Greenwich Child Pornography Lawyer
- All Possession of Child Pornography arrests are felony charges in Greenwich.
- Charges depend on the number of illegal images allegedly found on your phone or computer
- Your phone and laptop should be forensically examined to help build a defense.
- Call a top Greenwich Connecticut child pornography defense lawyer today if you’ve been arrested for Possession of Child Pornography CGS 53a-196.
What is the Definition of Child Pornography?
Connecticut General Statutes (“CGS”) § 53a-193 defines “child pornography” as any photo, film, videotape, movie clip, picture or computer-generated image or picture, that depicts any person under 16 years of age engaging in sexually explicit conduct. “Sexually explicit conduct” means any actual or simulated: (1) sexual intercourse, (2) bestiality, (3) masturbation, (4) sadistic or masochistic abuse, or (5) exhibition of genital or pubic area.
What to Know if Police Come to Your Home with a Warrant
If Greenwich police show up at your door with a warrant to search and seize your iPhone and laptop, remember—you do not have to speak to them without an attorney present! Don’t answer questions or provide any information—including passwords or passcodes—without first speaking to an attorney to understand your legal rights. What you think is helpful could very well end up being hurtful down the road.
What Happens in Court During a Possession of Child Pornography Case?
As with all CGS 53a-196 arrests in Greenwich, you will first be arraigned in the Stamford Superior Court before a Connecticut Judge. Depending on the evidence the police claim to have against you, you may also face federal charges. State penalties and federal charges penalties are separate and it is important to mount a strong defense in both.
Do I Need to Know Images Exist to be Guilty of Child Pornography Possession?
Yes. To be convicted, you must be aware of and be able to access the illegal photos or video under Connecticut Child Pornography laws, CGS § 53a-196d, 53a-196e and 54a-196f. Connecticut prosecutors must be able to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that you knew child porn images existed on your electronics and that you could access and view them.
What If Illegal Images Are On My Computer but I Can’t View Them?
That does not qualify as a crime under the law. We often see cases where clients are unaware images exist, or in good faith attempted to delete these images. Any of the best Greenwich child pornography defense attorneys will have your devices reviewed by a forensic examiner, who can provide crucial information to support your defense.
What is the Best Defense Strategy for a Illicit Images Case?
In order to properly defend a possession of child porn case in Greenwich, you should meet with an attorney who has handled many CGS 53a-196 child porn cases and knows how preserve crucial defense evidence from the beginning of your case. Your attorney will work with a digital forensic expert to determine whether the images were intentionally downloaded. They will examine the number of images on your devices, verify the age of the alleged child porn victim, and whether or not the images were actually accessible for viewing.
Call a Greenwich Child Pornography Defense Attorney Today
Possession of Child Pornography cases are serious and carry significant penalties, including mandatory jail time if convicted. The Greenwich child pornography lawyers at Mark Sherman Law have been fighting computer crime arrests for over 25 years. Our knowledge of the nuances of Connecticut internet crime laws and our access to experts have led to exceptional results. Our certified 5-star reviews from former clients at Avvo.com speak for themselves. Contact us 24/7 to discuss your case.