GEORGETOWN CHILD PORNOGRAPHY DEFENSE ATTORNEY
Child pornography is a serious charge, and Texas prosecutors try hard to convict alleged offenders. If you have been accused of this crime, you need a legal team that knows how to fight back.
Winters & Chidester has successfully represented those accused of child pornography in criminal defense cases. Our attorneys are known for aggressively defending our clients' rights and their ability to build strong cases. We are here to listen to your side of the story, and we are ready to help you.
Get in touch with our Georgetown child pornography defense team today by calling (512) 961-4555.
What Is Child Pornography?
Child pornography is a term that describes any sexually explicit material that features a minor. Such material can include images, videos, and other types of media. It is a crime to produce, possess, distribute, or even view child pornography. It is also illegal to attempt any of these actions.
What Are the Penalties for Child Pornography in Georgetown?
Penalties for Possession of Child Pornography
It is illegal to own any child pornography, which, in legal terms, is called “possession.” Files on a hard drive, images on a phone, printed material, photographs, and the like are all illegal to own.
Owning child pornography typically results in a third-degree felony charge. Sentences can include 2 to 10 years in jail, a fine of up to $10,000, or both. The severity of the charge can escalate with the amount of material involved.
Owning visual material showing six or more identical child images can lead to charges of intending to promote child pornography. Authorities classify this as a second-degree felony. Conviction can mean imprisonment for 2 to 20 years, a fine as high as $10,000, or both.
Penalties for Distribution of Child Pornography
The law makes it illegal to transmit or distribute materials classified as child pornography. Distribution includes "sexting" with minors, where individuals exchange nude or illicit photos. Minors are not capable of consensually sexting with adults.
Under Texas law, distributing child pornography is a State Jail Felony, punishable by 6 months to up to 2 years in the State Jail.
The offense upgrades if it is shown that the accused has prior convictions under this same statute.
PENALTIES FOR USE OF A MINOR IN A SEXUAL PERFORMANCE
The state implements strict penalties for sexual performances involving minors. Under Texas Penal Code Section 43.25, alleged offenders face a second-degree felony charge, carrying a potential 20-year prison term and a $10,000 fine.
Crimes against victims under 14 escalate to first-degree felonies, resulting in:
- A minimum prison sentence of five years
- A maximum sentence of 99 years
- A $10,000 fine
Producing a child's sexual performance also incurs significant legal consequences. Such acts constitute a third-degree felony with a penalty of 2 to 10 years in prison and a $10,000 fine. Offenses involving victims under 14 intensify to second-degree felony.
Defending Against Child Pornography Charges
If you have been accused of child pornography, remember that you are innocent until proven guilty, and the prosecution must prove your guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. This is a high burden of proof that is difficult to meet. Our team knows how to build a strong defense on your behalf. We will fight aggressively to protect your rights and your future.
We can conduct a thorough investigation into your case and gather evidence supporting your innocence. From there, we will handle all communication with the prosecution and work to protect your rights fully.
Our team is here to represent you in all hearings and court proceedings and fight to get the charges against you reduced or dismissed. If your case goes to trial, we can build a strong defense and aggressively defend you in the courtroom.
Contact our Georgetown team online today, and we can get started on your child pornography defense case.
