Sacramento Child Pornography Defense Attorney

The internet has brought our world together and made our systems more efficient, but unfortunately, it has also brought about efficiencies to certain criminal activities. One crime in particular, child pornography, has exploded in scope and severity since the creation of the internet, and law enforcement is scrambling to fight the epidemic.

What is Child Pornography?

Child pornography is illegal under Federal and State law Child and constitutes the production, possession, distribution or sale of pornographic materials that exploit or portray a minor (child under the age of 18). Child pornography charges are serious and to combat the growing problem, law enforcement agencies across the country have begun targeting the crime and setting up special task forces to apprehend perpetrators. In addition to the increased attention from law enforcement, legislators across the country continue to pass laws that make it easier for police to catch suspects, and harder for distributors of child porn to operate. These laws are designed to save our children from exploitation, and keep dangerous individuals off of our streets. The increased scrutiny, however, has left some less dangerous individuals with serious charges and if you have been charged with a child pornography crime, you should contact Sacramento sex crimes defense lawyer immediately.

Is Child Pornography a Federal Crime?

Yes! The Child Pornography Prevention Act of 1996 is a US federal law designed to restrict child pornography on the internet. Individuals have fought the law using the first amendment freedoms as a basis, but it has been upheld. Federal penalties for child pornography are severe, and the production of child pornography carries a 15 – 30-year sentence in federal prison. Anyone convicted of a child pornography crime will be required to register as a sex offender, and depending on the state, it could be for life. Not all cases are charged as a federal crime, but if the material crosses state lines, perpetrators will be looking at a federal charge.

Here is a list of the federal charges that can be brought relating to child pornography:

• 18 U.S.C. § 2251 – Sexual Exploitation of Children (Production of child pornography)
• 18 U.S.C. § 2251A – Selling and Buying of Children
• 18 U.S.C. § 2252 – Certain activities relating to material involving the sexual exploitation of minors (Possession, distribution and receipt of child pornography)
• 18 U.S.C. § 2252A – Certain activities relating to material constituting or containing child pornography
• 18 U.S.C. § 2260 – Production of sexually explicit depictions of a minor for importation into the United States