Charlottesville, VA Child Pornography Lawyer

The dedicated legal team at Johnson/Citronberg is solely focused on representing individuals who have been accused of severe crimes like child pornography possession, distribution, manufacturing and false allegations of such offenses. When you choose to work with our team, you can be confident in our ability to leverage our extensive knowledge and resources – including our network of industry professionals and highly skilled investigators – to pursue a positive outcome for your case.

Our criminal defense law firm has a high success rate, having secured many sentence reductions and case dismissals for our clients. Our success is evident, as our criminal defense lawyers frequently receive prestigious awards and are often asked to offer legal advice to the media. Keeping our caseload small gives us time and space to adequately address the serious child pornography charges you may be facing and mount a solid defense.

Under Virginia law, child pornography is defined as any visual material that is sexually explicit and involves a person under the age of 18 or portrays a child engaged in sexual behavior or nudity. Visual material includes digital images, videos, photographs, drawings, and representations of a similar nature that portray the involvement of minors in a lewd or obscene way.

Sections 18.2-374.1 and 18.2-374.1:1 of the Code of Virginia outline the specific child pornography-related crimes a person can be charged with. These sections generally criminalize the solicitation, possession, distribution, and manufacture of child pornography. The major crimes related to child pornography in Virginia include:

• Possession. It is strictly against the law to knowingly possess any type of child pornography, whether it is digital or physical material. Possession of child pornography includes visual depictions of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct, such as videos or images.
• Reproduction or production. Manufacturing child porn content by taking photos, making videos, or documenting a minor involved in sexually explicit behavior in any way is against the law. These charges can also include attempting to manufacture child pornography or preparing to do so.
• Distribution or sale. It is strictly illegal to sell, distribute, or transmit child pornography in any way. This can include sharing physical media, such as photographs or magazines, or sharing streaming links online. These crimes also include the possession of child pornography with intent to share.
• Solicitation. Asking, persuading, or enticing another person to provide child porn content is against the law. This can include attempting to solicit this content from other people, such as through social media channels and other online communication platforms.
• Financing or facilitating. In Virginia, it is a serious crime to knowingly facilitate or finance the distribution or production of child pornography. This can include giving resources or funds or investing in operations, both of which can lead to serious penalties.

If you have been charged with child pornography crimes in Charlottesville or surrounding areas, you may be in need of a child pornography lawyer. An attorney from our firm is ready to assist you in beating these charges.

What Are the Penalties for Producing Child Pornography in Virginia?

In Virginia, penalties for producing child pornography are dependent on the age of the victim and the perpetrator’s criminal history, among other factors. If the victim is under the age of 15, the perpetrator can face time in prison, ranging from 5 to 30 years. Penalties are based on factors such as the age difference between the offender and the victim and if the offender has a current criminal record.

What Should I Do if I’m Under Investigation for Child Pornography?

If you are under investigation for child pornography, you should get in contact with a defense lawyer as soon as possible. Try to avoid making any statements to law enforcement without legal counsel present, as anything you tell them may be used against you in a trial. Your lawyer can speak on your behalf to ensure you don’t incriminate yourself.

Is Possession of Child Pornography a Felony in Virginia?

In the state of Virginia, possession of child pornography is a serious felony that is strictly investigated, prosecuted, and punished. Under the Code of Virginia, knowingly being in possession of child pornography is classified as a class 6 felony. A conviction for this crime can result in penalties that could include a prison sentence ranging from one to five years or up to a year in jail, in addition to a large fine. Repeat offenders are penalized more harshly.

Are There Any Legal Exceptions for Child Pornography Use in Virginia?

There are a few legal exceptions for the use of child pornography. Professionals who need to access and analyze child pornography for reasons relevant to their work may be exempt from child pornography laws in Virginia.

Such exceptions can be granted to individuals such as law enforcement, psychologists, attorneys, physicians, social services employees, or judges who must access the material solely for professional reasons that are directly linked to their jobs. An experienced Charlottesville lawyer can help you understand how this may apply to you.

Due to the high stakes of child pornography charges and the pervasive and permanent impact just being accused of a crime can have on all aspects of your life, it is crucial to mount a strong defense. A skilled Charlottesville child pornography lawyer from Johnson/Citronberg is here to assess the details of your case, including the prosecution’s case against you, to develop a strong defense strategy to fight back against the charges you’re facing. Contact us today.