Federal Child Pornography Lawyer

Over the past 16 years, Dorsk Law Office, Plc. has assisted many clients facing child pornography and sexual exploitation offenses in federal courts in the Eastern District of Virginia. Production, distribution, and receipt or possession of sexually explicit images of minors under the age of 18 is against the law, see 18 U.S. Code Sections 2251, 2252 and 2256. If you are accused of any of these acts or believe that you may be under investigation, quickly contact us for legal counsel and defense representation. 

 

Working with a Norfolk Federal Child Pornography Lawyer

When you are accused of a federal offense related to child pornography, you can quickly become overwhelmed, which is why you need a defense attorney that routinely handles child pornography cases in federal court. You need someone you trust to have on your side, so that you can rest assured that you have an advocate fighting zealously for you.

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There are a number of defenses to federal child pornography charges, and your defense attorney can help determine the best strategy for fighting the charges:

• The images in question do not qualify as child pornography (age of subjects is in question, or the images are not of a lewd or prurient nature)

• The images were inadvertently viewed or downloaded

• The defendant had no way to reasonably know that the subject was a minor, and therefore had no intent to view or possess child pornography

• Evidence—including electronic equipment, computers, cell phones, and storage devices—was seized illegally in violation of the Fourth Amendment

• Lack of intent to distribute images stored online

 

Federal penalties for child pornography are severe, but with an intelligent criminal defense from an experienced Norfolk or Newport News federal child pornography lawyer, you can successfully defend against these most difficult allegations.

 

Federal Child Pornography Laws

Internet access, smartphones, and sexting have all led to an increase in state and federal child pornography prosecutions. While child pornography charges are often handled at the state level, the use of interstate commerce –including U.S. mail or interstate transmission of child pornography over the internet—in the distribution, download, or receipt of child pornography is a federal crime.

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Federal law defines child pornography under  as a visual depiction of a minor under the age of 18 involved in sexually explicit conduct. Because the federal child pornography statutes define a minor as someone under the age of 18, a person who may be able to legally consent to sex under state law may not consent to appear in sexually explicit images. This can lead to federal charges as a result of underage “sexting” when images are disseminated across state lines or the internet.

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There are several federal laws pertaining to the production, distribution, and possession of child pornography, including 21 U.S. Code 2251 regarding the sexual exploitation of minors.

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Under this law, enticing a minor to appear in child pornography, producing child pornography, distributing child pornography, and knowingly receiving child pornography are felony sex crimes. The penalties for violation of 2251 include a sentence range of 15 to 30 years in prison on the first offense. Subsequent or aggravated offenses bring even heavier penalties.

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Although the charges and penalties are serious, having legal defense representation can help you successfully resolve your case.  An accusation does not have to lead to conviction. Contact a federal child pornography attorney in Virginia to begin building your defense.

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What Are the Federal Penalties For Child Pornography in Virginia?

• A mandatory minimum of 10 years and a maximum of 30 years for production of child pornography.

• A mandatory five year minimum and a maximum of 10 years for the importation of child pornography from overseas.

• A mandatory minimum of five years and no more than 20 years in federal prison for the possession, distribution, and receipt of child porn images.

 

Call Dorsk Law Office If You Need Help

An accusation of involvement with child pornography does not have to bring your life as you know it to a screeching halt. Call today to speak with attorney Dorsk about your matter so that we may quickly assess your situation and get mobilized in your defense. Federal child pornography and sexual exploitation charges are incredibly serious, frightening and difficult to defend. Our level of experience in this subject spans over a decade and has led to years of positive results for our clients. 

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Contact Dorsk Law Office

When you are charged with child pornography in a Hampton Roads court, contact our office for a consultation so that we can discuss your options and start building your defense. Call 757-423-0271.

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Representing clients throughout Hampton Roads including Norfolk, Portsmouth, Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Newport News, Suffolk, Hampton, and the surrounding areas.

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