Possession of Child Pornography
Talk to Our Florida Federal Crimes Attorneys About Your Case
Possession of child pornography is something that is penalized by both federal and state law. If you are accused of possessing sexually explicit images or video of a minor, you could be facing both federal and state prosecution for the same crime. The penalties under federal law are also quite severe, and the federal government has sufficient resources to prosecute you to the fullest extent of the law. If you’re facing a federal charge, make sure you speak to one of our experienced Florida federal crimes attorneys as soon as possible.
Contact us about your case at (888) 484-5057 or by filling out our online form today!
Defining Possession of Child Pornography
According to the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), child pornography is any visual depiction of sexually explicit conduct involving a child under the age of 18. Visual depictions include photographs, digital or computer-generated images indistinguishable from an actual minor, videos, and images created, adapted or modified, but appear to depict an identifiable minor. Likewise, any undeveloped film or videotape and electronically stored data that could be converted into a visual image of child pornography are also considered illegal. Possessing such material is defined as knowingly possessing images described by federal law as being child pornography.
Penalties
Depending on the circumstances of the case, a person convicted of possessing child pornography might face anywhere from 0 to 10 years in federal custody. First-time offenders, for example, might receive a shorter sentence, and the maximum they could get is 10 years. There is also no mandatory minimum sentence associated with a first-time offender. If the accused has a prior final conviction for a sex-related offense in either federal or state court, the punishment would be 10 to 20 years in federal custody.
Defend Your Reputation Today
The federal definition of child pornography may not exactly fit your case. You may be an 18-year-old high school student who was voluntarily given a nude photo of your 17-year-old significant other. However, under federal law, you might still be prosecuted for possession of child pornography. Make sure to call a skilled Florida criminal defense attorney as soon as possible. The more time your lawyer has to collect evidence on your behalf, the better chance you will have of keeping your reputation safe. Conviction of a sex crime related to children comes with a hefty amount of social stigma, which could follow you for the rest of your life. Talk to us about your situation in a free case consultation. Musca Law has more than 150 years of combined legal experience to offer your case, and our attorneys are fierce and dedicated advocates to our clients.
Call us at (888) 484-5057 or fill out our online form to get started on your case today.