Child pornography allegations are some of the most serious sex crime charges you can face. Many of these charges involve mandatory minimum sentences. When your future is on the line, working with a highly skilled Scottsdale sex crimes lawyer may be the best way to safeguard your reputation and protect your future.
You need an experienced Scottsdale child pornography defense lawyer with Suzuki Law Group who is not afraid to advocate for your freedom at trial or negotiate with the prosecutor to secure a plea agreement. You can rely on our team to analyze the state’s case against you to develop the strongest defense strategy possible, given the evidence against you and the circumstances of your charges. Contact our Scottsdale criminal defense law team to request a confidential consultation today to learn more about the possible penalties of a conviction, whether you will be tried at the federal level, and how to best approach your defense.
Sex Crime Charges Involving Children Require an Experienced Criminal Defender
Child pornography charges have become some of the most common types of sex offenses individuals are charged with, partially due to the increase in the prevalence of Internet access and technology. Arizona criminal laws are designed to punish individuals convicted of child pornography offenses harshly. You are facing more than just jail time and fines.
By showing the prosecutor that critical mitigating factors apply in your case, your child pornography defense lawyer in Scottsdale, AZ may be able to offer a clear and convincing argument as to why the state should allow you to enter a plea agreement. However, when prosecutors are unwilling to work with you, our legal team is prepared to help you navigate the criminal claims process and do everything possible to receive a fair resolution in your case. Suzuki Law Group has over two decades of experience advocating for the rights of the accused and is standing by, ready to help you present a compelling case in your defense.
Child Pornography Charges May Apply at the State or Federal Level
One of the most difficult aspects of criminal charges involving child pornography is the fact that they can be charged at either the state or federal level. Several factors determine whether a state or federal court hears your case. These include:
- Whether child pornography crossed state lines
- How many depictions are included in the case
- Whether the defendant is a federal employee
- Whether the crime occurred on federally-owned property
Generally, when child pornography is distributed across state lines or there are a significant number of depictions, federal prosecutors may elect to pursue criminal charges. Federal courts are also likely to assert jurisdiction over your case if it involves the receipt or transmission of child pornography from outside the state. Your Scottsdale criminal defense lawyers will need to examine the evidence in your case to determine what options are available to get your charges tried at the state level so you can potentially dodge some of the more serious consequences that come with federal convictions.
Potential Penalties for Child Pornography Convictions in Scottsdale
According to ARS §13-3553, child pornography charges can include a wide array of offenses involving the visual depiction of a child engaging in any type of sexual activity. The type of child pornography charge and the amount of child pornography in the defendant’s possession will determine the severity of their penalties if convicted. Your child pornography defense attorney in Scottsdale, AZ may be able to defend you against one or more of the following types of child pornography charges:
- Distributing, transmitting, or transporting child pornography
- Being in possession of child pornography
- Viewing minors engaged in sexual activity or child pornography
- Photography, filing, or recording child pornography
- Manufacturing child pornography
Child pornography offenses are tried at various felony levels depending on the specific circumstances of your case. However, if you are convicted of possession of child pornography, there is a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in an Arizona state prison for each account of child pornography. For example, if you are accused of being in possession of 10 images of child pornography, you could be sentenced to as much as 100 years in prison.
Sex Offender Registration Requirements
The vast majority of sex offenders are required to register on the Arizona Sex Offender Registry. If you are released from prison after your conviction, you may need to report your sex offender status for the rest of your life with the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office as long as you are living in Scottsdale. If you move to another county, you will need to report your status within 10 days of moving.
Being on the sex offender registry means not only law enforcement officials will become aware of your status as a convicted sex offender, but depending on your classification level, your neighbors could even be notified when you move into the area. Your name, photo, and address will appear on the Arizona Sex Offender Registry website as well, which could put your personal safety in jeopardy. For this reason, it is imperative that you get help from a reputable child pornography defense lawyer who can help you minimize the fallout that could come with child pornography allegations.
Get Help from Scottsdales’s Top-Rated Criminal Defense Law Firm
Whether you are accused of viewing, receiving, manufacturing, or distributing child pornography, the consequences of a guilty verdict can strip you of your freedoms and leave you incarcerated with a destroyed reputation. These penalties will continue to follow you for the rest of your life when you are required to register as a sex offender. It has never been more important to exercise your right to defend yourself.
Turn to a premier Scottsdale child pornography defense attorney with Suzuki Law Group when you are ready to do whatever is necessary to clear your name of the charges against you. While we are fully prepared to defend you before a judge and jury at trial, in many child pornography cases, working out a plea agreement with the prosecutor’s office is the best way to avoid the most severe penalties associated with child pornography convictions. Discuss your defense options further when you contact our criminal defense team by phone or through our quick contact form to request a confidential consultation.
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