At Suzuki Law Offices, our Glendale child pornography defense lawyer works with clients from all walks of life facing a wide range of charges. Our goal is to protect your rights and help you navigate the legal system ahead with confidence. Our Glendale sex crimes lawyer will work aggressively to defend you with the intention of helping to mitigate the charges and prove your innocence.
Type of Child Pornography Charges in Glendale, California
Our criminal defense lawyer in Glendale will work very closely with you from the start of your case to understand what you are facing and to gather as much evidence to prove your innocence as possible. This starts with educating you about your rights. There are federal loans you must know about in cases like these.
Federal law for child pornography under 18 U.S.C. §2252 is very clear in when a person can be charged with this type of crime. It makes it a crime to possess, create, distribute, or transport any type of pornography dealing with a minor. There are numerous subsections of this federal act specifically make it illegal to:
- Use interstate commerce methods to distribute materials, including computer or mail
- Maintain any type of visual depiction of a minor engaging in some type of sexual exploitation
- Downloading any type of child pornography from any website
- Sharing any type of images or data like this
- Both sale and intent to sell, as well as just owning this content, can be a federal crime
Common Types of Child Pornography Charges
Under federal law, you could face serious consequences involving jail time and fines if you engage in any type of child pornography act. Your defense attorney will provide more clarity on the specific risks you face and the type of charges you will likely encounter. Consider the following that fall under California’s Penal Code §§311.1, 311.2, 311.3, and 311.4:
- Possession of child pornography: This is a felony. Convictions will result in being registered for the California Sex Offender Registration Act. Fines are up to $2,500, and individuals may face up to a year in jail.
- Distribution of child pornography: This is also a felony that will also result in registering as a sex offender. You could pay fines up to $2,000, and you may be required to spend up to a year in county jail.
- Engaging in the industry: This charge is also a felony and typically carries the harshest sentences, including up to $100,000 in fines for the incident and up to six years in prison.
These are very serious consequences that can occur even if you believe your charges were just a mistake. Working with a Glendale child pornography defense attorney is critical to protecting your rights over time. Do not wait to contact Suzuki Law Offices for immediate help, and be sure to read through our frequently asked questions to learn more.
Collateral Consequences from Child Pornography Charges
The conviction of child pornography of any type in California carries severe consequences from the standpoint of financial loss and prison time, but there are additional costs to consider as well. There is a long-term implication for these types of charges you should not overlook. Consider how it will impact your future.
If you are registered on the Sex Offender Registry, that will mean that you must meet specific qualifications about where you can and cannot live, who you need to tell when you move, and what specific jobs you can and cannot work. It will also play a role in any application you put into an employer who pulls a background check. This makes it hard for you to get a job or to live where you like.
Many people face ongoing problems with these types of situations as well, including years of discrimination and hardships due to the conviction on their record. You may be impacted socially, financially, and emotionally by this incident. As a result, work with an experienced child pornography defense attorney in Glendale to minimize the risk of a conviction.
Defending Against Child Pornography Charges
The sooner you contact your attorney, the more likely it is that we can find a legal strategy to reduce some of the risks you face from the serious charges you face. We will craft a legal strategy that provides you with the best legal path forward. Some potential legal strategies may include:
- Determining that the image or material was not a minor. We can consult with pediatricians to help in this situation.
- Is the evidence accurate and clearly demonstrating sexual acts or exploitation, or is it taken out of context?
- You may not have knowingly had this information or did not know what it was when you downloaded it.
Because of the complexity of these defense strategies, our attorneys will work closely with you to determine what options apply to your case. We can help you to navigate the legal rights you have to overcome these challenges. Do not wait to give us a call.
Pretrial Diversion and Plea Agreements
There are some situations where we may be able to work with the prosecutor to try to get a pretrial division or plea agreement for you. This could mean fewer consequences to what you are facing. Our team will provide you with insight if we think this is a beneficial move for you.
You always have the right to disagree and refuse a plea agreement. We will provide you with transparent, honest information about your case and what you can expect if you go to court and trial. This way, you can make the best decision for yourself.
Plea agreements may lower the charges. They may protect some of your finances or minimize jail time. The key is to ensure you fully understand the consequences.
Schedule a Consultation with Our Defense Attorneys Now
At Suzuki Law Offices, our dedicated Glendale child pornography defense lawyer can answer all of your questions. Set up a free consultation to discuss your case with us to find out how we can help you specifically. With guidance, it may be possible for you to avoid many of these consequences.
Call or text (602) 682-5270 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form