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    Westport Child Pornography Lawyer

    Being found in possession of any photograph, video, or other visual depiction of a minor engaged in any kind of sexual conduct is considered a serious crime in the state of Connecticut. Regardless of what type of charges you are facing or what circumstances led to your arrest and/or investigation, retaining a Westport child pornography lawyer as early as possible to effectively protect your rights should be a priority. Call a qualified sex crimes attorney from our firm today to learn more.

    What are the Different Levels of Child Pornography Charges?

    According to Connecticut General Statutes (C.G.S.) § 53a-193(13), “child pornography” is any visual material depicting someone under 16 years old engaged in “sexually explicit conduct.” C.G.S. § 53a-193(14) defines “sexually explicit conduct” as various forms of sexual intercourse, masturbation, sadomasochistic abuse, and “lascivious exhibition” of intimate areas. The Connecticut Penal Code addresses child pornography possession in C.G.S. § 53a-196d through 53a-196f, outlining three degrees of the offense differentiated by the amount and type of illicit material possessed.

    The least severe version of this charge is Possession of Child Pornography in the Third Degree, a Class D felony that entails possessing less than 20 separate depictions of child porn. Possession of Child Pornography in the Second Degree is a Class C felony defined as having between 20 and 50 illicit images of a minor.

    Someone who possesses more than 50 of these illegal items may be charged with Possession of Child Pornography in the First Degree, a Class B felony. This is also the case if an individual possesses images depicting certain acts, like the infliction of serious physical injury or more than one child engaged in explicit sexual conduct. Guidance from a qualified Westport child pornography attorney is vital to proactively handling any of these charges.

    What are the Potential Consequences of a Child Porn Conviction?

    Every offense related to possessing explicit images of a minor as it is defined under the Connecticut Penal Code has a mandatory minimum prison term attached to it that cannot be suspended or reduced by a court under any circumstances. The minimums for Third, Second, and First Degree offenses are one year, two years, and five years. The respective maximum penalties that may come with convictions for these offenses are five years, 10 years, and 20 years. At the court’s discretion, $5,000 to $15,000 in fines may also be assessed.

    It should be emphasized that a first-time conviction for child porn possession will generally be accompanied by a mandatory 10 years of sex-offender registration in Connecticut. A second offense carries a lifetime registration requirement. A child pornography defense attorney in Westport can go into further detail during a private consultation about what sanctions may result from a particular charge.

    Work With a Westport Child Pornography Attorney

    Handling allegations of owning child sexual exploitation imagery or other similar offenses is always an immensely complex and sensitive process. Without support from experienced legal counsel, you will likely have slim odds of achieving a favorable case resolution without permanent repercussions in your professional and personal life.

    A conversation with a Westport child pornography lawyer can offer clarity about your legal options. Call Mark Sherman Law today to discuss your case, and click here to read what other clients have to say about working with us.