Defending Possession of Child Pornography Arrests in Connecticut

• Not all pornography is illegal in Connecticut and sometimes illegal pornography can end up stored in your computer and you don’t even know it.
• Illegal Possession of Child Pornography in Connecticut is a serious felony.

• A digital forensic examiner can work with your attorney to challenge the illegal images.
• A comprehensive sex offender risk evaluation can help your defense.
• If you were arrested for Possession of Child Pornography in Connecticut, call any of the best criminal defense lawyers today to understand your rights.

3 Defense Strategies for Fighting Child Porn Possession Arrests in CT

Possession of Child Pornography in Connecticut can be a Class B, C, or D felony, depending on the number of illegal images police claim to find.  You can find the laws at CT criminal law § 53a-196d, 53a-196e, and 53a-196f.  No matter what degree of Illegal Possession of Child Porn you’re charged with, you’re facing a felony charge and are at risk of multiple years in jail, including 1-5 years that are mandatory.

1) Can I be Arrested for Illegal Images or Videos if I Didn’t Know They were there?

Some of the best attorneys are often told that their client was unaware of illegal images on their computer or iPhone.  Connecticut Child Porn Possession laws require the State to prove you knew the images were there.  Unfortunately, simply saying you were unaware is not enough. A criminal defense attorney can work to collect evidence to show that you were unaware the photos were there. Digital forensic examiners, for example, can be hired to investigate your electronics and say when, where, and how images got there.

2) Can I Challenge the Number of Images if I’m Arrested for Child Porn Possession in CT?

Often, yes.  Your iPhone, cell phone, and computers will usually always be analyzed by the Connecticut State Lab, which will write a report and will include every possible illegal image.

Top Connecticut criminal child pornography defense attorneys will work with forensic computer experts to challenge two main things:  (1) whether the images were actually accessible or located in “unallocated space” and (2) whether the images are clearly illegal child porn or are instead “age indeterminate.”

If this sounds complicated, it’s because it is – but an experienced child porn defense attorney can help.

3) Should I Undergo a CATSO Evaluation?

If you’re arrested for Illegal Possession of Child Porn in Connecticut, your defense attorney will want you to undergo a thorough evaluation by a member of the Connecticut Association for the Treatment of Sexual Offenders, or “CATSO.”  This evaluation is extremely in-depth and can tell the judge whether you are low or high risk for reoffending. A low risk evaluation can be helpful in mitigating penalties.

What Should I Expect in Court after a Child Porn Arrest?

Once the arrest warrant is served, you’ll be given a court date.  Most Child Porn Possession arrests in Connecticut stay in State Superior Court, but if the number of images is extraordinarily high or if you’re accused of producing illegal images, you may instead be indicted by the Department of Justice / United States Attorney’s Office.  Either way, with years of potential jail exposure, including mandatory time, you need a top Illegal Child Porn defense attorney by your side for every step of your defense.

Call a Connecticut Attorney for Help Defending Your Possession of Child Porn Arrest

Defenses to Illegal Possession of Child Pornography arrests in Connecticut are complicated, technical, and require solid knowledge of both the laws and forensics.  If you’re arrested in Connecticut for § 53a-196e, you need a team that has developed effective defense strategies and works with necessary experts regularly.  Check out reviews from some of our past clients at Avvo.com. Then call Mark Sherman Law.