Child pornography is defined as sexually explicit visual material that utilizes or includes a subject who is an identifiable minor.
Many sex crime cases involve an actual sex act between two people, the perpetrator and the victim. Child-pornography cases are unique because the alleged victim, or the subject of it, often does not come into contact with the person charged with the crime.
If you are facing charges for child pornography charges, the potential penalties could be severe. Reach out to a Mecklenburg child pornography lawyer for representation throughout the criminal justice process. Let a seasoned sex crimes attorney fight for you.
State laws surrounding child pornography make it illegal to produce, publish, sell, or finance production of pornography involving minors. It is also prohibits the possession or solicitation of child pornography.
Common situations in which a person may be charged with child pornography include instances when illegal images are saved on their computer, including their internet cache or online search history. Occasionally, someone may find themselves charged with child pornography when they are sending text messages that include nude images of someone who is under 18, including consensual images taken by the minor themselves. For more information about the laws regarding child pornography, contact a seasoned child pornography lawyer in Mecklenburg County.
The Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office often conducts child pornography and child sex-crime investigations. The sheriff’s office may also reach out to state police for assistance, but the sheriff’s office is the primary law enforcement agency for child pornography cases.
A federal agency could become involved in just about any child-pornography case. Often, however, federal prosecutors do not become involved unless the crimes are sufficiently serious, such as targeting a producer of child pornography or someone involved in human trafficking. Usually, child pornography cases are handled at the state level against people who are simply possessing, not producing, child pornography on a large scale.
Any sexting case in which one party is under 18 will be considered child pornography. Just because someone in possession of underage lewd photos is under 18 themselves does not mean they are immune from prosecution. They will likely still be prosecuted in juvenile and domestic relations court, and their case will be treated as any juvenile case would.
Possession of pornography involving minors has always been subject to a child-pornography charge, but with the prevalence of smartphones and increased use by minors, there has been a proliferation of nude images communicated by people under 18. Prosecutors have taken a special interest in prosecuting underage sexting offenses, particularly when pornographic images are forwarded without consent.
Mecklenburg County prosecutors consider child pornography cases to be among the most serious of crimes that they prosecute due to the vulnerable nature of children and the long-term effects of sexual exploitation. As such, any conviction for child pornography will be dealt with harshly. If you are facing charges, reach out to a Mecklenburg County child pornography lawyer as soon as possible for legal representation.