Charlottesville, VA Child Pornography Lawyer
Contact Johnson/Citronberg | (855) 959-4003
Charlottesville, VA Child Pornography Attorney
Facing charges for child pornography can be highly overwhelming, as penalties are severe, including prison time, hefty fines, and mandatory registration as a sex offender. On top of criminal penalties, being convicted of child pornography crimes can seriously impact your professional and personal life.
A skilled Charlottesville, VA, child pornography lawyer from Johnson/Citronberg understands these high stakes and is here to help you fight back.
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Testimonials from Our Clients
Maybel G.
Jess is known for his meticulous and strategic work style. At his firm, there is a culture of excellence and client focused dedication that is unmatched. He is very thorough during the entire legal process and always finds a way to solve client problems.
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Lyle Cartwright
Jess Johnson is the perfect attorney to overcome serious legal charges! He is very approachable & will use his expertise to give you the best criminal legal defense possible and I know this from personal experience. When you’re going through the scariest period in your life, you need the best lawyer on your side. I give him my highest recommendation!
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Why Work with a Charlottesville, VA Child Pornography Lawyer from Johnson/Citronberg
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.
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Charlottesville, VA Child Pornography Case Results
Pilot Found Not Guilty in Major Federal Drug Conspiracy Case
Our client was a pilot and retired military officer. He was accused of knowingly transporting a large quantity of cocaine from southern Texas to Atlanta. If convicted, he likely would have died in prison. We were able to show a jury that our client had no knowledge of the drugs on board his aircraft. The jury returned a not guilty verdict in less than an hour of deliberating.
Federal Judge in Eastern District of Virginia Gives Lowest Possible Sentence to Autistic Client
Our client, a federal employee, was convicted of federal child pornography charges. Based on his autism diagnosis, we convinced a federal judge to give the lowest sentence possible.
Time-Served Sentence in Major Federal Drug Conspiracy Case in Atlanta
Our client was facing life in prison after being charged in a wide-sweeping drug conspiracy case in the Northern District of Georgia. We were able to show that our client was abused by her husband and forced to ingest drugs, which led her becoming addicted. The judge determined that her culpability was the least of the many who were charged and granted our request for a sentence of ‘time-served’ which means no additional jail time. Our client was able to go home to her children the same day that she was sentenced.
Dismissal of Child Pornography Charges in Richmond, Virginia for Autistic Client
Our client, a working professional, was charged with distribution of child pornography after law enforcement raided his home. We helped our autistic client and convinced the court to defer all charges for dismissal due to his disability.
Child Pornography Charges in Charlottesville, VA
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.
Get Free Legal Consultation for Child Pornography Cases
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
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.
Meet Our Attorneys
Jess Johnson
Jess B. Johnson is a Partner & Founder at Johnson/Citronberg, PLLC with more than 15 years of experience in criminal defense and civil litigation. He represents clients in federal courts across the country and is licensed in Georgia, Virginia, and Washington, D.C. Jess has handled complex investigations, trials, and appeals for elected officials, business leaders, whistleblowers, and individuals. He has secured dismissals, acquittals, favorable sentences, and major whistleblower awards. A University of Georgia graduate, Jess was selected as a “Rising Star” by Super Lawyers Magazine every year since 2012.
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Cary Jacob Citronberg
Cary Jacob Citronberg is the Partner and Founder of Johnson/Citronberg, PLLC in Alexandria, Virginia, where he focuses on federal and state criminal defense matters. Licensed in Virginia since 2011, he brings more than 14 years of courtroom experience along with a strong record of advocacy. Cary received his J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center in 2010 after earning his B.A. from Northwestern University in 2006. His work has been repeatedly recognized by Super Lawyers, with selections as a Rising Star from 2016 through 2021 and to the Super Lawyers list from 2022 through 2025.
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