Criminal Defense Lawyers

New Mexico Child Pornography Defense Lawyers

Federal Child Pornography Sentencing Lawyers: An In-Depth Guide

Child pornography is an extremely serious federal crime that carries severe penalties, including lengthy mandatory minimum prison sentences. If you or a loved one is facing charges related to child pornography, having an experienced federal criminal defense lawyer on your side is absolutely crucial.This guide provides an in-depth look at federal child pornography sentencing laws and how an attorney can help build the strongest possible defense.

Overview of Federal Child Pornography Laws

There are several federal statutes that prohibit activities related to child pornography and exploitative images of minors:

• 18 U.S.C. § 2251 – Criminalizes producing, distributing, receiving, or possessing visual depictions of minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct. This includes taking sexually explicit photos/videos of children.
• 18 U.S.C. § 2252 – Prohibits knowingly transporting, shipping, receiving, distributing, reproducing for distribution, or possessing child pornography.
• 18 U.S.C. § 2252A – Prohibits knowingly accessing child pornography with intent to view, or actually viewing child pornography on the internet or electronically storing child pornography.

Violating any of these laws can lead to severe criminal penalties, including years or even decades in federal prison.

Sentencing Guidelines for Federal Child Pornography Crimes

Federal judges use the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines to determine appropriate sentences for federal crimes like child pornography. The guidelines provide a complex calculation based on the details of the crime and the defendant‘s criminal history.Some of the factors that increase sentences for child pornography include:

• Number of images/videos possessed or distributed
• Graphic or violent nature of images/videos
• Images depicting very young children or violence
• Defendant has prior criminal convictions
• Use of a computer
• Distribution/sharing of illegal content with others

At the same time, experienced lawyers know that the guidelines are just one tool judges use. There are frequently reasons for a judge to “depart downward” and impose a more lenient sentence than the guidelines recommend. An attorney’s job is to present these reasons persuasively on the client’s behalf.

Mandatory Minimum Sentences

In addition to the sentencing guidelines, federal child pornography crimes carry lengthy mandatory minimum prison sentences that the judge cannot ignore:

• Receiving/distributing child pornography – 5 year mandatory minimum
• Producing child pornography – 15 year mandatory minimum
• Prior conviction for child pornography – 10 year mandatory minimum

With a mandatory minimum, you will spend at least that number of years in federal prison if convicted. The only possibility of a lower sentence is through substantial assistance to prosecutors or qualifying for the safety valve. An experienced lawyer can advise if either of these options could apply in your case.

How Can a Lawyer Defend Against Child Pornography Charges?

Given the shocking nature of these allegations and the extremely high stakes involved, the most common reaction upon being charged with a child pornography crime is hopelessness and despair.However, experienced federal criminal defense lawyers know that these cases can be defended and won. The government does not always have ironclad evidence, and an aggressive lawyer will probe for weaknesses that could lead to charges being reduced or dismissed.Here are some of the most effective strategies for defending federal child pornography cases:

Attack the Digital Forensic Evidence

Most child pornography cases rely heavily on digital evidence extracted from computers and devices. However, digital forensics is an imperfect science and mistakes happen frequently. An expert defense lawyer will aggressively scrutinize the methodology used by police and work with computer forensics experts to identify any flaws or uncertainty in the evidence. Even small doubts can be enough to undermine the prosecution‘s case.

Raise Affirmative Defenses

There are situations where a defendant’s conduct may technically violate child pornography laws, but they have a legal defense that could lead to acquittal or mitigation. Common defenses in these cases include:

• Lack of knowledge/intent – You did not knowingly download or possess illegal content. This is common when files are downloaded through file sharing programs without the user’s intent.
• First Amendment/Overbreadth – The statute or investigation techniques used violate free speech protections. Certain cases have succeeded by arguing that statutes cast too wide a net and criminalize legal conduct.
• Researcher/Reporter privilege – Those investigating child exploitation could have a journalistic privilege defense.
• Entrapment – Government agents induced you to commit a crime you otherwise wouldn’t. Rare but possible in undercover stings.

Other defenses focus on attacking procedural aspects of the investigation rather than the underlying conduct itself. For example, arguing evidence was obtained through an unconstitutional search or seizure.

Advocate for Mitigating Factors at Sentencing

Perhaps the evidence clearly shows illegal conduct occurred, but an experienced lawyer’s job has only just begun. Aggressively advocating for mitigating factors and downward departures from sentencing guidelines can make an enormous difference in the ultimate penalty.Arguments for a more lenient sentence often focus on characteristics of the defendant and the circumstances of the crime:

• Minimal criminal history
• Productive work/family life
• Charitable good deeds
• Mental health or addiction issues
• No evidence defendant has or would directly harm children
• Possession only vs. production or distribution
• Small number of images, no extreme content
• Advanced age, health issues

In many cases, lawyers have succeeded in drastically reducing child pornography sentences from the high-end guidelines, especially for those with no prior record and redeeming life circumstances.While the emotional reaction is to assume the worst when facing disturbing charges like child pornography, experienced criminal defense lawyers know that all is not necessarily lost. Building an aggressive defense focused on reasonable doubt, affirmative defenses, and mitigating factors at sentencing provides the best chance at the most favorable possible outcome under difficult circumstances.

Finding the Right Federal Child Pornography Lawyer

If you or a loved one is charged with a federal child pornography crime, having an experienced federal criminal defense lawyer in your corner is paramount. These complex cases call for a thorough understanding of federal sentencing laws and guidelines, digital forensics, sex crime case law, and trial strategy.When researching attorneys, look for these important qualifications:

Prior Experience Defending Federal Child Pornography Cases

There is no substitute for a lawyer who has already taken dozens of federal child pornography cases from arrest to sentencing. They will have seen the full playbook of prosecution strategies and defense tactics in these cases. An experienced lawyer will immediately spot important issues and opportunities upon reviewing the discovery and forensic reports. Their familiarity with judges, prosecutors, policies and procedures will also inform strategic decisions.

Strong Relationships with Forensic Experts

Given the technical digital forensic evidence involved in these cases, having trusted relationships with computer forensics experts is invaluable. They can help review electronics searches performed by police, determine if agency protocols were followed, and assess if the methodology or conclusions can be challenged. Since flaws in digital evidence derail many of these cases, an attorney’s team of forensic experts could make all the difference.

Sentencing Mitigation Skills

While some child pornography cases do go to trial, many end in a guilty plea due to the apparent strength of evidence. In such cases, the outcome is determined largely through sentencing advocacy. A federal criminal lawyer intimately familiar with the U.S. sentencing guidelines, case law departures, and mitigating factors will craft the most compelling argument for leniency. The lawyer’s credibility with the judge and skill as an advocate during sentencing hearings could reduce a guidelines sentence by years or decades in prison.If you or someone you love has been arrested on federal child pornography charges, act quickly to consult with a defense lawyer. An early intervention and aggressive defense can make an enormous difference in these high-stakes cases. Use the resources below to contact experienced federal child pornography attorneys ready to start building your defense strategy today.