The law charges crimes against children harshly. When someone is accused of possessing child pornography—images depicting a minor engaging in sexually explicit conduct—they face severe punishment.

A conviction on child pornography charges could lead to years in prison and hefty fines. A conviction would require you to register as a sex offender, which significantly limits opportunities for employment and housing. You may also face years of probation.

A Bridgeport child pornography lawyer works to help you avoid these outcomes and contest the allegations against you. At Ruane Attorneys, our legal team will tirelessly protect your rights and build a tailored defense for your case.

Laws Bar Possession of Certain Images

Connecticut General Statutes §53a-193 defines offenses related to obscene performances and materials. According to the law, child pornography is a photograph, film, or video image of someone engaging in sexually explicit conduct if the person is under 16.

The severity of the charges increases based on the number of images the defendant allegedly possessed. Knowingly having fewer than 20 images is a Class D felony with a mandatory one-year prison term. Knowingly possessing between 20 and 50 images is a Class C felony, and a person convicted of this crime must serve at least two years in prison. Possessing more than 50 images is a Class B felony—a conviction requires the offender to serve at least five years in prison.

If the images are in a video or film clip, each frame depicting a child engaged in sexually explicit activity counts as an image. The stakes are extremely high in these cases, so those accused of possessing child pornography in Bridgeport should contact an attorney immediately for legal representation.

Sexting Among Minors is a Crime

Young people may be tempted to send sexually explicit images of themselves to their peers or others. However, doing so is a criminal misdemeanor under some circumstances.

It is a crime for a person younger than 16 to voluntarily transmit a sexually explicit image of themself to someone under 18. It is also a crime for someone under 18 to possess a sexually explicit image of someone under 16, even when the subject of the image voluntarily shared it with the possessor.

Violating the sexting prohibition is a Class A misdemeanor, potentially punishable by up to one year in jail. However, these cases are often handled through the juvenile justice system. A Bridgeport child pornography lawyer at our firm could advise families on navigating the juvenile court and mitigating the potential consequences.

Defenses to Child Pornography Charges in Bridgeport

Most child pornography charges arise from images downloaded from the internet. Law enforcement agencies monitor sites that facilitate sharing of child pornography files and can track IP addresses when someone downloads a suspicious file. Agents often arrive at someone’s house with a search warrant to seize their phone and computer. If they find sexually explicit images of children when they search the devices, they file child pornography charges.

Improper Law Enforcement Procedures

A child pornography attorney at our firm can scrutinize the warrants and authorizations the agents used to monitor internet activity and seize the accused’s property. The court could suppress the illegally obtained evidence if law enforcement did not follow proper procedures.

Inadvertent or Unknowing Possession

Many legal adult websites have popup ads that might lead to an accidental download. Files available for download might not disclose that the subjects are underage. Sometimes, people receive unsolicited photographs or videos on their phones or social media accounts. Our Bridgeport attorneys could argue that the defendant unknowingly possessed the illegal material.

Images Belong to Other Users

Several people might have access to or use a computer that contains child pornography images. In such cases, a prosecutor must be able to tie the defendant to the images. Without clear evidence like an admission, a prosecutor could have difficulty proving that the defendant downloaded the images when others might have done it.

Work With a Bridgeport Attorney to Defend Against Child Pornography Charges

Child pornography charges are serious but often defendable. A Bridgeport child pornography lawyer understands these cases and how to defend them successfully. When the potential consequences of a conviction are this severe, you need legal representation by your side.

Seeking legal help as early as possible in a case could increase your chances of a positive resolution. Call Ruane Attorneys as soon as you learn you are under investigation for child pornography charges.