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Maryland Child Pornography Lawyer

Whether possessing it, producing it, or distributing it, child pornography is a sex crime. Federally, child pornography is defined as involving any depiction of sexually explicit conduct with a minor. Sexually explicit conduct does not have to involve actual sexual activity; it is pornography if the child is naked and the depiction is sexually suggestive. In addition, for this crime, a minor is described as someone under 18 years old. Therefore, even in states that list the age of consent as, for instance, 16 years old, child pornography is illegal. Distribution and possession of child pornography images are illegal throughout the United States and in most jurisdictions in the world. If you are facing child pornography charges, it is vital that you contact a Maryland child pornography attorney.

Maryland Crimes for Child Pornography

Child pornography is distributed through a variety of media, such as drawings, writings, film and video, sound recordings, magazines, and photos. If it was produced while directly involving a child, it is considered child abuse. According to the Department of Justice, child sexual abuse is on the rise and so is the level of brutality, involving children and infants.
Because of this, all U.S. states and the federal government are aggressive in prosecuting child pornography (learn more about Federal sex crimes attorneys here). As an example, in February 2013, a man in Baltimore was found guilty of distributing child pornography by running an online bulletin board that hundreds of pornographers shared. He was sentenced to 30 years in prison and his co-conspirator in England is serving a 14-year-term. The case is said to be one of the largest child pornography rings ever uncovered and backs up the Department of Justice’s assertion that this crime is increasing. In another case in early 2013, a mother in Indiana was charged with selling her four-month-old daughter to a man for the purpose of making child pornography. The abuse lasted until the child was 18 months old.

By the mid-1980s, after extensive government involvement, the distribution of child pornography was greatly eradicated in the United Sates. However, it grabbed a new and abundant market with the greater use of the Internet and the growth of digital technology. With the click of a button, almost any image can be shared almost anywhere.
It is important to note the difference between pornography and child pornography. Pornography depicts what are known as suggested or explicit sexual activities; child pornography, no matter what else it does, exploits children. Every time a shot of child pornography appears somewhere, a child is being sexually abused. Moreover, the abuse is rarely, if ever, a one-time event. Producers of this type of exploitation usually form relationships with children that at some point develop into sexual acts. Child pornography is sexual abuse and exploitation of a child.

To prove the crime of child pornography, the State of Maryland must prove that a person intentionally possessed such images and did so intentionally, or knew that he or she intentionally distributed such images. If convicted of possession on a charge of child pornography in Maryland, the prison sentence may be as long as five years and a fine of $2,500 for the first offense. If convicted of distributing child pornography on the Internet, the term may be up to 10 years and a fine of $25,000.

If a person is charged with child pornography in Maryland, he or she may be issued a summons or an arrest warrant. The summons gives the person a future date in court on the issue; a warrant indicates that the person will be arrested. If a federal agency such as the FBI conducts a child pornography investigation, a person may be formally charged by indictment or be given the option of a pre-indictment plea. A detention hearing is then set.

Maryland Child Pornography Attorney

Child pornography is a serious crime in any jurisdiction. If you suspect you are being investigated for any charge related to child pornography, you need to contact top-quality legal representation as soon as possible.

Maryland Child Pornography Lawyer
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