Fresno Child Pornography Lawyer

Regardless of location, crimes involving child pornography are taken very seriously. Penalties can include massive fines, spending decades in state or federal prison, and being labeled as a sex offender for life. If you are accused of such a serious sex crime, you may feel railroaded by a very harsh criminal justice system. When people are falsely accused of child pornography charges in Fresno, people are prone to accept such accusations as fact.

In some cases, child pornography charges are brought against an individual for ridiculous, even malicious reasons. A 17-year-old girl sending photos to her 19-year-old boyfriend, for example, could result in state or federal child pornography charges. Luckily, there are ways to fight for your freedom.

At the Michael McKneely, Criminal Defense Lawyer, Fresno criminal defense attorney Michael McKneely knows the turmoil that can arise in these situations. With years of experience helping decent individuals fight child pornography charges, attorney Michael McKneely can help defend your rights and your reputation. By utilizing the knowledge gained as both a prosecutor and a defender, he can anticipate the prosecution’s approach to your case to construct an effective defense.

Call (559) 443-7442 today to see how you can clear your name and maintain your freedom.

Child Pornography Crimes

California law defines child pornography as any photo or video recording that portrays a minor engaging in a sexual act. Nude images or recordings of a minor also qualify as child pornography. Throughout the United States, child pornography is labeled as illegal contraband. In California, the laws that relate to child pornography crimes can be found in various sections of Penal Code 311. They describe a number of illegal activities that are related to child pornography. These include, but are not limited to:

• Sending child pornography, either electronically or through the mail
• Transporting child pornography from one place to another, even if the images are stored on a computer hard drive
• Making copies of images that qualify as child pornography
• Printing images that qualify as child pornography
• Advertising images that qualify as child pornography

Penalties and Collateral Consequences

In addition to harsh criminal penalties, being convicted of a child pornography crime will result in being required to register as a sex offender. Under this requirement, anyone labeled as a sex offender is required to live under certain restrictions, such as not being allowed to work at schools, and not being allowed to live within a certain distance of parks and other areas. In addition, being labeled as a sex offender makes obtaining employment and continuing your education almost impossible.

In California, child pornography is known as a wobbler. This means that it can either be charged as a misdemeanor or a felony depending on the severity of the crime. Criminal penalties for child pornography charges include, but are not limited to:

• Misdemeanor Conviction: Fines of up to $2,500 and up to 1 year in county jail
• Felony Conviction: Fines of up to $100,000 and up to 8 years in state prison

Let a Fresno Child Pornography Attorney Defend Your Freedom

Whether you have been falsely accused or you are being treated unfairly by the justice system, child pornography charges require a skilled legal defense. With the help of a knowledgeable and experienced Fresno criminal defense lawyer, many strategies may be available to prove your innocence. The experienced sex crimes attorneys at Michael McKneely, Criminal Defense Lawyer believes that the key to winning your case involves listening to your side of the story. Once we review all the evidence, it will be far easier to make your case in the court of law. With years of experience as a defense lawyer, attorney McKneely has the resources and ability to give you the best possible chance of having your charges reduced or dismissed. Call (559) 443-7442 to see how your freedom can be defended in a free and confidential consultation.