Child pornography-related crimes are considered acts of child exploitation by the California legal system, and facing these charges can be a daunting experience. Both possession and distribution of child pornography are unlawful under the statutes outlined in California Penal Code Section 311, and the punishments can be severe for those who are convicted of these crimes. Anyone facing a criminal charge related to child exploitation is encouraged to seek qualified legal assistance immediately. If you would like to consult a child pornography defense lawyer, contact Okabe and Haushalter to learn more about your legal options.
Although viewing child pornography is not explicitly illegal in the state of California, ownership, production, or distribution of such materials is unlawful under California Penal Code Section 311. Child pornography is defined as any material (including as images, videotapes, or downloaded digital media) depicting someone under the age of 18 engaged in sexual acts or in acts designed to arouse the viewer in a sexual manner.
California laws regarding child pornography discuss criminal offenses and penalties for those convicted of those offenses. Someone who is alleged to have committed a child pornography-related offense may face multiple charges depending on the circumstances surrounding their alleged crime.
Distributing or transporting child pornography is unlawful in the state of California. Persons convicted of this crime could face penalties that include fines up to 2,000 dollars and a jail sentence of up to one year. A distribution that is found to be for the purposes of commercial gain, however, can result in a sentence of up to six years in a state penitentiary and up to 100,000 dollars in fines if a conviction is reached.
Possession of child pornography is a crime that, if convicted, could result in fines of up to 2,500 dollars and up to one year of jail time. Under the law, possession does not only include physical materials such as videotapes or photographs but also can include any downloaded digital media or any materials that are saved to a computer hard drive or network.
Repeat offenders who are charged with the same crime (or a similar crime) as they were convicted of in the past may be given harsher penalties people who are facing their first criminal charge related to child pornography. Larger fines and longer prison sentences in a state or federal prison are possible consequences that repeat offenders may face if convicted.
You have the right to have an attorney represent you in court if you are facing criminal charges related to child pornography. If you need a child pornography defense lawyer in Hawthorne, the knowledgeable legal professionals at Okabe and Haushalter can assist you. Our team is comprised of criminal defense specialists who have an impeccable knowledge of the California Penal Code, and we have a reputation for getting results in the courtroom. We offer free consultations to all potential clients, so contact us today to find out more about your options.
