St. Petersburg Child Pornography Lawyer

Facing a child pornography offense is traumatic, and the process can be overwhelming and emotional. Even without a conviction, these charges can ruin your reputation. With a conviction, you can face long prison sentences, mandatory sex offender registration, and limits to employment and housing. Prosecutors are aggressive when it comes to these cases, and even an accusation can damage your personal relationships.

At Goldman Wetzel, we understand how serious these charges are. Our team works together on every case to make sure each client gets thorough representation. If you are facing these allegations, having a St. Petersburg child pornography lawyer is essential. Having an attorney assist you at the start can help the outcome of your case.

Understanding Child Pornography Laws

Florida law strictly prohibits the possession, distribution, and creation of child pornography. Under Florida Statute § 827.071, individuals can face charges for all three. These include possession, which involves having any material that depicts a minor engaged in sexual conduct, and distribution, which involves sending, sharing, or transmitting such material to others. It also involves production, including creating, filming, or facilitating the production of illegal content.

Even if a person did not create the material, possession is illegal. Even unknowingly possessing it can lead to felony charges. A conviction can result in harsh penalties, including:

• Up to 15 years in prison for each image in possession
• Longer sentences for production and distribution
• Heightened charges for repeat offenders as noted in Fla. Stat. § 775.804
• Mandatory registration as a sex offender and probation
• Restrictions on internet use, employment, and residency

Since Florida prosecutors apply child pornography charges to the fullest extent, anyone facing these charges should immediately contact a St. Petersburg child pornography attorney.

How To Defend Against Child Pornography Charges

Defending against child pornography charges is difficult. The prosecution often has evidence from the accused’s device or from their home. This means that defending against these claims requires a thorough analysis of the evidence. There are some common defenses to these charges, including:

• Lack of knowledge: The accused may not have known that the material was on their device, which is especially important in cases involving malware, hacked accounts, or even accidental downloads
• Unlawful search and seizure: If law enforcement violated constitutional rights while gathering evidence, we can challenge the case
• Mistaken identity: Online activity traced back to the wrong person can lead to incorrect allegations
• No intent to possess: Sometimes having access to an image does not imply committing a crime, as pop-ups and spam may be the cause

Our legal team at Goldman Wetzel works tirelessly to find weaknesses in the prosecution’s case. Our St. Petersburg child pornography attorneys take care to give you the strongest possible defense.

How a Child Pornography Lawyer Can Help

Facing child pornography charges is overwhelming. Our skilled child pornography attorneys in St. Petersburg can help individuals throughout the process, such as by:

• Reviewing the evidence and identifying weaknesses in the prosecution’s case
• Challenging and suppressing illegal or irrelevant evidence
• Negotiating plea agreements when necessary
• Providing strong court representation if a trial is necessary

At Goldman Wetzel, we have extensive litigation experience in difficult cases. Our firm is unique in that we take on each case as a team. While others avoid difficult cases, we use our extensive knowledge to ensure that everyone has sufficient legal representation.

Speak With a St. Petersburg Child Pornography Attorney

If you or a loved one has been accused of child pornography, seek legal help immediately from a St. Petersburg child pornography lawyer. The faster you have an attorney, the better protection you will have for your rights.

We understand the emotional challenges these charges bring and provide compassionate legal support throughout your case. Contact us today to discuss your situation, and we can begin developing a strategy to help protect your rights.