Child Pornography Charges in Norfolk, Virginia
A child pornography conviction comes with serious penalties to discourage the occurrence of these offenses. The ultimate goal is to protect minors under the age of 18, but the penalties can be applied incorrectly or in an extreme manner. Individuals facing child pornography charges can potentially have a significant accident or one-time slip that has disastrous consequences for the rest of their lives. Understanding defenses to child pornography charges is essential in such cases, as experienced legal counsel can identify potential defenses such as lack of knowledge, improper seizure of evidence, or mistaken identity, all of which can significantly impact the outcome of the case.
According to Virginia law, child pornography crimes are offenses that involve the manufacturing, distribution, possession, or consumption of material that features minors under the age of 18 engaging in sexually explicit or lewd behavior. Child pornography charges in Virginia come with severe consequences, including not only criminal penalties imposed by the state but collateral consequences, such as a damaged professional and personal life.
At Johnson/Citronberg, it is not uncommon for our experienced criminal defense lawyers to run into cases where defendants did not have the intention of distributing or possessing child porn material or were even unaware that it was in their possession. If you have been charged with crimes involving videos, photographs, or other digital material that is considered to be child pornography, it is critical to have experienced and knowledgeable legal representation.