The laws that define and punish the possession or creation of child sexual abuse material are prosecuted harshly. These allegations are always felonies, where a conviction comes with a mandatory prison sentence and registration as a sex offender.

If you face these accusations, you need representation from a Shelton child sexual abuse material lawyer. At Ruane Attorneys, our legal team works to investigate the reasons for your arrest, evaluate the strength of the prosecutor’s case, and identify potential defense strategies.

How State Law Defines Child Sexual Abuse Material

State law prohibits people from possessing child sexual abuse material. According to Connecticut General Statutes § 53a-193, child sexual abuse material is any visual depiction of sexually explicit conduct involving someone under 16 years of age. This may include:

• Photographs
• Videos
• Computer-generated images
• Computer files

However, the law never presumes that an item in question is an example of child sexual abuse material. Instead, the prosecution must convince the jury that the material in question fits this definition. A Shelton child sexual abuse material attorney could help to dispute this key concept.

Charges Related to Possession of Child Sexual Abuse Material

Most charges involving child sexual abuse material deal with a defendant’s alleged possession. Under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53a-196f, it is a class D felony for any person to possess fewer than twenty images of child sexual abuse material or a video containing fewer than 20 frames. This conviction comes with a mandatory one-year prison sentence and a requirement to register as a sex offender.

People who face allegations of possessing child sexual abuse material in excess of this amount may face harsher penalties. The most extreme allegations involve possession of more than 50 pieces of illicit material, a class B felony. The mandatory-minimum prison sentence here is five years. It is crucial to contest child sexual abuse material charges with help from a Shelton attorney to mitigate these severe outcomes.

Creation of Sexually Explicit Material Involving Minors

Even more concerning than allegations involving the supposed possession of child sexual abuse material are those that claim a defendant brought the material into the state or played a part in its creation.

Under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53a-196c, no person may knowingly bring three or more depictions of child sexual abuse material into the state. Similarly, Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53a-196a makes it a class A felony to entice, coerce, or otherwise convince a person under the age of 18 to produce obscene material. A lawyer at our Shelton office is prepared to present defenses against these serious examples of child sexual abuse material charges.

Contact a Shelton Child Sexual Abuse Material Attorney Now

Allegations involving the alleged possession or creation of child sexual abuse material are among the most serious under state law. Even possessing a single instance of this material comes with a mandatory prison sentence and an obligation to report as a sex offender. The harshest charges can come with a 25-year prison term.

It is essential that you give yourself every possible advantage moving forward. Hiring a Shelton child sexual abuse material lawyer to handle your case could make all the difference in the outcome. The team at Ruane Attorneys works to explain the relevant laws and what the prosecutor will need to prove in court. We are here to evaluate your specific situation and determine any possible affirmative defenses. Call us today to discuss your situation and protect your future.