Clark Child Pornography Defense
Clark Child Pornography Defense Lawyer Serving Union County
If you are facing child pornography charges in Union County, you need experienced legal representation. These are serious criminal charges that carry serious consequences—including lifelong consequences in many cases. Our criminal defense lawyers have centuries of combined experience. If you need a Clark child pornography defense lawyer, our lawyers can get to work on your case right away.
Whether you have been accused of viewing, possessing, producing, or distributing child pornography, you are facing substantial fines, prison time, and other penalties. A Clark child pornography defense lawyer at our firm can help you fight to avoid these penalties by all means available. We know what it takes to present a successful defense, and we are committed to protecting our clients regardless of the circumstances at hand.
Understanding Your Child Pornography Charge (or Charges) in New Jersey
Under New Jersey’s child pornography law (N.J.S.A. Section 2C:24-4), prosecutors can pursue charges in a wide range of circumstances. At Helmer, Conley & Kasselman, P.A., we defend individuals who are facing all types of child pornography-related charges, including:
- Viewing Child Pornography – Section 2C:24-4 defines “possession” of child pornography to include “viewing.” At a minimum, viewing child pornography is a third-degree indictable offense under New Jersey law.
- Possessing Child Pornography – Along with viewing child pornography, possession also includes having child pornography “under one’s control, through any means, including the Internet.” Possessing child pornography is minimally a third-degree indictable offense, but it can be prosecuted as a second-degree—or even first-degree—indictable offense in cases involving large numbers of photos or videos.
- Producing Child Pornography – Producing child pornography is either a second-degree indictable offense or a first-degree indictable offense, depending on an individual’s specific role in the illicit operation. Individuals who take photos or record videos can be prosecuted for a second-degree offense, while individuals who “cause or permit a child to engage in a prohibited sexual act or . . . simulation” for purposes of creating child pornography can be prosecuted for a first-degree offense.
- Distributing Child Pornography – Distributing child pornography is either a second-degree indictable offense or a first-degree indictable offense, depending on the number of photos or videos distributed. Under New Jersey law, distributing child pornography includes, “knowingly stor[ing] or maintain[ing] an item depicting the sexual exploitation or abuse of a child using a file-sharing program . . . .”
- Possessing Child Pornography with Intent to Distribute – Under New Jersey law, possessing child pornography with intent to distribute is subject to the same charges (and penalties) as distributing child pornography.
Depending on the circumstances of your case, you could potentially be facing multiple child pornography-related charges as well as other criminal charges related to your alleged unlawful activity. Once you get in touch, a Clark child pornography defense lawyer at our firm can evaluate the charges you are facing as well as the defenses you can assert in court.
Penalties for Child Pornography Convictions in New Jersey
All child pornography charges carry severe penalties under New Jersey law. While the specific penalties you are facing depend on the specific charge (or charges) you are facing, potential penalties in child pornography cases generally include:
Fines
All criminal convictions carry steep fines in New Jersey. For child pornography-related convictions, the potential fines include:
- Third Degree Indictable Offense – Up to $15,000 in fines
- Second Degree Indictable Offense – Up to $150,000 in fines
- First Degree Indictable Offense – Up to $200,000 in fines
These are in addition to your court costs and the other financial consequences that can result from a serious criminal conviction. For many people, the potential financial consequences alone are enough to convince them that it is well worth hiring an experienced Clark child pornography defense lawyer.
Imprisonment
If you are facing child pornography charges in New Jersey, you will need to fight your case successfully to avoid imprisonment. The potential prison sentences for child pornography charges in New Jersey include:
- Third Degree Indictable Offense – Three to five years in prison
- Second Degree Indictable Offense – Five to 10 years in prison
- First Degree Indictable Offense – 10 to 20 years in prison
Going to prison for any length of time is a life-altering experience. But, in child pornography cases, the consequences of a conviction in Union County can have other lifelong consequences as well.
Sex Offender Registration
These lifelong consequences can include sex offender registration under Megan’s Law. If you are convicted of a child pornography-related offense and required to register under Megan’s Law, failing to do so could lead to additional criminal charges.
Parole Supervision for Life (PSL)
Child pornography convictions can also carry parole supervision for life (PSL). If you are sentenced to PSL, not only will you have to report to a parole officer for the rest of your life, but you will be subject to various other lifelong restrictions and requirements as well.
How a Clark Child Pornography Defense Lawyer Can Help
Given all that you have at stake, if you are facing child pornography charges in Union County, you need to do everything you possibly can to protect yourself. This starts with putting an experienced Clark child pornography defense lawyer on your side. When you hire a lawyer at Helmer, Conley & Kasselman, P.A. to represent you, your lawyer will use his or her experience to protect you by all means available. All of our lawyers have the experience required to provide effective legal representation, and all of our lawyers are prepared to do everything they can to help our clients avoid unnecessary consequences.
Contact Us to Speak with a Clark Child Pornography Defense Lawyer in Confidence
Do you need to speak with an experienced criminal defense lawyer about a child pornography case in Union County, New Jersey? If so, we strongly encourage you to contact us right away. To schedule a confidential initial consultation with a Clark child pornography defense lawyer at Helmer, Conley & Kasselman, P.A. as soon as possible, call us at 877-435-6371 or tell us how we can reach you online now.
