Kansas City Child Pornography Criminal Defense Attorneys

The possession, production, or distribution of child pornography is a serious crime. Federal law establishes harsh minimum sentences for most first-time convictions. The statutory minimum for anyone convicted of producing child pornography is 15 years in prison. Five years in prison is the mandatory minimum for the transportation, distribution, or receipt of child pornography.

If you or a loved one has been charged with a child pornography offense (commonly called cp charges), the Kansas City criminal defense lawyers at SRC Law Group LLC, are available for a free and confidential consultation.

We are committed to protecting the rights, reputations, and freedoms of our clients. With over 25 years of combined experience, our Kansas City criminal defense attorneys completely understand Kansas laws and court proceedings to thoroughly review your case and provide you with all available legal options. Let us obtain the most favorable outcome possible for you.

1. What Is Child Pornography?

2. Sexual Exploitation of a Child.

3. Child Pornography Is a State and Federal Crime

4. Possession vs. Receipt.

5. Receiving Child Pornography

6. What To Do if You Are Sent Child Pornography?

7. What Should I Do When Facing Child Pornography Charges?

8. Combatting Child Pornography Charges.

9. Do You Have to Register as a Sex Offender?

10. Penalties for Child Pornography

11. Federal Child Pornography Sentencing Guidelines.

12. What Should Parents Understand About Child Pornography ?

13. Contact a Kansas City Child Pornography Criminal Defense Attorney

Child pornography and sexual exploitation of a child are used synonymously in Kansas.

Sexual exploitation of a minor occurs if and when:

• An individual persuades or coerces a minor under 18 into engaging in sexual activity while being photographed or filmed
• An individual possesses child pornography.
• An individual persuades or coerces a minor under 18 into engaging in sexual activity while being photographed or filmed.
• An individual possesses child pornography.
• If a parent consents to their child participating in sexual activity while being filmed.
• “Promoting” sexual content involved a minor by selling, delivering, or publishing the explicit content.

The minor in the content does not have to be behaving in sexual behavior in order for it to be considered child pornography; a suggestive photo of a nude minor is enough to warrant a criminal charge.

Under current legal statutes, child pornography can be described as the visual depiction of sexually graphic conduct that involves a minor.

Whether it be across state or international boundaries, the United States Department of Justice will prosecute crimes of this nature immediately. There are certain elements of this crime that can be elaborated on according to state, and they provide more details on what fits the description of sexually explicit content involving a minor. There are multiple interpretations going across state lines.

For example, in the state of Utah, sexually explicit content entails the representation of defecation or urination, be it actual or simulated. Also, in the state of Massachusetts, the law extends to depicting a minor naked in a visual capacity. State statutes vary, but the severity of the crime is generally the same.

You can face child pornography charges at both the state and federal levels. Child pornography is considered ‘illegal contraband’ under federal laws.

There are numerous reasons why child pornography cases may fall under federal jurisdiction:

• If the offense occurred in interstate or foreign commerce (mailed photos across state borders).
• If the child pornography offense took place online.
• If a parent or guardian buys, sells, or transfers custody of the minor to produce child pornography.
• If someone outside the United States distributes child pornography into the U.S.

Though there is no mandatory minimum sentence for the first-time possession of child pornography, there is a mandatory minimum for the first-time receipt of child pornography. This leads many prosecutors to charge defendants with the receipt of child pornography instead of simple possession.

The strength of the prosecutor's case depends on numerous factors including:

• The number and type of images in your possession
• The location of any images found on your computer
• The means by which the evidence against you was obtained

You can’t control everything that is sent to you online. You may be wondering, what if you’re sent illegal and explicit content? Are you at risk of facing criminal charges?

Possessing child pornography is a felony offense that comes with life-long consequences. If you were sent child pornography, you need to take action to ensure there is no confusion about your intent with the content.

After being sent lewd content of a minor, contact your local police to report the content. You may also want to report the incident to your internet service provider. Showing that you took these steps can help save you from a criminal conviction.

If you are facing child pornography charges, contact SRC Law Group as soon as possible. We have extensive experience handling complex sex crimes cases; we know what it takes to win.

The first thing you should do after being arrested is to contact a criminal defense attorney. In many instances, child pornography cases are investigated for weeks or months prior to making an arrest. During this time, investigators and prosecutors have had plenty of time to collect evidence and build a case against you. You need aggressive defense on your side of the courtroom.

At SRC Law Group, we have created effective defense strategies for individuals facing child pornography charges. Call us at (913) 948-9311 as soon as possible to share the details of your case with our criminal defense attorneys.

If an individual has explicit content of a minor in their possession, the consequences can be incredibly severe, even for a first-time offender. We’ve compiled a comprehensive list of frequently asked questions people have about child pornography charges and penalties.

At SRC Law Group, LLC, we have extensive trial experience in both state and federal courtrooms. This is important because child pornography offenses can be prosecuted at both the state and federal levels. In either case, we begin our proceedings with a thorough investigation of the facts. We never recommend entering into a plea bargain unless we see no opportunity for a dismissal or acquittal.

If you are facing child pornography charges in Kansas, our trial lawyers in Kansas City is ready to fight for you. We can conduct a complete investigation into your arrest and gather crucial evidence to develop your effective and customized defense strategy. Our legal team understands what it takes to get your charges reduced, or your case dismissed altogether.

Don't face child pornography charges alone. Enlist the services of experienced Kansas City criminal defense attorneys by contacting SRC Law Group, LLC, today. You can reach us by dialing 913.948.9311

You do not have to register as a sex offender after being arrested, but you will be required to register if you are convicted.

Information that will be public on the registry includes:

• Your full name
• Your hometown
• Your social security number
• The details of your offense and any past offenses

For many child pornography cases, you have to remain on the sex offender registry for life.

When on the sex offender registry, you are required to consistently re-register and update any changes in your personal information. Failure to do so can result in additional penalties like jail time.

For more information visit our Sex Offender Registration page.

You can face child pornography charges at both the state and federal levels. Child pornography is considered ‘illegal contraband’ under federal laws.

There are numerous reasons why child pornography cases may fall under federal jurisdiction:

• If the offense occurred in interstate or foreign commerce (mailed photos across state borders).
• If the child pornography offense took place online.
• If a parent or guardian buys, sells, or transfers custody of the minor to produce child pornography.
• If someone outside the United States distributes child pornography into the U.S.

Penalties for sexual exploitation of a child change depending on if it is a felony or off-grid felony offense.

A standard charge is a felony, punishable by:

• Up to 55 months in prison (about 4.5 years)
• Up to $300,000 in fines

If you are convicted of a child pornography offense involving a minor under 14 years old, it is considered an off-grid felony. This is the most severe charge you can get in Kansas.

This is punishable by:

• Life imprisonment or the death penalty
• Up to $500,000 in fines

If you are charged at the federal level, these potential penalties increase. Federal law requires a mandatory minimum 15-year sentence for anyone who produces child pornography. There is a 5-year mandatory minimum for anyone who distributes or receives lewd content of a minor.

With the advancement of the Internet, more people are being charged with child pornography crimes. The charges for individuals vary based on the victim's age and if the defendants have any past convictions. No matter how minor or severe the incident is, it's important for clients to have good legal representatives.