Child Sex Crimes Defense Lawyers

Child sex crimes and pornography charges are incredibly serious in North Carolina. A Charlotte man recently faced child pornography charges in federal court. In addition to child pornography charges, prosecutors have brought charges for sex trafficking of a minor. The prosecutor’s indictment also states that the defendant knowingly transported the minor across state lines for the purposes of engaging in illicit sexual activity.

Finally, the man faces charges for receiving material that contains child pornography. He now faces a lifetime prison sentence for sex trafficking of a minor. The child pornography charge alone comes with a maximum prison sentence of 20 years.

As you can see, North Carolina prosecutors take child sex crimes and child pornography charges extremely seriously. There is currently a nationwide initiative to combat abuse and child sexual exploitation. The Department of Justice launched the Project Safe Childhood in 2006. The project helps law enforcement officials across the country investigate and prosecute defendants on child pornography and related charges.

Our sex crime and child pornography lawyers understand that the stakes are high when it comes to child pornography. When innocent defendants are charged with child pornography, the accusations can seriously damage their reputations and negatively affect their livelihood. A conviction of child pornography can devastate your career, educational opportunities, and even personal relationships even if you do not have to serve significant time in prison.

At Arnold & Smith, PLLC, we use our extensive experience in criminal trials to help our clients. Everyone is innocent until proven guilty. When you are facing stigmatizing criminal charges, you need lawyers who are aggressive and not afraid to represent you assertively in court and out of court. Contact our criminal defense attorneys today to schedule your free case evaluation and learn how we can fight for you.

When a person knows the character or content of the material or performance and knowingly does the following, he or she can face prosecution:

• Use, induce, employ, coerce, encourage, or help a minor engage in or assist others to engage in sexual activity for a live performance or for the purpose of producing a visual representation of the activity, such as photos or video
• Permit a minor under your custody or control to engage in sexual activity for a live performance or for producing a visual representation of the activity
• Finance the transportation of or transport a minor through or across North Carolina with the intent to engage in sexual activity for a live performance or producing a visual representation, or
• Record, photograph, film, develop, or duplicate for sale, or other pecuniary gains, material that contains a visual representation of a minor engaged in sexual activity

All of these offenses are punished by a Class C felony or a Class B1 through E felony. These offenses necessitate registration on a sex offender list with high maximum penalties. Class C felony punishments include the following:

• Level 1: 58 to 130 months
• Level II: 67 to 141 months
• Level III: 77 to 153 months
• Level IV: 88 to 166 months
• Level V: 101 to 182 months
• Level VI: 117 to 201 months

The following actions constitute second-degree exploitation of a minor when you do them knowing the following:

• Photograph, record, film, develop, or duplicate material that contains a visual representation of a minor engaged in sexual activity, or
• Distribute, transport, exhibit, receive, sell, purchase, exchange, or ask for materials that contain a visual representation of a minor engaged in sexual activity

Second-degree sexual exploitation of a minor comes with the following sentencing guidelines:

• Level I: 20 to 84 months
• Level II: 23 to 88 months
• Level III: 26 to 92 months
• Level IV: 30 to 96 months
• Level V: 35 to 102 months
• Level VI: 40 to 108 months

If you know the character of the content of the material, possess materials that contain a visual representation of a minor engaging in sexual activity. Male possession of child pornography is a Class H felony, which includes the following sentencing:

• Level I: 5 to 6 months
• Level II: 6 to 8 months
• Level III: 8 to 10 months
• Level IV: 9 to 11 months
• Level V: 12 to 15 months
• Level VI: 16 to 20 months

If you are facing child sex crimes charges, contact our experienced child sex crimes criminal defense lawyers today to schedule your free initial consultation. Call our lawyers at Arnold & Smith, PLLC, at (704) 370-2828 to evaluate your options or fill out our contact form. Now taking cases throughout North Carolina with offices in Uptown Charlotte, Mooresville and Monroe.