Child Pornography Lawyer in Seattle
Children are weaker than adults, so child abuse and neglect, child endangerment, and child exploitation are grave matters. The prevention of youngster abuse is an imperative for everyone, so it’s understandable that law enforcement officers and district attorneys are sometimes overzealous. In the pursuit of those who violate the rights of children, the rights of suspects can sometimes be violated and an innocent person is sometimes accused. Seattle sex crimes lawyer Kevin Trombold diligently protects the rights of persons suspected of child pornography. With over 20 years of experience, Kevin Trombold has created a reputation for exceptional legal ethics and excellence. If you face a child pornography charge in or near Seattle, call the Law Offices of Kevin Trombold promptly.
CHILD PORNOGRAPHY LAWS
Viewing or possessing child pornography is not considered protected speech under the Constitution. In fact, it is a crime that is taken very seriously in Washington and other states across the country. Child pornography charges are divided into two different categories: possession and viewing. This means whether you possess the images or actively view them, you will be charged with a crime.
Possession means you knowingly possess visual or printed matter that depicts a minor engaged in sexually explicit content. Viewing, on the other hand, means you have knowingly viewed visual or printed matter depicting a minor engaged in sexually explicit content over the internet. For the purpose of these laws, a minor is defined as anyone who is under the age of 18.
Both possession and viewing can be either first or second degree charges, depending on the nature of the explicit content. Every charge of viewing or possessing child pornography is a felony. If you are charged with possession or viewing in the first degree, this means that you are being accused of possessing or viewing visual or printed matter that involves a minor engaging in:
- Masturbation
- Sadomasochistic abuse
- Sexual intercourse (including genital-genital, oral-genital, anal-genital, or oral-anal)
- Penetration of the vagina or rectum by any object
- Defecation or urination for the purpose of sexual stimulation of the viewer
If you are convicted of possessing or viewing youngster pornography in the first degree, you could face up to twelve to fourteen months in prison, followed by three years of probation. If you receive a conviction of this felony multiple times, you may face up to 10 years in prison.
If happen to be charged with possessing or viewing child pornography in the second degree, it means the explicit content contained a minor engaging in:
- Touching of a person’s clothed or unclothed genitals, pubic, breast or rectal areas to sexually stimulate the viewer.
- Depiction of a person’s clothed or unclothed genitals, pubic, breast or rectal areas to sexually stimulate the viewer.
If you are charged with possession in the second degree, you could face between three to nine months in county jail followed by one year of probation. If you are a repeat offender, you could face up to five years in prison.
Viewing in the second degree is punishable by up to one year of jail time, followed by one year of probation. However, if you are a repeat offender, you may receive up to five years in prison.
Besides these criminal consequences, a youngster pornography conviction can alienate you from friends and family. You will have to register on the sex offender registry, meaning that anyone will be able to access your information and find out about the conviction in your future. There’s no doubt that it will be difficult for you to find a job or a place to live with a child pornography charge on your record. There’s no doubt that this conviction has long-lasting and far-reaching consequences that should not be taken lightly.
Some defendants who are accused of possessing or viewing child pornography may also face federal charges. If you are convicted of federal charges, you can expect much harsher consequences than the ones previously mentioned.
If you or a family member or friend has been charged with possessing or viewing child pornography, it’s essential that you call an experienced Seattle child pornography lawyer as soon as possible.
IF YOU ARE CHARGED
Someone on the other side of the world can attack your computer with only a few mouse clicks. That’s not the only threat. Almost anyone who’s spent time online has clicked the wrong button and unexpectedly downloaded unwanted advertising, images, viruses, and sometimes pornography. Federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies aggressively prosecute child pornographers. Over the last two decades, they’ve created scores of police and prosecutorial task forces that actively pursue and prosecute crimes – especially online crimes – against children. Some of these “stings” to catch people who possess child pornography may even illegally violate your rights. Kevin Trombold , an experienced Seattle criminal defense attorney can help a defendant develop an effective defense – with the help of computer experts, if needed – against a child pornography charge. Penalties for a child pornography conviction are quite harsh, and in their effort to stop child abuse, the courts are seldom lenient. Seattle child pornography lawyer Kevin Trombold thoughtfully evaluates every case to craft the best possible defense for clients accused of child pornography.
GET THE RIGHT HELP FAST
Child abuse, abused children, and neglected children are a tragic problem in our world and a priority for law enforcement. Child pornography is one of the most heinous types of abuse. A child pornography charge can ruin your reputation and your life, which is why you need the correct criminal defense attorney to help you promptly. With over two decades reputation and experience for legal excellence respected by Seattle-area judges, peers, and prosecutors, defense attorney Kevin Trombold routinely wins not guilty verdicts, dismissals, and reduced charges. If you receive a charge with child pornography around the Seattle area, contact us at the Law Offices of Kevin Trombold by calling us at 206-590-7667.
