maryland child pornography lawyer can explain, some examples of charges against a suspect who can be proven to have violated Maryland’s child pornography statutes, include:

1. A suspect; “knowingly promoting, soliciting, distributing, or possessing (with intent to distribute) any visual representation or performance of a minor engaging in sadomasochistic abuse or sexual conduct.” Penalties upon conviction can be as high as 10 years in state prison and a $25,000 fine [Section 11-208].  Subsequent convictions can double both the prison sentence and the associated fine.

2. If it can be proven that suspect solicited a minor for the purposes of performing an obscene act, the penalty is up to a year in jail and/or a fine of up to $1,000 per offense. All subsequent convictions bring a penalty of no more than three years and/or a fine not exceeding $5,000 [Section 11-209].

3. Possessed but did not intend to sell or distribute – essentially having it for one’s own use. At least one year in jail upon first conviction and a fine of $1,000 for each count, and up to three years and a $3,000 fine for all subsequent convictions per-count [Section 11-202(b)].

Federal Child Pornography Charges

As a Maryland child pornography lawyer can tell you, many child pornography cases begin as local or state investigations, but then develop into federal cases. Depending on the degree of child pornography violations – usually those that involve interstate-related offenses, especially if the medium involves the “no borders” internet – some of the more common federal child pornography charges can include:

  • Sexual Exploitation of Children (production of child pornography) [18 U.S. Code Section 2251]
  • Selling and Buying of Children [18 U.S. Code Section 2251A]
  • Certain activities relating to material constituting or containing child pornography, which can include offenses such as online solicitation [18 U.S. Code Section 2252A]
  • Production of sexually explicit depictions of a minor for importation into the United States [18 U.S. Code Section 2260]

Multi-Jurisdictional Child Pornography Investigations

Throughout the U.S., federal, state and local law enforcement agencies work together on regional task forces that scour the Internet, looking for people who receive, exchange, distribute and/or produce child pornography. Many of them are under the aegis of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP). Agencies that specifically investigate these crimes include the FBI, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), along with state and local agencies.

The Maryland/DC ICAC Task Force comprises 35 law enforcement agencies from around the state, including the Maryland State Police’s Computer Crimes Division. This group focuses on investigating reports of sexual child exploitation and pornography. It works in conjunction with appropriate federal agencies and is funded by federal, state and local funds.

Contacting a Maryland Child Pornography Lawyer 

If you or a loved one are facing child pornography charges in the state of Maryland, an experienced Maryland child pornography lawyer can help. He or she will work to develop a defense plan based on the specific nature of your case and strive to mitigate any potential penalties you face. Our team is standing by, so call today for a free, no-commitment consultation.