Being charged with child pornography is a serious criminal offense in West Chester, PA. A conviction could change your life forever, even after serving a lengthy prison sentence. You need an experienced West Chester child pornography lawyer to fight for you with the prosecutor and in court.
Attorney DiCindio is a former Chester County prosecutor. He has been recognized for his exceptional skills as an attorney by being named on the Top 10 Under 40 list by the American Institute of Criminal Law Attorneys. He is also named as a Main Line Today Top Lawyer by the National Academy of Criminal Defense Attorneys.
Our legal team at DiCindio Law, LLC is ready to aggressively defend you against criminal charges. Contact our law office to schedule a free consultation at (610) 430-3535.
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How Our West Chester Sex Crimes Lawyers Help You Defend Yourself Against Child Pornography Charges
A child pornography offense brands you as a sex offender in West Chester, Pennsylvania. Even the mere allegation that you engaged in the sexual abuse of children can ruin your reputation, relationships, and future. Therefore, an aggressive defense strategy is crucial if you want to get your life back.
Some of the ways our West Chester sex crimes attorneys can assist your case include:
- Thoroughly investigating the charges against you to gather evidence
- Identifying defenses based on the facts and evidence
- Reviewing the state’s evidence against you
- Discussing your options for fighting charges of sex crimes
- Working to negotiate with prosecutors to have the child porn charges dismissed
- Negotiating a fair plea agreement if advisable in your case
- Aggressively defending you in court
We use our experience, skills, and resources to fight allegations of child pornography. Our legal team works to gain a fair and just outcome in your case. We want to minimize the impact these criminal charges have on your life.
Contact us to schedule a free consultation with our West Chester sex crimes lawyers.
Child Pornography Laws in Pennsylvania
Child pornography offenses include several acts under Pennsylvania’s sexual abuse of children statute. 18 Pa.C.S. §6312 makes it a crime to:
- Intentionally or knowingly possessing, viewing, or controlling films, magazines, videotape, computer depiction, brochures, pamphlets, and other files containing children under the age of 18 years engaging in a sexual act or simulated sexual act
- Filming, photographing, depicting on computers, or videotaping children under 18 years engaging in sexual acts or simulated sexual acts
- Allowing a child under 18 years to engage in a sex act or a simulated sex act on video, film, and computers or in photographs
- Possession of child pornography, including selling, distributing, disseminating, sharing, displaying, or delivering photographs, videos, or computer depictions of children under 18 years engaged in sex acts or simulated sex acts
The law defines prohibited sex acts in broad terms. It includes actual sexual acts. However, it also includes simulated sex acts.
Sex acts include masturbation, intercourse, fellatio, and cunnilingus. Prohibited acts also include sadism, bestiality, and masochism. It is also illegal to exhibit the genitals if it is done to stimulate the viewer or result in the viewer’s sexual gratification.
A person may claim that they did not know the child’s age. However, that is not a valid defense against child pornography charges. Likewise, claiming the child lied about their age is also not a valid defense.
Potential Penalties for Child Pornography Convictions in Pennsylvania
The Pennsylvania State Attorney General or a district attorney can prosecute a child pornography case. The penalties for a conviction depend on the charge. For example:
- Disseminating, distributing, selling, or viewing child pornography carries a five to a seven-year prison sentence as a third-degree felony for a first offense and a fine of up to $15,000.
- Depicting or filming child pornography is a second-degree felony that has a ten-year prison sentence for a first offense and a fine of up to $25,000.
The penalties increase for repeated offenses. Aggravating circumstances and your criminal history could also affect the sentence.
Registration as a Sex Offender for Child Pornography
In addition to serving a lengthy prison sentence and paying a hefty fine, a conviction for child pornography offenses requires you to register as a sex offender. The list is public information. Potential employers, landlords, and others can check the sex offender registry and see your name.
The time you must register as a sex offender depends on several factors. You could be required to register as a sex offender for 15 years, 25 years, or life. Your offenses, criminal history, and other factors determine the duration you’ll be listed on the sex offender registry.
Get Help From an Experienced West Chester Child Pornography Lawyer
Convictions for child pornography charges can have extreme consequences. Because of the serious nature of the criminal offense, it is unwise to represent yourself. Instead, you need an experienced criminal defense lawyer to develop a robust and aggressive defense strategy.
Contact our law firm to schedule a free case evaluation with our West Chester child pornography lawyers.