If you have been arrested and charged with possession of child pornography, you may be unsure of what to do next and highly anxious about your future. These are serious charges with very serious penalties. Even if you are innocent of the charges, the social stigma of being charged with such a crime can be severe. This is not the type of criminal charge you want to handle alone. Neither should you assume the charges will go away if you are innocent—there are innocent people in prison and jail across the United States. You must contact a Salt Lake City child pornography defense lawyer from Conyers & Nix to ensure you have the best defense available for your charges.
Why Should You Choose a Salt Lake City Child Pornography Defense Lawyer from Conyers & Nix?
When you choose attorneys Kate Conyers and Jesse Nix to represent you on charges of child pornography, you will have zealous advocates who constantly strive for exceptional representation for each client. Kate and Jesse are more involved in their community than most other criminal defense attorneys; both have served in leadership positions in the Utah State Bar and organizations like Women Lawyers of Utah and the Utah Minority Bar Association.
Kate and Jesse have extensive public defender experience, meaning they have a wider variety of expertise, more trials under their belts, and more knowledge of judges and prosecutors than most attorneys. At Conyers & Nix, their attorneys prepare every case thoroughly and comprehensively. They never take the first offer from the prosecutor because they know they can negotiate better terms in almost every situation.
Kate and Jesse are passionate about ensuring your rights are protected every step of the way. They are advocates of just and fair sentencing, ensuring pretrial conditions are not excessive, and ensuring your trial is fair. Their professionalism and stellar reputation ensure you have chosen the right firm to fight for you against your charges of child pornography.
What is Child Pornography?
When sexually explicit conduct involving anyone under 18 is visually depicted, it is considered “child pornography”. This sexually explicit conduct can include photographs, videos, live performances, or computer-generated images.
Utah’s Sexual Exploitation Act defines sexually explicit conduct in Utah as actual or simulated conduct that includes:
- Masturbation
- Lascivious exhibition
- Sexual intercourse
- Masochistic or sadistic sexual activity
- Bestiality
- Explicit representation of urination or defecation
The distribution of child pornography can include selling, giving, displaying, or exhibiting child pornography, whether for money or for free. Distribution of child pornography in Utah is a second-degree felony. Charges of child pornography fall under sexual exploitation of a minor and prohibit the following:
- Intentionally distributing child pornography
- Producing child pornography
- Knowingly permitting or consenting to the sexual exploitation of a minor
- Possession of child pornography with intent to distribute
- Possession of child pornography
What Are the Penalties and Consequences for a Child Pornography Charge in Utah?
Sexual exploitation of a minor (aka child pornography) is always prosecuted as a felony offense, never a misdemeanor. Possession of child pornography is generally charged as a second-degree felony, with separate charges filed for each minor and each instance or image where a child is depicted in the child pornography. This means that the charges can stack up when you are being charged with possession of child pornography. If you are convicted of this second-degree felony, you could face one to 15 years in prison and/or a fine as large as $10,000.
The collateral consequences can be just as harsh. After serving your time, you will be required to register as a sex offender, which limits where you can live and what jobs you can do. You may be unable to secure employment as a convicted sex offender. You may be unable to vote, own a firearm, secure a government loan for college, or even rent an apartment. The social stigma will continue for a very long time—perhaps for the remainder of your life.
Can You Go to Jail in Utah for a Child Pornography Conviction?
You may spend time in jail or prison following a child pornography conviction. Sexual exploitation of a minor related to child pornography is a serious criminal offense. In addition to prison time, you could face astronomical criminal fines and other penalties. The criminal record you acquire from a child pornography conviction can damage your career and hinder your goals, potentially for the remainder of your life. You must speak to a knowledgeable Salt Lake City child pornography defense lawyer from Conyers & Nix if you’ve been charged with possession of child pornography.
Can a Minor Be Charged with Possession of Child Pornography?
A minor can certainly be charged with possession of child pornography and will require legal representation just like an adult. There are other ways a minor could potentially be charged with child pornography. Racy or sexually explicit photographs sent as a text message, email, or social media post could potentially result in charges filed against both parties. Something like this should not ruin your teen’s future—talk to an experienced Salt Lake City child pornography defense lawyer as quickly as possible.
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How a Salt Lake City Child Pornography Defense Lawyer from Conyers & Nix Can Help
When you choose Conyers & Nix, you can rest easy knowing we will fight for your best interests, no matter how challenging. We will always treat you with respect and we will never judge you. We will help you through this difficult process in the best way possible while always being honest and transparent. Contact Conyers & Nix today for help with your child pornography charges.