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.