Severe Penalties and Long-Term Consequences of Criminal Charges Involving Child Pornography Call for Skilled and Passionate Legal Representation
Having your name connected to an investigation by law enforcement into allegations of possession or distribution of child pornography can be enough to forever damage your reputation and harm your relationship with friends, co-workers and family members. At van der Veen, Hartshorn, Levin & Lindheim, our highly skilled team of hardworking Philadelphia criminal defense attorneys recognize the importance of an aggressive and innovative defense strategy to combat government efforts to take away your freedom. If you are facing serious child pornography charges, don’t trust just anyone with your future. Our Philadelphia child pornography attorneys provide cutting-edge defense strategies. We are committed to protecting your reputation and your future.
Defending Against Unwarranted Child Pornography Charges
The various crimes related to child pornography in Pennsylvania are classified as sexual abuse of children. Both state and federal laws pertaining to child pornography define a child as someone who is under 18 years of age. The internet has made it easy to become the unwitting target of a criminal investigation into violation of the laws prohibiting the possession or viewing of images depicting children engaging in prohibited sexual acts. You might believe the person whose image you are viewing on your computer is at least 18 years of age, but even a bona fide belief on your part that the individual was at least 18 years old may not be an adequate defense to a criminal charge. Leading Philadelphia criminal defense attorney Michael T. van der Veen and his trusted team of attorneys have handled numbers of child pornography cases with favorable results. We know the laws pertaining to child pornography and know which strategies to employ to obtain the outcome you need.
Pennsylvania Laws Pertaining to Child Pornography are Specific
Sexual abuse of children under state law includes a number of crimes related to child pornography, including:
- Photographing or filming of sexual acts: If the subject is under 18 years of age and is depicted engaging in a sexual act prohibited by law, it is a felony of the second degree. It is also a violation of this section of the law to allow a child to be photographed or filmed under such circumstances.
- Dissemination of photographs, depictions and films: Selling, distributing, delivering, transferring or possessing for sale of any books, films, photographs or computer images of an underage child engaged in a sex act or in a simulation of a sex act is a felony of the third degree.
- Child Pornography: The possession or control of books, photographs, films, computer depictions or other materials of a child under 18 years of age engaged in an actual or simulated sex act is a felony of the third degree. A second or subsequent offense is a felony of the second degree.
The conduct prohibited by Pennsylvania law may also be a violation of federal law. If interstate or foreign commerce is used or affected by the prohibited conduct, it can result in a federal investigation leading to criminal charges under the United States Code.
Defense Strategies that Work
Child pornography prosecutions are frequently supported by evidence obtained through a search and seizure by police or other law enforcement agencies. Unless searches for evidence are conducted in accordance with state and federal laws and the Fourth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, our savvy and resourceful Philadelphia criminal defense attorneys can challenge the use of the evidence by prosecutors. In today’s world, child pornography is alleged to be transmitted through the internet onto computers or mobile devices. van der Veen, Hartshorn, Levin & Lindheim engage the country’s foremost forensic computer scientists to prove that there was either no intent to possess child pornography, or that the child pornography was never received by the individual being charged with the crimes of possession, distribution or creation of child pornography.
Contact Premier Philadelphia Criminal Defense Attorneys Now if You are Facing Child Pornography Charges
When your future is at stake and you are facing state or federal child pornography charges, don’t settle for inferior legal representation. Our Philadelphia Child Pornography Defense attorneys are top-notch and our presence dominates the courtroom. Trust your future and your freedom to an experienced criminal defense attorney from van der Veen, Hartshorn, Levin & Lindheim. Contact us today for a free initial consultation by calling (215) 486-0123, or you can use our convenient contact form on our website.
