Virginia Beach Child Pornography Lawyer
Contact Johnson/Citronberg | (855) 959-4003
Virginia Beach Child Pornography Attorney
In Virginia Beach and the state of Virginia, strict laws penalizing offenses related to child pornography possession, use, distribution, and manufacturing are in place to protect minors and discourage these crimes from happening. Individuals charged with such crimes, however, can face life-changing, frightening penalties. If you have been charged with child pornography crimes, a skilled Virginia Beach child pornography lawyer can help you fight for a favorable outcome.
If you have been charged with child pornography crimes, a skilled Virginia Beach child pornography lawyer at Johnson/Citronberg, PLLC can help you fight for a favorable outcome. With the support of a dedicated Criminal Defense Lawyer, you will have a strong advocate on your side, committed to protecting your rights and securing the best possible defense.
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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.
Rachel K.
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!
Understanding Child Pornography Charges in Virginia Beach
Under Virginia law, child pornography is defined as sexually explicit visual material of a minor. Child porn content can include photos, videos, drawings, digital depictions, and other representations of minors depicted in a lewd manner or engaging in sexual activity. Even if the age of the person cannot be confirmed, law enforcement officials and judges can make inferences, leading to charges, often including cases of false allegations.
Crimes related to child pornography in the state of Virginia include the distribution, possession, production, solicitation, and facilitation of sexually explicit content involving minors. These crimes are severely investigated, prosecuted, and penalized to discourage harmful acts against children. Individuals charged with child pornography crimes can face penalties such as lengthy prison sentences, fines, and mandatory registration as a sex offender.
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Virginia Beach 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.
The Role of a Virginia Beach Child Pornography Lawyer
If you are facing serious child pornography charges for possession, distribution, manufacturing, or facilitation of child pornography in the state of Virginia, you may be feeling completely overwhelmed and lost, uncertain of what you should do next. An experienced Virginia Beach child pornography lawyer can provide critical legal guidance, helping you build and implement a strong criminal defense to fight back against your charges. Specifically, they can assist you in the following ways:
- Protecting your rights. An experienced lawyer can analyze the charges you’re facing, in addition to the general circumstances surrounding your case, and develop an understanding to let you know what your options are. They can help you understand your rights during questioning so you don’t take actions that could lead to self-incrimination. From the very start of the investigation, they can fight to ensure your rights are protected.
- Reviewing the prosecution’s case. A skilled attorney can analyze the evidence being brought against you by the prosecution to determine whether there are inconsistencies or errors. For example, if evidence shows that the files were unintentionally stored, they can immediately start challenging that piece of evidence.
- Questioning the validity of evidence. An attorney can work closely with industry leaders, such as digital forensic experts, to carry out an in-depth analysis of the digital evidence associated with your case. For example, they can work to prove that files were downloaded onto your computer by malware, a hacker, or a third party.
- Building a robust defense strategy. An attorney can help you leverage critical defense strategies against your charges, such as third-party access, lack of knowledge, computer malware or hacking, or entrapment by law enforcement.
- Negotiating and litigating on your behalf. Depending on your case details, it may be in your interest to negotiate with prosecutors, especially if the evidence against you is weak. In addition to engaging in plea negotiations, a skilled attorney can represent you in court. They can bring forward strong legal arguments, cross-examine witnesses, and argue whether any constitutional violations occurred during your case.
From ensuring your rights are protected during questioning and investigation to advocating staunchly on your behalf in the courtroom, a Virginia Beach child pornography lawyer from Johnson/Citronberg can help you navigate the complex and overwhelming criminal defense process.
Speak to Johnson/Citronberg, PLLC to Get Defense from a Child Pornography Lawyer
If you are facing charges in Virginia Beach or surrounding areas, it is critical to work with a skilled and experienced legal representative who can help you mount a strong defense against the prosecution.
A Virginia Beach child pornography lawyer from Johnson/Citronberg is here to help you understand the charges you’re facing and what to expect in the upcoming legal process. Together, we can successfully navigate the criminal defense process. Contact us today.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Does “Inference of Age” Mean in Virginia Child Pornography Laws?
In Virginia, inference of age gives the courts and law enforcement officers the agency to make presumptions that an individual displayed in sexually explicit material is under the age of 18 based on appearance, the text, or the title. This presumption can be made even if the actual age is unknown. Therefore, an individual can be charged with child pornography crimes if the person in the content appears to be under the age of 18.
What Is Section 18.2-374.1 of the Code of Virginia?
Under Section 18.2-374.1 of the Virginia Code, it is against the law to produce, publish, sell, or finance sexually explicit content featuring minors. This section lays out certain behaviors that constitute child pornography offenses in the state, such as soliciting, producing, or distributing child pornography. Under this law, child pornography crimes are severely punished, with crimes involving children under the age of 15 having some of the harshest penalties.
How Does Virginia Child Pornography Law Define Sexually Explicit Visual Material?
Under Virginia child pornography laws, sexually explicit visual material is defined as any medium that shows a person under the age of 18 carrying out sexually explicit behavior. Such content can include photographs, images, drawings, videos, or digital representations, which can be stored in a digital manner or physically. Even undeveloped photographs that feature sexually explicit images of minors can be considered child pornography content.
Is Child Pornography Subject to Search and Seizure in Virginia?
In Virginia Beach, child pornography is subject to lawful search and seizure. This means law enforcement officials have the authority to seize any child pornography content found during the investigation process, with these materials being subject to forfeiture under Section 19.2-386.31 of the Virginia Code. This ensures that this content is taken out of circulation, working to prevent harm and reduce such illegal activity.
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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