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Richmond Child Pornography Lawyer

When you are accused of involvement with child pornography, the penalties could involve decades of imprisonment. It is considered a serious offense to have child pornography in your possession, while the production of child pornography can result in some of the harshest penalties within the criminal justice system. You can fight these life-changing charges and a Richmond sex crimes lawyer can help.

Child Pornography Laws in Richmond

There are a variety of state laws in Virginia which make production or possession of child pornography a serious criminal offense. For example, defendants could face charges under Virginia Code Section 18.2-374.1, which makes it a felony offense to produce child pornography. The possible penalties vary depending upon the age of the alleged victim. If the alleged victim is under 15 and the defendant is more than seven years older than the child, the minimum prison sentence if convicted is 15 years and the maximum sentence is 40 years.

Penalties are less serious for older victims or for situations where the defendant is not more than seven years older than the victim. However, it is still possible for a defendant to face up to 30 years imprisonment for producing child pornography with a victim over age 15 but under the age of consent.

Virginia law also makes possession of child pornography a felony offense under Virginia Code Section 18.2-374.1:1. A conviction for a first offense under this statute could result in five years imprisonment, with penalties becoming progressively more serious for repeat offenders.

Defendants frequently face indictment for multiple criminal counts, including these and other offenses such as soliciting minors to become involved in child pornography. Because of the high stakes, having legal representation to help you navigate the criminal justice system is essential.

How a Richmond Child Pornography Lawyer Can Help

Accusations of producing or possessing child pornography must be taken very seriously and it is helpful to get an attorney involved right away in defending against charges. A child pornography attorney in Richmond with experience defending clients these sensitive cases can help you to determine if you have options for getting your charges dropped, fighting a conviction, or negotiating a plea agreement.

The prosecutor in a child pornography case has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. There are many different defenses which you could raise, including arguing the pornographic material was placed on your computer or in your home without your knowledge. If the evidence against you was uncovered during an illegal search in violation of your constitutional rights, it may also be possible to have the evidence suppressed so the prosecutor cannot use it to try to secure a conviction against you.

An attorney will carefully review the evidence and will assist in conducting an investigation to try to undermine the case against you and introduce reasonable doubt. Your attorney may also be able to help you negotiate a favorable plea agreement so you can face less serious charges or so the prosecutor will recommend a reduced penalty.

Contact an Attorney Today

A Richmond child pornography lawyer will help you to respond assertively and strategically when accused of an offense related to child pornography. Call today to get legal help as soon as you can when accused of an offense so you can maximize the chances of getting the best outcome you can in a very difficult situation.

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